17 Appetizers That Turned Uncle Joe into a Snack King

Some appetizers are just built to impress, and these 17 dishes didn’t just show up—they made Uncle Joe a legend at snack time. Each recipe balances flavor, simplicity, and just the right amount of creativity. Whether savory, spicy, or sweet, they make snacking the main event. Here’s what got everyone reaching for seconds.

Sweet potato bites topped with guacamole and bacon. — Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli is savory, smooth, and a little sweet from the squash filling. It takes about an hour using pasta dough, roasted butternut squash, ricotta, and nutmeg. The flavor is earthy and creamy with a soft bite and mild richness. It’s a solid start to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce are tender leaves paired with a bold, fruity dipping sauce. They take around 45 minutes using whole artichokes, peaches, mangoes, and chili flakes. The flavor is mild from the artichoke, but the sauce brings heat and sweet at once. It’s light, messy, and worth every leaf.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad is fresh, creamy, and quick with a balance of acid and richness. It takes just 10 minutes using tomatoes, burrata cheese, olive oil, and basil. The flavor is juicy, mild, and slightly tangy with a smooth finish. It’s simple but delivers more than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Loaded bruschetta salad on crostini on a white plate. — Loaded Bruschetta Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded Bruschetta is crunchy, colorful, and stacked with tomatoes, cheese, and herbs. It takes about 20 minutes using fresh bread, garlic, tomato, mozzarella, and basil. The flavor is bright and herbaceous with a savory edge from the cheese. It’s an easy bite that keeps hands—and plates—busy.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce are crispy on the outside and soft in the center. They take about 30 minutes using grated sweet potatoes, flour, eggs, and a zesty dipping sauce. The taste mixes sweetness with a light kick. They work great warm or at room temp.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries are flaky, stuffed bites with earthy flavor throughout. They take around 40 minutes using puff pastry, mushrooms, onion, and a touch of garlic. The taste is buttery, woodsy, and satisfying in a couple of bites. They go quickly on any snack table.
Get the Recipe: My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip (Zaalouk) is smoky, savory, and rich with North African spices. It takes about 45 minutes using eggplant, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and paprika. The flavor is bold and layered with a deep roasted base. It’s perfect with bread or just a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Baked Butternut Squash Chips are thin, crisp, and naturally sweet with a bit of salt. They take about 30 minutes using butternut squash, oil, and sea salt. The taste is earthy and lightly sweet with a clean crunch. They’re easy to snack on and hard to stop.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

A person holds a chip topped with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and olives, over a bowl filled with the same ingredients. The background is a light-colored countertop. — Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip is rich, colorful, and layered with creamy, spicy, and fresh ingredients. It takes around 20 minutes using beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, olives, and green onions. The flavor hits salty, tangy, and cool all at once. It’s best served with plenty of chips.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon

A skillet filled with a baked jalapeno popper dip. — Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Jalapeno Popper Dip with Bacon is spicy, cheesy, and smoky with a crispy top. It takes about 35 minutes using cream cheese, jalapeños, cheddar, and bacon bits. The flavor is bold with heat, creaminess, and crunch. It’s always one of the first dishes to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Dip With Bacon

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks are layered, tender bites with bold tomato flavor and crunchy coating. They take around 45 minutes using eggplant slices, marinara, breadcrumbs, and plant-based cheese. The flavor is hearty and balanced with just enough spice. They’re satisfying without needing meat or dairy.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms are creamy, herb-loaded caps with a soft, juicy bite. They take about 25 minutes using mushrooms, cream cheese or plant-based spread, herbs, and lemon juice. The taste is bright, savory, and herby with a creamy center. They make a solid impression in just one bite.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Grilled Corn Guacamole

Corn guacamole with tortilla chips on a plate. — Grilled Corn Guacamole. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Corn Guacamole mixes charred corn with creamy avocado and citrus for a chunky dip. It takes around 20 minutes using avocado, grilled corn, lime, onion, and cilantro. The taste is smoky, tangy, and rich with a little crunch. It’s a twist on guacamole that works with everything.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Guacamole

Duck Breast Bruschetta

Slices of baguette topped with diced tomatoes, bacon, and basil leaves are arranged on a black slate surface. The ingredients are seasoned with cracked black pepper. — Duck Breast Bruschetta. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Duck Breast Bruschetta is tender meat over crisp bread with bold flavor and a savory finish. It takes around 30 minutes using duck breast, crusty bread, garlic, and jam or fig spread. The flavor is meaty and sweet with a nice crunch. It’s a solid small plate for serious flavor.
Get the Recipe: Duck Breast Bruschetta

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms are filling, savory, and packed with protein and herbs. They take about 30 minutes using tofu, mushrooms, garlic, and nutritional yeast. The flavor is umami-rich and comforting with a soft bite. They work well warm or at room temp.
Get the Recipe: My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Duck Carpaccio

A black plate features beef carpaccio topped with arugula, grated Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. The thinly sliced meat is arranged with the garnishes spread evenly across its surface. — Duck Carpaccio. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Duck Carpaccio is thin-sliced, delicate duck served chilled with herbs and light citrus. It takes about 20 minutes using duck breast, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh greens. The flavor is mild, fresh, and clean with a silky texture. It’s an appetizer that feels polished but easy to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Duck Carpaccio

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites are stacked, savory, and slightly sweet with a smoky crunch. They take about 25 minutes using roasted sweet potato rounds, guacamole, and crispy bacon. The taste is creamy, salty, and balanced with natural sweetness. They work for both parties and quick snack cravings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites