16 Tasty Thanksgiving Snacks to Hold You Over Until the Big Feast
From crowd-pleasing appetizers to single-serving bites, these recipes need to be on your radar!
On Thanksgiving Day, many families celebrate with annual traditions like watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, running a turkey trot, or playing in a turkey bowl—but we all know the main event is the big feast! While some clans start digging in early, others opt for a meal later in the evening. But no matter when dinner is ready, showing up to the table famished isn’t ideal. To keep hangry guests at bay and set yourself up for success (so you can actually enjoy what you’re eating), you’ll need something light and satisfying to tide you over until it’s time to indulge in all the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
Whether you’re looking for crowd-pleasing appetizers to feed the whole family or single-serve options to munch on solo, the best Thanksgiving snacks are filled with seasonal ingredients and bursting with fall flavors. Think: creamy dips made with pumpkin purée, puff-pastry cups stuffed with cranberry sauce, and cheesy Brussels sprouts roasted to perfection. If you’re craving something cozy and nourishing, stick with protein-packed snacks, comforting dips, and warm finger foods. But if you’re looking on something light and refreshing to chomp on, fruits and veggies are your best bet.
From no-cook fare to baked bites, we’ve rounded up a list of the tastiest Thanksgiving snacks to keep you satiated until dinnertime.
Explore more holiday appetizer ideas:
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
With deli meats, assorted cheeses, carrot sticks, apple slices, marinated olives, and gourmet crackers, this Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board is a well-balanced platter that will energize you in the hours leading up to dinner. If you're preparing it for a group, incorporate holiday-inspired touches like leaf-shaped baked brie and pumpkin hummus!
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts taste freshest in the fall—and coating them in toasted, cheesy breadcrumbs and dipping them into a zesty lemon sauce will exponentially boost the flavors. Not only will these smashed veggies taste delicious, but they'll also give you a healthy dose of nutrients.
Get the Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Pumpkin Dip
Canned pumpkin, cream cheese, whipped cream, and seasonal spices all work together to create a sweet, dreamy, velvety-smooth spread that tastes like a mix between icing and pumpkin pie filling. Pair this festive dip with apple slices, graham crackers, or pretzel rods to get your sugar fix before loading up on pie!
Get the Pumpkin Dip recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Since they provide the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy, these bacon-wrapped dates are a Thanksgiving snack that will appeal to every taste bud. While it’s similar to the age-old original, this recipe adds jalapeño slices for a kick and a drizzle of honey for a glossy finish.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
Stuffed Celery
These stuffed celery logs have the best of everything: They're crunchy, creamy, salty, and tangy. Plus, making them is such a quick and simple process—just mix all the ingredients together and pipe each stalk. If you're hosting the holiday, you can easily prepare these Thanksgiving snacks ahead of time, which will make your job easier!
Get Ree's Stuffed Celery recipe.
Easy Artichoke Dip
There’s no party appetizer more satisfying and comforting than a bowl of spinach artichoke dip. If you’re on the hunt for the easiest holiday hors d’oeuvres, Ree Drummond’s iteration has just three ingredients! Dunk tortilla chips, pita wedges, or crostini slices into this creamy dip, and prepare to be amazed.
Get Ree's Easy Artichoke Dip recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
High-protein Thanksgiving snacks will keep your stomach happy and satiated for hours. These pigs in a blanket are fun finger foods for kids, and each nostalgic bite will transport the adults back to their glory days. With just two main ingredients, crescent roll dough and smoked sausages, this recipe is a breeze to whip up.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms
Make umami mushrooms irresistible by stuffing them with the ingredients that make French onion soup so delectable: caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese. Whether you're making them for a group or for one, this cozy Thanksgiving snack will keep you warm and fueled.
Get Ree's French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
Snacking on these cinnamon-sugar pumpkin seeds before Thanksgiving dinner will give you a preview of what’s to come (read: pumpkin pie!). They’re sweet and crunchy, and the prep time is minimal. While they're baking in the oven, you can cross off a few tasks on your Thanksgiving checklist!
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds recipe.
Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread
If you’re looking for something a little heartier, try these cheesy, fruit flatbreads for your Thanksgiving snack. The mild taste of the pears will balance out the bold flavors of the blue cheese, and the combination of ingredients beautifully captures the essence of fall.
Get Ree's Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread recipe.
Cranberry Brie Bites
For anyone entertaining this year, cranberry brie bites are a holiday-approved appetizer that deserve a spot on your lineup. The cranberry filling is reminiscent of the cranberry sauce that will eventually coat your plate, and the melted brie, flaky crust, and crunchy pistachios will offer the most delightful medley of textures and flavors.
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
Caramel Apple Dip
Churning out this luscious caramel apple dip will taste like spending a golden afternoon at an apple orchard. This seasonal spread is buttery, sugary, and creamy, and it’s complete with salted peanuts for a nutty touch. Serve them with sliced apples to enhance the fruity flavors!
Get Ree's Caramel Apple Dip recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a beloved party classic, and Thanksgiving is no exception. This traditional dish spotlights hard-boiled eggs that are stuffed with a mouthwatering mix of egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle juicy. Add a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkle of paprika to finish it off!
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Festive Goat Cheese Balls
For Thanksgiving snacks that look as incredible as they taste, roll up these colorful goat cheese balls. Salted pistachios and dried cranberries are folded into rich, herbed goat cheese for a melt-in-your-mouth appetizer that will instantly brighten up your kitchen.
Get Ree's Festive Goat Cheese Balls recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
If you want something sweet to savor in the morning or early afternoon, these pumpkin spice muffins are a decadent choice, especially if you coat them in cream cheese frosting. Creamy pumpkin purée makes these Thanksgiving snacks moist and seasonally inspired, and warm spices and golden raisins amp up the coziness.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Muffins recipe.
Spicy Chex Mix
There’s something so gratifying about munching on Chex mix, and making your own from scratch will definitely make the experience even more pleasing. This homemade version has a blend of buttery goodness and fiery spice, and it’s customizable!
Get the Spicy Chex Mix recipe.
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