Thanksgiving Appetizers

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Let’s talk holiday appetizers! I’m so excited to share these yummy, easy to execute Thanksgiving Appetizers, that can also be great for Christmas. These Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts and Easy Cranberry Brie Bites are both easy to make and super delicious.

Cooking for the main event can take all day and when my family arrives they expect to be chowing down asap which means I need to be ready. So having apps on hand will keep “hangry” guests at bay while you’re prepare for the main event.

The thing about Thanksgiving is you spend a lot of time in the kitchen (or waiting around if you’re not cooking). You can smell the amazing aromas in the kitchen, but you just have to wait. That’s no fun, which is why everyone needs at least one easy Thanksgiving appetizer to have on hand.

Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

These Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts and Easy Cranberry Brie Bites will keep all the hands from sneaking bites of the Thanksgiving meal before it’s time! Place them on a pretty platter or cake stand, serve, and enjoy!

I wanted a Thanksgiving appetizer that gets everyone excited about the meal to come, but wasn’t too filling. You have a big meal ahead. A light bite is perfect. Your friends and family will think you’ve gotten all fancy, but truly, it’s easy!

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts are THE BEST ever! They’re a super easy to make side dish that will make a brussels sprouts fan out of anyone.

Calling all brussels sprouts haters. Yes, you. I need you here cause these parmesan brussels sprouts are about to change the way you think about baby cabbages. And brussels sprouts lovers, you’re going to want to stick around. Parmesan roasted brussels sprouts are THE BEST brussels ever ever ever.

We all need a recipe for cheesy brussels sprouts. I’ve tried several and I can tell you from experience that baked brussels sprouts with parmesan cheese are the best.

They’re super easy to make as a weekday side dish but pretty enough to serve for company. You’ll want to keep this in your back pocket for all the brussels sprouts dinners coming up. I’m looking at you Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving/Christmas!

You could also take this recipe in a different direction and serve it as an appetizer. The little cheese covered baby cabbages make perfect bite-sized snacks.

Easy Cranberry Brie Bites

These Easy Cranberry Brie Bites are truly divine. The brie is so melty and delicious and plays against the sweet-tart taste of the cranberries in a wonderful way. As if that isn’t enough, this enticing combination of flavors is lovingly surrounded by a pillow of fluffy crescent dough which forms a fetching little cup of deliciousness! And just a touch of fresh rosemary on top adds class and sophistication to the whole thing!

These Easy Cranberry Brie Bites are perfect for just about any event you can imagine throughout the Autumn and Winter. Make them as an appetizer before Thanksgiving dinner. Serve them up at your holiday party at work or home.

The best part of all? These things are so easy to make – yet are so festive, classy, and delicious that you can’t help but feel like you’re getting away with something. With these Easy Cranberry Brie Bites, you’re sure to make a great impression whenever you serve them!

Using only 4 ingredients, you can easily and quickly whip up an easy cranberry appetizer at your convenience. Cranberry sauce is available year round in many grocery stores, so even if it’s not cranberry season, you can still enjoy some delicious cranberry taste.

While this is completely optional, these bites also taste good if you add a few pieces of chopped walnuts or pecans on top too. Just don’t overdo it. It’s such a yummy starter!

And just in case cranberry isn’t your thing, you can also make this substituting a delicious jam in the flavor of your choice. I really like making it with blackberry jam too! I like to use the jam that has the whole fruit included rather than the kind that is super smooth. Using the whole fruit jam offers a nicer texture.

Hope these two yummy but easy Appetizers help you with your holidays preparations.

Ali in The Valley

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Servingsservings
Prep timeminutes
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Calorieskcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

  • ½ cup flour

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs

  • 1 cup parmesan, freshly grated

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ¼ tsp cayenne

  • Caesar dressing, for dipping (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 °F. Grease a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
  • Add flour to a medium shallow bowl and eggs to a separate medium shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together panko bread crumbs, parmesan, olive oil, salt garlic powder, and cayenne.
  • Working in batches, toss brussels sprouts in the flour until fully coated then dunk in eggs. Dredge in panko mixture, then place on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy about 25 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with caesar dressing, if using.

Ali in the Valley is a lifestyle blog about healthy, delicious food and simple lifestyle tips on how to be a great host or hostess…all while staying on a budget.

I create simple recipes for the urban soul and live by my motto:

“Home Grown Cooking – Down To Earth Living!”

Like most women, I’m the Energizer bunny that keeps going and going. And, actually… I LOVE IT. Power mom! Power life!

I’m an entertainment biz executive who loves to entertain at home, as well as abroad!!

I passionately blog about it, share recipes and write cookbooks––plus produce a web show centered around live music and good food.

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