Food & Cooking Recipes Seasonal Recipes Fall Recipes Our Favorite Fall Appetizers for Any Gathering These crowd-pleasers will get your party off to a delicious start, regardless of the occasion. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 20, 2024 Close Photo: Bryan Gardner Whether having friends over to watch a football game or throwing an impromptu Friday night pizza gathering, fall is a great time to entertain. In many places, the weather is cooler, so you can crank up the oven without overheating your guests—which opens the door to so many wonderful recipes. That might mean baked brie (or Camembert, or any mild, creamy cheese); you can also roast all manner of fall fruits and vegetables, and turn them into finger foods, dips, or spreads. Tarts and puffs are another lovely option for fall appetizers, and if you use store-bought puff pastry they're easy, too. Of course, you don't need to bake or even cook: A crudité platter can be perfect any time of year, especially if you lean into the season with darker-hued vegetables. Whatever option you go for, we've got you covered. Our 15 Most Popular Fall Recipes, Including Apple Desserts, Comforting Stews, and Much More 01 of 15 Baked Camembert With Cherry Jam Nico Schinco Scatter herbs over a round of your favorite soft cheese—any mild, creamy Brie or Camembert is perfect—add a small pour of vermouth for flair, and bake for 10 minutes. To give it a fall spin, spoon on a pear jam or even concord grape after it comes out of the oven. Serve with bread or crackers. View Recipe 02 of 15 Salmon-and-Mashed-Potato Croquettes Lennart Weibull Fried croquettes are a delicious treat. This particular version includes fluffy cooked russet potatoes combined with canned or smoked salmon and formed into an appetizer-sized panko-coated croquette. Perfect to serve on its own, or a fall-inspired choice of dipping sauces. View Recipe 03 of 15 Butternut Squash Soup David Malosh Rich butternut squash soup is a lovely start to any fall meal. Thicken the soup by puréeing this favorite autumn vegetable with onions and chicken broth. View Recipe 04 of 15 Chorizo, Parsnip, and Olive Bites Bryan Gardner This fall finger food is a cinch to make and even easier to eat, thanks to the skewers. It combines savory chorizo, sweet roasted parsnips, and salty green olives. View Recipe 05 of 15 Pear, Walnut, and Ricotta Crostini A flavorful topping with simple ingredients often makes an easy yet decadent appetizer. You can even whip the ricotta and serve it alongside a fruit platter. View Recipe 06 of 15 Warm Bruschetta With Tomatoes and Feta Brie Goldman Offer a fantastic mix of flavors and textures in this bright, sunny appetizer, perfect to serve year-round even if the weather is anything but! Our easy bruschetta recipe calls for grape tomatoes, meaning you can make it at any time rather than waiting for peak tomato season. View Recipe 07 of 15 Caramelized Persimmons With Prosciutto Raymond Hom Persimmons, which are in season from September through late November, have a delicate flavor that takes nicely to caramelizing—and the sweet taste is a great match for salty prosciutto. View Recipe 08 of 15 Provencal Onion Tart This flavorful onion tart is topped with slivered olives, fresh thyme, and anchovies and cooked in a puff pastry crust. Cut it into squares, and they are an elegant start to a special fall meal. View Recipe 09 of 15 Gruyère, Anchovy, and Olive Straws Paola + Murray Crunchy and buttery, these puff pastry straws are wonderful with a glass of crisp sparkling wine or cider. There are three ways to flavor them: Gruyère, anchovy, or olive. View Recipe 10 of 15 Roasted-Carrot-and-Beet Tart Bryan Gardner This stunning and savory tart celebrates the time in between summer and winter with sweet roasted vegetables, fragrant cilantro, and warm toasted spices. View Recipe 11 of 15 Crudités With Miso-Yogurt Dip Chelsea Cavanaugh Purple carrots and potatoes, red cabbage, and black radishes give this crudité platter a vibe that's perfect for Halloween—or anytime you feel like taking a departure from the usual orange carrots and pale green celery. View Recipe 12 of 15 Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Bryan Gardner It's hard to go wrong when you wrap anything in bacon, and roasted Brussels sprouts are no exception. They're delightful with a zingy mustard dipping sauce. View Recipe 13 of 15 Savory Crepe Rollups Lennart Weibull If you're hosting a fall party, this is a fun and festive hors d'oeuvre. Crepe rollups are not only eye-catching but also simple and delicious thanks to their winning flavor combo: asparagus and prosciutto or smoked salmon and scallion—whichever route you go, these will be a total hit! View Recipe 14 of 15 Labneh Dip With Caramelized Onions and Fennel In season during fall and winter, fennel takes especially well to roasting, so its sharp notes soften and sweeten. Using labneh as its base, which is a thick and creamy Middle Eastern yogurt cheese, this dip mixes in deeply caramelized onions and fennel along with thyme and savory Worcestershire sauce. View Recipe 15 of 15 Beet, Cheddar, and Apple Tarts Bryan Gardner Thinly sliced beets add beautiful color to these small tarts, which are just the right size for appetizers. Using store-bought puff pastry for the rounds cuts down on prep time considerably. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit