Who needs main courses when you’ve got these appetizers stealing the spotlight? From crispy bites to creamy dips, they’re the real MVPs of any gathering. Forget about waiting for the main event—these appetizers bring the flavor and fun right from the start. Get ready to snack like a champion with 17 appetizers that prove main dishes are overrated!
![Fried wontons on a black plate with dipping sauce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fried-wontons.jpg)
Arepas con Queso
![Close up shot of an arepa con queso split open to show the cheesy filling.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/arepas-con-queso.jpg)
Soft, warm, and irresistibly cheesy — Arepas con Queso are the comfort food you didn’t know you needed. These wonderful cornmeal cakes are a versatile canvas for all your favorite toppings. Your kitchen might just become the new late-night snack spot. Pass the arepas, please!
Get the Recipe: Arepas con Queso
Air Fryer BBQ Wings
![A pile of air fryer BBQ wings on a white platter.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AF-BBQ-Wings-1600.jpg)
Big flavor with little cleanup? Yes, please! These Air Fryer BBQ Wings are a game changer, offering all the smoky barbecue goodness you crave without the sticky fingers. Kick back, turn on the game, and let the air fryer do all the work. Go ahead, lick your fingers; we won’t judge!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Wings
Char Siu Bao
![Low angle shot of two mantou buns filled with char siu filling.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/char-siu-bao.jpg)
Light, fluffy, and filled with a sweet pork surprise, Char Siu Bao is like a hidden treasure wrapped in dough. The sweet and savory filling makes these buns irresistible, proving that good things come in small packages. They’re not just an appetizer; they’re a conversation starter at any table. Serve these up and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Char Siu Bao
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
![Stacked taquitos on a plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/taquitos-la-horiz.jpg)
Let’s keep snack time snappy and pleasing with Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos — the crunch you crave without the oil splatter drama. Why stand around a hot stove when you can let the air fryer do the heavy lifting? Your party guests will grab these faster than you can make them, so maybe toss a few extra in there! It’s all the flavor and none of the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Har Gow
![4 har gow shrimp dumplings in a bamboo steamer basket.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/har-gow-hero.jpg)
Have you ever seen a dumpling so pretty you almost didn’t want to eat it? Har Gow is that kind of treat, with its delicate, pleated wrapper that’s almost transparent. Each bite is a perfect blend of shrimp and subtly seasoned wrapper that simply melts in your mouth. Seriously, why can’t every meal be dim sum?
Get the Recipe: Har Gow
Air Fryer Onion Rings
![Pile of onion rings on a white plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/af-onion-rings-1024x679-2.jpg)
On a quest for a guilt-free crunch? Our Air Fryer Onion Rings are on your side, offering all the crispy goodness without the greasy aftermath. Perfect for munching while watching the game or as a side to impress. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you might just find yourself volunteering to host movie night!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Onion Rings
Samosa Chaat
![Low angle shot of a plate of samosa chaat.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/samosa-chaat.jpg)
You haven’t truly snacked until you’ve tried Samosa Chaat, a riot of flavors and textures that’s like a street festival in your mouth. It’s crunchy, it’s tangy, it’s creamy — and yes, it’s a little messy, but that’s part of the fun. A staple that boldly declares every day can be a feast day. Trust us, just grab a napkin and dig in!
Get the Recipe: Samosa Chaat
Paneer Pakora
![Low angle shot of a pile of paneer pakora.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/paneer-pakoras-11-1024x683-1.jpg)
If you’re dipping into the world of Indian appetizers, Paneer Pakora is your crispy, savory ticket. These golden nuggets are a cheesy delight, all wrapped up in a crispy gram flour coat that crunches oh so pleasingly. They’re the vegetarian heroes of snack time, ready to convert even the most dedicated meat lovers.
Get the Recipe: Paneer Pakora
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
![Fried chicken in a basket lined with parchment paper.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/af-fried-chicken-la-horiz-6.jpg)
Who says you can’t have crispy chicken without the mess of oil? Air Fryer Fried Chicken is changing the game, making you rethink everything you knew about ‘fried’. Get ready for juicy insides, crunchy outsides, and a whole lot of ‘yum.’ It’s finger-lickin’ good minus the guilt!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Vietnamese Summer Rolls
![Low angle shot of vietnamese summer rolls with edible flowers.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/summer-rolls-horiz.jpg)
Crisp, fresh, and bursting with flavor, Vietnamese Summer Rolls are here to whisk you away to a culinary paradise. These aren’t just rolls; they’re edible journeys packed with herbs and shrimp, all rolled up in a soft, delicate rice paper. They’re so light, you won’t feel bad about reaching for one more… or maybe two.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Summer Rolls
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
![Zucchini fries on a plate with spicy ketchup for dipping.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/af-zucchini-fries-5.jpg)
Bored of potato fries? Zucchini Fries to the rescue! Made in the air fryer, they’re your new best bud for when you want all the crunch without the calorie count. They’re tangy, they’re munchy, and they’re so good even your kids will ask for seconds. Who knew veggies could be this fun?
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings
![Basket of fried chicken with chilies and garlic.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/salt-and-pepper-chicken-16-x-9.jpg)
Meet your new snack staple: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. They’re a little bit salty, a little bit peppery, and a whole lot of delicious. Sometimes, simplicity wins, and these wings are here to scoop up the trophy. Serve them up at your next casual hangout; watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings
Instant Pot Shrimp
![Cooked shrimp in a green and white striped bowl, garnished with parsley.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/instant-pot-shrimp-1024x576-1.jpg)
Forget waiting around for seafood night. With Instant Pot Shrimp, you’re serving up succulent shrimp in minutes, making you the seafood superhero of dinner. This isn’t just fast food, it’s lightning-fast feast food. Pop open a pot of these at your next get-together and prep for compliments!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp
Paneer Rolls
![Hand holding paneer roll.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/paneer-rolls.jpg)
Paneer Rolls are rolling out an irresistible invite to indulge. Inside each crispy shell, spiced paneer and veggies await to dazzle your palate. They’re a show-stealing side that might just outshine the main course. Don’t say we didn’t warn you when they become the night’s main topic!
Get the Recipe: Paneer Rolls
Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons
![Fried wontons on a black plate with dipping sauce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fried-wontons.jpg)
Crispy, crunchy, and stuffed with a mouth-watering mix of pork and shrimp – Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons are the life of the dim sum party! Dig into these and hear that pleasing crunch that sets the tone for a flavorful experience. Be warned: start passing these around, and they won’t come back!
Get the Recipe: Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons
Mochiko Chicken
![A hand holding a crispy piece of mochiko chicken.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mochiko-chicken.jpg)
Ready to add a little Aloha to your appetizer lineup? Mochiko Chicken hits just the right note of savory and sweet for a tropical taste that’ll have everyone talking. Once you bite into these crispy, golden nuggets, you’ll understand why they’re a Hawaiian hit. It’s like a luau in your mouth!
Get the Recipe: Mochiko Chicken
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
![Bang bang shrimp on a black plate with a bowl of sriracha ranch and lemon wedges.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bang-bang-shrimp-oh-horiz-hero-1.jpg)
Who said quick snacks can’t be showstoppers? Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is here to prove them wrong with a spicy, creamy kick that’ll wake up any soiree. Quick to pop in and even quicker to disappear from the platter, these shrimp have ‘party favorite’ written all over them. Just keep an eye on the plate — they vanish fast!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp