The Best Healthy Appetizer Recipes for a Party

Updated May 29, 2013
Credit: John Kernick
Having friends over? Keep it easy (but still nutritious) with these throw-together apps that are sure to be a hit.
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Pickled Shrimp

Try this recipe: Pickled Shrimp

Shrimp cocktail is a party staple, but your guests will love this updated take on the classic dish, which is pickled with yummy flavors like celery seeds and paprika.

Ingredients: Celery seeds, cayenne pepper, paprika, deveined large raw shrimp, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, mustard seeds, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, ground allspice, bay leaves, shallots

Calories: 59

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2 of 20

Mini Elote Chiles Rellenos

Try this recipe: Mini Elote Chiles Rellenos

These super-healthy bites are packed with flavor from Cotija cheese, lime zest, cayenne pepper, and chopped cilantro. Also good: They're a great source of fiber.

Ingredients: Sweet bell peppers, pearl barley, grapeseed oil, frozen yellow corn kernels, zucchini, Cotija cheese, salt, lime zest, fresh lime juice, cilantro, cayenne pepper, whole-milk Greek yogurt

Calories: 35

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Creamy Butternut Squash-Stuffed Mushrooms

Try this recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash-Stuffed Mushrooms

Two classic cold-weather comfort foods join forces in this savory appetizer recipe.

Ingredients: Butternut squash, grapeseed oil, soft goat cheese, unsalted butter, black pepper, salt, whole-wheat panko, fresh thyme, cremini mushrooms

Calories: 35

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Smoked Salmon Canapes

These small bites will make great hors d'oeuvres at your next party.

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Chorizo-Stuffed Dates

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Anna Hampton, Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Try this recipe: Chorizo-Stuffed Dates

Ready to serve in just 20 minutes, these bite-sized Medjool dates are packed with flavorful herbs like cilantro and parsley, plus chicken chorizo for a hit of filling protein.

Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, chicken chorizo, flat-leaf parsley leaves, red wine vinegar, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pitted Medjool dates

Calories: 75

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Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Miso Dressing

Try this recipe: Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Miso Dressing

File under "the best new way to cook Brussels sprouts": Scooping out the insides of your go-to veggie, then roasting them at high heat, turns Brussels sprouts into crispy chip-like bites that are ideal for dipping into the flavor-packed miso dressing on the side.

Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, grapeseed oil, fine sea salt, black pepper, avocado oil mayonnaise, rice vinegar, white miso, honey, low-sodium soy sauce

Calories: 65

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Yellow Tomato Gazpacho in Cucumber Cups

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Yellow Tomato Gazpacho in Cucumber Cups

Using cucumbers to serve this tomato gazpacho make for a clever vegan treat.

Ingredients: garlic, scallion, yellow tomato, yellow bell pepper, unseasoned, kosher, black pepper, cucumbers

Calories: 20

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Mini Nicoise Sandwiches

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Mini Nicoise Sandwiche

This creative twist on the classic Nicoise salad combines tuna and eggs for a hearty appetizer high in protein, fiber, and good-for-you fats.

Ingredients: ahi tuna, vegetable oil, kosher salt, black pepper, grape tomatoes, hard-cooked eggs, ciabatta loaf, mayonnaise, tomato, olive tapenade

Calories: 96

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Greek Nachos With Feta

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Greek Nachos With Feta

Trade in the usual cheeses for feta with this healthier take on nachos, that also swaps in low-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.

Ingredients: tomatoes, red onion, garlic, cucumber, kosher salt, pita chips, feta cheese, 2% reduced fat Greek yogurt

Calories: 48

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Grilled Shrimp With Lime, Orange, and Basil Oil

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Grilled Shrimp With Lime, Orange, and Basil Oil

When looking for a low-fat, iron-rich snack, it tough to beat grilled shrimp.

Ingredients: orange zest, lime zest, olive oil, basil, peeled and deveined shrimp, kosher salt, black pepper

Calories: 19

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Grilled Halibut, Bay Leaf, and Lemon Kebabs

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Grilled Halibut, Bay Leaf, and Lemon Kebabs

This heart-healthy appetizer is low in cholesterol and, thanks to the halibut, high in selenium.

Ingredients: halibut filet, lemons, bay leaves, water, olive oil, salt, black pepper

Calories: 45

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Tandoori Chicken Bites With Mango Chutney

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Tandoori Chicken Bites With Mango Chutney

Mangoes offer a burst of healthy sweetness and low-fat yogurt with curry powder makes for a flavor-packed marinade that won’t hurt your waistline.

Ingredients: plain low-fat yogurt, garlic, curry powder, lime juice, kosher salt, black pepper, chicken tenders, cooking spray, mango chutney

Calories: 53

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13 of 20

One-Bite Wedge Salad With Blue Cheese and Bacon

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: One-Bite Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese and Bacon

Mixing low-fat yogurt and blue cheese crumbles cuts back drastically on the fat in most store-bought blue cheese dressings.

Ingredients: plain low-fat yogurt, blue cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, cooked bacon, iceberg lettuce

Calories: 20

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Barbecued Spicy Apricot-Glazed Chicken Wings

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Barbecued Spicy Apricot-Glazed Chicken Wings

Sweet and spicy are a perfect match. This zesty glaze packs as much flavor as the usual barbecue sauce, while remaining friendlier to your waistline.

Ingredients: apricot jam, garlic, crushed red pepper, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, chicken wings

Calories: 252

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Cumin-Spiced Chickpeas

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Cumin-Spiced Chickpeas

Chickpeas boast a slew of nutritious elements from resistant starch and fiber to protein healthy fats.

Ingredients: garbanzo beans, ground cumin, kosher salt, vegetable oil

Calories: 42

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Grilled Zucchini With Parmesan Pesto

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto

Pine nuts pack heart-healthy fatty acids that quell hunger hormones and burn belly fat.

Ingredients: basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, zucchini

Calories: 75

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Mint-and-Pea Hummus on Flatbread

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Mint-and-Pea Hummus on Flatbread

Using peas instead of the usual chickpeas makes this hummus a lighter, yummy take on a classic snack.

Ingredients: water, green peas, tahini, mint, kosher salt, flatbread crackers

Calories: 47

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Salami With Manchego Cheese

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe Salami with Manchego Cheese

Fava beans, salami and rich manchego cheese are what make this savory bite-size appetizer more filling than it looks.

Ingredients: fava beans or shelled edamame, salt, water, Manchego cheese, salami

Calories: 77

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Cherry Tomato Towers With Goat Cheese Aioli

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Cherry Tomato Towers with Goat Cheese Aioli

Tomatoes and goat cheese make for a healthy, vitamin-packed appetizer bursting with flavor.

Ingredients: goat cheese, garlic, mayonnaise, kosher salt, yellow, orange, and red cherry tomatoes

Calories: 53

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Grilled Lamb Sliders With Mint Yogurt

Credit: John Kernick

Try this recipe: Grilled Lamb Sliders With Mint Yogurt

Lamb may be leaner than beef, but these lamb sliders still bring the flavor with a Mediterranean twist.

Ingredients: ground lamb, kosher salt, black pepper, plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mint, mini slider buns

Calories: 170

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