How many appetizers should I plan per guest?
A common rule is 3–5 pieces per person before a meal, or more for a grazing-only spread. Scale batch sizes on each recipe card.
Appetizer Recipes
50 recipes found
Appetizer recipes set the tone for dinner parties and game nights—bites that scale, travel, and leave room for the main event.
Mix hot and cold options, then pull related dinner recipes so the rest of the evening already has a plan.
Simple Strawberry Margarita
10 min · Easy · Mexican
Simple Authentic Guacamole
10 min · Easy · Mexican
Patatas Bravas
55 min · Medium · Spanish
Apple Carrot Shrimp Fritters with Creamy Dill Sauce
45 min · Medium · Other
Shaken Margarita
5 min · Easy · Mexican
Smoked Maple Old Fashioned
15 min · Easy · American
James Beard Award-winning Buffalo Chicken Dip
35 min · Easy · American
Smoked Paprika Deviled Eggs
35 min · Easy · American
Classic Bourbon Old Fashioned
5 min · Easy · American
The Ultimate Cosmopolitan
10 min · Easy · American
Gourmet Pigs in a Blanket
40 min · Easy · American
Goat Cheese and Mushroom Tart
55 min · Easy · French
James Beard Award-winning Buffalo Chicken Dip
40 min · Easy · American
Shrimp Ceviche
50 min · Easy · Mexican
Riggs Spritz
10 min · Easy · Italian
James Beard Amaretto Sour
15 min · Medium · American
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
5 min · Easy · Mexican
Bourbon Renewal
5 min · Easy · American
Frequently asked questions
Can appetizers be made ahead?
Many dips, skewers, and chilled bites hold well. Look for make-ahead notes in the steps.
Do appetizers link to full dinners?
Yes—use related cuisine or dinner hubs after you pick starters so mains and sides stay thematically consistent.