These 34 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes are the ones guests hover over the kitchen island for, and most of them cook in the air fryer so your oven stays free for the turkey. You’ll find cranberry brie bites, maple-roasted nuts, bacon-wrapped everything, cheesy breads, and warm dips, grouped so you can build a spread in minutes.
My rule for Thanksgiving Day is simple: pick one cheesy bite, one fall-flavored snack, one meaty bite, and one bread or dip. That’s four appetizers, which is plenty before a big dinner, and it covers every kind of eater at the table.
Cranberry, Brie and Cheesy Bites
1. Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites
Crisp wonton cups hold warm brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce, so every bite tastes like the holiday. Make a double batch and freeze half for Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites
2. Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Canapes
Three ingredients and about 15 minutes are all it takes. These look like they came from a caterer, and nobody needs to know how easy they were.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Canapes
3. Air Fryer Raspberry and Brie Pull-Apart Bread
A crusty loaf gets stuffed with melty brie and raspberry jam, then set in the middle of the table. Guests tear off warm, gooey pieces as they walk by.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Raspberry and Brie Pull-Apart Bread
4. Air Fryer Honey Walnut Baked Brie
A whole wheel of brie turns soft and spoonable in the air fryer. Top it with honey and walnuts, or swap in cranberry and pecans, and surround it with crackers and apple slices.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Brie
5. Easy Air Fryer Brie Bites
Cubes of brie and a dab of preserves get wrapped in crescent dough and rolled in panko. They come out golden and crunchy outside with a molten center.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Brie Bites
6. Air Fryer Apricot Brie Bites
If your family has had enough cranberry by Thursday, apricot is the answer. These assemble in a muffin tin and cook in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apricot Brie Bites
7. Air Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Creamy mac and cheese gets scooped, breaded in panko, and air fried until crunchy. The kids’ table will clear these first.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
8. Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls
Thick mac and cheese wrapped in egg roll wrappers makes a dippable, handheld snack. It’s also a smart way to use up leftover mac on Friday.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls
9. Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Crisps
Parmesan, cheddar, bacon, and jalapeño bake into crunchy, low-carb crisps in under 15 minutes. They’re a lighter option for guests saving room for pie.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Crisps
Fall Flavors: Sweet Potatoes, Nuts and Mushrooms
10. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Nachos
Sweet potato waffle fries replace tortilla chips for a fall twist on nachos. Pile on cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream, and set the platter out while the turkey rests.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Nachos
11. Air Fryer Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy sweet potato fries get tossed in butter, cinnamon, and sugar right out of the basket. They taste like sweet potato casserole you can eat with your fingers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
12. Air Fryer Maple Cinnamon Cashews
Maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt coat every cashew in a sweet, crunchy glaze. Set out a bowl and watch it empty.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Maple Cinnamon Cashews
13. Air Fryer Maple BBQ Roasted Cashews
For the guests who like salty over sweet, these get a smoky maple BBQ rub and a hint of cayenne. They roast in about 5 to 7 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Maple BBQ Roasted Cashews
14. Roasted Pecans in the Air Fryer (3 Ways)
Pecans are the most Thanksgiving nut there is. Make them sweet, salty, or spicy, and bag up the extras as hostess gifts.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Pecans in Air Fryer
15. Air Fryer Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps get filled with crab, cream cheese, and Old Bay, then air fried until bubbly. They feel fancy but take very little work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
16. Copycat Maggiano’s Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach, fresh herbs, Fontina, and buttery breadcrumbs fill these restaurant-style mushrooms. They’re rich enough to feel like a holiday splurge.
Get the Recipe: Maggiano’s Stuffed Mushrooms
17. Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
The cheesy, herby Olive Garden favorite comes together at home. Serve a little marinara on the side.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
18. Copycat LongHorn Stuffed Mushrooms
A creamy spinach, garlic, and cheese filling sits under a crisp golden topping. Stuff them the night before and cook when the doorbell rings.
Get the Recipe: LongHorn Stuffed Mushrooms
Bacon-Wrapped and Meaty Bites
19. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
Medjool dates, a creamy cheese filling, and smoky bacon make the best three-ingredient appetizer I know. Wrap them Wednesday night and air fry them Thursday.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
20. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Crackers
Buttery crackers topped with cheese and wrapped in bacon turn sweet, salty, and crunchy. They’re a retro party snack that still disappears first.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Crackers
21. Copycat Red Lobster Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Tender scallops in crispy bacon cook in about 10 minutes. Serve them when you want the appetizer table to feel a little elegant.
