17 Appetizers That Got All the Attention Early

Appetizers set the tone, and these 17 didn’t wait for the main course to impress. Each one came out strong with bold flavors, easy prep, and a way of getting attention early. Whether crisp, creamy, or loaded with toppings, they earned their spot before dinner even started.

An overhead image of Zucchini Pizza Bites on a baking tray. — Zucchini Pizza Bites. Photo credit: The Honour System.

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 and Spicy Sauce take about 30 minutes to prepare using shredded sweet potatoes, flour, and seasoning. The fritters are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, and the dipping sauce adds a sweet heat that lingers. Every bite combines comfort with a hint of spice. They go fast once they hit the plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce are ready in about 45 minutes using whole artichokes and a sweet-spicy dipping sauce. The flavor is mild and nutty with a bright finish from the fruit-based sauce. It’s a hands-on starter that keeps people coming back. One artichoke turns into a full conversation.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

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

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe takes under 20 minutes and stacks tomatoes, onions, herbs, and cheese on toasted baguette slices. The mix is fresh, tangy, and just rich enough to hold attention. Every piece brings contrast in flavor and texture. It’s a simple option that delivers fast flavor.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad takes 15 minutes using sliced tomatoes, creamy burrata, basil, and olive oil. The flavor is light, rich, and slightly acidic, with the burrata pulling it all together. It works cold and finishes clean. Every bite feels like more than just a salad.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli takes about an hour to prepare, using squash, pasta dough, and either sage or brown butter. The flavor is sweet and earthy with a soft filling and tender bite. Each piece holds its shape and richness without needing much else. It’s a starter that doesn’t feel like one.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Crispy Baked Zucchini served on a white plate. — Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven bakes in about 25 minutes using sliced zucchini, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. The texture is light and crunchy, and the inside stays soft without going mushy. It’s an easy, oven-friendly snack that gets eaten quickly. One tray doesn’t last long at a table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries take about 40 minutes using mushrooms, puff pastry, onions, and herbs. The flavor is rich, earthy, and buttery with a crisp outside and soft filling. They bake into golden bites that hold up well. Each one delivers more than you’d expect from its size.
Get the Recipe: My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip (Zaalouk) takes 45 minutes using roasted eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and warm spices. The dip is smoky, thick, and slightly tangy with a savory finish. It spreads easily and pairs well with bread or chips. One bowl disappears faster than it cools.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Baked Butternut Squash Chips take approximately 30 minutes to prepare using thin slices of squash, oil, and salt. The texture is crisp with just a slight chew, and the flavor is subtly sweet. They’re a lighter option that still feels snack-worthy. One batch barely makes it out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Avocado Egg Salad

Avocado Egg Salad can be prepared in 15 minutes with hard-boiled eggs, avocado, mustard, and herbs. The flavor is creamy, tangy, and fresh without being too heavy. It’s scoopable or spreadable depending on what’s around. One bowl does double duty at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks bake in under an hour using breaded eggplant, tomato sauce, and plant-based cheese. The layers are soft, savory, and rich without being too heavy. Each stack maintains its shape and delivers a solid flavor. It’s a meat-free starter that feels like a whole dish.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

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 takes about 20 minutes to prepare, featuring beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. The layers stay intact, and each scoop brings something different. The taste is creamy, fresh, and slightly tangy. One dish gets scraped clean before the second course.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Sheet Pan Loaded Vegetarian Nachos

Cheesy nachos with black beans and diced bell peppers on a sheet pan with avocado crema drizzled on top. — Sheet Pan Loaded Vegetarian Nachos. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Sheet Pan Loaded Vegetarian Nachos cook in about 20 minutes using chips, beans, cheese, and veggies. The toppings melt together with just the right balance of crunch and flavor. They’re easy to share and hard to stop eating. Every bite feels like a hit.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Loaded Vegetarian Nachos

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Blooming onion on a plate with sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Blooming Onion. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The Air Fryer Blooming Onion takes approximately 25 minutes to prepare, using one large onion, breadcrumbs, and a light coating. The flavor is crispy, savory, and just greasy enough without being fried. It pulls apart easily and works with any dipping sauce. One onion can quickly turn into a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Garden Fresh Salsa

Garden Fresh Salsa comes together in 10 minutes using tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime. The flavor is bright, crisp, and slightly spicy, with a fresh finish. It pairs well with chips, tacos, or anything that needs a boost. One bowl makes everything else taste better.
Get the Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms bake in 30 minutes using button mushrooms, tofu, garlic, and herbs. The texture is soft and chewy, with a savory filling that holds up well. Each bite brings solid umami flavor. They’re simple to prep and easy to like.
Get the Recipe: My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Zucchini Pizza Bites bake in about 20 minutes using zucchini slices, tomato sauce, cheese, and herbs. The flavor is classic pizza with a fresh, veggie-forward base. They’re small, crisp, and topped to taste. One tray is gone before the oven cools.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Bites