Quick Snack Appetizer Ideas for Thanksgiving

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On Thanksgiving day, tempt your dinner guests' taste buds with seasonal snacks and appetizers. Prepare the appetizers before the guests arrive so you're free to mix and mingle. Create festive treats using seasonal ingredients and holiday-inspired touches. Design an appetizer menu that will appeal to both adult and child guests by providing a variety of tasty foods.

Stuffing Muffins

Get creative with Thanksgiving stuffing by turning it into bite-size appetizers. Make stuffing from scratch or use a boxed mix for convenience. Add a variety of festive and tasty ingredients, such as apple and celery pieces. Add instant flavor to plain breadcrumbs by stirring in a salad dressing mix. Bake the stuffing in muffin tins to create snack-size portions.

Seasonal Fruit Kabobs

Celebrate the fruit of the season by making apple and pear kabobs. To prepare the naturally sweet snacks, cut fresh, crisp apples and pears into bite-size chunks and dip them into lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Slide the fruit pieces onto bamboo skewers and serve them alongside warm caramel dip.

Pumpkin Soup

Thanksgiving dinner party guests will enjoy sipping homemade pumpkin soup before the meal begins. Puree canned or fresh, roasted pumpkin, along with chicken broth and heavy cream. Add spices such as nutmeg, ground coriander, and salt and ground black pepper to customize the soup's flavor. Top the soup -- served in small cups suitable for little hands -- with homemade croutons.

Cranberry and Turkey Crostinis

Give guests an early taste of turkey with handmade crostinis. Slice and toast French bread. Top with cream cheese, cranberry relish, deli turkey slices and mandarin orange segments.