These tempting appetizers will stimulate your appetite like no other. They’re also a great way to set the tone of your celebration. You can keep it simple with chips and dips or make it fancy with Caprese phyllo cups. Having a romantic evening with your partner? Kick it off with something naughty like hanky panky! Or maybe you’re going solo! Don’t worry, these scrumptious starters will keep you company. No matter how you plan on spending Valentine’s day, these appetizers will surely make your day.
Valentine’s Day Appetizers That Set the Right Mood
1. Neiman Marcus Dip
This dip only uses 5 simple recipes, but somehow, it tastes like there are at least a dozen elements to it. It’s ridiculously rich and creamy, and it’s studded with almonds, bacon, and cheese! Every mouthful is an explosion of happy tastes and textures. It goes great with all kinds of chips, crackers, and crudites, but I won’t judge if you scarf it down on its own.
2. Hanky Panky
There’s no way you’ll be able to keep your hands off of hanky panky! This appetizer is basically just an open-faced toast, but it’s to die for. Piled high on top of toasted rye or pumpernickel is a mix of ground beef, sausage, and ooey-gooey cheese. One recipe makes 10-12 servings, but I can eat at least 6 of these. Share this treat with your special someone for an affair to remember.
3. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Crabmeat and mushrooms unite to create a beautiful love story. This is a delectable appetizer of hollowed-out mushrooms stuffed with a creamy crabmeat filling. The whole thing is topped with parmesan cheese and baked to perfection. What a wonderful union of flavors and textures. The best part about it is it looks and tastes like you worked so hard on it.
4. Heart-Shaped Bruschetta
This heart-shaped bruschetta is almost too pretty to eat! Love is definitely in the air with these mini-treats. Loaded with goat cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil, and parmesan cheese, these bites will knock you off your feet. It’s also surprisingly a cinch to make, so much so that it’ll reach the table in just 20 minutes.
5. Caprese Phyllo Cups
These phyllo cups are as delicious as they are elegant. If you’re hosting a fancy event, nothing sets the tone better than these bite-sized wonders. Each flaky pastry cup is filled with a charming heart-shaped mozzarella and a refreshing mix of cherry tomatoes and basil in olive oil and balsamic. With a lovable presentation and refreshing flavors, this appetizer will definitely take your heart away.
6. Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
How do you make a charcuterie board perfect for Valentine’s Day? Easy: just fill it with cheese and chocolates! Blue cheese and dark chocolate make a perfect tandem. Red raspberries and cherries also give the board a romantic air. Add deli meats like prosciutto and pepperoni to complement the sweets. Together, these elements create an appetizer so good, it’ll make your partner love you even more.
7. Mini-Heart Shaped Pizzas
Here’s another heart-shaped delight your taste buds will surely delight in. These pizzas are topped with marinara, pepperoni, and cheese, making them both a feast for the eyes and the palate. Also, you won’t believe how easy they are to make. You won’t have to make the dough from scratch here. Thank goodness for store-bought pizza dough!
8. Million-Dollar Dip
From the name itself alone, you can already tell this isn’t your average dip. A mix of mayo, almonds, cheese, bacon, and chopped green onions, this dip is so rich it tastes like a million bucks. I love the different flavors, but it’s the textures that make this dip a sensation. It’s moist, creamy, and crunchy, all at the same time! It’s so good, I don’t even want to eat it with chips anymore. I just grab a spoon and go to town on it.
9. Spinach Artichoke Dip
There are tons of recipes for spinach artichoke dip, but this is the only one you’ll ever need. Okay fine, it’s my own recipe, so that may be considered a partisan statement. But still, I’m telling you, this dip is the bomb! It’s a wonderful balance of artichoke hearts, spinach leaves, cheese, bacon, mayo, and sour cream. This dip has just the perfect level of savoriness and creaminess.
10. Mini-Cheese Ball Bites
Nothing will satisfy your cheese craving better than these mini cheese ball bites! First of all, how adorable are these tiny balls, am I right? They come in three different colors, which really make them a fun party appetizer. At the core of the balls is a blend of cream cheese, cheddar, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. To complete the look, the balls are covered with either dried cranberries, crushed nuts, or chopped green onions.
11. Smoked Salmon Bites
I can’t even begin to express how much I love this appetizer! I don’t only serve this for Valentine’s Day, but for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well. Actually, I make it every time I have smoked salmon on hand. These bite-sized squares are made with layers of flattened white bread, smoked salmon, and a homemade brie cheese spread. The combination of salty, creamy, and smoky makes me so giddy!
12. Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Ahh… love really is in the air… or is it just puff pastry and brie baking in the oven? For our next appetizer, a whole wedge of creamy brie cheese is topped with raspberry jam and wrapped entirely in flaky puff pastry. It’s popped into the oven and baked to golden perfection. It’s crispy on the outside and sweet and creamy on the inside. Every bite is divine.
13. Toasted Ravioli
Toasted ravioli is a classic appetizer that originated in St. Louis. If you’re not from there and have yet to try it, you’re in for a treat. It’s simple, really. Just take a bag of frozen meat-filled ravioli, coat it with breadcrumbs, and fry until golden. This technique transforms the pasta dish into a crunchy snack! Serve it with marinara for dipping and voila.
