I could eat these appetizers at every meal, a hundred different ways. They are just so fluffy, flavorful, and loaded with goodness that you’ll want to find any excuse to make them.
From perfectly spicy to pleasantly crunchy, this list has something for every craving.
1. Cheesy Crab Rangoon Dip (Hot Crab Dip)
There’s just something about a big bowl of hot dip that I can’t resist, especially when it’s got that glorious melted cheese on top.
This one starts with a cream cheese base and is loaded with big, juicy chunks of crab meat. You’re going to want something sturdy for scooping this one up, trust me.
2. Papadams
This crispy flatbread is just amazing. You can serve it all by itself or with a bunch of fun sauces and dips. The dough is made with gram flour and has some seasoning mixed right in for extra flavor.
Make sure the dough stays on the drier side, but you’ll want to work it until it’s smooth. They need to be rolled super thin, with each side getting a light coating of oil.
Then, you can bake or fry them until they’re perfectly crisp.
3. Sweet and Spicy Chinese Five-Spice Roasted Almonds
Not every appetizer needs to be a whole meal. Sometimes, a simple salty snack is all you need while you’re waiting for the main event.
Toasting the almonds brings out their sweet and creamy flavor. That salty-sweet coating makes them extra delicious. I’d even be tempted to toss in some chili powder for a little kick.
4. Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce
It took me a minute to really get on board with tofu, and it’s recipes just like this that totally won me over. I wish I had known sooner that pressing tofu is the key to getting a firmer texture.
I just press mine between a couple of plates while I get everything else ready. Once the extra moisture is gone, it’s ready for the marinade.
If you’ve tried tofu before and didn’t love the texture, make sure you buy the firm kind! After it roasts in a hot oven, you get these amazing crispy edges while the middle stays nice and tender.
5. Crispy Skin Stuffed Tofu
Crispy tofu is just so good. I’m pretty sure even the biggest meat-lover in your life will be going back for another bite. As a huge fan of classic prawn toast, I had a feeling I would totally love this simple little dish. The filling is a seasoned shrimp paste that gets stuffed into the tofu right before the whole thing is deep-fried to perfection.
6. Thai Style Popcorn
I’ve been to a few places that serve popcorn as a table snack, and honestly, it’s a brilliant idea! The bowl never lasts long, whether it’s just salt and pepper or something a little sweeter.
But this recipe is on another level. That mix of crunchy caramel and spicy sriracha is so good, you might have to make a double batch.
7. P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Between being low-carb, taking almost no time to prep, and having that super flavorful chicken, you’ll find yourself wanting to make these all the time.
I think the part we all have trouble with when we try to make restaurant food at home is getting the sauce right. How do they make it so amazing? Nothing from a jar ever compares!
This sauce is a simple mix of garlic, onion, hoisin, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger, and sriracha. You should probably make extra because it’s fantastic on other things, too!
8. Daikon Radish Salad
Unlike the usual radishes, daikon has a milder taste that’s less peppery. This makes it a perfect base for a kimchi-style dish. It’s crisp, juicy, and ready to go in just 10 minutes.
What a fresh and unique way to kick off a meal! If you have a little extra time, letting it sit in an air-tight container for at least half an hour will really max out the flavor.
9. Chicken Satay
I am a huge fan of mixing it up at a BBQ. I mean, I love a good burger, but I also love having a whole spread of delicious things to pick from.
And sometimes, all I’m craving is some incredibly juicy, spicy chicken skewers served with a creamy peanut sauce. Any chicken will taste divine with this sauce, but it’s the marinade that makes everything pop.
Besides the lemongrass, I bet you already have all the spices you need at home.
10. Japanese Chilled Tofu (Hiyayakko Recipe) 冷奴
If you’re a fan of flan for its silky-smooth texture, then you are going to love this chilled tofu. Silken tofu is extra creamy and so velvety soft.
Just like other tofu recipes, its mild flavor means it goes so well with a ton of different toppings. I like to put out a little selection so people can build their own. For me, I love something with a bit of crunch and a little heat.
11. Easy Dongchimi (Radish Water Kimchi)
If you’re craving a light and refreshing kimchi fix but don’t want to wait three months for it to ferment, this recipe is for you. It’s a little bitter, a little sweet, and has just the right amount of salt.
This dish is a clear soup with tender radishes that’s meant to be served cold. Unlike traditional kimchi that can take weeks, this one is ready to eat in just a few days.
12. Vegetable Tempura
Okay, so it might not be the healthiest choice, but who can say no to a plate full of tempura? You’ll want to use a variety of veggies that can be eaten raw since they cook for such a short time.
For the lightest and most crispy batter, try using sparkling water or even a citrus soda like Sprite. The bubbles create these tiny air pockets in the batter, and the citrus flavor really makes the veggies shine.
13. Shredded Potato Pancake
You can have this crunchy snack ready to eat in under 15 minutes, and it only calls for a few ingredients. I’ve had these steamed before, but I really prefer the amazing crunch you get from the golden potatoes.
As with any recipe, you can totally adjust the spices if you’re not a fan of the licorice flavor that comes from Chinese five-spice.
14. Fresh Spring Rolls
As much as I love a good crispy, deep-fried spring roll, I just can’t get enough of this vibrant dish. Using rice paper is such a genius way to hold all those veggies together while still letting their beautiful colors show through.
Serve these with some of that amazing sauce from the lettuce wraps, or whip up a batch of Thai peanut sauce for something a little extra.
15. Thai Peanut Salad Wonton Cups
For a starter, I just love having bite-sized foods that are easy to share and enjoy around a table. And these wonton cups are perfect for that.
