21 Fall-Tastic Appetizers

Celebrate the Flavors of Fall With These Party Recipes

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/27/20
Pumpkin soup
Darren Muir / Stocksy United

Although summer’s bounty may have come to an end, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of fresh ingredients to choose from when making dishes for your dinner parties this fall. Celebrate the cozy tastes of autumn with appetizer recipes that make the most of the seasonal flavors. Whether you're planning an appetizer party or looking for new ideas for dinner table small plates, these fall recipes are sure to inspire, including comforting finger foods, elegant stuffed vegetables, savory dips, cheesy bites, satisfying salads, and more.

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  • 01 of 21

    Apple Brie

    Baked apple brie
    Dana Hoff / Getty Images

    This easy, elegant baked Brie recipe is sweet, salty, and absolutely perfect for fall entertaining. Your guests will ooh and ahh over this impressive yet easy-to-prepare appetizer. Ripe fall apples are smothered in a warm maple syrup and brown sugar sauce and then ladled over hot, melted Brie cheese. Serve it with crusty bread or thick whole wheat crackers.

  • 02 of 21

    Blue Cheese-Stuffed Figs

    Blue Cheese-Stuffed Figs
    Patricia Toth McCormick / Getty Images

    Figs are a rich, intensely flavored fall fruit that brings a touch of elegance to any table. Sweet, meaty figs stuffed with savory, aromatic blue cheese are a flavor combination that can't be beaten. Serve this delightfully decadent-tasting appetizer to guests as a first course at your fall parties and get ready for the compliments.

  • 03 of 21

    Blue Cheese Dip

    blue cheese dip with vegetables

    Joe Biafore / E+ / Getty Images

    Dips are always welcome at a house party, whether your guests are mingling in the kitchen or watching the football game. This savory, creamy blue cheese dip makes an ideal match for chicken wings, vegetable dippers, and crackers of all kinds. It also does double duty as a great burger topper or sandwich flavor enhancer. 

  • 04 of 21

    Vegan Tapenade

    Vegan olive tapenade

    The Spruce 

    Add a Mediterranean flavor to your fall parties and gatherings when you serve this tasty, salty tapenade dip that's a perfect accompaniment for bread and crackers. Ripe, savory, briny olives combine with the heady flavors of garlic, capers, and lemon in this upscale party dip.

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  • 05 of 21

    Pumpkin Hummus

    pumpkin hummus

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Pumpkin purée adds creaminess and an autumnal hue to this homemade hummus. Fresh sage adds more fall flavor, making the dip perfect for game day, a fall snack, or a Thanksgiving appetizer. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.

  • 06 of 21

    Easy Baked Brie

    Easy Baked Brie

    Pete Scherer

    Baked brie is a classic party starter that is always welcome at holiday time. It is so easy to prepare, and makes an elegant impression on a platter, with gently melting brie cheese, fruit preserves, toasted walnuts, and of course mini toasts or crackers for spreading.

  • 07 of 21

    Pear Salad With Walnuts and Gorgonzola

    Mixed green salad with pears, walnuts and gorgonzola

    Thomas Barwick / Photodisc / Getty Images

    Pears are at their best in fall when the fruit is at its peak. You'll earn rave reviews when you serve this swanky, sweet and savory salad featuring orchard-fresh pears. Ripe, luscious slices of pear combine with salty, savory Gorgonzola cheese, nuts, dried fruits, and salad greens, all tossed in a simple, homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing.

  • 08 of 21

    Cranberry Relish

    No-Cook Cranberry Relish

    The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Perillo 

    With just three ingredients and your food processor, you can make a delicious cranberry relish in just 10 minutes. This simple no-cook recipe is a perfect use for fresh cranberries, though the frozen fruit works, too. Serve it with crusty bread bites or crackers alongside other spreads and let guests create custom appetizers.

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  • 09 of 21

    Sweet Potato Hummus

    Sweet Potato Hummus

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter 

    A single sweet potato transforms hummus into a delightful autumn dip. Serve sweet potato hummus at parties or family gatherings, or simply have it in the fridge for a healthy snack. It's as easy to make as any other hummus recipe and works with veggies, pita, or any of your favorite dippers.

