It's Easter season! Our baskets are stuffed, our outfits are pressed — and now we're turning our attention to the Easter menu. While we're all for cooking up entire Easter hams [1] for the holiday, Easter appetizers are just as important as the main event, especially when we're hosting a crowd.
Over the past few years, we got clued into an Easter appetizer idea that we've since become huge fans of: cooking up a big batch of finger foods to have on hand for hungry guests. That lets everyone chow down on their favorite appetizers for Easter, and keeps everyone from getting too hungry while they wait for the main dish — or from suffering from blood-sugar crashes after digging into their chocolate eggs [2]. Plus . . . who doesn't love Easter appetizers?
So we rounded up a few dozen bite-size appetizers [3] that are perfect for springtime entertaining. With over 35 recipes, including savory (mini smoked salmon toast), sweet (dollar-coin pancakes), and fiery (spicy deviled eggs), you're sure to find a few that speak to you and your guests, no matter how picky they might be. Happy cooking (and nibbling)!
— Additional reporting by Mirel Zaman
Easter Appetizer Idea: Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches With Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Get the recipe: Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches With Bacon and Caramelized Onions [5].
Easter Appetizer Idea: Prosciutto-Wrapped Feta-Stuffed Dates
Get the recipe: prosciutto-wrapped feta-stuffed dates [6]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Tip: make them dollar coin-sized!
Get the recipe: cottage cheese pancakes [7]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Three-Cheese Mini Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Get the recipe: three-cheese mini macaroni and cheese bites [8]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Grilled Polenta Avocado Rounds
Get the recipe: grilled polenta avocado rounds [9]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Baked Brie With Candied Bacon
Get the recipe: baked brie with candied bacon [10]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Get the recipe: ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels [11]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Individual Hummus and Crudités Cups
Get the recipe: individual hummus and crudités cups [12]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Cheese Plate
Get the recipe: cheese plate [13]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Olive Tapenade
Get the recipe: olive tapenade [14]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Spicy Deviled Eggs
Get the recipe: spicy deviled eggs [15]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Three-Cheese Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Get the recipe: three-cheese spinach-artichoke dip [16]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Apricot, Goat Cheese, and Almond Bites
Get the recipe: apricot, goat cheese, and almond bites [17]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Shrimp Cocktail With a Trio of Sauces
Get the recipe: shrimp cocktail with a trio of sauces [18]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Rosemary-Sesame Pecans
Get the recipe: rosemary-sesame pecans [19]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Green Goddess Dip
Get the recipe: green goddess dip [20]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Cheesy Phyllo Crackers
Get the recipe: cheesy phyllo crackers [21]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Toasted Sesame Sriracha Deviled Eggs
Get the recipe: toasted sesame sriracha deviled eggs [22]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Brie and Fig Puff Pastry Bites
Get the recipe: brie and fig puff pastry bites [23]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Cheese Ball
Get the recipe: cheese ball [24]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
Get the recipe: buffalo chicken pinwheels [25]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Lightened-Up Pimento Cheese Dip
Get the recipe: lightened-up pimento cheese dip [26]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Spinach and Artichoke Dip Roll-Ups
Get the recipe: spinach and artichoke dip roll-ups [27]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Tortellini Skewers
Get the recipe: tortellini skewers [28]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Chicks in a Blanket
Get the recipe: chicks in a blanket [29]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Gruyère Gougères
Get the recipe: gruyère gougères [30]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Roasted Figs With Goat Cheese
Get the recipe: roasted figs with goat cheese [31]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Green Olive Dip
Get the recipe: green olive dip [32]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Baked Goat Cheese
Get the recipe: baked goat cheese [33]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Peppadew Peppers Stuffed With Whipped Feta
Get the recipe: peppadew peppers stuffed with whipped feta [34]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta
Get the recipe: mushroom and brie bruschetta [35]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Caprese Skewers
Get the recipe: caprese skewers [36]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Bites
Get the recipe: sun-dried tomato pesto bites [37]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Spinach-Artichoke-Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms
Get the recipe: spinach-artichoke-dip-stuffed mushrooms [38]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Burrata-Stuffed Squash Blossoms With Olive Tapenade
Get the recipe: burrata-stuffed squash blossoms with olive tapenade [39]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Bagel Dip
Get the recipe: bagel dip [40]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Deviled Quail Eggs
Get the recipe: deviled quail eggs [41]
Easter Appetizer Idea: Hatching Chick Deviled Eggs
Get the recipe: hatching chick deviled eggs [42]