32 Fresh Fall Appetizer Recipes That Make the Most of the Season's Rich Flavors
Fall's finest foods include — but are not limited to — tart cranberries, rich pumpkins, savory squash, and warm, gooey cheeses. The season is all about hearty meals that provide you with comfort and warmth, while also incorporating autumnal flavors that you can't find during other months of the year. From game-day grub to impressive Thanksgiving starters, these fall-inspired appetizer ideas will fill your table with some of the best tastes of the year. Pumpkin beer pretzels, warm baked brie, sweet and spicy cranberry cocktail meatballs, and pumpkin pie dip are just a few of the delicious recipes you can whip up this season. Take a look at the best fall appetizer ideas ahead, and get ready to indulge in everything that this season has to offer.
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Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Warm, savory, and sweet, this pull-apart bread is a dream come true. Just cut the bread to create a crosshatch pattern; stuff it with butter, brie, pecans, and cranberries; and bake until warm. It's almost too easy not to make!
Get the recipe: cranberry brie pull apart bread
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Pumpkin Beer Pretzels With Chipotle Queso
These soft and buttery pretzels are dunked in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce and feature notes of pumpkin beer. They're perfect for a fall game day or gathering, and taste even better when paired with your favorite brew.
Get the recipe: pumpkin beer pretzels with chipotle queso
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Baked Sweet Potato Parmesan Tater Tots
Take advantage of the season's best sweet potatoes with this drool-worthy recipe. These tots are crispy on the outside (thanks to crunchy Panko bread crumbs) and soft on the inside (thanks to warm mashed sweet potatoes) and will have you coming back for more. Dunk them in ketchup, ranch, or honey if you want some extra flavor.
Get the recipe: baked sweet potato parmesan tater tots
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Acorn Squash Queso Fundido
Craving squash? This delicious dip is for you. Shredded mozzarella cheese, garlic, and jalapeños fill a large acorn squash with some of the best flavors you can find. Eat it with crispy tortilla chips, and enjoy!
Get the recipe: acorn squash queso fundido
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Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts
Quick, easy, and a fan favorite, these tarts are too good to be true. Creamy brie, tangy cranberries, and a fluffy puff pastry work together to make these cheese-filled tarts ready to be served in no time.
Get the recipe: cranberry brie pastry tarts
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Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta
Bruschetta is good any time of year, but this fall-inspired recipe makes it even better in the chilly months. A fluffy baguette is topped with goat cheese, arugula, roasted butternut squash, and tomatoes to make this app practically burst with flavor.
Get the recipe: roasted butternut squash bruschetta
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Baked Brie Dip With Caramelized Onions and Delicata Squash
On a chilly fall night, nothing sounds quite as good as a warm, rich cheesy dip. This baked brie delicacy is made with squash, brie and mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh spices. Eat it with French bread, apple slices, pears, and more.
Get the recipe: baked brie dip with caramelized onions and delicata squash
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Cranberry Goat Cheese Ball
Sweet and savory, this cheese ball is so easy to make! All you need is fresh rosemary, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and goat cheese. Dunk crackers, toast, pears, apples, and veggies into it for best results.
Get the recipe: cranberry goat cheese ball
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Sweet and Salty Snack Board
Complete with crackers, chocolate, fresh fruit, and cheese, this tasty snack board will go fast! Seasonal apples and rich cheese will make this your new go-to app in no time.
Get the recipe: sweet and salty snack board
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Warm Walnut Goat Cheese Bites
Tell us, is there anything better than a bite of warm, gooey goat cheese? We think not. This easy recipe combines rich goat cheese with honey, walnuts, and spices that are baked until warm. Done and done.
Get the recipe: warm walnut goat cheese bites
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Warm Caramelized Fennel, Leek, and Cheese Dip
Take the traditional cheese dip up a notch when you whip up this gooey dish. The leeks and garlic give it a kick, while the brie, parmesan, and mozzarella will make cheese-lovers swoon. Add a dash of lemon zest and crushed red pepper for an extra hint of spice.
Get the recipe: warm caramelized fennel, leek, and cheese dip
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Cherry Bruschetta
Move over, cranberries! This cherry bruschetta is ready to take center stage. Goat cheese, cherries, pecans, rosemary, thyme, and pinot noir are combined with a chewy baguette to make the most mouthwatering app of them all.
Get the recipe: cherry bruschetta
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Spicy Cranberry Salsa
If you love salsa, you better buckle up! This cranberry-infused dip is tart and tangy, meaning it pairs superwell with rich French bread and nutty crackers. Feel free to put it on your favorite fall foods for an extra kick.
Get the recipe: spicy cranberry salsa
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Pork and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
With only six ingredients needed, these puffy pastry bites will be the star of the show. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm pastry that's topped with gooey brie, rich cranberry sauce, salty nuts, and flavorful pork tenderloin. Yum.
