12 Best Hot Appetizers You Need to Try This Season 2025

Enjoy cozy fall days with these 12 hot appetizers. Each recipe delivers bold flavors and easy steps. You get tasty bites perfect for parties or quiet nights.

This post lists ingredients and clear instructions for every dish. Start cooking now and impress your guests!

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce

Enjoy the creamy texture of baked Brie paired with sweet cranberry sauce. This appetizer blends rich cheese with fresh fall flavors. It’s a simple yet impressive dish for any party.

Ingredients

• 1 wheel of Brie cheese (8 oz)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Crackers or sliced baguette, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, and cinnamon in a small saucepan.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
5. Set the sauce aside to cool.
6. Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
7. Place the Brie in the center of the pastry.
8. Spoon cranberry sauce over the Brie.
9. Fold pastry over the Brie and seal the edges.
10. Brush pastry with beaten egg.
11. Place wrapped Brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns golden brown.
13. Cool for 5 minutes.
14. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.

Tip: Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans for extra crunch.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Savor the warm, creamy taste of this spinach and artichoke dip. It’s a hit at gatherings, pairing perfectly with crispy chips or bread. This dish brings comfort to cool fall nights.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips or sliced bread, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and garlic to the skillet.
4. Sauté onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened.
5. Add spinach and artichoke hearts to the skillet.
6. Cook spinach and artichokes for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently.
7. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and mozzarella in a large bowl.
8. Stir spinach and artichoke mixture into the bowl.
9. Season mixture with salt and pepper.
10. Transfer mixture to a baking dish.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until top turns golden and bubbly.
12. Serve hot with tortilla chips or sliced bread.

Tip: Swap mozzarella for cheddar for a sharper flavor.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Taste the savory delight of these stuffed mushrooms. Each bite offers a mix of breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs. They’re an easy, elegant addition to your appetizer lineup.

Ingredients

• 24 large button mushrooms, stems removed
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Stuff each mushroom cap with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Place stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until mushrooms soften and tops turn golden.
6. Serve warm.

Tip: Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor.

Mini Quiches

Bite into these mini quiches for a flaky, cheesy treat. Filled with eggs and bacon, they’re perfect for brunch or evening snacks. Fall mornings just got tastier.

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out pie crusts on a floured surface.
3. Cut circles from the crusts using a 3-inch cookie cutter.
4. Press crust circles into a muffin tin.
5. Beat eggs and heavy cream in a bowl.
6. Stir cheddar, bacon, green onions, salt, and pepper into the egg mixture.
7. Pour egg mixture into crusts, filling each halfway.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until quiches set and tops turn golden.
9. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Relish the sweet and salty combo of bacon-wrapped dates. These little bites pack big flavor, making them a standout at any event. They’re quick and irresistible.

Ingredients

• 24 pitted dates
• 12 slices bacon, cut in half
• 1/4 cup goat cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Stuff each date with a small amount of goat cheese.
3. Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon.
4. Secure bacon with a toothpick.
5. Place wrapped dates on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon crisps.
7. Serve warm.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Spice up your table with these buffalo chicken wings. They’re crispy, tangy, and perfect for game day or a cozy night in. Dip them in ranch for extra yum.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1/2 cup hot sauce
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ranch dressing, for dipping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss wings with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place wings on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes until crispy.
5. Mix hot sauce and melted butter in a bowl.
6. Coat baked wings with sauce mixture.
7. Serve with ranch dressing.

Sweet Potato Bites with Marshmallow

Try these sweet potato bites topped with gooey marshmallow. They’re a fun twist on a fall classic, blending sweet and savory in every bite.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss sweet potato slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place slices on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tender.
5. Top each slice with mini marshmallows.
6. Bake for 5 more minutes until marshmallows melt.
7. Serve warm.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness of these roasted Brussels sprouts. Garlic and Parmesan make them a flavorful hit for fall feasts.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Place Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges crisp.
5. Sprinkle Parmesan over Brussels sprouts.
6. Serve warm.

Mini Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

Sink your teeth into these juicy mini meatballs. Paired with warm marinara, they’re a hearty appetizer that guests love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Roll mixture into small balls, about 1 inch each.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
6. Heat marinara sauce in a saucepan.
7. Serve meatballs with warm marinara.

Loaded Potato Skins

Dig into these loaded potato skins, packed with cheese and bacon. They’re crispy, melty, and perfect for sharing on chilly evenings.

Ingredients

• 4 medium russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Bake potatoes on a sheet for 45-50 minutes until tender.
4. Cool potatoes for 10 minutes.
5. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out most of the flesh.
6. Place potato skins back on the sheet.
7. Sprinkle cheese and bacon over skins.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.
9. Top with sour cream and chives.
10. Serve warm.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets

Treat yourself to these tartlets with sweet onions and creamy goat cheese. They’re a fancy yet simple bite for fall parties.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onions to the skillet.
4. Cook onions for 20-25 minutes until golden, stirring often.
5. Season onions with salt and pepper.
6. Roll out puff pastry and cut into 12 squares.
7. Place squares on a baking sheet.
8. Spoon onions onto each square.
9. Sprinkle goat cheese over onions.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until pastry puffs and turns golden.
11. Serve warm.

Spicy Shrimp Skewers

Fire up your taste buds with these spicy shrimp skewers. They’re quick to make and bring a bold kick to your appetizer spread.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cayenne, garlic, and salt.
3. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
4. Place skewers on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until shrimp turn pink.
6. Serve hot.

These 12 hot appetizers make your fall season delicious and fun. Each recipe uses clear steps and simple ingredients. Try them at your next gathering for smiles all around!