Thanksgiving Appetizers Finger Foods: 20 Easy Make-Ahead Bites (Starting With Elegant Pinwheels)
Cranberry pecan pinwheels, crostini, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs and more, most of them ready the day before.
- 20 ideas
- Make ahead
- Cold and warm bites
- For adults and kids
These Thanksgiving appetizers finger foods are built for a busy kitchen: most can be made the day before, so the oven stays free for the turkey.
Quick answer
The easiest Thanksgiving appetizers and finger foods are make-ahead bites: cranberry pecan pinwheels, cranberry brie crostini, deviled eggs, a pecan cheese ball and stuffed mushrooms filled the day before. Plan 4 to 6 pieces per guest and 3 or 4 different appetizers, mixing cold bites with one or two warm ones.
Elegant make-ahead cranberry pecan pinwheels for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Finger Foods: Elegant Make-Ahead Pinwheels
The most-saved bite first. The card makes about 48 pinwheels; tap 24, 72 or 96.
Make-Ahead Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels
Cream cheese, white cheddar, cranberries, pecans and spinach rolled in tortillas, chilled and sliced. Elegant, make-ahead and no oven. Tap a count and every amount updates.
Pinwheels
Ingredients
Pinwheels- 4 oz8 oz12 oz16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup½ cup¾ cup1 cup white cheddar, finely shredded
- ¼ cup½ cup¾ cup1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup½ cup¾ cup1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1234 green onions, thinly sliced
- ⅛ tsp¼ tsp⅓ tsp½ tsp garlic powder
- 2468 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
- ½ cup1 cup1½ cups2 cups baby spinach leaves
Make them the day before. Chilled logs slice cleaner and the flavors blend.
Instructions
Mix
Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then stir in the cheddar, cranberries, pecans, green onions and garlic powder.
Spread
Spread a thin, even layer over each tortilla right to the edges.
Layer
Press a single layer of spinach over the bottom two-thirds.
Roll
Roll up tightly from the spinach end and wrap each log in plastic wrap.
Chill
Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours so the filling firms up.
Slice
Trim the ends and cut into ¾-inch slices with a sharp serrated knife. Serve cold.
Tools for Make-Ahead Appetizers
Sheet pans, a mini muffin pan and good containers cover the whole list.
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Cold Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Finger Foods
No oven needed on the day.
1. Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels
The featured recipe above: cream cheese, cranberries and pecans rolled in tortillas. Make them the day before.
2. Cranberry Brie Crostini
Toasted baguette, a slice of brie, a spoon of cranberry sauce and fresh rosemary. Toast the bread 2 days ahead.
3. Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs with a pinch of smoked paprika and chives. Make the filling 1 day ahead and pipe before serving.
4. Butternut Squash Hummus With Pita Crisps
Roasted squash blended with chickpeas, tahini, lemon and cumin. Keeps 4 days.
5. Pecan Cranberry Cheese Ball
Cream cheese and cheddar rolled in chopped pecans and cranberries; serve with crackers.
6. Cucumber Cups With Herbed Cheese
Hollowed cucumber rounds filled with herbed cream cheese and dill.
7. Pear and Blue Cheese Endive Bites
Endive leaves topped with diced pear, crumbled blue cheese and candied pecans.
8. Apple Cheddar Skewers With Honey
Apple and sharp cheddar cubes on picks, drizzled with honey right before serving.
Mix cold and warm bites on one board.
Warm Thanksgiving Appetizers
Prep ahead, bake while guests arrive.
Fill the mushrooms the day before; bake 15 minutes.
9. Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Cremini caps filled with herbed cream cheese and breadcrumbs; bake 15 minutes at 375°F. Fill the day before.
10. Sweet Potato Rounds With Goat Cheese and Honey
Roasted sweet potato slices topped with goat cheese, honey and thyme.
11. Baked Brie Bites With Fig Jam
Puff pastry squares in a mini muffin pan with brie and fig jam; bake 15 minutes.
12. Maple Dijon Chicken Skewers
Chicken bites marinated in maple and Dijon, grilled or broiled 8 to 10 minutes.
