Imagine it’s Thanksgiving. You’re so focused on setting the table, warming up the pots and not burning the turkey that you don’t have time to make Thanksgiving appetizers, let alone breakfast. Before your Thanksgiving goes like this (again), save precious turkey time by making these easy Thanksgiving appetizers. Here are 10 appealing recipes for Thanksgiving appetizers, as well as storage tips to help you navigate Thanksgiving with one less thing to worry about.
Spicy pecans glazed with cinnamon
The crunchiness of these pecans coated with cinnamon, cayenne pepper and sugar will satisfy cravings before eating them. Even better, you can bring a glass of this aperitif as a gift to your host, as our home cooks emphasize. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the pantry or a month in the freezer.
Cheese sticks
Even the most picky children will devour them, and the use of frozen puff pastry will make them as easy as possible. You can freeze the uncooked cheese sticks up to a month in advance and bake them on Thanksgiving morning for maximum crispiness. If you can’t cook the sticks in the morning, cook them the night before. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Hearty Pumpkin Hummus
The pumpkin flavor you’ve been dreaming of, with a savory flavor that won’t spoil anyone’s appetite for pumpkin pie. An Allrecipes chef serves this recipe with raw vegetables for a light Thanksgiving appetizer. When freezing hummus, leave a little free space in the container, as it can expand when frozen. Take it out the day before and let it thaw in the refrigerator.
Brie Bites With Cranberries
“Tart cranberries, creamy brie and crunchy nuts combine in a buttery shell to create an appetizer that will delight your guests. Bonus: These can be prepared up to three days in advance. Before cooking, wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Serve hot or at room temperature,” explains Julie Hubert, recipe creator.
One two three balls of sausage
“Perfect for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Little kids and big kids (husbands) love them,” critic Mindy Mama writes. To freeze, follow the recipe in step 3, then freeze it on a baking sheet. Once frozen, place them in a resealable freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to a month. You don’t need to defrost before cooking, although you may need to add a little cooking time to balance the frozen starting point.