Appetizers + Snacks

Appetizers are arguably the best part of any gathering! Here you'll find a selection of my best appetizer recipes for entertaining. Recipes include crostini, bruschetta and toasts, fritters and other crispy fried foods, dips and spreads, marinated and grilled seafood and so much more!

Featured Recipe

Stuffed Clams Oreganata

Indulge in the rich flavors of our Clams Oreganata recipe, a perfect appetizer for seafood dinners and family gatherings!

Stuffed Clams Oreganata

A plate of baked stuffed clams with lemons and a cocktail fork.

Table setting with white and blue plates containing arancini (stuffed rice balls) topped with grated cheese and herbs, served with marinara dipping sauce and garnishes.

Arancini Recipe (Sicilian Rice Balls)

Close-up of a white speckled bowl filled with crispy roasted chickpeas with a small silver spoon inserted among the chickpeas.

Crispy Roasted Chickpea Recipe

Clams with Tomatoes, Basil + Blue Cheese

26+ Delicious Italian Appetizers To Make Tonight

Overhead view of blistered green pea pods arranged on a white plate. The snap peas or English peas show caramelized edges from high-heat cooking with decorative pea tendrils and leaves as garnish. The bright green pods have a shiny, seasoned appearance.

Grilled English Peas

More grilled bread slices on parchment paper with tomatoes, olive oil, and a jar of olive oil in the corner.

Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)

A platter of roasted shrimp cocktail with lemon mustard sauce.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

A piece of shrimp and herbs peeking out of a jar of pickle brine.

Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

A close up of bright green kale with sea salt.

Extra Crispy Baked Kale Chips (Air Fryer Optional)

Close up of mushroom and cheese on crostini on a serving platter.

Roasted Mushroom Crostini with goat cheese

Close up of fresh raw ahi tuna tartare with capers, tomatoes, red onion and breadcrumbs on top.

Tuna Tartare with Capers and Tomatoes

A plate of carpaccio of beef on a wooden table.

Beef Carpaccio (Carpaccio di Manzo)

A few slices of raw tuna topped with olives, lemon, pistachios and olive oil.

Sicilian Tuna Crudo

Several pieces of Fava bean crostini on a wooden board.

Fava Bean Crostini with Pecorino and Mint

A plate of calamari fritti garnished with lemon.

Calamari Fritti

Carrot tops and sliced ginger in a jar in brine.

Quick Pickled Carrots with Ginger

A pear galette with walnuts on a checkered orange napkin.

Savory Pear Galette with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

A white bowl filled with shrimp ceviche and fried plantains.

Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche

A serving bowl of caponata with raisins and pine nuts.

The Best Sicilian Eggplant Caponata

A baked dish of warm cheesy bacon dip with ritz crackers.

Cheesy Baked Bacon Dip

Kale and quinoa cakes on a white plate with lemon wedges.

Kale and Quinoa Cakes

A bowl of Greek garlic and potato dip with carrots and radishes.

Skordalia (Greek Garlic and Potato Dip)

Sheet pan Irish nachos on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Irish Nachos

A bowl of citrus marinated olives with a cocktail fork.

Citrus Marinated Olives

A plate of baked stuffed clams with lemons and a cocktail fork.

Italian Baked Stuffed Clams Oreganata

Top view of a serving dish with roasted long hots and garlic cloves.

Easy Roasted Italian Long Hot Peppers

Top view of a plate of tuna carpaccio with arugula in the center.

Classic Tuna Carpaccio with Arugula, Capers and Pine Nuts

Fingers holding a tortilla chip dipping into a bowl of guacamole.

Smoky and Spicy Guacamole (with chipotle peppers)

A white platter of toasts topped with thinly sliced radishes, herbs and edible flowers.

Easy French Buttered Radish Toasts

overhead shot of grilled zucchini bruschetta on a wood platter

Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta with Whipped Ricotta + Mint

Top view of a plate of zucchini fritters with lemon herb yogurt dip.

Zucchini Fritter Recipe

Fried Greek tomato fritters stacked on an oval platter with a bowl of tzatziki.

Greek Tomato Fritters

A plate with a fork and butternut squash fritters next to a wood serving platter.

Butternut Squash Fritters with Spiced Yogurt

Blue Cheese Tartines with Apples + Arugula (Video!) | ColeyCooks.com

Blue Cheese Tartines with Apples + Arugula

Buttery Buffalo Popcorn (Video!)

Buttery Buffalo Popcorn

Honey Roasted Plum Crostini with Burrata and Prosciutto (Video!)

Honey Roasted Plum Crostini with Burrata + Prosciutto

Lobster Corn Fritters with Tarragon Aioli

Lobster Corn Fritters with Tarragon Aioli

Fried Manchego Cheese with Lavender Honey (Video!)

Fried Manchego Cheese with Lavender Honey

How to Make Panelle: Italian Chick Pea Fritters

Italian Chick Pea Fritters with Veggies

Close up side view of a stack of everything bagel seasoned quinoa crackers.

Quinoa Crackers

Truffled Popcorn with Parmesan + Prosciutto (Video!)

Truffled Popcorn with Parmesan + Prosciutto

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