13. Spiced Lamb Kofta Bites With Cucumber Yogurt
Mini lamb kofta with cumin and cinnamon, served with a cool yogurt dip.
14. Spinach Artichoke Phyllo Cups
Creamy spinach artichoke filling in frozen phyllo cups; bake 10 minutes.
15. Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini
Roasted red grapes over whipped ricotta on toast, finished with honey and thyme.
16. Mini Chicken Sausage Rolls
Chicken sausage wrapped in puff pastry, sliced and baked golden. Freeze unbaked up to a month.
17. Caramelized Onion Tartlets
Sweet caramelized onions and gruyere in mini tart shells.
18. Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
Beef meatballs simmered in cranberry sauce and chili sauce in a small slow cooker.
Snack Bowls
19. Maple Candied Pecans
Pecans tossed in maple, cinnamon and salt, baked 15 minutes. Keep 2 weeks in a jar.
20. Mini Cornbread Muffins With Honey Butter
Bake cornbread in a mini muffin pan and serve warm with whipped honey butter.
Make-Ahead Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| When1 week before | What to doCandied pecans; freeze unbaked sausage rolls and brie bites |
| When2 days before | What to doHummus; toast crostini; boil eggs |
| When1 day before | What to doPinwheel logs; cheese ball; deviled egg filling; fill mushrooms |
| WhenMorning of | What to doCut cucumbers and apples; assemble endive |
| When30 minutes before guests | What to doBake mushrooms and brie bites; slice pinwheels; pipe eggs |
By Wednesday night, the appetizers are wrapped and waiting.
How Many Appetizers for Thanksgiving?
| Guests | Appetizers | Pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Guests6 to 8 | Appetizers3 | Pieces30 to 45 |
| Guests10 to 12 | Appetizers4 | Pieces50 to 70 |
| Guests15 to 20 | Appetizers5 | Pieces75 to 120 |
| Guests25+ | Appetizers6 | Pieces125+ |
For bites made with turkey, see the turkey appetizers roundup.
Thanksgiving Appetizers Finger Foods: FAQs
What are easy Thanksgiving finger foods?
Pinwheels, deviled eggs, cranberry brie crostini, stuffed mushrooms, a cheese ball and candied pecans. All can be made ahead.
Which Thanksgiving appetizers can I make ahead?
Pinwheels, cheese balls, hummus and candied pecans 1 to 2 days ahead; stuffed mushrooms filled the day before and baked on the day.
How far ahead can I make pinwheels?
Up to 24 hours. Keep the rolled logs wrapped in the fridge and slice just before serving.
How do I keep pinwheels from getting soggy?
Pat the spinach dry, spread the filling thin and keep the logs tightly wrapped until slicing.
How many appetizers per guest before Thanksgiving dinner?
About 4 to 6 pieces each, with 3 or 4 different appetizers.
What are good Thanksgiving appetizers for adults?
Cranberry brie crostini, pear and blue cheese endive, roasted grape crostini and lamb kofta bites.
What are easy light appetizers with cranberry?
Cranberry pecan pinwheels, cranberry brie crostini and a pecan cranberry cheese ball.
Can I freeze any of these?
Mini sausage rolls and brie bites freeze well unbaked. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 minutes.
How do I keep warm appetizers warm?
Use a warming tray or a small slow cooker on warm, and bring hot bites out in small batches.
What appetizers go with a turkey dinner?
Light, fresh bites: crudités, endive, crostini and pinwheels, so guests stay hungry for dinner.
Can I make these without nuts?
Yes. Leave out the pecans or swap in toasted pumpkin seeds.
Where are the turkey appetizers?
Bites made with turkey, like pierogi bites and stuffing bites, are in the turkey appetizers roundup linked below.
More for the Thanksgiving Table
Turkey bites, sides and the plan.
Make the cold bites the day before and bake the warm ones as guests arrive.
Pin these Thanksgiving appetizers finger foods so the pinwheels and the make-ahead timeline are ready for the holiday.