  • 10 of 21

    Stuffed Mushrooms

    Stuffed Mushrooms
    Brian Hagiwara / Getty Images

    Mouth-watering, restaurant-style stuffed mushrooms are a welcome addition to any fall appetizer buffet or dinner table. Serve these savory, earthy, can't-eat-just-one stuffed mushroom caps, filled with a tasty mixture of cheddar cheese, green onions, and toasted fresh breadcrumbs at all your fall potlucks and parties.

  • 11 of 21

    Turkey and Mashed Potato Croquettes

    Turkey and mashed potato croquettes

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    These delightful appetizers that combine the holiday favorites turkey and mashed potatoes are like Thanksgiving in a bite. Your guests will devour these breaded and lightly fried croquettes, especially when served with cranberry sauce for dipping.

  • 12 of 21

    Cheese Straws

    Cheese Straws
    Cheese Straws.

    Ian O'Leary / Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Cheese straws are a popular party appetizer that goes well with party dips and other dishes. They're super-easy to make at home with this simple recipe that features a little cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce for a fun, surprising kick.

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  • 13 of 21

    Chicken Liver Mousse

    Chicken Liver Mousse

    Elaine Lemm

    Rich, creamy, and savory chicken liver mousse is a sophisticated addition to an appetizer spread. It's easy to make with the help of a food processor. A layer of butter on the top adds spreadable butteriness. Serve with toast points or grilled bread for a delicious experience.

  • 14 of 21

    Cheddar Bacon Puffs

    Bacon and Cheddar Puffs
    Bacon and Cheddar Puffs.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Cheesy, scrumptious cheddar bacon puffs are delicious, savory cheese puffs filled with crispy bacon and gooey cheese. Bake this easy appetizer to serve at all your fall game day gatherings, or freeze and reheat them anytime for a tasty family snack.

  • 15 of 21

    Carrot Hummus

    Carrot Hummus
    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    For a toasty, fall-toned take on hummus, add roasted carrots and garlic. Sweet potatoes could be substituted for the carrots if desired. Serve the creamy carrot hummus with pita triangles for dipping.

  • 16 of 21

    Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

    Simple bacon wrapped shrimp recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Watch your guests break into smiles when they see these bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizers on your autumn appetizer table. Easy to prepare and impressive to serve, you'll use this elegant recipe again and again, from casual gatherings and TV-watching with friends to housewarming parties and special dinners.

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  • 17 of 21

    Jalapeño Poppers

    Jalapeno Poppers
    The Crimson Monkey / Getty Images

    Serve these restaurant-style jalapeño poppers on game day this fall. Hot little jalapeño peppers are stuffed with a creamy cheese mixture, then breaded and fried for an irresistible party snack. Your guests won't believe they're homemade!

  • 18 of 21

    Deep-Fried Butternut Squash

    Fried Butternut Squash
    Deep Fried Butternut Squash.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Savory, delectable fall squash makes a great appetizer in this different but fun party snack recipe. Butternut squash is cut into sticks and coated in a slightly sweet batter seasoned with cinnamon and allspice. Enjoy this warm and comforting fall appetizer or snack with maple syrup or a savory dip to bring out its delicious, healthful flavor.

  • 19 of 21

    Cajun Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

    Hot roasted pumpkin seeds
    Kelly Sillaste / Getty Images

    Fall with kids means pumpkins—and figuring out what to do with the pumpkin seeds after the Jack O' Lantern is carved. Here's a foolproof, simple way to make use of the nutrient-dense seeds, which can then be added to your fall salads, or served on their own in place of mixed nuts at parties.

  • 20 of 21

    Pumpkin Soup

    Pumpkin soup

    Westend61 / Getty Images

    Ladle up the comforting taste of fall pumpkins when you serve this creamy pumpkin soup as an appetizer. Warm, filling pumpkin soup flavored with autumn spices makes a delicious first course at dinner. Or, serve this warm soup in shot glasses as a surprising but elegant appetizer.

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  • 21 of 21

    Spinach Bites

    fried spinach balls
    Spinach balls with cheese.

    Moment Open / Getty Images

    Here's a quick and easy appetizer recipe for your fall parties, featuring the classic flavors of stuffing. Guests will gobble up these spinach appetizer bites flavored with cheese, stuffing crumbs, herbs, seasonings, and spinach.