50+ Festive Mini Appetizers
These mini appetizers put the party in the palm of your hand. They make enjoying festive food simple, and these recipes make it fun. Our recipes for mini appetizers include new twists on traditional Southern classics. From mini chicken and waffles to mini tomato sandwiches, honey we shrunk your Southern favorites! These tiny bites will disappear so quickly, and with kid-friendly mini appetizers like meatball sliders and pizza poppers, every family member will love these. Fill a plate with these mini appetizers and savor every little flavor-filled bite.
These Miniature Southern Classics are Fit for a Crowd
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Shrimp Boil Skewers
Recipe: Shrimp Boil Skewers
Serve this colorful appetizer in small cups if you want to skip the skewers.
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Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles
Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles
Keep waffles warm in a 200° oven up to 30 minutes before assembling. Top waffles with chicken, and drizzle with Peach-Horseradish Maple Syrup.
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Hoppin' John Parfaits
Recipe: Hoppin' John Parfaits
Layer black-eyed pea mixture, hot cooked rice, and tomato mixture in 12 (7-oz.) glasses for a charming presentation.
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Chicken Salad Tarts
Recipe: Chicken Salad Tarts
This chicken salad appetizer recipe is perfect for any occasion and (almost!) too pretty to eat.
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Crab Cake Hush Puppies
Recipe: Crab Cake Hush Puppies
Serve these tasty hush puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce.
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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
Tomato sandwiches are a Southern mainstay, so we made them appetizer friendly and added our new favorite condiment—bacon mayonnaise.
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Cheese Dreams
Recipe: Cheese Dreams
This recipe makes a huge batch of these cheesy bites, but don’t worry: They freeze beautifully.
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Mini Potato Skins
Recipe: Mini Potato Skins
These crispy wonders have everything you love about a loaded baked potato in one bite.
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Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
This retro appetizer will never get old in our house.
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Cheesy Garlic, Herb, And Ham Bites
Recipe: Cheesy Garlic, Herb, And Ham Bites
We made your favorite hot ham and cheese sandwich into the most indulgent appetizer that starts with puff pastry from your freezer.
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Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms
Recipe: Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms
Two appetizer all-stars—spinach dip and stuffed mushrooms—meet in this new party go-to.
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Queso-Filled Mini Peppers
Recipe: Queso-Filled Mini Peppers
If you can’t go to a Mexican restaurant without ordering queso, this appetizer is a homemade must-try.
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Baked Brie Bites
Recipe: Baked Brie Bites
This recipe takes everything you love about creamy baked brie and puts it into an adorable (and no-mess!) package.
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Potato Puffs with Toppings
Recipe: Potato Puffs with Toppings
These precious puffs basically give you an excuse to eat fancy tater tots.
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Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets
Recipe: Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets
This vegetarian appetizer doesn’t skimp on heartiness.
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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
These muffin-tin bites are way easier to throw together than the usual stuffing and rolling that comes with enchiladas.
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Spinach-and-Artichoke Bites
Recipe: Spinach-and-Artichoke Bites
This recipe wraps classic spinach-and-artichoke dip in buttery crescent rolls for a mess-free appetizer.
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Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Mini smokies are always a hit at parties,and wrapping them in bacon only ups the delicious ante.
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Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls
Recipe: Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls
These bites are the best thing you can do with that box of baking mix in the pantry.
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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
Recipe: Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
Love tomato pie? Try these colorful, mini versions for a fun appetizer.
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Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce
Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce
Crab cakes feel fancy but are super easy to make. Creating tiny patties makes them perfect pre-dinner.
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites
Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Mango Bites
This recipe proves how a few simple ingredients can look and taste totally elegant together.
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Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
This kid-friendly appetizer comes together with help from your slow cooker.
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Pickled Shrimp-and-Citrus Endive Cups
Recipe: Pickled Shrimp-and-Citrus Endive Cups
This appetizer makes old-school favorite pickled shrimp easier to eat and prettier for your platter.
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Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites
Recipe: Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites
This phyllo cups are filled with a blend of creamy cheese and fresh, crunchy veggies.
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Crispy Pork Meatballs
Recipe: Crispy Pork Meatballs
These Asian-inspired meatballs come with a friendly warning from one Test Kitchen professional: “Careful, you’re going to overeat.”
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Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Recipe: Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
You won’t believe how flavors balance so beautifully in one small bite.
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Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies
Recipe: Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies
These adorable pot pies are delicious warm or at room temperature.