32 Healthy Appetizers That Are Actually Party Worthy

Low in Fat, High in Flavor

Written by
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Laurel Randolph
Updated 12/05/20
Spicy Edamame (Soy Beans)

The Spruce 

If you're watching your diet, parties and big holiday meals are a minefield. Typical party fare includes dishes high in fat and carbs that can leave you feeling regretful. The next time you have a gathering or big meal, make your appetizers healthy, but high in flavor. These snacks, bites, and dips are sure to please your guests without weighing them down.

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    Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms

    Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Stuffed mushrooms are a picture-perfect appetizer. They're individually sized, easy to eat, and this recipe is vegetarian friendly. Because the foundation of the dish is mushrooms and not bread, this dish is a great low-carb option for snacking.

  • 02 of 32

    Grilled Jumbo Shrimp With Lemon-Herb Marinade

    Grilled Jumbo Shrimp With Lemon-Herb Marinade

     The Spruce

    Marinated jumbo shrimp cook in just a few minutes on the grill or, even better, a grill pan. The simple marinade of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs adds lots of bright flavor without adding calories.

  • 03 of 32

    Oil-Free, Tahini-Free, Low-Fat Hummus

    Oil-Free, Tahini-Free Low-Fat Hummus

    The Spruce

    For a lower-fat, healthier version of hummus, leave out the tahini and oil. Garlic, fresh lemon, and liquid aminos or tamari make this homemade hummus anything but boring. Serve with cut cucumbers and carrots for a guilt-free snack.

  • 04 of 32

    Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Stuffed Cucumbers

    Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Stuffed Cucumbers

    The Spruce / Stephanie Kirkos 

    Stuffed cucumber bites are too cute not to eat. Low in calories and grain free, this appetizer with homemade sun-dried tomato pesto will be a hit at your next party. The colors make it fun for a holiday party, but it's a light enough dish for all year long.

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  • 05 of 32

    Vegan Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

    Vegan Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

    The Spruce 

    Vegan Buffalo wings are an easy favorite. Made with roasted cauliflower instead of fried chicken, they're much healthier than standard wings. Use your favorite Buffalo sauce and serve with extra for dipping.

  • 06 of 32

    Cranberry Labneh Dip

    Cranberry Labneh Dip

    The Spruce / Nita West 

    Originating in the Middle East, Labneh is a soft cheese that's like a thicker, more luxurious yogurt. It's a delicious spread or dip, especially when topped with sweet and tart cranberry. This app is especially good for a Thanksgiving or Christmas spread.

  • 07 of 32

    Easy Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Skewers

    Easy Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Skewers

    istetiana / Getty Images

    Marinated and grilled tofu and vegetable skewers are a pretty and healthy starter. If you don't have a grill or it's too cold to cook outside, these can easily be made in a grill pan. Customize the veggies to your liking, and serve with a tahini sauce for drizzling.

  • 08 of 32

    Honey Roasted Peanuts

    Honey Roasted Peanuts

    The Spruce 

    Honey roasted peanuts are always a favorite that are even better when made at home. Luckily, they're easy to make, and a small handful makes an irresistible sweet snack.

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  • 09 of 32

    Classic Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo)

    Classic Fresh Tomato Salsa

    The Spruce

    Fresh, homemade salsa is a popular appetizer at any gathering. Served with tortilla chips (or make your own baked chips for an even healthier option), the combination of fresh tomato, onion, garlic, chiles, and lime juice is delicious any time of year.

  • 10 of 32

    Guacamole Deviled Eggs

    Guacamole Deviled Eggs

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    Swap the mayonnaise in typical deviled eggs for avocado to create a creamy, flavor-packed app. The attractive dish has all of the flavors of guacamole in a hand-held deviled egg.

  • 11 of 32

    Grilled Sweet Potato Nachos

    Grilled Sweet Potato Nachos

    The Spruce / Sabrina Baksh

    Swap chips for healthy sweet potato nachos topped with corn, pinto beans, lean steak, and a lime-cilantro sauce made with yogurt. Leave off the cheese and replace the steak with chicken breast or tofu to make it even healthier.

  • 12 of 32

    Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion

    Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Skip the deep fryer and make a bloomin' onion in the air fryer instead. This method for cooking the breaded onion "flower" requires no oil, so it significantly cuts the fat. Serve it with the spicy dip as an appetizer for a dinner party or a fun, healthy side at any family meal.

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  • 13 of 32

    Sweet Potato Hummus

    Sweet Potato Hummus

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter 

    For fall parties, whip up sweet potato hummus. This easy recipe cooks and mashes a sweet potato, then blends it with canned chickpeas, tahini, and garlic. It's full of flavor and a great dip for pita, veggies, or your favorite dippers.

  • 14 of 32

    Vegan, Gluten-Free Baba Ganoush Without Tahini

    Vegan, Gluten-Free Baba Ganoush Without Tahini

    The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak

    This fat-free version of baba ganoush still has all of the smokey, garlicky eggplant flavor you want without oil or tahini. Lemon juice and a couple of spices brighten up the classic dip. Serve with pita, chips, or veggies.

  • 15 of 32

    Easy Oven French Fries

    Easy Oven French Fries

    The Spruce

    Crispy french fries are fun party food, but deep-frying isn't exactly healthy. Luckily, you can make delicious fries with just a drizzle of oil in your oven. Season with your choice of dried herbs and spices, and serve with ketchup.

