appetizer Recipes
388 delicious appetizer recipes from around the world
Vada Pav
A beloved Mumbai street food, Vada Pav features a spicy, deep-fried potato fritter (vada) sandwiched inside a soft bread bun (pav), typically served with an assortment of flavorful chutneys.
Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Tender grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and ground lamb, then gently braised until meltingly soft. A beloved classic of Levantine cuisine.
Yaprak Sarma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Delicate grape leaves meticulously rolled around a fragrant rice and herb filling, then gently simmered. A quintessential cold mezze, perfect for sharing.
Yong Tau Foo (Malaysian Stuffed Tofu and Vegetables)
A beloved Hakka dish from Malaysia, Yong Tau Foo is a customizable meal where you choose various vegetables and tofu to be stuffed with a savory fish paste, then cooked in a flavorful broth or fried until golden. It's a delightful 'choose your own adventure' culinary experience.
Yum Makeua Yao (Thai Grilled Eggplant Salad)
A vibrant and smoky Thai salad featuring tender, charred grilled eggplant tossed in a zesty, spicy dressing with hard-boiled eggs and dried shrimp. It's a perfect balance of fresh, savory, and spicy flavors.
Yum Pla Duk Fu (Thai Crispy Catfish Salad)
A vibrant and textural Thai salad featuring fluffy, crispy fried catfish flakes tossed with a zesty green mango and herb dressing. The sourness of the mango, the heat of the chili, and the savory notes of the dressing perfectly complement the light and airy texture of the fried fish.
Yum Talay (Thai Spicy Seafood Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Thai seafood salad featuring a medley of fresh seafood tossed in a zesty and spicy lime dressing. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, often enjoyed as a light meal or appetizer.
Yum Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Thai glass noodle salad featuring tender shrimp, savory ground pork, and a zesty, spicy dressing. Perfect as a light main course or a flavorful appetizer.
Yum Wun Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Thai glass noodle salad featuring tender shrimp, savory pork, crisp vegetables, and a zesty, spicy dressing. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer.
Zeytoon Parvardeh (Marinated Olives with Pomegranate and Walnuts)
A vibrant and flavorful Northern Iranian appetizer featuring briny green olives marinated with crunchy walnuts, tangy pomegranate molasses, aromatic garlic, and the unique spice of golpar. This dish is best prepared ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Aborrajados
A popular Colombian street food from the Valle del Cauca region, these are sweet, ripe plantains stuffed with salty cheese, coated in a light batter, and fried until golden and crispy. They offer a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Acarajé
Authentic Bahian black-eyed pea fritters, a beloved Afro-Brazilian street food. These crispy, golden-fried bean cakes are traditionally split open and generously filled with creamy vatapá, savory caruru, and a sprinkle of dried shrimp.
Aguachile
A vibrant and refreshing raw shrimp dish from Sinaloa, Mexico, where shrimp are 'cooked' in a zesty marinade of lime juice and fiery serrano chilies. This dish is known for its intense spiciness and is often served as a refreshing appetizer or light meal.
Aipim Frito (Brazilian Fried Cassava)
Aipim frito, also known as fried cassava or yuca fries, are a popular Brazilian street food and side dish. These fries are uniquely prepared by boiling the cassava until just tender before frying, resulting in a wonderfully crispy exterior and a fluffy, creamy interior, often considered superior to potato fries.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet, chewy Medjool dates are pitted and stuffed with creamy goat cheese (or tangy blue cheese), then wrapped in savory bacon and baked until the bacon is perfectly crisp. This addictive appetizer offers an irresistible combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors.
Bolinho de Bacalhau
Brazilian salt cod fritters - crispy fried cod and potato balls. A beloved Portuguese legacy perfected in Brazil.
Bolitas de Queso (Venezuelan Cheese Balls)
Crispy on the outside and delightfully melty on the inside, these Venezuelan cheese balls are a popular appetizer and party snack. They are simple to make and incredibly addictive.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
A creamy, spicy, and incredibly addictive dip featuring shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and your favorite hot sauce. Perfect for game days, parties, or any occasion where delicious comfort food is a must.
Buffalo Wings
The original Buffalo, NY classic: crispy fried chicken wings coated in a tangy, spicy butter-based hot sauce, traditionally served with cooling blue cheese dressing and crisp celery sticks.
Buñuelos Colombianos
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, these Colombian cheese fritters are a beloved Christmas essential. Made with salty costeño cheese and tapioca starch, they puff up beautifully when fried to a golden brown.
Camarones al Ajillo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp)
A quick and incredibly flavorful Mexican classic featuring succulent shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic-infused butter sauce with a hint of guajillo chili. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal or an impressive appetizer.
Carantanta (Crispy Corn Crust)
Carantanta is a traditional Colombian snack made from the crispy, flavorful corn masa that forms on the bottom of the pot after preparing tamales or other corn-based dishes. It's a delicious way to utilize every bit of the masa, resulting in a unique, crunchy texture.
Carimañola
Carimañolas are savory, torpedo-shaped fritters made from mashed yuca, stuffed with a seasoned ground beef and hogao filling, and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. A popular street food and breakfast item from the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Carne Oreada (Colombian Sun-Dried Beef)
A traditional Colombian delicacy, Carne Oreada involves thinly slicing beef, seasoning it, and air-drying it until firm, then grilling it to a crispy, flavorful finish. It's a method of preservation that results in a unique chewy and concentrated taste.