Kick off the Thanksgiving feast with these easy appetizers sure to delight the whole family. Choose from favorites such as baked brie, cheese balls, dips, spiced nuts, and cheese straws.

This dip combines frozen spinach, bacon, and onion with cream cheese, milk, sour cream, and a bubbly Parmesan topping for extra richness. Serve this Thanksgiving crowd-pleaser warm with freshly made crostini or pita chips.

This shortcut version of traditional Southern cheese straws begins with purchased frozen puff pastry, which is brushed with egg, Parmesan cheese, mustard powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, and formed into decorative twists. They only take 20 minutes to prepare and another 10 minutes to bake. Serve these crowd-pleasing appetizers with a selection of olives and crudites.

Transform store-bought olives into an impressive Thanksgiving appetizer by simmering them for a few minutes in olive oil with fresh thyme or rosemary and slices of lemon and orange.

Warm and bubbly right out of the oven, this dip will be a hit as a Thanksgiving appetizer. Canned artichoke hearts are even more flavorful when cooked with white wine, then combined with fontina and Neufchatel cheese and served with toasted pita wedges. The unbaked dip can be frozen up to 1 month ahead; make sure to thaw completely before baking.

Cashews are tossed with lime zest, brown sugar, and red-pepper flakes, then roasted. These spicy nuts pair well with Thanksgiving cocktails.

This easy Thanksgiving appetizer begins with a wheel of Brie or Camembert, baked until soft and melting. Toasted pecans and maple syrup combine to make an easy, decorative topping.

Cream cheese and mozzarella make this hot spinach dip extra rich and flavorful. To save time, you may use frozen spinach in place of fresh. This appetizer can be made up to three days ahead of time and simply baked on Thanksgiving day, just before guests arrive.

Slices of prosciutto are baked in mini muffin tins to form crisp, edible cups that are then filled with spoonfuls of juicy diced Bartlett pears. This impressive, easy Thanksgiving appetizer requires only three ingredients.

Puff pastry, cheddar cheese, and thin slices of beets and apples are layered to make an elegant but super-simple Thanksgiving appetizer. This recipe takes less than half an hour from start to finish, and can be served warm or at room temperature.

Pump up the flavor of store-bought hummus by blending in fresh herbs to get an impressive, fresh-tasting appetizer. This is a great way to use up leftover herbs from other Thanksgiving recipes.

Cheddar and cream cheese are mixed with chopped pecans and a touch of mustard and Worcestershire sauce, then rolled in more chopped pecans to make this crowd-pleasing cheese ball recipe. Serve with crudites and crisp crackers.

This easy Thanksgiving snack recipe makes the most of supermarket ingredients. Dress up mixed nuts by combining them with candied ginger, cayenne pepper, and sesame seeds, then bake them with a sugar syrup to make a spicy-sweet brittle.

Puff pastry is spread with cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and fresh herbs to make these crisp and flaky appetizers. They're also a perfect way to use up extra fresh herbs from other Thanksgiving recipes.

A little smoked salmon goes a long way in this easy, sophisticated Thanksgiving appetizer. The salmon is blended with sour cream and a touch of lemon juice, plus unflavored gelatin to give it a silky-smooth consistency.

Steamed carrots get a punch of Middle Eastern flavor when pureed with tahini, ginger, garlic, and warming spices. Very little fat is added to this dip, making it lighter than the average Thanksgiving appetizer.

This flavorful dip is made with sauteed Vidalia onions and lightened up with reduced-fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream. Serve this popular party appetizer with an assortment of colorful vegetable chips.

Sweet, tart, and spicy flavors are harmonious in this seasonal salsa recipe of fresh cranberries, avocado, honey, cilantro, and jalapeno. It only takes 20 minutes to get on the table, leaving you more time to devote to your guests and preparing the rest of Thanksgiving dinner.

This cheese log is made with a blend of cream cheese, grated white cheddar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. The coating of toasted pistachio nuts lends crunch and color to this easy, make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer.

Transform day-old bread and frozen artichoke hearts into this luxurious dip, and serve with raw vegetable and crackers. Because it only takes 10 minutes to prepare, it's perfect for a busy Thanksgiving day.

Prepare this elegant appetizer in about 15 minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Roasting canned chickpeas gives them a nutty flavor and consistency, while cumin and cayenne pepper add a little zip.

This easy spread is made with cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese (we suggest Stilton, but another variety would work as well), and chopped walnuts. It is delicious served with crackers, or apple and pear wedges. Rub the sliced fruit with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. The spread can be made up to one week in advance of your Thanksgiving gathering.

Combine chopped shrimp with sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions, and parsley to prepare a flavorful seafood dip. Make this Thanksgiving appetizer more budget-friendly and quick by using a bag of small precooked frozen shrimp.