Our Best Appetizer & Snack Recipes

It’s a total flavor bomb.

The chocolate sauce is a must.

They've got a double dose of sprinkles.

They’re like loaded baked potatoes — only way easier.

Don’t forget the crackers!

It’s easy to get caught up in planning the big Thanksgiving dinner and your dessert spread, so here’s your friendly reminder to not forget the appetizers. Because a pre-dinner nibble or two of something tasty is always a good idea (especially when partnered with a Thanksgiving cocktail!). As for what to make, we’re firm believers that Thanksgiving appetizers should look and taste totally impressive, but be shockingly easy to pull off.

Chex mix is the ultimate DIY snack. It’s crunchy, just the right amount of salty, and stays good for several weeks, making it the perfect thing to keep on the counter for midday or pre-dinner nibbling. Plus, our version can be made with whatever cereal, toasted nuts, and crunchy snacks you’ve stocked up on.Many Chex mix recipes (including the original) have you simply melt some butter and pour it over the ingredients.

Just trust me on this one.

Linzer cookies might look like another pretty sandwich cookie, but these sweet-tart cookies have a rich, tender crumb, thanks to a nearly invisible ingredient. Almonds turned into almond flour make an everyday sugar cookie dough a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat, fragrant with the warm notes of toasted nuts. Two cookies serve as the bookends to the sweet and sticky jam of your choice to transform into a holiday cookie made for customization. Here’s how to make them.

Christmas Chex Mix is one of my favorite holiday treats that offers a welcome change from all the cookies and candy canes fighting for attention. This crispy, salty-sweet mixture even looks like Christmas — everything is coated in white chocolate, and red and green M&Ms peek through! My favorite Christmas Chex Mix blend is pretty simple — cereal, pretzels, and candy — but the sprinkle of flaky salt at the end is what takes it over the top.

I don’t even miss cheese.

It has the best cinnamon-sugar streak in the center.

The secret ingredient: instant mashed potatoes.

When it comes to cranberries, I’m all in when the tiny, tart fruits are baked into desserts. This easy cranberry orange bread, for example, is one of my favorite ways to bake with them. Orange plays so nicely with the cranberries, adding a bit of sweetness and fragrant flavor. This cranberry orange bread isn’t too sweet, and it can be baked up into a loaf or into muffins with equal success. It’s well-worth adding to your baking rotation! Here’s how to make it.

From one Midwesterner to another.

It’s so easy.

These thin wafer cookies are perfect for gifting.

Have a ball at Thanksgiving.

The best thing to happen to a chocolate kiss.

The slow cooker does all the work.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve cooked this beloved recipe before, it might look a little different these days! We recently improved it to make it even easier to follow and more delicious.Let’s talk about holiday appetizers and cocktail party snacks. Everyone needs just one or two really reliable crowd-pleasers around the holidays, no? It’s a relief for a cook to set out a plate of tasty bites while he puts the finishing touches on a meal.

If you like pecan pie, you’ll love these bars.

It’s delicious with whipped cream.

You won't miss the crust.

Now that Halloween is behind us (how the heck did that happen!?), I immediately have to brace myself for the rushing tidal wave that brings in the holiday season. My to-do list immediately grows longer as I begin planning family gatherings, testing new Thanksgiving recipes, and pondering edible gift ideas. It’s a chaotic time for sure, but I look forward to every single minute of it. One thing I have learned over the years is that you can never start too early.

The salad that will steal the show.

It’s got the perfect crunch.

The secret’s in the filling.

No roadtrip required.

They're ever-so-slightly crisp on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside.

It has the perfect blend of spices.

The ultimate fall treat.

It’s packed with so much flavor.

With one delicious twist.