32 Fancy Appetizers To Start Your Next Dinner Party

These elegant appetizers are sure to impress.

By

Updated on June 9, 2024

Stuffed Mushrooms — Photo:
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

When it comes to hosting, the appetizer sets the scene for the occasion. And while we love a good appetizer board, but there are some occasions when we want something a bit more elegant than Beer Cheese Fondue and spinach dip.

We've gathered some of our most sophisticated appetizer recipes that are sure to impress your guests. To really wow your company, make any of these delicious appetizer recipes, and you'll be crowned top host.

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Baked Oysters With Bacon, Greens, And Parmesan

Baked Oysters with Bacon, Greens, and Parmesan — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

These oysters are baked until the topping is bubbling and golden in color. For an extra-elegant presentation, serve these oysters on a bed of rock salt.

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Sweet And Fiery Pepper Bruschetta

Southern Living Sweet and Fiery Pepper Bruschetta on a platter to serve with a glass of beer — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

Coming together in just 35 minutes, this take on bruschetta gets some heat from Fresno and serrano peppers while honey adds a touch of sweetness.

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Bacon Jam

Bacon Jam — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Despite its name, bacon jam isn't a syrupy sweet spread. Instead, it's a savory-sweet dip that's a dream for dinner parties. It can be served on cheese boards, as a dip with crostini, or spooned over warmed Brie. Really any way you want, bacon jam is great.

04 of 32

Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs

Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Have you ever seen a prettier platter of deviled eggs? These attention-grabbing beauties get their vibrant color from beets.

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Mini Potato Skins

Mini Potato Skins — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Potato skins are given a makeover that makes them suitable for more formal affairs. Serve them on a nice platter to get the party started.

06 of 32

Shrimp On Seasoned Crackers With Pepper Jelly And Cream Cheese

Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Pepper jelly and cream cheese are already a match made in heaven, but throw shrimp into the mix for a decadent upgrade.

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Fig Flatbread

Fig Flatbread — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Set this shareable appetizer down in the center of the table. Pre-slice it before serving so your guests don't have to lift a finger.

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Crab Cake Bites With Old Bay Mayo, Chives, And Lemon

Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Seasoning — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This recipe for Crab Cake Bites comes from Adam Evans, chef at Birmingham's award-winning restaurant Automatic Seafood and Oysters.

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Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Pick up your cherry tomatoes at the farmer's market and celebrate fresh, seasonal produce with these tomato crostini that are so impressive your guests will think they're at a restaurant.

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Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapés

Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapes — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Try our sophisticated, bite-sized version of "fish and chips." This recipe relies on mostly pre-made ingredients and comes together in just 20 minutes for a impressive and holiday-worthy appetizer.

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Deviled Crab Dip

Southern Living Deviled Crab Dip in serving bowl — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Get any party started with this creamy and spicy crab dip. The crunchy topping made with crushed saltines, cheddar cheese, and Old Bay seasoning will have everyone coming back for more.

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No-Stuff Deviled Eggs

No-Stuff Deviled Eggs — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Deviled eggs were given a mess-free makeover with this upgraded version that still delivers the same flavors as the original.

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Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Thinly sliced pears and frozen puff pastry are the key to this appetizer that looks far more laborious than it is.

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Oven-Roasted Oysters With Mushrooms And Watercress

Oven-Roasted Oysters with Mushrooms and Watercress — Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling and Floral Design: Sara York Grimshaw

You love your oysters raw, but have you ever tried them roasted? Consider this recipe your new party trick.

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Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

These crostini will blow all the other appetizers out of the water at any summer soiree.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

You can never go wrong serving this classic recipe for any occasion. Boursin cheese is the secret ingredient that packs plenty of flavor into this 35-minute recipe.

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Baked Brie With Pomegranate And Pistachios

Baked brie with pomegranate and pistachios on a white plate — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Dress up your brie for the holidays with a pomegranate reduction, pistachios, fresh thyme, and pomegranate seeds. The bright colors make this dish look fancier than it is.

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Fig, Pecan, And Brie Bites

Fig, Pecan, And Brie Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

While there are countless ways to combine brie and puff pastry, this mini version which calls for toasted pecans and sweet fig preserves might be our new favorite.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini make a wonderful gluten-free party appetizer.

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Roasted Artichokes With Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Artichokes with Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Don't let whole artichokes intimidate you. These roasted halves are easy and delicious, especially when served with the roasted garlic-y mayo for dipping.

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Crudités Platter

CurditÃ©s Platter — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

A mix of vibrant colored veggies turns an ordinary platter into a piece of art. We also love that this impressive appetizer comes together in just 15 minutes.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites — Southern Living

Send a plate of these Cranberry Brie Bites around the room during cocktail hour and it's sure to turn up empty after the first turn.

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Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Spinach gets blended right in with the ricotta to give it a lovely green hue.

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Baked Brie With Jezebel Peaches

Bake Brie With Jezebel Peaches — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

For a summertime twist on baked brie, turn to fresh peaches coated in Jezebel sauce—a sweet and spicy mixture which typically includes pineapple preserves, apple jelly, mustard, and horseradish.

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Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp

Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Forget the shrimp cocktail and make this Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp instead.

26 of 32

Smoked-Fish Dip

Smoked-Fish Dip — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This Smoked-Fish Dip is a welcome upgrade for that packet of ranch mix.

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Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Grape Jelly Meatballs — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Making these meatballs ahead and freezing them is a great way to save time during the holiday months.

28 of 32

Warm Cheese Box Bites

Warm Cheese Box Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Just because it's elegant doesn't mean it can't provide comfort. These Warm Cheese Box Bites are proof of just that.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This vegetarian appetizer option makes use of gourmet mushrooms instead of meat.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Lump Crab Mornay — Iain Bagwell

Adapted from a recipe in a church cookbook in Indianola, Mississippi, this creamy crab dip comes together in just 20 minutes. Serve it with homemade toast points for dipping.

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Green Tomato Gazpacho

Green Tomato Gazpacho in a white bowl — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Instead of regular red tomatoes, we're using green ones in this Southern soup.

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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

These mini sandwiches are reminiscent of a BLT but are pretty enough to serve at a more sophisticated Southern party.

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