25 appetizers so good, you might skip the main course

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Who says you need a main course to feel satisfied? Let’s flip the script on traditional dining! Appetizers are stepping out of the shadows and becoming the stars of the meal. In fact, they’re so good you might just decide to skip the main course altogether. Think bold flavors, eye-catching presentation, and delicious variety – and all without the need for an air fryer.

From Smoked Dill Pickle Wings to Chicken Tortilla Bites, from Cheese Toasties to Reuben Egg Rolls, the list goes on – appetizers have something for everyone. Going out for a meal or having friends over? Fill the table with these tasty starters. Trust us, these munchies are so good that you won’t miss your main course. Try this new “appetizers-only” dining style and break the main course norm. It’s sure to become your new favorite way of eating!

Smoked chicken wings with pickles on a black plate.
Smoked Dill Pickle Wings. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Reuben Egg Rolls

Reuben Egg Rolls are perfect for those who love to share! They combine the flavors of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut in a crispy egg roll wrapper. Honestly, they’re so tasty that you might consider skipping the main course just to have more of these delicious bites.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Egg Rolls

Cheese Toasties

If comfort food is your thing, then Cheese Toasties are a must-try. With a crispy exterior and gooey cheese hiding inside, these treats are super tasty and easy to make. In fact, they’re so good that you might find yourself rethinking the need for a main course.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Toasties

Crab Rangoon Dip in a black square dish.
Crab Rangoon Dip. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Crab Rangoon Dip

Dip into heaven with the Crab Rangoon Dip, a luscious combination of cream cheese, succulent crab meat, and aromatic spices. This dreamy appetizer is perfect for indulgence; you might have experienced it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Crab Rangoon Dip

Tomato Bruschetta

Tomato Bruschetta is a beloved Italian appetizer that’s light, flavorful, and perfect for any gathering. Combining fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar on toasted bread is irresistible. Honestly, they’re so good that skipping the main course might cross your mind.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta

 Smoked pork shots in a skillet with basil and tomatoes.
Smoked Pork Shots. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Pork Shots

Tiny and flavorful these Smoked Pork Shots pack a punch with a blend of smoked sausage, bacon, and BBQ sauce. The powerful taste of these bite-sized morsels will leave you questioning why you haven’t encountered these sooner.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Shots

Tomatillo Pico de Gallo

Tomatillo Pico de Gallo adds a fresh twist to traditional salsa with its unique blend of tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro. It’s perfect for pairing with tortilla chips or as a zesty topping for Mexican dishes. Who knows, it could even be the very reason you opt to skip the main course.
Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Pico de Gallo

A plate of empanadas on a slate.
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

With robust seasoning and golden, crispy crust, these Air Fryer Beef Empanadas are the ultimate, modern finger food. They’re mouthwateringly delicious and healthier, thanks to the air-frying technique. They make an appetizer that will have you pondering how you overlooked them for so long.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

Smoked Lil Smokies

These bite-sized Smoked Lil Smokies are the ultimate party snack. They’re sure to be a hit at any gathering with their smoky flavor and tangy dipping sauce. So delightful that you might skip the main course to make room for more.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lil Smokies

Whipped Feta on a black plate with grilled bread.
Whipped Feta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Whipped Feta

Turn humble feta cheese into a creamy, delectable Whipped Feta spread, blended with herbs and spices. Spread it on crackers, bread, or fresh veggies for a satisfying appetizer that just might make you wonder if a main course is even necessary.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Feta

Crab Spanakopita

Embrace a Mediterranean vibe with the Crab Spanakopita, where fresh crab and spinach find their way inside flaky filo pastry. This savory, delicious blend will make you wonder why you didn’t experiment with this fancy appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Crab Spanakopita

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa in a black pan with tortilla chips in a second pan.
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa elevates the traditional salsa experience with smoky roasted tomatillos. Ideal for scooping up with tortilla chips or adding to your favorite Mexican dishes, this appetizer is so good that you might even forget about the main course.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Fully Loaded Baked Potato Skins

