17 Three-Step Appetizers That Are Perfect for Fall

Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball

Step into the autumn season with effortless appetizers that celebrate the flavors of fall. Each appetizer is ready in three steps or less, so you’ll want to make them again and again. From pumpkin-spiced bites like our Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball to savory and warm creations like our Cheesy Pull Apart Cauliflower with Pesto, these recipes will be the highlight of any gathering.

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Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto

Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto
Brie Passano

A combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets "pull away" revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.

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Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie Bruschetta

Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie Bruschetta

Make this simple festive appetizer for your holiday guests. Toasted baguette slices with creamy, melted brie are topped with an orange-cranberry-pomegranate mixture--each bite delivers an explosion of flavor and texture!

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Kale Artichoke Dip

Kale Artichoke Dip

A riff on traditional spinach artichoke dip, this creamy, cheesy dip recipe is made healthier by replacing some of the cream cheese with yogurt. Serve as an easy appetizer with tortilla chips and carrot sticks.

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Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

This festive side dish is Thanksgiving in one bite! Brussels spouts are hollowed out, stuffed with a sausage-and-breadcrumb stuffing and baked until brown and crispy on top. Large Brussels sprouts work best here. Enjoy this as a side dish or on its own as an appetizer.

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Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball

Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball

All the fall spice flavor you crave but folded into creamy cheese and coated with cranberries. Serve with an array of crudités and crisp party crackers.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Turn classic chicken parm into meatballs with this easy load-and-go appetizer recipe with a cheesy surprise inside. Making meatballs for a party? Switch your crock pot to warm for serving all party long.

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Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll

Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.

Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.

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Baked Sweet Potato Curly Fries with Parmesan

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These fun baked sweet potato fries are made with spiralized sweet potatoes and topped with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese for a crunchy, savory snack that's healthy too. You can spiralize the sweet potatoes yourself or pick up a package of sweet potato "noodles" in the produce department of your supermarket to speed up the process even more. Since they're baked instead of fried, they're easier to make and lower in calories than deep-fried sweet potato fries. Serve them along with your favorite beef, turkey or veggie burgers or as a party appetizer that kids and adults will love.

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Taco Dip

taco dip
Johnny and Charlotte Autry

Here we lighten up classic 7-layer dip by using plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. Serve with tortilla chips and/or crudités.

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These 10-Minute Cherry & Goat Cheese Crostini Make Hosting a Breeze

a recipe photo of the Honey-Drizzled Cherry, Goat Cheese & Pistachio Crostini

Cooking Light

These flavorful crostini come together in just 10 minutes, making them an easy appetizer for any occasion. When fresh cherries aren't available, substitute thawed frozen cherries. Gently pat them dry before assembling.

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Peppers

Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Peppers
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh

Wrapping prosciutto around mini bell peppers is an easy way to upgrade the vegetable into an impressive, tasty appetizer.

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Cheesy Mushroom, Leek & Prosciutto Toasts

Cheesy Mushroom, Leek & Prosciutto Toasts
Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat

Salty Kalamata olives and prosciutto add a hit of flavor to the sautéed mushrooms and leeks that top these toasts. Gooey mozzarella holds it all together.

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Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This healthy Buffalo chicken dip is one quick appetizer to remember for your next Super Bowl party (or any party). A simple mixture of reduced-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cream cheese is baked with shredded chicken breast and the classic spicy-tangy hot sauce with a crumble of blue cheese on top. It's perfect for heaping onto celery and carrot sticks or any other crispy vegetable.

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Spicy Eggplant Dip with Lime & Cilantro

Eggplant Dip
Ali Redmond (photography, food & prop styling)

Grilling the eggplant gives this dip a smoky flavor that's truly delicious. Serve it as chef Yia Vang does with balls of purple sticky rice for scooping up the dip or along with your choice of vegetables for dipping.

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Garlic Hummus

Garlic Hummus

This garlic hummus recipe couldn't be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away!

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Kale Chips

Kale Chips
Christine Ma

Not a fan of kale? These crispy baked kale chips will convert you! For the best result, don't overcrowd the baking pans.

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Cheddar-Apple Cracker Bites Are a New Twist on a Classic Combination

a recipe photo of the Cheddar-Apple Cracker Bites

This easy recipe comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a quick snack or appetizer. The sweetness of the Fuji balances well with the cheddar, but you can use another variety of apple if you prefer. This recipe calls for 3 thin apple slices per cracker, but feel free to use just one if you’re craving a more cheesy bite.

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