25 Classic American Appetizers

When people think of American appetizers, they usually think of pigs in a blanket, chicken wings, pizza rolls, and lots of dips. 

All those are great appetizers, but they aren’t the only ones Americans have.

We also have sliders, cheese sticks, meatballs, pretzel bites, and more. 

This list contains 25 of the yummiest American appetizers I know.

These are my “go-to” appetizers when I’m in a pinch and need to make something last minute. 

Feel free to share them with others and use them anytime you have a last-minute finger-food crisis. 

1. Pigs in a Blanket

Ever since I was a kid, pigs in a blanket have been one of my favorite finger foods.

The bread is so warm and tasty, and the little weenies are delicious. 

Over the years, though, I’ve tinkered with the recipe, and I’ve finally found one that’s fast, easy, and delicious. 

Best of all, they only require three ingredients – hot dogs, crescent rolls, and American cheese – and take less than 30 minutes to make.

2. Spinach Artichoke Dip

This spinach artichoke dip is smooth and creamy, and it has a wonderful herby taste thanks to the garlic-herb cheese spread.

As a little extra kick, I also add in some crispy bacon crumbles.

It tastes great with tortilla chips, pita bread, or crackers.

3. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings

These chicken wings may be messy, but they taste so good, no one will mind. The chicken is juicy, tender, and fried to perfection.

The buffalo sauce has that great tangy flavor we all know and love, but thanks to the hot pepper sauce, it has a bit of heat to it, as well. 

These are ideal for Superbowl Sunday, but they taste great all the time.

4. Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, consider a fruit tray with cream cheese fruit dip.

It’s one of my favorite appetizers because it only takes 10 minutes to make, and everyone loves it. 

Also, there’s no cooking involved. Just mix all your ingredients, and let them chill for an hour.

5. Cocktail Meatballs

Frozen meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly may not sound like a recipe for success, but these cocktail meatballs prove otherwise. 

Plus, all you have to do is put the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it cook for a few hours. It doesn’t get much easier or tastier than that.

6. Hormel Chili Dip

I’m a firm believer in “the fewer ingredients, the better” when it comes to appetizers.

All you’ll need for Hormel chili dip is Hormel chili (no beans), cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. 

Then it’s just a matter of heating the ingredients in the microwave and serving them with some tortilla chips or Doritos.

It’s a 5-minute crowd-pleaser.

7. Mac and Cheese Bites

Mac and cheese bites require more ingredients than I like in my appetizers, but they’re so good that I had to add them, anyway. 

Plus, they’re deep-fried, and in America, that takes precedence over minimal ingredients.

These bite-sized balls of yum have crunchy, garlicky outsides and gooey, cheesy insides. 

They take over an hour to make, but they’re always the biggest hit at the party.

8. Mozzarella Sticks

While we’re on the subject of deep-fried deliciousness, I thought I’d go ahead and add mozzarella sticks, as well. 

Most people are surprised to find out how easy these are to make. (You can thank the string cheese stick distributors for that!) 

All you have to do is cover your cheese sticks in breading and herbs, then deep-fry them for about 60 seconds. 

Serve them with marinara sauce, and you’ll have an instant favorite.

9. Velveeta Sausage Dip

You probably have a recipe for this already.

In case you don’t, all you’ll need to make this incredible, super addictive dip is Velveeta cheese, sausage, and a can of ROTEL.

Brown the sausage and melt your cheese. Then stir everything together until you have a smooth, warm dip.

10. Totchos

Totchos are messy and look like something you’d need an iron stomach to enjoy, but they’re so good.

In short, they’re loaded nachos, only made with tater tots instead of chips.

Use the ingredients listed in the recipe, or pile them full of your favorite nachos ingredients. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

11. Cowboy Crack Dip

Cowboy crack dip is similar to Velveeta sausage dip, but you’ll use cheddar and cream cheese instead of Velveeta. You’ll also add frozen corn. 

If you like your cheesy sausage dip to have a little more flavor and just a hint of sweetness, go for cowboy crack over the Velveeta.

12. Pizza Monkey Bread

We’ve all had delicious, pull-apart cinnamon and brown sugar monkey bread. 

Pizza monkey bread is the same idea, but instead of cinnamon and brown sugar, you’ll cover it in pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. 

Put some marinara, tomato sauce, or garlic butter in the middle for dipping, and watch as this stuff flies off the table.

13. Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

For this shrimp appetizer, all you’ll need is shrimp, bacon, butter, brown sugar, and chipotle powder.

Wrap the shrimp in bacon, then coat each one with the butter/chipotle/brown sugar mixture.

Bake them for about 15 minutes, then broil them for 2 more. 

These are sweet, savory, salty, crunchy, and delicious.

14. Peel & Eat Shrimp

If you want an even easier way to turn shrimp into appetizers, try this recipe instead.

All you’ll do for this one is fill a pot of water with herbs and seasonings. 

Then drop in the shrimp and boil them for about 5 minutes. After that, they’re easy to peel and perfectly seasoned. 

15. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Creamy, spicy, and cheesy, this dip is the easier, less messy way to enjoy buffalo chicken. 

It tastes practically just like buffalo chicken wings, but you’ll serve it with your favorite veggies or chips for a new experience.

16. Pizza Rolls

You don’t want to be that person who microwaves a bunch of frozen pizza rolls for the potluck.

Making homemade pizza rolls, on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable and almost as easy.

These rolls take about 10 minutes to prepare and another 10 to cook.

They’re bursting with authentic pizza flavor in every bite, and you can adjust the filling to reflect your favorite pizza toppings.

17. Extra Crispy Onion Rings

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love onion rings, but if I did, I’d give them some of these extra crispy ones to change their minds.

They have extraordinarily crispy, crunchy outsides, and the onions within are soft, tender, and tasty.

The smoked paprika in the recipe also gives them a kick, which makes them even better. 

18. Cheeseburger Sliders

These tiny burgers take about 30 minutes to make, and you may want to double the recipe because people love them.

They’re delicious. The meat is tender; the cheese is warm and melted, and there’s a hint of garlic in the flavor that really sets them off. 

They’re so good that you might even find yourself making them for dinner once or twice a month.

19. Deviled Eggs

No potluck is complete without deviled eggs, and this recipe is one of the best.

The secret ingredient? Greek yogurt.

It makes the filling smooth and creamy, while the Dijon mustard and garlic powder give the eggs that bold, biting flavor we love.

Don’t forget to top them with smoked paprika and fresh chives for additional flavor.

20. Quick & Easy Nachos

Feel free to adjust this recipe any way you like, but left as-is, these nachos are pretty incredible. They have so much great stuff in them!

There’s seasoned ground beef, onions, cheddar cheese, refried beans, jalapeno peppers, salt, pepper, and tortilla chips. 

The only things I’ll ever add are lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and guacamole.

Depending on my mood, I’ll sometimes substitute chili beans for refried beans, as well.

21. Southern Hush Puppies

Who doesn’t love golden-brown balls of deep-fried goodness? These hush puppies are garlicky, herby, and crispy.

Their insides are soft and airy, and they have so much flavor.

These are the perfect addition to any fish fry or crab boil, but they also make great appetizers. 

22. Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized onion dip takes almost an hour to make, but if you love French onion dip, it will blow your mind.

It’s like French onion dip, but it’s about 10 thousand times better.

And I’m not even exaggerating. It really is that good. Serve it with your favorite chips, or add it to sandwiches for more flavor.

23. Homemade Bloomin’ Onion

The bloomin’ onion is probably one of the most popular appetizers in restaurants that serve it, but you can make it yourself with this recipe.

Each petal features a flavorful, tender onion slice covered in spicy breading for a crispy, yummy crust.

Take the time to make the homemade dipping sauce, as well. It’s phenomenal.

24. Mini-Bagel Pizzas

“When pizza’s on a bagel, you can eat pizza anytime!” Who else remembers the old-school Bagel Bites commercials?

I do, and I remember how good Bagel Bites were.

These homemade bagel pizzas are even better.

You can make them with only four ingredients – pepperoni, pizza sauce, mini-bagels, and mozzarella cheese.

You can adjust the recipe for a vegetarian-friendly option, or you can go for a meat-lover’s pizza instead. Either way, these are yummy. 

25. Soft Pretzel Bites

Soft pretzel bites are always a hit, and now you can make your own. They’re salty, slightly sweet, and supremely buttery. 

Serve them alone, with cheese, or if you want something sweeter, serve them with chocolate ganache instead.

Whichever dipping sauce you choose, these are sure to be a hit.