Fact: the nibbles are the best part of any meal or get-together. Unfortunately, they usually involve mounds of cheese, fried dough, or not-so-healthy ingredients.
It's ridiculously easy to load up before the main meal arrives - meaning you're probably missing out on satisfying protein, filling fibre, and your daily dose of veggies. So why not opt for a lighter, yet equally delicious option that won't leave you feeling sluggish?
We've rounded up some of our all-time favourite healthy appetisers from food bloggers to make planning your menu (or what to bring to your next party) so much easier.
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
Refreshingly simple yet addictively delicious, these cute little bites combine crunch with tangy, savoury flavour. High-protein salmon and mineral-rich cucumber are sandwiched together with a tiny dollop of cream cheese, which is seasoned with dill and horseradish. Yielding 40 bites in just 10 minutes, this one's an easy solution for feeding a crowd.
Get the recipe from Baker by Nature »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices
This might be one of the most genius (yet totally simple) healthy appetisers we've seen! Instead of using crackers, this blogger piled a bit of chicken salad on top of thin apple slices - same crunch, but you'll get more vitamins and minerals, fibre, and natural sweetness. Substitute the mayo in this recipe with Greek yogurt for fewer kilojoules and a boost of protein and calcium.
Get the recipe from Yummy Addiction »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Forget chicken wings - these cauliflower bites are all you need to keep guests happy. Weighing in at 627kJ (150cal) and 6 grams of fat per 1 cup serving, these fibre-filled bites are much less of a gut bomb than traditional wings. Serve them alongside your favourite dipping sauce and other veggies like celery and carrots.
Get the recipe from Real Housemoms »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Cucumber Mint Sauce
Your friends and family won't even miss the beef or pork with these Greek turkey meatballs, which incorporate fresh flavours like cucumber, mint, and lemon. Drizzled with a simple cucumber mint sauce and served alongside healthy Greek yogurt-based tzatziki for dipping, these meatballs are the definition of satisfying.
Get the recipe from Plating Pixels »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Rainbow Salsa
Not only is this colourful salsa absolutely gorgeous, it packs some pretty serious nutrition. Take a look: roma tomatoes are loaded with potassium and disease-fighting lycopene, black beans offer protein and fibre, and bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and other minerals. Set out a bag of your favourite tortilla chips and watch this salsa disappear quickly.
Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Chimichurri Prawns
This is basically the easiest appetiser ever; plus, shrimp delivers an excellent dose of protein and key nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and phosphorus. Just cook and coat these babies in a fresh sauce of herbs and spices, then serve them with toothpicks. The best part: They take less than 20 minutes from start to finish.
Get the recipe from Kim's Cravings »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Crispy Garlic Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha Aioli
Is there anything more heavenly than roasted brussels sprouts? Tossed in avocado oil, which is high in heart-healthy fats, these veggie dippers pair perfectly with creamy aioli. The flavourful sauce substitutes mayo for hummus and adds a spicy kick of Sriracha. Top with Parmesan and fresh herbs, and you've got the ultimate party snack.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil, and Spinach Pinwheels
Ah, pinwheels - a classic party appetiser, but far from the healthiest. This lighter alternative swaps out the cream cheese for a hummus-like spread of white beans, lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil. A flavourful combo of spinach, basil, sun-dried tomatoes and crushed toasted pine nuts makes this app feel way fancier than it is.
Get the recipe from Oat & Sesame »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Spiced Edamame Hummus
Who said hummus had to be made from chickpeas? If you love the taste of edamame, you won't be able to get enough of this spicy hummus, which is both vegan and gluten-free. Plus, edamame is packed with plant protein. Serve alongside your favourite veggies, crackers, or pita bread, and your guests will quickly gobble up this delicious dip.
Get the recipe from Grab A Plate »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Quinoa Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms usually include some mixture of cream cheese and sausage, but these veggie-quinoa bites are the whole package: simple, nutritious, and absolutely delicious. Baked together with the hearty umami flavour of mushrooms, this superfood duo (iron-rich spinach and fibre-filled quinoa) can't be beat.
Get the recipe from Lauren Kelly Nutrition »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Marinated Mini Sweet Peppers
Besides having a host of health benefits - vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B6, to name a few - sweet peppers are just fun to crunch on, even when they're raw. Take these colourful garden veggies to the next level by marinating them in olive oil, parsley, dill, and other spices. To make your life even easier, there's no slicing, dicing, or seeding required in this recipe.
Get the recipe from Natasha's Kitchen »
(From left): Yummy Addiction, Grab A Plate, Kim's Cravings
Blackberry Cucumber Caprese Skewers
In the world of party apps, it doesn't get much simpler than skewers, and this fresh combo is so perfect for outdoor parties during the spring and summer. Juicy blackberries, crunchy zucchini, fresh basil and chewy mozzarella balls, all drizzled with balsamic glaze - anyone else drooling yet?
Get the recipe from The Sweetest Occasion »
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