14. Cheese Fondue
A blend of three cheeses (gruyere, fontina, gouda), this fondue is the ultimate treat. I don’t know what it is, but to me, a cheese fondue is one of the most romantic appetizers there is. There’s just something so sexy about dipping things in silky melted cheese. Whether it’s bread, sausages, potatoes, or vegetables, anything dipped in cheese automatically tastes five times better.
15. Soft Pretzel Bites
While I mostly feature super easy recipes in my blog, I also like to challenge my readers from time to time. If you’re up for it, I highly encourage you to try making these soft pretzel bites. It’s not as hard as you think it is, but considering you’ll make dough from scratch, it does require a few steps. But once you’re done, you’ll be rewarded with these addictive golden brown bites. They’re crisp on the outside and super pillowy and fluffy on the inside.
16. Crabbies
Crabbies were such a huge thing in the past, and I demand they make a comeback. They consist of a cheesy crabmeat mixture piled high on top of toast. The toast is sliced into wedges to make pizza-like slices. I don’t know exactly when and why this appetizer lost its popularity over the years. It’s wildly addictive!
17. Crostini
A variety of toppings are piled over toasted baguette slices for a delectable appetizer with a nice big crunch. That’s what crostini is all about. The beauty about it is that there are endless ways to go about the topping. This recipe has 8 different crostini toppings to choose from, ranging from salmon and cream cheese to strawberry and goat cheese. I suggest you try them all.
18. Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Running out of food supply at your party? These air fryer pizza rolls are here to the rescue! Take that bag of pizza rolls out of the freezer and pour the contents into your air fryer. In just a few minutes, these crispy, golden brown treats are ready for your guests to devour. What an awesome lifesaver.
19. Sweet and Sour Meatballs
The thing I love about meatballs is how versatile they are. They make for a great entree, but because of their bite-sized nature, they can also be served as a party appetizer. There are also tons of ways to flavor meatballs. For this Valentine’s edition, you bathe the balls in a lusciously sweet and sour glaze. It looks intimidating, but relax. The sauce is actually just a mix of ketchup and grape jelly.
20. Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Mashed potatoes are already such a decadent dish. Just imagine how much more sensational they’ll be when you turn them into bites! These puffs are made with creamy mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, and bacon bits. The mixture is formed into balls and baked until golden. As if that wasn’t delicious enough, the puffs are topped with a dollop of sour cream.
21. Shrimp Appetizers With Avocado and Cucumber
A cucumber round is topped with a thick layer of mashed avocado spread and topped with a piece of Cajun shrimp. This appetizer is a fantastic fusion of seafood and summer produce. I love the contrast between the sweet and spicy shrimp, crunchy and refreshing cucumber, and creamy avocado! Together, it creates the perfect Valentine’s Day bite.
22. Lobster and Avocado Bites
Here’s another mash-up between fruit and seafood. Sweet lobster meat and creamy avocados unite to make a sensational hors-d’oeuvre. Joining the combo are mint and chives for added freshness and spice. Served in mini phyllo cups, these bites will make you fall in love with their outstanding flavors and textural variety.
23. Jalapeno Poppers
If it were up to me, jalapeno poppers would always be present in all kinds of celebrations. These creamy, cheesy, and fiery bites always make me happy! Jalapeno halves are stuffed with cheese and panko breadcrumbs and baked until golden. With the perfect balance of rich and fiery, this appetizer is always the first to disappear.
24. Italian Pinwheels
These Italian pinwheels are as delectable as they are pretty. They’re rolled up flour tortillas loaded with salami, pepperoni, provolone, and a phenomenal homemade pimento spread. It seems like such a complex appetizer, but don’t worry, this recipe is easy-peasy. All you need is to add all the components to the tortilla, roll it up, and slice it into rounds!
25. Seven-Layer Taco Dip
It’s no exaggeration, this dip does have seven layers to it. There’s so much to look forward to with this dip. There are refried beans, sour cream, cream cheese, salsa, and so much more. It’s so outrageously delicious, you might forget your name.
26. Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These stuffed tomatoes are so adorable my heart can’t take it! A luscious spread of cream cheese, butter, garlic, and dill is piped into hollowed-out cherry tomatoes. It can’t get any easier than that.
27. Valentine’s Day Roasted Potato Hearts
These are heart-shaped potatoes coated with a blend of olive oil, rosemary, paprika, garlic, and parmesan, and roasted to perfection. If you’re looking to impress a special someone, this is the way to go. Don’t worry, as insanely adorable as this appetizer is, it’s also a breeze to make.
28. Shrimp Cocktail
Sweet and plump shrimp are served with a phenomenal dip made with ketchup, horseradish, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. I can’t think of an appetizer more sophisticated than this shrimp cocktail. But at the same time, it’s also such a cinch! The most challenging part is peeling the shrimp. The rest comes easy.
29. Easy Fried Cheese Bites
These fried cheese bites are the perfect pairing to a cold glass of beer! If you’re celebrating Valentine’s with a bunch of friends, this appetizer should be present as well. These golden balls are crunchy on the outside and ooze with stringy mozzarella once you take a bite. Just be careful not to burn your tongue, though. These bites are piping hot!
30. Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Drizzle
These are simple skewers of mozzarella balls, basil, and cherry tomatoes. Finished off with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction, this tasty and refreshing appetizer will disappear within the hour. Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