Feast on these Fully Loaded Baked Potato Skins and you’ll find yourself in savory delight. Crispy potato skins filled with cheese, bacon, and sour cream make an indulgent treat for any occasion. So good, in fact, you might willingly skip the main course for another helping.
Get the Recipe: Fully Loaded Baked Potato Skins

A platter of Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites

Have you tried the Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites yet? These adorable little bites are loaded with seasoned chicken, all encased within a crispy tortilla shell. Each bite explodes with smoky, savory flavors that set the stage for a stunning meal. Seriously, they are so good you might want to make a whole meal out of these!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites

Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets

It’s impossible to resist mushrooms’ fungal charm when combined with crispy bacon in our Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets. The mushrooms give an earthy, savory depth while the bacon brings a smoky crispness. Combined, they create tiny tartlets so full of flavor, that you might rethink your need for a main course after a plate of these!
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets

Two slices of smoked cream cheese on a white plate.
Smoked Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Cream Cheese

One bite of our Smoked Cream Cheese, and you’ll know it’s not your average cream cheese. The smoky flavor shines, transforming this creamy appetizer into something extraordinary. It’s so flavorful; that you might forego the main course just to enjoy another helping.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese

Bacon, Cheese & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Our Bacon, Cheese & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are a hearty starter that can be surprisingly filling. Each mushroom cap has a savory combination of bacon, cheese, and sausage, creating a flavor-packed bite. Trust us, after a couple of these stuffed mushrooms, the main course might seem a little redundant.
Get the Recipe: Bacon, Cheese & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Smoked queso in a black pot.
Smoked Queso. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Queso

Treat your taste buds to the liquid gold that is our Smoked Queso. This creamy, smoky cheese dip is a crowd-pleaser for a good reason. Its unforgettable taste will have you reaching for more, which may make the main course seem somewhat unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Queso

Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

Let’s discuss Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings coated in Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce. These wings come slathered in a smoky sauce, delivering a burst of flavor with every bite. Be warned, they’re so indulgent that you might sideline the main dish to have one more wing.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

Corn guacamole with tortilla chips on a plate.
Grilled Corn Guacamole. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Corn Guacamole

Discover a fun twist on the classic dip with our Grilled Corn Guacamole. The charred corn adds a smoky element to the creamy guacamole, creating a dynamic flavor profile that hits right on your taste buds. It’s so enticing that the main course might play second fiddle.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Guacamole

Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Get ready to indulge in smoky, tangy deliciousness with our Smoked Dill Pickle Wings. The unique blend of flavors will take your palate on an exhilarating ride. They’re so tasty that you might not have room for a main course after enjoying these wings.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Smoked shotgun shells on a white plate.
Smoked Shotgun Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Our Smoked Shotgun Shells are flavor-packed bites. They deliver a smoky, tangy flavor that’s bound to get your tasting gears going. With these dynamite starters, make no mistake, you might find yourself second-guessing the need for a main course.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms

Who needs a Philly cheesesteak sandwich when you can have Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms? Every bite is filled with succulent, cheesy goodness, making this take on the classic Philly Cheesesteak a tempting appetizer. They’re so good, that you might find your plans for a main course slipping away.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms

A chunk of oozing brie with apple chutney on a board.
Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney

Let’s end on a cheesy note with our Baked Brie served with Apple-Ginger Chutney. The soft, melty brie meets the sweet and tangy chutney in a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s so enchanting, that you can easily forget about serving a main course and lose yourself in this heavenly appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney

Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Say hello to the queen of appetizers – Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms. Each mushroom is generously filled with a blend of herbs, creating a garden of flavors in your mouth. They’re so irresistible, that you could easily forget about the main course and simply indulge in these little bites of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango.
Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings are no ordinary wings. The sweet mango and smoky chipotle flavors complement each other, making each wing a sweet, spicy delicacy. They’re so flavorful that you might skip the main course to indulge in more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

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