Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Find the appetizer recipe you've been searching for in this roundup of healthy appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving, just in time to fill out your Thanksgiving menu!

RELATED: Thanksgiving Table Ideas | This Is Everything You Need For A Perfect Thanksgiving Day

Healthy Appetizer Ideas for Thanksgiving to Try This Year

1. Cornbread Bruschetta

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

Don’t just use your cornbread for your stuffing. This scrumptious cornbread bruschetta is gluten-free and vegan, and sure to be perfect Thanksgiving appetizers.

2. Mini Bean and Cheese Molletes

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

Slice a baguette into rounds and start adding your toppings. Thesemini bean and cheese molletes are bite-sized morsels that never fail to fill your tummy and warm your heart.

3. Spicy Sweet Potato Pumpkins

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

These spicy sweet potato pumpkin bites will allow the whole family to savor the flavors of the season, especially during the festive Thanksgiving feast.

4. Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

Spinach and mushrooms are my favorites, so thesespinach stuffed mushrooms will not be missing from my Thanksgiving table. Serve it too!

5. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (5)

Another take on making mushrooms more appetizing:crab stuffed mushrooms. Pretty sure your guests will be drooling over these decadent bites.

6. Apple Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

These super delicious meatballs are like Thanksgiving in one bite. The whole family will love the sweet, juicy, and tangy flavor of these apple cranberry turkey meatballs.

7. Sweet Potato Hummus

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (7)

Thissweet potato hummus will help you cut down on calories and fat since it uses Greek yogurt. Don’t forget the pita chips!

8. Brussels Sprout Sliders

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Whether you are planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving or not, these adorable healthy brussels sprout sliders are sure to impress.

Who knew brussels sprouts would make great mini burger buns, right? It's a must-serve!

RELATED: 19 Charming Thanksgiving Centerpieces For A Homestead Table Setting

9. Spiced Paleo Apple Dip

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

Go Paleo with this a healthy and delicious snack! It doesn’t get healthier than fruit, right?

Don't miss this spiced Paleo apple dipat your family holiday feast.

Add some cranberry to your #Thanksgiving meal a little differently this year. Check out these unique recipes! https://t.co/K43jWbyLcK pic.twitter.com/8FV6AyZrzB

— Homesteading (@HomesteadingUSA) November 6, 2016

10. Coconut-Crusted Brie-Stuffed Quinoa Bites

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

Love quinoa? You’ll enjoy it so much more when transformed into these coconut-crusted brie-stuffed quinoa bites.

A tiny bite which is superbly stuffed with ooey-gooey brie.

11. Crazy Greek Feta, Sun-Dried Tomato and Pistachio Truffles

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (11)

Looking for a unique Mediterranean flavor? These crazy Greek feta, sun-dried tomato, and pistachio truffles will be just the thing you’re looking for.

It's cheesy, salty, and delicious! What more could you ask for?

12. Butternut Squash Pizza

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

Did you ever consider that pizza could be healthy appetizers, and finger food-sized, too? This butternut squash pizza will give you a big punch of flavor that's impressive, considering its tiny size.

13. Spinach Puffs

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These spinach puffs are super easy to make. You can even make them ahead and keep them frozen until you’re ready to warm and serve.

14. Spinach Balls

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (13)

This will make you consider eating your greens. With a combination of spinach and stuffing mix, who can dare to resist?

I’m sure everyone in your gathering will love these spinach balls.

15. Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

This roasted acorn squash stuffed with quinoa mushroom pilafgive you both fall flavors and a gorgeous plate for your Thanksgiving feast. Make sure to give your guests a heads up–they may spend way too much time taking photos of this dish for Instagram, it will go cold!

16. Classic Deviled Eggs

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (15)

Nothing beats tradition! Make these classic deviled eggs for Thanksgiving and keep it plain and simple without jeopardizing the Thanksgiving flavor.

17. Sweet Potato Cakes

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

Make a batch of these sweet potato cakes and don't forget to top them off with the awesome black bean salsa! It elevates your ordinary sweet potato, that's for sure.

Looking forvegetarian Thanksgiving appetizers? Lucky you! This video from Edgy Veg features 3 easy vegan appetizers you can whip up and serve on Thanksgiving:

WOW, so good! Have your family and friends gather around with any of these healthy appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving while dinner is cooking.

Serve two or more from this list of healthy and easy appetizers for Thanksgiving to kick off your dinner feast. We have a pretty good feeling these healthy Thanksgiving appetizers will be a huge hit!

What do you think of these healthy appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving? Which one will you try? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 14, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Healthy Appetizer Ideas For Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest food to eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness. Don't forget those alcohol calories that can add up quickly.

