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    Home » Collections

    40 Easy Appetizers

    Published: Nov 26, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Looking for ideas for easy appetizers that you can make with affordable and few ingredients? These quick and fuss-free appetizers are perfect for festive occasions, holidays, and game nights.

    We've selected our 40 best recipes from colorful and healthy starters, and finger foods, to dips and party-friendly canapes. Browse through this list and pick your favorite; they are easy to make, healthy, and with simple ingredients!

    Easy appetizers with dips and bruschetta
    On this page:
    • Healthy easy appetizers
    • Appetizers for a platter
    • Italian appetizers
    • What should I serve guests?
    • Recipe

    Healthy easy appetizers

    These appetizers are wholesome and made with a few simple ingredients. Serve them with focaccia or with slices of crunchy toasted bread to sop up potential sauce leftovers - your guests will love them!

    1. Confit tomatoes

    Tomato confit is the easiest, meltiest, most delicious tomato recipe. Soft, juicy, with loads of flavor and garlic aroma - they are the perfect starter to a slice of focaccia or this chickpea farinata.

    confit tomatoes just baked

    2. Roasted bell peppers

    Roasted bell peppers are a delicious recipe that can be served as an antipasto, and is wonderful on bread on top of a layer of this white bean dip.

    bell peppers marinated

    3. Pan-fried artichokes

    All you need is a pan and a few simple ingredients to make this delicious artichoke recipe. Serve them on crostini, or dip them in vegan mayonnaise.

    pan fried artichokes in a pot

    4. Steamed artichokes

    An even easier artichoke starter! Steamed artichokes are tender, soft and lightly nutty. These also pair incredibly well with Italian salsa verde or chimichurri sauce and freshly chopped parsley.

    steamed artichokes with salsa verde

    5. Roasted lemon broccoli

    Oven-roasted broccoli is so tasty you won't believe it's actual broccoli. Crunchy, lemony, slightly spicy, and with the perfect twist of garlic, they are perfect as antipasti and snacks. Serve with chipotle sauce or tzatziki.

    Roasted broccoli with parmesan cheese

    6. Caponata

    This eggplant salad has the perfect balance of sweet and sour, it's rich, and made with simple, fresh ingredients. Eat it as a starter, and if you have any leftovers, use it as a side dish for your dinner.

    bruschetta with caponata

    7. Roasted potatoes with rosemary

    They are tasty, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned with olive oil, rosemary, and garlic. These tender and crispy roasted potatoes are a simple and crowd-pleasing plate of potatoes. Dip them in chipotle sauce or vegan mayo and it's the perfect finger food!

    Roasted Potatoes with garlic

    8. Easy hummus

    Looking for a quick and easy way to make hummus at home from dried or canned chickpeas? This guide will show you how to make an authentic and velvety smooth hummus dip, perfect with bread and fresh veggies!

    Louise dipping warm pita bread in the hummus

    9. Shaved Brussels sprouts salad

    Here's a refreshing and vibrant raw salad with a finger-licking good mustard vinaigrette: shaved Brussels sprouts salad with cranberries and walnuts. It's an elegant and easy appetizer idea that you can make in just 15 minutes, and it's meal-prep-friendly too!

    shaved brussels sprouts salad

    10. Fennel salad with orange wedges

    Light, fruity and crunchy, here's an Italian fennel salad with a colorful and appealing look and flavor. Dress it with a lemon mustard vinaigrette and garnish with fennel fronds for a guest-friendly and inviting appetizer idea!

    Fennel salad with pomegranate seeds

    11. Red cabbage slaw

    Make this crunchy and colorful red cabbage slaw with mayonnaise or a light mustard dressing, it's a vibrant and healthy starter idea. If you have leftover slaw, it can easily be served as a side dish with dinner too!

    red cabbage slaw with mayonnaise

    12. Eggplant pizza

    Game night, appetizer idea, or weeknight celebration, these eggplant pizza slices are guaranteed crowd-pleasers! You simply dress roasted eggplant with a layer of marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil - and the result is a tender Italian appetizer!

    roasted eggplant pizza

    13. Cauliflower soup

    Ultra creamy, light and slightly nutty, this cauliflower soup is a bright and happy starter. Serve with homemade croutons or quick crostini for a healthy and autumn-friendly appetizer.

    Cauliflower soup with homemade croutons.

    14. Butternut squash soup

    Soup is a versatile starter or main dish idea, try this autumn and winter-friendly butternut squash soup with crispy croutons. It's an easy bake-and-blend recipe with slightly sweet notes from onion, garlic, and butternut squash.

    butternut squash soup with croutons

    15. Carrot salad

    Here's a super easy 10-minute appetizer idea that is light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. Try this shredded carrot salad with pineapple and mustard cumin dressing for a vibrant and wholesome meal starter.

    carrot salad with pineapple

    16. Roasted zucchini

    Try a different kind of antipasto with this Italian roasted zucchini recipe with breadcrumbs and herbs. It's easily prepared in 5 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to get tender and juicy in the oven.

    roasted zucchini on a serving platter

    17. Breaded eggplant

    Crispy and bready on the outside and buttery tender on the inside, this breaded eggplant is great for game nights and putlocks. Dip the discs in marinara sauce, and your tastebuds will feel transported straight to Italy.

    breaded eggplants topped with marinara sauce

    18. Sweet potato chips

    Instead of store-bought crisps, you can make a healthier and more vibrant-looking batch at home! Try these crisp and light sweet potato chips, they're a perfect match for a movie night at home with your family!

    crispy sweet potato chips on a platter

    Appetizers for a platter

    Appetizer platters are colorful and fun, and everyone can help themselves with their favorite starter. Platters are a great way to help your guests try new combinations and fall in love with these vegan snacks!