  • 16 of 32

    Spicy Edamame (Soybeans)

    Spicy Edamame (Soy Beans)

    The Spruce 

    Edamame are a quick snack that are fun to eat and super nutritious. This recipe adds spice in the form of chili powder, chile oil, and garlic, but edamame are also delicious with just a sprinkling of sea salt. Since they only take minutes to cook, they're a no-brainer for a healthy appetizer spread.

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  • 17 of 32

    Garlic and Herb Sautéed Bell Pepper Strips

    Garlic and Herb Sautéed Bell Pepper Strips

    The Spruce 

    Garlic and herb bell peppers are super easy to make, and they have lots of flavor. The colorful dish is low in fat and calories and pairs well with dips like labneh or hummus, or simply serve them in a dish with toothpicks.

  • 18 of 32

    Easy Vegan Bruschetta

    Easy Vegan Bruschetta

    The Spruce

    Made with just a few fresh ingredients, bruschetta is more than the sum of its parts. Use the best tomatoes and freshest basil you can find, and pile the slices of bread high to keep it lower in carbs.

  • 19 of 32

    Baked Potato Chips

    Baked Potato Chips

    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    For a real treat, make your own potato chips. Lower in calories but still crispy, baked potato chips are also easy to make. Use a mandoline to cut the potatoes nice and thin if you have one, and add Cajun spice mix if desired.

  • 20 of 32

    Vegan Thai-Inspired Spring Rolls

    Vegan Thai-Style Spring Rolls

    The Spruce

    Spring rolls are a lovely appetizer for a party and are guaranteed to get your guests munching. The rolls don't require any cooking and have a nice mix of contrasts from noodles and fresh veggies. Just serve with a dipping sauce and you're set.

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  • 21 of 32

    Crispy Spiced Chickpeas

    crispy-spiced-chickpeas-recipe-450291-08

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Chickpeas turn flavorful and crispy when roasted in the oven, making them a delightful high-protein snack. Add your favorite spices and don't forget to shake the pan frequently. You can make these up to a few days ahead of time.

  • 22 of 32

    Baked Panko and Parmesan Zucchini Fries

    Baked Panko and Parmesan Zucchini Fries

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray 

    Coated in panko breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan cheese, these baked zucchini fries are a tasty alternative to french fries. Use egg whites instead of a whole egg to make it even healthier, and serve warm while still crisp.

  • 23 of 32

    Authentic Thai Satay

    Authentic Thai Satay

    The Spruce 

    Chicken satay is a flavorful, high-protein appetizer that tastes great hot or at room temperature. To make it even healthier, use chicken breasts as the meat. The skewers are so flavorful that dipping sauce is optional.

  • 24 of 32

    Vegan Black Bean Guacamole

    Vegan Black Bean Guacamole

    The Spruce

    Avocado is full of good fat, making a simple guacamole a healthy dip option. This version includes diced tomatoes and black beans, adding protein and fiber. Serve with baked chips or halved radishes for dipping.

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  • 25 of 32

    Vegetarian Loaded Sweet Potato Sliders

    Vegetarian Loaded Sweet Potato Sliders

    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    These homemade vegetarian black bean sliders have tender slices of sweet potatoes as buns, making them extra flavorful. Topped with an avocado cream, they're even worthy of main dish status.

  • 26 of 32

    Savory Spiced Mixed Nuts

    Savory Spiced Mixed Nuts

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    A little butter and some spices are all it takes to make spiced nuts that will make your house smell festive. Set out a bowl of roasted mixed nuts at your next gathering and watch them get gobbled up. They're especially good during the holidays.

  • 27 of 32

    Pan-Roasted Padron or Shishito Peppers With Olive Oil and Sea Salt

    Pan Roasted Padron or Shishito Peppers With Olive Oil and Sea Salt

    Chien-Ju Shen / Getty Images 

    Shishito peppers are an addictive snack that are totally guilt free. All they need is a drizzle of olive oil before roasting in a skillet or in the oven. Add a sprinkle of salt while they're still warm.

  • 28 of 32

    Oven-Baked Kale Chips

    Oven-Baked Kale Chips

    Redphotographer / Getty Images

    Kale chips are just as tasty and crispy as corn or potato chips but so much healthier. They're easy to make in the oven ahead of time and serve whenever guests arrive. A sprinkling of nutritional yeast gives them a savory cheesy flavor without the cheese.

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  • 29 of 32

    Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt

    Chicken lettuce cups are a colorful appetizer that are easy to prep. Use lean ground chicken or turkey and make the filling ahead of time. Wash and dry the lettuce and store in the fridge. When it's time to serve, gently reheat the filling and spoon into the cups.

  • 30 of 32

    Vegan Olive Tapenade

    Vegan Olive Tapenade

    The Spruce

    Olive tapenade is a naturally vegan spread that's easy to make and is super flavorful. Serve it with healthy crackers and vegetable sticks for a low-calorie snack.

  • 31 of 32

    Shrimp Ceviche

    Shrimp Ceviche

    Fudio / Getty Images

    Ceviche is a fresh-tasting appetizer of raw fish or shrimp, crunchy vegetables, and a citrus-based dressing from Peru. The acid in the lime "cooks" the shrimp so that you don't have to. Load up on the cucumber and tomato to make it more salad-like.

  • 32 of 32

    Pumpkin Hummus

    Pumpkin Hummus

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Pumpkin adds color and light sweetness to this hummus recipe. It helps reduce the amount of oil and tahini needed to make a creamy dip. Serve in the fall or winter, especially for holiday gatherings.