Hosting Thanksgiving comes with a very long to-do list. It’s a huge undertaking, but kids and teens can actually do more than you think, especially when it comes to easy Thanksgiving appetizers. Appetizers set the stage for that amazingly delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Make-ahead appetizers are a low-stress way to give your guests something tasty to munch on while they’re waiting for the main event. With these simple recipes, busy parents can put the kids to work with minimal supervision to whip up these delectable Thanksgiving appetizers.
Easy Thanksgiving appetizers
Appetizers don’t have to be ultra fancy or complicated to be a hit, especially on a holiday where dinner takes center stage. Enough shopping, preparation, and work goes into cooking Thanksgiving dinner. So, the appetizers certainly don’t need to add to that already jam-packed list. Thankfully, there are super delish and painless Thanksgiving appetizers that won’t disappoint. They’re also earmarked for kids and teens. Did we mention they’re healthy, too.
Turkey fruit platter
If you’re looking for an appetizer that’s not too filling, a turkey fruit platter fits the bill and is a perfect match for young cooks-in-the-making. All you need is a platter, a pear, carrots, chocolate chips, and an array of your favorite fruits. When letting young children assemble the turkey, be sure to wash and slice the fruits first. Tweens and teens can handle that prep work on their own.
To create the turkey, slice a pear in half from top to bottom. The pear shape makes the turkey’s body. Then, cut a small carrot into a triangle for the beak and two larger ones for the feet. Two chocolate chips are the turkey’s eyes. You can poke a tiny hole with a fork to make it easier to slide the pointy edge of the chocolate chip in. Place the pear in the bottom center of the platter.
For the feathers, use your already prepared fruits and arrange them in rows behind the pear like a rainbow. The number of fruit rows is up to you and depends on the space on your platter. Try to get in at least four or five rows. Suggested fruits include grapes, strawberries, kiwi, pineapples, blueberries, apples, and oranges. Use fruits you know your kiddos will love and are available in your favorite produce section. It’s OK to overlap the layers.
You can also use skewers to create feathers. Put the fruits on the skewers in a pattern. Then, lay the skewers behind the pear on the platter to form feathers.
Turkey cheese platter
Cheese and crackers are a go-to appetizer that’s easy and always a hit. For Thanksgiving, you can create one with a turkey flare much in the same way you make the turkey fruit platter. You can fashion a turkey from cheese slices or a pear like the turkey fruit platter.
Instead of fruit, you make the feathers using alternating rows of your favorite cheese and crackers. If you like, you can also toss in a row or two of pepperoni. When little kids are making the turkey cheese platter, cut the cheese cubes ahead of time. Otherwise, allow tweens and teens to do the cutting themselves. Like with the fruit platter, and overlapping rows is fine.
Pumpkin hummus
Hummus is another straightforward appetizer that’s a crowd-pleaser. Since it’s Thanksgiving, try whipping up this pumpkin hummus recipe from A Couple Cooks. It only takes 10 minutes. Since there’s cooking and blending involved, this is a great recipe for teens to tackle. Little ones can certainly lend a hand but would need an adult to cook and drain the chickpeas as well as do the blending.
Pumpkin hummus goes great with pita chips, crackers, veggies, or crunchy bread. This recipe can stay fresh in sealed container for up to five days. So, it’s ideal for a make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer.
Apple turkey with yogurt dip
It doesn’t get easier or heathier than this super simple apple turkey with yogurt dip from Pillsbury. Since it’s fall, you’re bound to have a bunch of apples to choose from, thanks to those apple-picking trips. All you need is your favorite Greek yogurt, red and green apples, chocolate chips for eyes, and pretzel sticks to make the turkey’s feet. Wash and pre-slice the pear and apples for younger kids. Then, let them have fun assembling the apple turkey.
So much goes into preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, which is why you need to take advantage of those extra hands in the kitchen. Kids and teens can do more than you think when it comes to prepping and whipping up make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers. Remember, appetizers don’t have to be super fancy. They’re just something for guests to nosh on while they’re waiting for the amazing turkey and side dishes to hit the table. With these easy Thanksgiving appetizers that are tasty and healthy, you can put the kiddos to work creating a dish they’ll be proud to share with everyone.