Get the recipe: pork and brie puff pastry bites
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Mushroom Brut Brie
Mushrooms and brie go hand-in-hand to make this cheesy app one to remember. Warm cheese is topped with cooked mushrooms, nutty pistachios, and brut champagne, meaning this easy dish is not only impressive, but also easy to make.
Get the recipe: mushroom brut brie
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Melty Baked Brie With Walnuts, Honey, and Figs
If you want something that's both sweet and full of fresh flavors, you must try these honey-covered figs. Walnuts, brie, honey, and fresh thyme work together to make these purple figs a treat for your taste buds.
Get the recipe: melty baked brie with walnuts, honey, and figs
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Skinny Pumpkin Pie Dip
If you have a soft spot for dips, this pumpkin-pie-inspired dish will make your mouth water. With only six ingredients, this sweet appetizer can be made in minutes. Dip pretzels, graham crackers, and more into it!
Get the recipe:pumpkin pie dip
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatballs
Chicken meatballs stuffed with Swiss cheese and ham cooked in a white wine dijon sauce makes for juicy meatballs that practically burst at the seams with flavor.
Get the recipe:chicken cordon bleu meatballs
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Halloween Fruit Skewers
Bright, colorful, and sweet, these fruit skewers are the perfect appetizer or snack. Nibble on fresh fruit and seasonal candy, all while enjoying the cute presentation.
Get the recipe:Halloween fruit skewers
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Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese Cups
Spicy buffalo chicken and rich cheddar mac . . . need we say more?
Get the recipe:Buffalo chicken mac 'n' cheese cups
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Pumpkin Chili
There's nothing better than warm chili on a cold day, especially when it's pumpkin-flavored chili! With ground turkey, chicken maple sausage, veggies, beans, and pumpkin puree, this hot dip will go fast.
Get the recipe:pumpkin chili
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Creamy Pumpkin Parmesan Dip
Cream cheese and pumpkin puree make this enticing dip one to remember. With only seven ingredients, you can whip this up in no time. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for best results.
Get the recipe:creamy pumpkin parmesan dip
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Baked Cheese Mummies
More cheese, please! These bite-size mummies will fill your plate with all the cheese you could ever dream of. Made with puff pastry and mini Babybel cheese, these will be a hit. Add little eyeballs to make them complete.
Get the recipe:baked cheese mummies
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Pumpkin Herb Cheese Ball
Make your appetizer table the hottest spot in the house when you add this cheese ball to the mix. Creamy mascarpone, cream cheese, cheddar, pumpkin, and fresh herbs make this satisfying app a dream come true. Crunchy crackers, warm bread, and seasonal veggies can all be dunked into it.
Get the recipe:pumpkin herb cheese ball
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Slow-Cooker Beef Chili
Well, everyone knows chili is a football-watching essential, and this loaded recipe is about as easy as it gets. Get grubbin'!
Get the recipe:slow-cooker beef chili
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Autumn Chicken and Phyllo Dough Pot Pies
Imagine getting a taste of chicken tenders, apple cider, and butternut squash all in one bite. These little pot pies have all that and more! Perfect for a chilly fall night, these will be a hit, and can even serve as the main dish.
Get the recipe:autumn chicken and phyllo dough pot pies
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Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs
Cooked in a cranberry pepper jelly sauce, these flavorful meatballs are a perfect harmony of all the best flavors.
Get the recipe:sweet and spicy cranberry cocktail meatballs
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Caramelized Garlic Butter Toast With Pan-Fried Mushrooms
If your main course for Halloween is savory, this rich toast will pair perfectly with it. Made with some of fall's finest flavors, this app will go fast. Top it off with as many mushrooms as you can fit!
Get the recipe:caramelized garlic butter toast with pan-fried mushrooms
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Caramel Pumpkin Whip Dip
Need a supereasy app recipe? This tasty whip dip is calling your name. It takes only minutes to make (really!), and will be eaten up even faster. With pumpkin puree and Cool Whip, how could this not taste good? Dip crackers, bread, sugar snap peas, apple wedges, and more into it for best results.
Get the recipe:caramel pumpkin whip dip
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Fall Harvest Cheese Board
You can never go wrong with a cheese board, especially when it's fall-themed! This delightful spread includes everything from fig jam and fall fruits to a mouthwatering selection of charcuterie. Pair it with your favorite crackers and bread, and get ready to eat up!
Get the recipe:fall harvest cheese board
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
There's nothing better than noshing on crispy, crunchy, and flavorful pumpkin seeds. These satisfying seeds are high in both protein and fiber, and they contain healthy nutrients such as manganese, iron, and zinc. Bake them until they're golden brown, and enjoy them all season long.
Get the recipe:roasted pumpkin seeds
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Witch Guacamole Dip
Imagine: a creamy, spicy spread that's perfectly on theme with the holiday! What could be better? This guacamole pairs well with tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or crackers, and will have everyone spellbound by the rich avocado flavor.
Get the recipe:witch guacamole dip