20 Must-Try Appetizer Recipes

Air fryer and small-bite recipes make entertaining easy, delicious, and fun. This collection features mac and cheese balls, stuffed mushrooms, sliders, cheesy broccoli bites, bacon-wrapped treats, and more, all perfect for game day, holidays, or casual gatherings. From crispy, golden zucchini chips to rich brie and cranberry bites, these recipes are packed with flavor and designed for minimal prep. Whether you love cheesy, savory, spicy, or vegetable-packed bites, there’s an appetizer here for every craving.

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

Eight golden-brown fritters with white sauce drizzled on top, served on a tray with lime wedges and a bowl of dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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Mac and cheese is shaped into balls and air fried until golden and crispy. The exterior is crunchy while the interior remains cheesy and gooey. Quick snack or party appetizer. Each bite is cheesy, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are filled with cheese, breadcrumbs, or meats and baked or air fried. Tender mushroom caps complement rich, savory fillings. Quick and elegant appetizer. Each bite is juicy, savory, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms

Apricot Parmesan Pinwheels

A plate of pastry pinwheels and dried apricots arranged around a small glass bowl filled with more dried apricots. — Apricot Parmesan Pinwheels. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Pastry dough is filled with apricot preserves and parmesan, then rolled into pinwheels. Crispy exterior with sweet-savory interior. Perfect for snack tables or brunch. Each bite is flaky, tangy, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Parmesan Pinwheels

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

A bowl filled with crispy baked zucchini chips sits inside a larger wooden bowl, with more chips scattered around. — Air Fryer Zucchini Chips. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Thinly sliced zucchini is lightly coated and air fried to crisp perfection. Crunchy snack or side dish. Quick and flavorful. Each bite is crispy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Baked Feta

Rectangular block of feta cheese topped with chopped parsley, surrounded by roasted tomatoes and vegetables, with a slice of bread holding cheese, tomato, and onion. — Baked Feta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Feta blocks are baked with seasonings or roasted vegetables. Soft interior contrasts with slightly crisp edges. Quick Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Each bite is creamy, tangy, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta

Baked Brie in a Bowl

A wooden platter with baked cheese in bread, bread slices, breadsticks, green grapes, apple slices, cherry tomatoes, and a small bowl of roasted tomatoes. — Baked Brie in a Bowl. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Brie cheese is baked until gooey and served with crackers or bread. Warm, melty cheese is complemented with toppings like fruit or nuts. Elegant and easy appetizer. Each bite is creamy, rich, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie in a Bowl

Steak and Cheese Sliders

A close-up of a sandwich with shredded beef, melted cheese, and onions on a golden bun topped with herbs. — Steak and Cheese Sliders. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Mini sandwiches feature steak, melted cheese, and toppings. Soft slider buns hold hot, melty filling. Perfect for game day or parties. Each bite is savory, cheesy, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Steak and Cheese Sliders

Crispy Cauliflower Bites [Healthier Air Fryer Recipe]

A tray of breaded and baked cauliflower bites is served with a bowl of creamy dip; a hand dips one piece into the sauce. A plate with cauliflower bites is nearby. — Crispy Cauliflower Bites [Healthier Air Fryer Recipe]. Photo credit: Heavenly Spiced.

Cauliflower florets are seasoned and air fried until crisp. Healthy and flavorful side or appetizer. Serve with dipping sauce. Each bite is crunchy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cauliflower Bites [Healthier Air Fryer Recipe]

Cheesy Broccoli Bites

A white plate with ten golden brown, breaded, fried balls; one is split open, revealing a creamy filling with green herbs. — Cheesy Broccoli Bites. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Broccoli is combined with cheese and breadcrumbs, then baked or air fried. Crispy exterior and soft interior. Perfect finger food or side. Each bite is cheesy, tender, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Bites

Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Bites

Open-faced sandwiches topped with beef, melted cheese, and diced peppers, served with French fries on a white plate, garnished with parsley. — Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Bites. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Mini Philly cheesesteak-style sandwiches made in the slow cooker. Tender beef, peppers, and melted cheese on small rolls. Perfect for parties or casual snacks. Each bite is savory, cheesy, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Bites

Thai Curry Puffs

Pastry pockets are filled with spicy Thai curry vegetables or meat. Crisp pastry contrasts with creamy, aromatic filling. Quick and flavorful snack. Each bite is crispy, spicy, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Thai Curry Puffs

Buffalo Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Bites

Chicken, broccoli, and cheddar are combined and baked or air fried. Spicy buffalo flavor enhances the cheesy filling. Perfect finger food or appetizer. Each bite is cheesy, spicy, and tender.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Bites

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Sweet potato rounds are topped with guacamole and wrapped in bacon. Air fried or baked until crisp. Quick, flavorful, and satisfying snack. Each bite is savory, creamy, and smoky.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

French Onion Bacon Dip Mix

Creamy dip combines French onion flavors with crispy bacon. Perfect for chips or crackers. Quick and flavorful party appetizer. Each bite is savory, cheesy, and rich.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Bacon Dip Mix

Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Tomato halves are topped with cheeses and baked until melted and golden. Crispy edges contrast with juicy tomato interior. Quick side or appetizer. Each bite is cheesy, tangy, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Air Fryer Zucchini

Zucchini is sliced, seasoned, and air fried until golden. Crisp exterior with tender interior. Quick and versatile side or snack. Each bite is crunchy, tender, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are filled with creamy guacamole. Creamy, tangy filling complements the egg. Quick and flavorful appetizer. Each bite is smooth, zesty, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Bite-sized pastry cups are filled with brie and cranberry sauce. Warm, melty cheese contrasts with sweet-tart cranberry. Quick, festive snack. Each bite is creamy, tangy, and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Bacon Wrapped Pickles in the Air Fryer

Pickle spears are wrapped in bacon and air fried until crisp. Crunchy exterior and tangy interior. Quick and savory appetizer. Each bite is crispy, tangy, and smoky.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pickles in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites

Mini cheeseburgers are wrapped in bacon and air fried until golden. Juicy beef and melted cheese inside crispy bacon. Quick party snack. Each bite is savory, cheesy, and smoky.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites