Our Top 20 Spring Appetizer Recipes

There's no more exciting time to be in the kitchen then in the first weeks of spring—the days have become longer, temperatures are slowly rising, and there's a bounty of fresh ingredients in season. The prospect of bright flavors gets home cooks excited to serve colorful dishes that really capture the joy of springtime.

There are so many events where you may need a plate of delicious appetizers. Whether you're gathering friends and families for an Easter celebration, a Passover seder, a baby shower, or even a garden soirée, serving seasonal flavors in the form of a shareable, passable appetizer is the most delicious way to celebrate. One way to serve spring's finest foods is over little toasts: We like tartines with leeks and snap peas, a crostini with ham and peas, or bruschetta with roasted globe artichokes and green garlic, which should be available at your favorite market. We have other ways to incorporate finds from the farmers market into a first course, including mushroom and spinach tart and a flatbread topped with shaved asparagus and potatoes.

If you're hunting for potluck inspiration, you'll be pleased to know that veggie-forward dips and hummus are easy make-ahead recipes that are simple to transport and are always a hit at parties. Serve them with plenty of colorful crudités, crisp toasts, crackers, or an assortment of all three. And don't forget eggs, they're also such a springtime ingredient (and not just the chocolate variety!). Our deviled egg recipes are just right for a spring menu as are the "eggs" made of goat cheese.

In short, get seasonal with your starters; our 20 favorite spring appetizers will set the tone for your dinner or party.

Roasted-Spring-Onion and Goat-Cheese Eggs

These pretty mini Easter eggs don't crack; they melt in your mouth when spread on crackers. Roasted scallion infuse soft goat cheese with a garlicky bite, and purple chive blossoms and pink peppercorns accent them in pastels.

Green Goddess Dressing and Dip

Make this classic dip for guests and store extra in your refrigerator to use as a dresssing. The tangy sour cream-and-mayonnaise base is accentuated by fresh scallions and anchovies; serve with a seasonal array of fresh vegetables.

New Potatoes with Aioli and Preserved Lemons

This zingy appetizer is easy to make especially if you use store-bought preserved lemons.

Miso-Sirarcha Deviled Eggs

Our test kitchen has nailed the deviled egg. There's plenty of umami thanks to the unexpected combo of miso and sriacha in this take on the classic one-bite appetizer.

Minted Pea and Prosciutto Crostini

Salty prosciutto complements sweet spring peas in this elemental hors d'oeuvre.

Grilled Artichoke, Green Garlic, and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

If you're unfamiliar with green garlic, it looks somewhat like scallions—ask your grocer for help identifying them in the produce aisle, although the best varities are found at farmers markets throughout the spring season. In a pinch, you can substitute cloves from the head of a regular garlic as well as the green top of a scallion.

Skewered Greek Meatballs

Feta and oregano add a Mediterranean zing to juicy beef-and-pork meatballs. Serve them with minty cucumber-yogurt dipping sauce.

Cantaloupe and Mozzarella with Prosciutto and Basil

Paint a portrait in spring pastels with this inviting arrangement of antipasti.

Fava Bean and Goat Cheese Dip with Radishes

Fava beans and radishes, two colorful harbingers of spring, combine in this brightly flavored appetizer. For more refreshing radish dishes, visit our recipe collection.

Lemony White-Bean Hummus

Serve this creamy, citrusy twist on traditional hummus with baby carrots, sugar snap peas, radishes, and other tender spring vegetables. It's one of our favorite riffs on classic hummus.

Herb-Cheese Palmiers

The classic French confection gets a savory makeover with Parmesan, Cheddar, and your choice of fresh herbs folded up in a sheet of puff pastry.

Radish Dip

Radish stars in this robust dip, which features fresh julienned radish, feta cheese, lemon juice and zest, sour cream, and another springtime favorite, dill. You can serve it with toast, crackers, or crudités—or slices of whole radishes.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

For this simple appetizer, wrap tiny new potatoes in strips of bacon and let the oven do the rest. Add a side of Lemon Aioli for dipping if you like.

Artichoke-Parmesan Crostini

Marinated artichoke hearts, Parmesan, and parsley come together in quickly for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. The crostini can be served at room temperature or broiled for a few minutes so the cheese melts.

Spiced Carrot Spread

Carrots aren't just for the Easter Bunny! They take on an exotic allure when steamed and puréed with tahini, ginger, garlic, and other warming Middle Eastern spices.

Fried Baby Artichokes

Savor the delights of spring's first artichokes in this preparation, which calls for a quick poach before frying the thistles in the same pan along with fragrant cloves of garlic.

Asparagus-and-Potato Flatbread

Transform store-bought pizza dough into a party-perfect appetizer adorned with tangy goat cheese and whisper-thin strips of asparagus and potato.

Pickled Spring Onions and Asparagus

The sour-salty-sweet flavors of pickled spring vegetables make a brilliant accompaniment to a cheese platter.

Smoked Trout Three Ways

Try one or all of this trio of elegant and easy canapes starring smoked trout: with avocado mousse on endive; combined with crème fraîche and pickled onions; or blended with cream cheese and shallots for a simple pâté.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Add a little sweetness to your appetizer menu with this time-honored combination of chocolate and fresh strawberries. Roll them in chopped pistachios, almonds, or even pastel sprinkles for a fun look.