16 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers for a Stress-Free Holiday

From classic spiced nuts and cheese balls to dips and deviled eggs, save the stress and make these holiday appetizers ahead.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published October 31, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Savory pinwheels on a white platter.

Simply Recipes / Jessica Gavin

Whether you're hosting or just attending, the holidays can be a stressful time. Luckily, there are many ways to manage the stress and bring more joy into the equation. One of my favorite strategies is to prep dishes ahead. There's nothing better than pulling something from the fridge, plating it up, and setting it out to quell the hungry masses. Not to mention the time it frees up to attend to your other dishes or simply enjoy the festivities.

These make-ahead friendly appetizers can all be made a day or two ahead and are easy enough to pack up and transport to a party or potluck. Whether you choose to go classic (like with a crowd-pleasing cheese ball) or want to flip the script (deviled egg dip, anyone?), a party isn't a party without a few delicious pre-dinner snacks.

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  • Classic Cheese Ball

    A plate with a cheese ball and crackers

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "It’s an easy appetizer to make, and the finished version tastes better than the sum of its parts!" —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Homemade Veggie Dip

    Platter of Vegetables and a Bowl of Veggie Dip

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    "While full-fat sour cream and mayonnaise will make the creamiest, most flavorful dip, you can use low-fat instead. For a slightly different take, swap half or all of the sour cream for whole milk Greek yogurt." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Classic Mixed Nuts

    overhead view of Classic Mixed Nuts on a sheet pan

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

    "Anything will do! I like the combination of pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts as that is what is available at my Costco (which helps keep costs down), but any raw unsalted nut will do. I like to roast the nuts myself for the best flavor, but you can use already roasted unsalted nuts and skip that step if that’s what you have on hand." —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

  • Whipped Feta with Figs, Pistachio, and Honey

    Whipped feta with figs, nuts, and honey in a bowl with bread dipped in the side.

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    "I love to serve this dip with warm pita bread, naan, or crackers. Pair it with other small appetizers or dips, like marinated olives, hummus, or muhammara." —Karishma Pradhan, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 16 below

  • Deviled Eggs

    Overhead view of a platter of Classic Deviled Eggs.

    Simply Recipes / Kelly Hamilton

    "When you make deviled eggs, you need hard cooked eggs that are easy to peel! We've found the best way to make easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs is not to boil them, but to steam them. The hot steam penetrates the porous shell of the eggs to create just enough separation between the shells and the eggs to make them easy to peel." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Prosciutto and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels

    Savory pinwheels on a white platter.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Gavin

    "Not a fan of prosciutto? Thinly sliced ham makes a great substitute or use chopped up pieces of precooked bacon sprinkled on top." —Jessica Gavin, Recipe Developer

  • Sriracha Honey Chex Mix

    Sweet and spicy chex mix in a bowl at a table setting with two glasses of beer and a yellow kitchen towel

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "You can swap out the pretzels, cheese crackers, and/or nuts for other mix-ins, such as bagel chips, peanuts or mixed nuts, oyster crackers, Cheerios, and more. I especially like adding sesame sticks." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Mushroom Caviar

    muhsroom caviar, ready to serve

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "I like to serve this with large butter lettuce leaves and crackers. Use rice crackers for a gluten-free option." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

    Continue to 9 of 16 below

  • Deviled Egg Dip

    Overhead view of a platter with vegetables and potato chips arranged around a bowl of deviled egg dip and two plates with dip and veggetables

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "If you need a little extra liquid to get the perfect smooth consistency, use a splash of brine from the cornichons (or whatever pickle you use)." —Stephanie A. Ganz, Recipe Developer

  • Cheese Straws

    Cheese Sticks on a Lined Baking Sheet

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "Swap up to half of the flour for whole wheat or white whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and slightly different flavor. You may need to add more water to the dough since whole wheat flour can be drier." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

    A bowl of roasted pumpkin seeds, ready to serve

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "These seeds are fantastic simply seasoned with salt, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can certainly add other seasonings. Add a few teaspoons of your favorite herb or spice blend after tossing the seeds with the oil and before roasting." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

  • Easy Pickle Dip

    A bowl of creamy dip garnished with dill, surrounded by ridged potato chips

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Add a little heat with spicy banana peppers or by adding pickled jalapeños." —Stephanie A. Ganz, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 13 of 16 below

  • Marinated Mushrooms

    Marinated Mushrooms in a Bowl with Herbs

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "For this recipe, search for small, bite-size mushrooms that would be easy to pick up with a toothpick and pop into your mouth. If the mushrooms are large, halve or quarter them; you just want to make them easy to eat for a tiny bite." —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

  • Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

    Overhead shot of a ceramic serving plate with deviled eggs, garnished with chopped chives and paprika

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "For a more substantial appetizer, add a little protein on top, like a piece of crispy bacon or even a lump of crab. If you want to really go “million dollar,” splurge with a little spoonful of caviar." —Irvin Lin, Recipe Developer

  • Cheddar Cheese Puffs

    A plate of cheddar cheese puffs, ready to serve

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "These cheese puff taste best when they first come out of the oven, but you could warm them up a little just before serving. Readers have also frozen the dough and baked the cheese puffs just before serving." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

  • Alabama Fire Crackers

    Bowl of Alabama fire crackers surrounded by a bottle and glasses of beer and a light maroon table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

    "Ideally, eating them plain is best. They'd also be delicious for dipping into pimento cheese, French onion dip, or with tinned fish." —Myo Quinn, Former Associate Editorial Director

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