Get the Recipe: Red Lobster Bacon Wrapped Scallops
22. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Juicy pineapple wrapped in bacon and brushed with a tangy glaze caramelizes at the edges. It’s a bright bite next to all the rich holiday food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
23. Air Fryer Ranch Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Puff pastry rolled up with ham, cheddar, and ranch bakes into flaky spirals. Kids and grown-ups both go back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ranch Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
24. Air Fryer Cuban Pinwheels
Ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard give you the whole Cuban sandwich in one bite. Roll them a day ahead and air fry before serving.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cuban Pinwheels
25. Air Fryer Wonton Jalapeño Poppers
Crispy wonton cups hold a creamy, cheesy jalapeño filling. Dial the heat up or down for your crowd and serve ranch on the side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wonton Jalapeño Poppers
Cheesy Breads and Warm Dips
26. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Knots
Store-bought pizza dough gets tied into knots, dipped in garlic butter, and topped with Parmesan and cheddar. They cook in about 10 minutes and pair perfectly with marinara.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Knots
27. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread
Biscuit dough tossed in butter, garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning bakes into one shareable loaf. Set it out and let everyone pull their own piece.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread
28. Air Fryer Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls
Soft rolls get stuffed with garlicky cream cheese and brushed with herb butter. They’re crisp outside and melty in the middle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls
29. Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Everyone’s favorite restaurant biscuit comes out warm and buttery from the air fryer. Make a batch for snacking and another for the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
30. Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Brazilian Cheese Bread
Frozen cheese bread puffs up crisp outside and chewy inside with zero prep. It’s the easiest item on this list, and naturally gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Brazilian Cheese Bread
31. Air Fryer Pull Apart Pizza Bread
Biscuit pieces tossed with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni bake into a gooey, shareable ring. Picky eaters will thank you.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pull Apart Pizza Bread
32. Air Fryer Artichoke Dip
This hot, creamy dip turns golden on top in about 20 minutes. Mix it the day before so all you do on Thanksgiving is heat and serve.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Artichoke Dip
33. Easy Air Fryer Hot Crab Dip
Lump crab, cream cheese, and melty cheese bake into a bubbly dip. Serve it with sturdy crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Crab Dip
34. Air Fryer Ultimate Potato Chip Nachos
Potato chips get loaded with melted cheese, jalapeños, and bacon for a fast, salty snack. Keep them in mind for the football games after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ultimate Potato Chip Nachos
Make-Ahead Tips for Thanksgiving Appetizers
Prep on Wednesday. Bacon-wrapped dates, pinwheels, stuffed mushrooms, and both dips can be assembled a day early and refrigerated. On Thanksgiving you only need to air fry them.
Roast the nuts days ahead. Cashews and pecans keep in an airtight container for several days, so they’re one less thing to do on the big day.
Keep batches warm. Hold finished appetizers on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven while the next batch cooks in the air fryer.
Serve them away from the kitchen. Put the appetizers in the living room so guests gather there instead of in your way.
Thanksgiving Appetizer FAQs
How many appetizers should I serve before Thanksgiving dinner? Three or four is plenty for most gatherings, since a big meal is coming. Choose one cheesy bite, one fall snack, one meaty bite, and one bread or dip.
What are the easiest Thanksgiving appetizers for beginners? The Brazilian cheese bread, maple cinnamon cashews, and cranberry brie canapes all take very little hands-on time.
Can I make these without an air fryer? Yes. Most of these work in a conventional oven with a few extra minutes of cooking time, so check each recipe for oven notes.
Which appetizers are best for kids? Mac and cheese bites, pull apart pizza bread, ham and cheese pinwheels, and garlic parmesan knots are the ones kids reach for first.
Your Thanksgiving Appetizer Spread Starts Here
With these 34 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes, you can keep guests happy from the moment they walk in until the turkey hits the table. Pin this list so it’s easy to find when you plan your menu, and tell me in the comments which appetizer your family asks for every year.
