37 Valentine's Day Appetizers for a Romantic Dinner at Home
They're the key to anyone's heart... and stomach!
Valentine's Day dinner is never only about the main course or the dessert! The best part often starts earlier, when you set out a few Valentine's Day appetizers, pour something bubbly, and let everyone snack while you finish the rest of the meal. Whether you're celebrating with your partner, your friends, or the kids, these Valentine's Day snacks help the night feel festive right away. Put on a romantic movie, light a candle, and start with something tasty and shareable before you move on to the big dinner moment.
Here, you'll find cozy starters and finger foods like baked brie, Instant Pot French onion soup, cheesy pull-apart bread, and spinach-artichoke cups. Plus, there are some truly elegant appetizer ideas, like olive tapenade and fig crostini that are sure to impress. Just don't forget to grab the champagne! Looking for some classic pink dishes and heart-shaped foods? There's nothing wrong with getting into the spirit of Valentine's Day by whipping up a bright pink batch of beet hummus or making the cutest mini heart-shaped pizzas that anyone would love. You can even bake heart-shaped rolls!
If you want to take the more subtle route with your Valentine's Day snacks, how about heating up your evening with an hors d'oeuvres that has a spicy kick, like the jalapeño poppers or the sweet and spicy bacon-wrapped dates. For more deliciously romantic ideas, check out Ree Drummond's favorite date night menu and our list of Valentine's Day desserts!
Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini
Roasting grapes feels a little unexpected, which is exactly what makes these fun for Valentine's Day. The grapes get all jammy in the oven with a bit of red wine and thyme, then you spoon them over lemony ricotta on toasted baguette slices. They're one of Ree's all-time favorite apps for a reason!
Get Ree's Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini recipe.
Spinach Puffs
These are more like tiny puff pastry cups than puffs, and that's why they're so good for snacking. The filling is a yummy mix of spinach, feta, and cream cheese with shallot and dill, and they're totally fine served at room temp—so you're not racing the clock before dinner.
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Mini Beef Wellington Bites
These little bites feel tailor made for a Valentine's Day dinner at home. Tender beef and a savory mushroom filling are tucked into puff pastry and baked until golden, giving you something that feels special without taking over the whole evening. Serve them warm while you pour a glass of wine!
Get Ree's Mini Beef Wellington Bites recipe.
Deviled Potato Bites
Take the familiar idea of deviled eggs and turn it into something a little more unexpected. Roasted baby potatoes get filled with a creamy, tangy mixture that has just a touch of heat, so they're fun to eat without feeling too heavy.
Get the Deviled Potato Bites recipe.
Marinated Shrimp
This is a great appetizer when you want something light and fresh on the table. The shrimp are gently cooked, then marinated with vinegar, citrus, herbs, and sliced chiles, so they're full of flavor without spoiling the rest of your meal. Pair them with steak for a surf-and-turf moment!
Get the Marinated Shrimp recipe.
Bacon Cheese Straws
These are the perfect little nibbles for the moment you pour a drink and start cooking dinner. Puff pastry, sharp cheddar, and bacon twist into crisp straws that will look great on a fancy board, but are encouraged to eat straight off a sheet pan!
Get Ree's Bacon Cheese Straws recipe.
Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip
Ree's creamy, dreamy dip is right on theme with the pink color, but it also brings major flavor to your Valentine's Day celebration. Pickled beets blend with garlicky herb goat cheese and walnuts for a dip that feels a little unexpected with crackers or toasted bread.
Get Ree's Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip recipe.
Crab Rangoon
Skip the takeout and impress your partner with a batch of homemade, crispy crab rangoons! Crack open the golden exterior to reveal a gooey filling made of cream cheese, imitation crab, and chopped jalapeño to spice things up.
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce
If these savory seasoned shrimp aren't enough to get you going, let the on-theme dipping sauce sell you on this dish! It gets its festive, ruby red hue from cranberries and ketchup.
Get Ree's Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce recipe.
Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
These shareable pigs in a blanket were practically made for a Galentine's Day bash. The whole thing is brushed with buttery honey mustard sauce and baked to yield a crowd-pleasing, pull-apart treat. Don't forget to serve it with plenty of honey mustard!
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread
If you and your pookie head love to partake in pizza dates, consider making this elevated version to kickstart your Valentine’s Day dinner! This crispy flatbread is chock full of tangy blue cheese and sweet pear for a burst of flavor in every bite.
Get Ree's Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread recipe.
Whipped Goat Cheese
If cheese is the key to your heart, you’ll love this creamy, dreamy dip! The smooth whipped goat cheese comes to life with a topping of crisp pancetta and toasted panko breadcrumbs. It pairs perfectly with sliced veggies, crackers, or crusty bread!
Get Ree's Whipped Goat Cheese recipe.
French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms
French onion soup is great on its own, but when stuffed into bite-sized mushrooms, it's simply fung-tastic! Think meaty mushrooms filled with caramelized onions and gruyère cheese for the perfect cheesy bite.
Get Ree's French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
The classic ham and cheese combo gets a gooey, crispy upgrade in this pinwheel recipe. All you need is store-bought crescent dough, a cream cheese ranch mix, cheese, and ham to achieve these crowd-pleasers.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Cheesy Asparagus Tart
Puff pastry is layered with ricotta, thyme, and asparagus and then baked to crispy, flaky perfection in this recipe. It pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine.
Get Ree's Cheesy Asparagus Tart recipe.
Crispy Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms
These bite-sized stuffed mushrooms are the perfect finger food for any Valentine's Day party or dinner. Baby bella mushrooms are stuffed with brie cheese, topped with panko bread crumbs, and baked until the cheese melts and the bread crumbs crisp up.
Get Ree's Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Garlic Shrimp
The Spanish knew what they were doing with this tender, buttery shrimp starter. Plus, you can drizzle leftover garlic sauce from the pan onto toast to make the perfect companion to the shrimp: garlic bread.
Get the Garlic Shrimp recipe.
Smoked Salmon Dip
If you love bagels and lox, you'll be happy to add this smoked salmon dip to your Valentine's Day spread. Smoky salmon, tangy cream cheese, and briny capers are enhanced with fresh herbs and lemon zest, which add a wonderful brightness to the dip.
Get Ree's Smoked Salmon Dip recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Cups
Put a twist on date night (and your favorite dip) with these delectable spinach artichoke cups! They're made with a cheesy mixture of spinach and artichokes with lemon zest, hot sauce, and garlic that fills golden-brown baked wonton cups.
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Cups recipe.
Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini
Similar to you and your sweetheart, blue cheese and fruit are the perfect pair! Here, the sharpness of the slightly melted blue cheese contrasts deliciously with the sweet pear slices placed atop toasted baguettes.
Get the Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Marry Me Chicken
Strawberry Sweet Rolls
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
