Welcome, Seafoodies!
The start of the holiday season is upon us—and whether you’re planning a casual Friendsgiving dinner, an elegant Christmas Eve soirée, a fun Hanukkah celebration or a lively New Year’s Eve bash—these seafood appetizers can enhance any occasion!
From fancy Mussels with White Wine Sauce that’ll make your pinky want to stick out to comforting Coconut Shrimp bites that taste like a warm hug—these seafood appetizers are designed to impress.
Featuring a variety of favorite flavors from crab to oysters—while they look elevated and taste incredible—these showstoppers are also surprisingly easy to whip up at home. That means less time wrestling with complicated recipes and more time to perfect your ugly sweater game or master the art of gift wrapping.
Not sure what appetizers to choose?! We’ve been there! With thousands of seafood recipe options, it can be hard to narrow it down to a winning few. But we’ve got an easy equation to help make decision time stress-free.
When planning out our party menus, there are three types of appetizers we always like to include.
The Traditional Bite
We love taking a traditional appetizer and giving it a holiday seafood makeover! Basic egg rolls become Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls, run-of-the-mill dip is transformed into Spicy Clam Dip and dull deviled eggs are so much better with our Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs recipe! These classic dishes all include ingredients or spices that complement the flavors of seafood— for a festive touch that’s sure to delight your guests.
Lighter Starters for Balance
Amidst all the rich holiday fare, seafood can offer a refreshing contrast. Try our Skinny Baked Popcorn Shrimp for a lighter version of a finger-food favorite. Blackened Tilapia and Watermelon Salsa Crostinis are wholesome nibbles that can even be made gluten-free. And, Grilled Sardines with Charred Rosemary Vinaigrette is an excellent (and elegant!) option as a simple first course. These appetizers all provide a delightful balance to the heavier dishes typically found at holiday gatherings.
Warm and Comforting Appetizers
As the temperature drops, warm seafood appetizers become especially appealing! From individual portions of Sheet Pan Crab Nachos (still warm from the oven) to hot, savory Air Fryer Mac ‘n’ Cheese Tuna Bites—these options bring comfort and cheer to your holiday spread. While waiting for guests to arrive, you can always keep appetizer trays in the warming drawer of your oven or invest in a warming plate!
No matter what appetizer combo you choose, one health benefit stays the same. While you’re busy being the host or hostess with the most or mostest, you’re also helping your guests get their two to three servings of seafood per week—as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Plus, seafood is rich in protein, omega-3s DHA and EPA, minerals like selenium and vitamins like vitamin D. According to a 2015 study, EPA, DHA and vitamin D help to regulate the production of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin, which can be especially beneficial during the hectic and shorter days of winter. So go ahead, and indulge in that extra seafood appetizer!
Cheers to food that tastes good AND benefits our health during the holidays. Let the festivities begin!
We can almost guarantee that you are not taking full advantage of the tiny fish that shine in this deliciously unassuming appetizer!
Raw veggies alone might not inspire excitement, but pair them with a flavorful dip and you’ve got more than just an appetizer—you’ve got a party starter!
After trying this recipe, it will be easy to see why our popcorn shrimp can officially be moved from the “occasional party indulgence” meal category to “everyday outstanding!”
Crispy, crunchy and lightly sweet with a hint of heat. Once your guests have a bite, there is no denying that this is the best homemade coconut shrimp they will ever taste!
Crab Empanadas with Mango Salsa
To complement the stellar taste and add some extra color, we’ve topped these perfect pouches off with homemade mango salsa—for a convenient and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Caribbean Shrimp with Tropical Fruit
In addition to its mouthwatering Caribbean taste, this shrimp dish gets high marks for nutrition. Low in calories and rich in protein—it’s a great light choice for your next party!
These crab cakes will not only get snapped up immediately from any hors d’oeuvres tray, but they are also gluten-free—so any friends and family who avoid gluten can enjoy them, as well!
Customize to your heart’s content! You can dial the heat up or down, lighten things up with lower-fat cheddar or baked tortillas—or sub in some baby shrimp for the crab.
Crispy Rice Roll with Spicy Tuna
We like to top these rolls with some chopped cucumber and avocado or a sprinkling of sesame seeds—but you can improvise the garnish or omit it entirely. They’re delicious either way!
Blackened Tilapia and Watermelon Salsa Crostinis
Spice-rubbed tilapia fillets and thin baguette slices cook up quickly while you make the fresh fruit salsa—adding a flavor explosion to every forkful.
Serve a mussel in a small bowl along with some crusty bread to sop up every drop of the wonderful sauce!
Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls
If you haven’t worked with rice wrappers before, you’ll be awed by how easy it is to make these impressive-looking rolls at home.
Air Fryer Mac ‘n’ Cheese Tuna Bites
While everyone will love these tuna bites, they’re an especially satisfying snack for little ones—so be sure to save some for the kid’s table.
Fried foods tend to be higher in saturated fat and calories (and messy to cook at home)—but this is not the case with an air fryer!
Once they’re cleaned, all the mollusks need is a flash in the pan with some wine, lemon and spices—for a restaurant-worthy appetizer that you’ll pull out for every party!
Grilled Whole Sardines with Charred Rosemary Vinaigrette
Serve your sardines on a platter with the remaining vinaigrette, chopped herbs and lemon wedges—or place atop a bed of lettuce for a flavorful tableside salad.
As much as we love traditional deviled eggs, our twist ups the nutrient and flavor profiles—making them the perfect light starter for a holiday spread.
With some store-bought smoked salmon, a handful of kitchen staples and a trusty food processor—you’ll have this crowd-pleasing snack ready in only 10 minutes.
Air Fryer Calamari with Chipotle Dipping Sauce
The trick to this recipe is to double-coat the calamari and cook it in batches so the air circulates in the fryer—bonus points for prepping ahead and freezing to save time.
If there is any schmear leftover—treat yourself to smoked trout dip on a bagel/toast post-party—before you start to clean up. It’s a game-changer!
Char-Grilled Honey Parmesan Oysters
Oysters cook in under 10 minutes, and you will know they are getting ready to plate when the shells are nicely charred and the oyster is bubbling. Have a platter and long tongs at the ready!
Tuna Croquettes with Lemon-Caper Sauce
Hailing from France, croquettes may sound fancy, but these come together in just over 30 minutes and can be made with shelf-stable and budget-friendly canned tuna!
Baked Spinach Artichoke Shrimp Dip
Mix things up! Along with serving traditional bread and crackers with this dip—add a spread of fresh veggies for some crunch, color and (best of all) a double dose of important nutrients!
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