    19. Vegan ricotta

    A creamy and incredibly light alternative to ricotta cheese. We've been making this vegan soy ricotta without nuts and without a blender for a few years now.

    vegan ricotta out of the cheese mold

    20. Caramelized onions

    Caramelized onions have a rich and deep flavor with sweet and sour notes. They are soft and literally melt in your mouth. They are perfect on ricotta or hummus, serve them in a bowl with a small fork, and guests can add exactly the amount they prefer!

    caramelized onions on a white platter

    21. White bean dip

    White bean dip is an easy recipe that you can make in 5 minutes with 7 simple ingredients and a blender. It's perfect with pita or with slices of toasted bread.

    White bean dip and pita bread

    22. Vegan mayo

    Vegan mayo is tasty, versatile, and so easy to make that you can do it in literally 1 minute with a few simple ingredients. We make a mean vegan tuna with it.

    vegan mayo in a small serving bowl

    23. Tzatziki sauce

    Tzatziki sauce is easy! All you need is yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and dill, and just over 15 minutes to make this irresistible recipe. Serve with pita chips or freshly baked focaccia bread.

    vegan tzatziki sauce in a bowl

    24. Guacamole

    Perfect for Taco Tuesday or as a creamy green addition to your appetizer platter! Mix together ripe avocados, lime juice, salt, cilantro, and some chopped onion. Serve your guacamole with tortilla chips and veggie sticks for a colorful and inviting dip!

    guacamole in a bowl

    25. Lentil hummus

    Have you ever tried replacing chickpeas with lentils for a rich and earthy lentil hummus? It's a 5-minute easy and quick dip idea, and it works amazingly well in sandwiches too!

    lentil hummus with spoon

    26. Sundried tomato pesto

    You can make it with most blenders, and a few simple ingredients, and we even keep it dairy-free so that most people can enjoy it. This red pesto is a must-try with our garlic-brushed flatbread.

    sun dried tomato pesto

    27. Melted cheese on bread

    This recipe for vegan cheese can be prepared in 5 minutes in a pot and with an amazing result. It's very similar to melted cheese. Creamy, spreadable, melty, light, cheesy, and with a slightly tangy flavor. It's perfect on a slice of bread or on top of our flatbread pizza.

    vegan cheese on toasted bread

    28. Tofu cream cheese

    This tofu cream cheese is made with 5 simple ingredients and it's smooth, velvety, and perfect to use as a starter. You can easily flavor the basic recipe of this vegan cream cheese with many vegetables like roasted aubergine, confit tomatoes, or artichoke hearts.

    tomato confit on crostini

    29. Creamy tofu salad

    If you are looking for a great, quick, and fulfilling vegan canapé or snack idea, you need to try this vegan egg salad. Made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs, it’s great on a slice of cucumber or wholegrain bread.

    vegan egg salad on bread

    Italian appetizers

    Appetizers on bread are perfect as finger food and are guaranteed crowd-pleasers! Particularly perfect for game nights and movie nights as they are fun and colorful.

    30. Mini pizzas

    Mini pizzas are one of the most popular finger foods in Italy. They are usually served as a fun, crunchy starter, or during birthdays, buffets, and gatherings. Making pizza biscuits is actually very simple, and you can add your favorite toppings for a fun evening.

    mini pizza on a plate

    31. Tomato bruschetta

    A crunchy, juicy, and garlicky appetizer. This bruschetta recipe is simple, and you can make it in 10 minutes with a few ingredients. Serve on a slice of toasted bread or next to this 20-min farinata.

    bruschetta with basil

    32. Easy focaccia (no-knead)

    A soft Italian focaccia recipe that is easy to make, with a spoon and a bowl, without having to knead it with your hands. Perfectly paired with white bean dip, confit tomatoes, sundried tomato pesto, or anything else really.

    rosemary focaccia

    33. Chickpea socca

    This socca is a simple recipe, made by mixing together chickpea flour and extra virgin olive oil, then baking it in the oven for about 20 minutes. It's perfect as part of an antipasti platter, and pairs well with any topping. We love eating it topped with our eggplant caponata.

    socca with pesto and herbs

    34. Chickpea frittata muffins

    Chickpea frittata muffins are an easy make-ahead recipe that you can serve as nutritious antipasti with a bowl of sundried tomato pesto. They are very similar to vegan mini quiches, they are made with chickpea flour you can customize them with any vegetables of your choice.