From the zesty slaw to the chopped peanuts, this dish is just bursting with flavor.
16. Aloo Bhujia
If you’re on the hunt for something crunchy and simple for people to snack on before dinner, this one’s for you.
The easiest way to get those crunchy potato noodles is with a potato ricer. This will help you get uniform pieces of dough to cook.
17. Asian Cucumber Salad
You’ll be amazed at what the right combination of spices can do to a simple cucumber. This dish takes the crisp and traditionally mild veggie and amps up the flavor with rice wine vinegar, scallions, ginger, chili flakes, and garlic.
Once your dressing is mixed, just toss the cucumber chunks in it and serve right away with plenty of sesame seeds for crunch.
18. Easy Korean Spicy Rice Cakes
If you’re a fan of mochi, then this dish is definitely for you. These rice cakes have a super similar texture and are one of the most famous street foods in Korea.
You can usually find them frozen at your local Korean grocery store. This whole dish comes together in just one pot, and it’s got plenty of spice!
19. Edamame
Simple, fresh, and packed with nutrients, this veggie appetizer is so easy to whip up. Edamame are soybeans that have a sweet and buttery taste. Once they’re steamed or boiled, they make the perfect crunchy snack.
When you cook them in salt water, the pods soak up all that flavor. But if you’re in the mood for a little spice, just sprinkle on some chili flakes.
20. Vegetable Samosas
The dough for these samosas is beautifully uncomplicated and doesn’t need a mixer or any proof time. That said, if you’re looking for a shortcut, you could totally use phyllo dough for this.
I like to keep my samosas simple with the classic combo of potato, pea, and onion. It’s the spices that do all the heavy lifting, anyway! If you’re using fresh ginger, a great tip is to peel, chop, and freeze it.
Then you can just pull it out and grate what you need for the recipe. The same goes for chilis. I keep mine in a freezer bag and just cut off what I need.
21. Sticky Baked Chinese Chicken Wings
One bite of these, and you might never go back to buffalo wings. That sweet, spicy, sticky glaze is just to die for! The best part is that the marinade only needs 10-15 minutes to work its magic.
In fact, it’s actually recommended not to let them marinate any longer, or they could get too salty. The key to keeping them sticky is to baste the wings a few times while they cook.
22. Homemade Egg Rolls
When a personal deep-fryer costs less than $50, there’s really no excuse not to have one. Though, the urge to make fries with every single meal is pretty strong!
But it also means you can make some fantastic homemade egg rolls. Let’s be real; baked egg rolls just aren’t the same.
This recipe calls for ground pork, but the chicken filling from the lettuce wraps would be a great substitute. Just remember to fry them in batches so you don’t overcrowd the oil.
23. Teriyaki Atsuage Recipe
Atsuage couldn’t be any simpler. It’s just deep-fried tofu, and you can find it all over Japan. It’s sweet, savory, and ready in about 10 minutes.
From Thai peanut sauce to a spicy and sweet Korean Chogochujang dipping sauce, this mild but crunchy snack is sure to please everyone.
24. Kimchi Pancake (kimchijeon)
We all know that one person who’s a little obsessed with kimchi. Well, after you try these pancakes, you might just join them!
This is such a great way to enjoy all those wonderfully weird sour, sweet, and spicy flavors. For the batter, all you’ll need is flour, salt, and some starch.
25. Japanese Rice Balls
Onigiri, or omusubi, can be found in lunch boxes and convenience stores all across Japan. They can be served as simple rice balls or shaped into triangles.
Some people love the simplicity of lightly salted rice with black sesame seeds and seaweed. But I like to add a little something to the middle. A few popular choices are pickled plums or chunks of smoked salmon.
26. Khandvi Recipe
The first time you tackle this recipe, I definitely recommend having a partner help you out. The batter can be a bit tricky, and you have to work fast to keep it from getting lumpy.
It’s a unique recipe because you have to cook the batter, stirring constantly, kind of like a pastry cream. Once it’s thick, you’ll need to spread it out on a clean surface and roll it up after it dries a bit.
Just remember to work quickly! The batter will get lumpy if it cools down too much, and the rolling part can take a little practice. But once you get the hang of it, these are such tasty little snacks!
27. Avocado Raita Recipe
This refreshing recipe is kind of a cross between a dip and guacamole. It can be served with just about anything, and you can easily tweak the spice level to your liking.
If you’re serving it as a sauce, I’d suggest using a blender to get it nice and smooth. But if you’re making it as a dip, I like to leave it a little chunky.
28. Vegetable Pakora Recipe
The beauty of a pakora recipe is that you can switch up the veggies to whatever you like. I would recommend keeping the onion and cabbage for that great crunch and flavor, but the rest is totally up to you.
These crunchy little bites would be the perfect side for a curry or as a starter with some avocado raita.
29. Dahi Vada
This interesting little snack is super popular all over India. Some versions add lentils to the batter, while others keep it simple with a flour-based dough.
After you’ve made and deep-fried the dough, it needs to soak in water. After about 20 minutes, you’ll press the water out and then cover it with your spiced yogurt and chutney.
30. Chinese Scallion Pancakes
This is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite dishes to make. It has a few steps, but it’s so, so worth it in the end. I’m a huge fan of scallions and their unique oniony flavor.
I also love crunchy fried pancakes! With the resting time, this appetizer will take about an hour to put together.
But it’s made with such simple ingredients and results in a flavorful pancake that can be served with spicy beef or just a simple dipping sauce for a snack.