Should you have appetizers for Thanksgiving? ›

So, you might not think to add Thanksgiving appetizers to your holiday menu. But, here's the reason why you should: everyone shows up to Thanksgiving dinner feeling hungry! And if you want to hold your guests over until the main event, these easy small bites are the way to go.

How many appetizers for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What do you serve guests before Thanksgiving dinner? ›

20 Light Thanksgiving Appetizers To Munch On Before The Main...
  • 01 of 21. Sweet Potato Hummus. ...
  • 02 of 21. Tarragon and Spice Deviled Eggs. ...
  • 03 of 21. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ...
  • 04 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Prosciutto Poppers. ...
  • 05 of 21. Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts. ...
  • 06 of 21. ...
  • 07 of 21. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Nov 2, 2023

How can I make Thanksgiving more healthy? ›

7 ways to make Thanksgiving menu healthier - and taste good too
  1. Keep your turkey tasty yet low-fat. ...
  2. When making gravy, skip the flour. ...
  3. Boost the nutrition in your stuffing. ...
  4. Enjoy colorful cranberries — with no added sugar. ...
  5. Fill half your plate with fresh, roasted vegetables. ...
  6. Skip the creamy casseroles — or lighten them up.
Nov 3, 2023

What is the unhealthiest food at Thanksgiving? ›

14 Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Sides To Avoid This Year
  • Potatoes au gratin. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese. ...
  • Canned cranberry sauce. ...
  • Candied yams. sasazawa/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sausage stuffing. Alivemindphotography/Getty Images. ...
  • Turkey Gravy. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cornbread. Bhofack2/Getty Images. ...
  • Pecan Pie. Nicolasmccomber/Getty Images.
Nov 6, 2023

What can I eat instead of Thanksgiving food? ›

Alternatives could be:
  • Baked Stuffed Shrimp dinner or any seafood, saffron herbed rice, seasonal vegetables.
  • Beef Crown Rib Roast dinner with Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise and asparagus.
  • Roast Leg of Lamb with wine, lemon, garlic, and rosemary, Brussel sprouts, wild rice.
Nov 5, 2023

How many sides should you have at Thanksgiving? ›

Veggie Sides

Sweet potatoes, string beans, corn, roasted veggies, Brussels Sprouts, and the list goes on and on. Most Thanksgiving tables have 2-3 different vegetables served. When planning out how much to make, figure 1/2 cup (1/4 lb) of each per person.

How many sides should you serve for Thanksgiving? ›

For sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing, you should have at least one dish for every five people and at least two dishes for 10 people or more. If you're serving a salad, one should be enough unless you're serving 20 people or more.

What makes an appetizer special? ›

An appetizer is meant to complement an entrée and is generally a small-portioned first course of a multi-course meal. Appetizers are meant to whet the appetite before the following courses. Appetizers connote that a dinner will follow.

What do you bring to a host for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Wine or a side dish are appreciated (and probably expected), but these gifts are also a thoughtful touch. From gift baskets and wine accessories to specialty oils and vinegars, any host will appreciate this selection of presents.

What do people do the night before Thanksgiving? ›

The day before Thanksgiving means travel, traffic — and, for many families, takeout. Cooking another meal the night before the impending feast isn't high on many of our priority lists, which explains why the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest pizza nights of the year across the country.

What is healthier than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Try it out on Thanksgiving by substituting tofu for your turkey. Tofu can be cooked in a variety of flavorful ways and comes with a ton of nutritional benefits including a lot of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B, and protein.

What should I eat on Thanksgiving to not gain weight? ›

5 Healthy Food Swaps to Avoid Weight Gain This Thanksgiving
  • Eat Pumpkin Pie Instead of Pecan Pie. ...
  • Grill Instead of Frying. ...
  • Swap Mashed Potatoes for Mashed Cauliflower. ...
  • Serve Brussels Sprouts Instead of Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Use Wild Rice Instead of Pilaf.

How healthy is Thanksgiving dinner? ›

The traditional turkey-day feast, replete with fatty, high-cholesterol foods like drumsticks, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing, is generally anything but heart-healthy. Try a healthy roasted turkey and gravy recipe for your Thanksgiving meal.

What should you eat instead of turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Whatever the reason, here are 20 Thanksgiving recipes for a turkey-free table.
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary. Image. ...
  • Beef Wellington. Image. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. Image. ...
  • Skillet Pork Chops and Apples With Miso Caramel. Image. ...
  • Samosa Pie. Image. ...
  • Maple-Baked Salmon. Image. ...
  • Lasagna. Image. ...
  • Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Coquilles St.
Nov 10, 2022

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