appetizer Recipes
388 delicious appetizer recipes from around the world
Draniki (Potato Pancakes)
Draniki are traditional Belarusian potato pancakes, a beloved dish also widely enjoyed in Russia. They are made from grated potatoes and onions, pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. Best served hot with a dollop of sour cream.
Ensaladilla Rusa
A classic Spanish potato salad, Ensaladilla Rusa, features tender diced vegetables and flaked tuna bound together with creamy mayonnaise. It's a staple in Spanish tapas bars and a refreshing dish perfect for any occasion.
Escalivada
A classic Catalan dish of smoky, tender roasted vegetables, typically eggplant, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, dressed simply with olive oil and garlic. It's a celebration of charred flavors and natural sweetness.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Burgundian snails - plump snails baked in their shells swimming in garlicky, herbed butter. The epitome of French indulgence.
Flammkuchen (Alsatian Flatbread)
A traditional Alsatian specialty, Flammkuchen is a paper-thin, crispy flatbread topped with a creamy mixture of crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions, and savory bacon lardons. It's a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Fritto Misto di Mare
Mixed fried seafood - crispy fried shrimp, squid, and fish with lemon.
Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
A quintessential Spanish tapas dish featuring plump shrimp sizzling in a generous amount of garlic-infused olive oil, accented with a touch of chili. Perfect for dipping crusty bread and enjoying immediately.
Gambas en Gabardina (Spanish Prawns in Batter)
Classic Spanish tapas featuring succulent prawns coated in a light, crispy beer batter and fried to golden perfection. Best served immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Garides Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Feta)
A classic Greek dish featuring succulent shrimp baked in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the distinct anise flavor of ouzo, and topped with salty feta cheese that melts into a bubbling, irresistible topping. Perfect as a starter or a light main course.
Gazpacho Andaluz
A refreshing and vibrant cold soup from Andalusia, Spain. This classic gazpacho is made by blending ripe tomatoes with cucumber, green bell pepper, stale bread, garlic, sherry vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. It's the perfect dish for a hot summer day.
Gougères
Burgundy cheese puffs - classic choux pastry infused with Gruyère cheese, baked into light, airy, and savory puffs. An ideal accompaniment to wine or as a sophisticated appetizer.
Gravlax (Nordic Cured Salmon)
A classic Nordic delicacy, this gravlax features fresh salmon cured to perfection with a fragrant blend of salt, sugar, dill, and pepper. The process is simple, requiring no cooking, just time and patience. The result is a silky, flavorful salmon, ideal for appetizers, smørrebrød, or alongside a brunch spread. Served with a traditional mustard-dill sauce.
Gravlax (Traditional Cure)
Sugar and salt-cured salmon, an ancient Nordic preservation method now a celebrated delicacy. This recipe includes instructions for the classic hovmästarsås (sweet mustard sauce).
Gubbröra (Swedish Anchovy Egg Salad)
Gubbröra, meaning 'old man's mix' or 'gubby's mix,' is a classic Swedish appetizer or side dish, often found on the smörgåsbord. It's a simple yet flavorful blend of chopped hard-boiled eggs, salty anchovies, fresh chives, and a creamy binder, traditionally served on crisp rye bread.
Gzik (Polish Farmer's Cheese Spread)
A refreshing and simple Wielkopolska regional cheese spread, perfect as a light meal or appetizer. It features crumbled farmer's cheese mixed with sour cream, fresh chives, and crisp radishes, traditionally served with boiled potatoes.
Handkäse mit Musik
A traditional Hessian specialty from Frankfurt, Handkäse mit Musik features a firm, sour milk cheese marinated in a tangy raw onion vinaigrette. The 'Musik' in the name humorously refers to the digestive sounds that may follow, a common and accepted part of enjoying this dish, often paired with local apple wine (Apfelwein).
Herring Under Fur Coat (Selyodka Pod Shuboy)
A classic Russian layered salad featuring savory herring beneath a 'fur coat' of colorful, grated vegetables, bound together with creamy mayonnaise. This visually striking dish is a traditional centerpiece for celebrations, especially New Year's Eve.
Inlagd Sill (Swedish Pickled Herring)
A foundational Swedish delicacy, Inlagd Sill (pickled herring) is a versatile and essential component of traditional Swedish cuisine, particularly during holidays and celebrations like Midsummer. This recipe provides a basic pickling brine that can be adapted for numerous variations.
Jamón Ibérico
Jamón Ibérico, often referred to as 'the king of cured meats,' is a Spanish dry-cured ham made from the meat of black Iberian pigs. These pigs are typically acorn-fed ('de bellota'), which imparts a rich, nutty flavor and a distinctively marbled, melt-in-your-mouth texture to the ham. This recipe focuses on presenting the ham in its purest, most exquisite form.
Kalamarakia Tiganita (Greek Fried Squid)
Authentic Greek fried squid rings, known as Kalamarakia Tiganita, are a quintessential taverna dish. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and best enjoyed with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. A taste of the Greek seaside.
Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)
Authentic German Kartoffelpuffer, also known as Reibekuchen or Kartoffelpuffer, are crispy, golden-brown potato pancakes, a beloved street food classic perfect for any occasion.
Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)
Authentic Greek keftedes are flavorful, herb-flecked meatballs, traditionally pan-fried to a golden crisp. This taverna classic is perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, best served with a cooling tzatziki sauce.
Kolokythakia Tiganita (Greek Fried Zucchini)
Crispy, golden-fried zucchini rounds coated in a light, airy beer batter. A quintessential Greek summer mezze, perfect for sharing.
Kolokythokeftedes (Greek Zucchini Fritters)
Deliciously crispy and savory Greek zucchini fritters, a popular Cretan specialty. These patties are packed with fresh zucchini, salty feta cheese, and aromatic herbs like mint and dill. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal.