Thanksgiving Prep Made Easy: Appetizer Edition
It’s that time to start making Thanksgiving plans with friends and family. Whether you’re the host for dinner or a guest at a loved one’s house, having a go-to appetizer or two in mind is always a good idea.
Preparing something everyone can enjoy, but isn’t too overly indulgent is important. An easy way to achieve both is with walnuts. These delicious nuts offer richness to each dish and provide a comforting, familiar flavor. Each serving of California walnuts provides 2.5g of omega-3 ALA, 4g of protein, and 2g of fiber (per ounce). They also offer a tasty, crunchy texture to dishes.
Walnuts on Thanksgiving: The Perfect Match for Starters
Versatile walnuts are the ideal ingredient to create fun, delicious appetizers to jump-start your celebration!
Kick the festivities into gear with these Mushroom Parmesan Walnuts! This five-ingredient appetizer takes 15 minutes to make and is the perfect starter to get guests in the holiday spirit. The umami seasoning paired with parmesan and toasty California walnuts elevate a simple snack. Prepare these in advance so that you can put them out before your guests arrive and have more time to chat with friends and family!
Need an appetizer that will wow the crowd? Try making these Maple Glazed Sweet Potato Toasts with a sweet maple glaze and savory walnut crumble as the star of the show. This recipe features crispy, toasty sweet potato slices slathered with creamy mascarpone cheese, maple brown sugar glaze, and a crunchy bacon, sage, and walnut topping. Make this dish in your air fryer to cut down on hands-on cook time, as well as free up oven space!
Add some heat to your holiday and impress your guests with this Spicy Walnut Pimento Cheese Ball. Three different cheeses combine with jalapeños and a variety of seasonings for the filling, which is then rolled in our California Walnut “Chorizo” Crumble, creating the perfect savory appetizer. Pair with crudités and crackers or crostini – it won’t disappoint!
These Bacon-Wrapped Walnut-Stuffed Dates are always a winner at holiday dinners. Surprise your guests by making these simple yet flavorful dates with nuts in the middle. The sweet and nutty taste of the walnut-stuffed dates is the perfect contrast to the rich and salty taste of the bacon. Did we mention this recipe requires less than five ingredients?! It’s simple, delicious, and only takes 30 minutes to make (including prep time!). If you have leftovers, it’s a great dish to snack on throughout the week.
This easy six-ingredient starter is a fan favorite for multiple reasons! Our favorite thing about these Walnut and Brie Puff Pastry Bites is that the prep time is minimal, allowing you to spend more time laughing with your loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen for hours. Crunchy nuts, creamy Brie, and sweet honey combine to make the perfect cozy bite for guests.
Finish with a California Walnuts Thanksgiving Dessert
The holidays aren’t the same without a yummy sweet finisher! Grab your stash of walnuts and check out these delicious pie recipes for some sweet inspiration. Don’t forget to add the whipped cream for some dessert flair!