25 Turkey Day Snacks That Will Hold You Over Until Thanksgiving Dinner Slideshow
So, it's Thanksgiving Day. Your turkey is roasting in the oven, your pies are chilling in the fridge, and your mashed potatoes are boiling away on the stove. But dinner isn't going to be until 5 o'clock, and your guests are getting hungry. What are you supposed to do? Let them starve? Absolutely not! And that's where Turkey Day snacks come in handy.
You know, quick and easy appetizers that you can whip up in the morning or the night before, put out on the buffet, and munch on while you all wait with great anticipation for the big meal of the day. Going into Thanksgiving dinner completely and totally famished will only lead to bingeing on turkey and stuffing, which is delightful, but not necessarily the healthiest option.
To help ease the hunger on Thanksgiving, we rounded up 25 simple, seasonal, and sensational snacks.
Appetizer Cheese Ball
Appetizer Cheese Ball
A cheese ball is sure to satisfy any craving you have before the turkey hits the table. This dish requires neither an oven nor a pan, making it an easy thing to whip up.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
We always welcome bacon in our Thanksgiving dinner. Get started with this classic, easy-to-make appetizer.
Beer Cheese Dip
A quick and easy dip that will satisfy all of your beer-loving dinner guests this Thanksgiving. Pour some of the beer into the dip for munching and save the rest for yourself. You deserve it.
Black-Eyed Pea Fritters
These vegetarian-friendly appetizers are crunchy and packed with tons of protein to keep your tummy satisfied until dinner hits the table.
For the Black-Eyed Pea Fritters recipe, click here.
Turkey-Shaped Veggie Platter
A standard vegetable platter gets a fun, festive, and playful makeover with this quirky recipe.
Click here for the Crescent Turkey-Shaped Veggie Platter recipe.
Crispy Cheddar Mashed Potato Puffs
These crispy potato puffs are like a loaded baked potato in your hand. Sour cream, chives, bacon, Cheddar cheese, and smooth mashed potatoes — it's all right there in one tasty bite.
For the Crispy Cheddar Mashed Potato Puffs recipe, click here.
Deep-Fried Citrus Slices
If you bought extra oranges and lemons for aromatics in your turkey, use the leftovers for this simple and elegant snack.
Deep-Fried Pumpkin Crisps
These crunchy, earthy homemade squash chips can be made up to one week in advance, making them the ultimate seasonally-appropriate and convenient Thanksgiving snack.
Click here for the Deep-Fried Pumpkin Crisps With Honey-Spiced Macadamias recipe.
Fall Cranberry Meatballs
These wraps contain premade meatballs and tart cranberries to create a sweet and savory dish that makes for a delicious, hearty snack with almost no effort.
Fig, Caramelized Onion, Prosciutto, and Goat Cheese Pizza
The creaminess of the goat cheese blends well with the sweet caramelized onions and figs for a multi-textural bite that's topped off with crispy prosciutto.
For the Fig, Caramelized Onion, Prosciutto, and Goat Cheese Pizza recipe, click here.
Football Pizza
Is watching football on TV your family's favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition? Lean into it with these football-shaped pizzas.
Game Day Hoagie Dip
Keep your Thanksgiving Day tailgate theme going with this sandwich-inspired dip, featuring the savory and salty flavors of prosciutto and roasted turkey.
Garlic Potato Kale Cakes
You probably bought way too many potatoes for Thanksgiving anyway, so use whatever potatoes you aren't serving at the big dinner to create these fried kale cakes. Serve these with a dollop of buttermilk ranch dip or sour cream and scallions.
Guy Fieri’s Elevated Potato Skins
Potato skins are another classic dinner party appetizer. Take them to the next level for Thanksgiving with cremini mushrooms, Brie cheese, fresh thyme, and prosciutto.
Mac and Cheese Cups
Macaroni and cheese is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish for many folks. Give the classic a bite-sized makeover with this Instagram-worthy appetizer.
Maple Bacon Dates
A little salty, a little sweet, and a little crunchy. These bite-sized dates have everything you could want.
Mustardly Deviled Eggs
You can't go wrong with a classic deviled egg, especially a terrifically tangy one like this.
Olive Garden’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This classic, warm dip is packed with mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve it with carrots, tortilla chips, or cubed pieces of pumpernickel bread to give everyone a filling appetizer that will keep them satisfied until dinner.
For Olive Garden's Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe, click here.
Perfect Pigs in a Blanket
We're of the opinion that no party is complete without pigs in a blanket, including Thanksgiving. They're quick, they're easy, and they're delicious. What more do you need?
Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
If you're having a Thanksgiving lunch, consider making these muffins a day or two before the meal. They combine everything we love about fall to create a perfect seasonal and festive breakfast on Thanksgiving morning.
Slow-Cooker French Onion Dip
Using your slow cooker for this savory and insatiable dip will clear up your oven and pans for much-needed Thanksgiving Day dishes.
Southwest Layered Pumpkin Dip
This autumnal twist on a classic seven-layer taco dip will get people pumped for the pumpkin pie later in the day.
Stuffed Tomatoes With Gruyère
If you find stuffing mushrooms to be too tedious, cook up a batch of these beautiful stuffed tomatoes instead.
Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms
In this recipe, earthy mushrooms are filled with crunchy, crumbly stuffing to create a bite-sized appetizer that works perfectly as an amuse-bouche for your guests and will get them pumped for the big meal.
Sweet Potato Chips
Get your guests thinking about the warm sweet potato casserole they're about to enjoy with some quick sweet potato chips. These chips are easy to make, and they pair well with dip to snack on while you watch the Macy's Day Parade.