    Frittata muffins with veggies

    35. Mashed chickpea salad

    You can make these chickpea-based antipasti in just 10 minutes, with simple ingredients, and without cooking. Serve on a slice of a cucumber and stuffed in cherry tomatoes. A slice of no-knead focaccia is the perfect pairing with vegan tuna, a family favorite!

    tomatoes and lettuce leaves filled with vegan tuna

    36. Chickpea frittata

    This chickpea frittata is crisp on the outside, soft, and moist on the inside, and for some reason, it feels like eating a regular egg frittata. Serve in small slices and with a little bowl of confit tomatoes and caramelized onions.

    vegan frittata with sautéed zucchini

    37. Eggplant bruschetta

    Tender sauteed eggplant and crunchy bread is a match made in heaven (and in Italy!). Try this 20-minute eggplant bruschetta recipe for summer or autumn when eggplants are in season, and top them with fresh basil leaves.

    Italian eggplant bruschetta

    38. Panzanella salad

    Easy to make and a great way to revive stale bread leftovers, this Italian panzanella salad is an appetizer favorite. Pair it with a refreshing lemon vinaigrette and fresh basil leaves for a vibrant summer salad.

    panzanella salad with lettuce

    39. Roasted fennel

    Roasted fennel is a deliciously tender and buttery starter idea that is great on its own or with crusty toasted bread.

    Roasted fennel and fork

    40. Crostini with olive tapenade

    Try this 10-minute crostini recipe for a bite-size and Italian appetizer idea. Serve with roasted veggies, pesto, tapenade, or hummus, and make a colorful and inviting starter platter.

    tapenade on crostini

    What should I serve guests?

    Are you having guests over that are vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan? Get even more fresh inspiration from these vibrant plant-based ideas:

    • Add plant-based protein to your starter platter or main mail with one of our 25 easy tofu recipes
    • Make a vegan menu by following your appetizer with a first course of vegan pasta. See our favorites among these 25 best pasta recipes
    • Serve a plant-based main meal for your guests with one of our vegan easy dinners.
    • Make a vegetable side dish, such as artichoke, asparagus, or green beans.
    • For an indulgent vegan dessert, see the best cakes and sweets in our 60 vegan Italian recipes and our selection of 43 plant-based desserts

    For many more easy and healthy starter recipes make sure to check out our Antipasti (starter) Recipes Page!

    Recipe

    Easy appetizers with mini pizza and dips

    40 Easy Appetizers

    Author: Nico
    Tomato bruschetta is one of our favorite easy appetizers. These recipes are simple, with few ingredients, and most of them are ready within 30 minutes or less.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side dish, Starter
    Cuisine American Italian, Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 479 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 18 ounces bread slices 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) thick.
    • 18 ounces tomatoes
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 15 leaves basil
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 avocado optional

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the tomatoes, dry them, then with a paring knife remove their stem. With a serrated knife (bread knife) cut the tomatoes into slices. Then cut the tomato slices into small dice of similar size.
      If you use cherry or plum tomatoes, cut them into 4 or 8 pieces, depending on how big they are.
      chopping the tomatoes with a serrated knife
    • In a bowl, add the diced tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, 1 crushed and peeled garlic clove, salt, pepper, and basil leaves that you tear apart with your hands.
      If the tomatoes release a lot of water, discard some of it.
      adding all ingredients in a bowl
    • Mix well with a spoon until all the ingredients are well combined together. Taste and if necessary adjust flavour. Let marinate at room temperature for about 10 - 15 minutes.
      mixing the ingredients
    • In the meantime, slice the bread into 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) thick slices. Toast the bread in the oven - preferably with grill function - until golden and crunchy.
      If the edges of the bread get dark and burned, scrap away that part with a knife as it is very unhealthy to eat.
      If you have a charcoal grill, go ahead and toast your bread there. Your bruschetta will be even tastier.
      toasted bread
    • At this stage, if you want, add the avocado. Cut in half, remove the stone, cut it into dice and scoop out the flesh. Then add it to the tomatoes and mix it with a spoon, gently.
      adding avocado
    • Put the toasted bread on a cutting board or serving plate, rub it with garlic while still warm, then with a spoon put some tomato mix on top. Add some juice too to moisten the toasted bread.
      adding the tomatoes on to the bread
    • If you want to make white bruschetta rub the toasted bread with some garlic, then add some good quality extra virgin olive oil and sea salt on top.
      white bruschetta

    Video Recipe

    5-minute White Bean Dip is an easy appetizer idea

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    40 Easy Appetizers
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 479 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 12g
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Potassium 579mg17%
    Carbohydrates 65g22%
    Dietary Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 14g28%
    Vitamin A 972IU19%
    Vitamin B6 1mg50%
    Vitamin C 19mg23%
    Vitamin E 3mg20%
    Vitamin K 30µg29%
    Calcium 67mg7%
    Folate 197µg49%
    Iron 4mg22%
    Manganese 1mg50%
    Magnesium 53mg13%
    Zinc 1mg7%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked these easy appetizers, you might also enjoy:

    • 40 Easy Meatless Meals
    • 40 Easy Pasta Recipes
    • 20 Best Soup Recipes (with Toppings)
    • 45 Best Salad Recipes
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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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