We know that the key to anyone's heart is food. Show off your cooking skills this year with these Valentine's Day appetizers.
48 Impressive Valentine’s Day Appetizers
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Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent
My friends and I have been getting together for “ladies lunches” for years. These vol-au-vents are the perfect no-fuss fancy food; they look complicated, but are actually simple and fun to make. Whenever I think of good friends and good company, I think of these savory pastries. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
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Hot Creole Shrimp Dip
This shrimp dip has become a family favorite. You can increase the heat with your favorite hot sauce or add a bit of acidity with a squeeze of lemon. —Jill Burwell, Renton, Washington
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Strawberry Ricotta Bruschetta
Here’s an interesting spin on bruschetta. A creamy ricotta cheese spread is the ideal complement to the sweet, minty strawberry topping. —Laura Murphy, Jackson, Mississippi
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Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are the perfect appetizer. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina
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Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce
Tangy mayonnaise-Dijon sauce adds zip to flaky pastry and layers of crisp arugula, thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty-flavored Asiago cheese. —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California
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So Very Berry Brie
I needed to make something quick for a wine and cheese party, and had a bounty of berries on hand. My creation went great with all the wines and looked so much more impressive than the other plain cheeses! —Kristin Larson-Jantzi, Newton, Kansas
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha Aioli
This Sriracha Brussels sprouts recipe constantly surprises you—it’s crispy, easy to eat and totally sharable, yet it’s a vegetable! The recipe is also gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo, and it can be vegan if you use vegan mayo. —Molly Winsten, Brookline, Massachusetts
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Honey Champagne Fondue
This special champagne fondue has wonderful flavor from Swiss cheese and a hint of sweetness from honey. It clings well to any kind of dipper. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
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Skewered Ravioli with Creamy Tomato Dipping Sauce
I wanted to make an easy appetizer with my favorite pasta, cheese ravioli, but didn’t want the mess of frying. I used pesto and bread crumbs for a crust, and broiled them for a little crunch. —Rebecca, Guffey, Apex, North Carolina
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Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes
These cute stacks really stand out. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, Florida
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Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake
This beautiful cheesecake appetizer can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving, so it’s the perfect make-ahead recipe for special occasions. —Marilyn Edelman, Sabetha, Kansas
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Crudite Dip
To bring out the crudite dip’s tangy flavor, chill it before serving. This will allow the flavors time to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Raspberry Sauce
This upscale asparagus appetizer will make guests feel like you went all-out for them. But with only four ingredients, it’s incredibly easy—and so yummy. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
You’ll love the freshness from the parsley and thyme in these little cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Our family loves them! —Rachel Reed, Gainesville, Georgia
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Gruyere and Crab Palmiers
I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated, elegant appetizer, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
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Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Wedges
We all know almost everything is improved with bacon—and avocado is no exception. Since it’s made in an air fryer, this appetizer is one to remember. It will definitely impress your friends! —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Three-Cheese Fondue
I got this easy recipe from my daughter, who lives in France. It’s become my go-to fondue, and I make it often for our family.—Betty A. Mangas, Toledo, Ohio
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Florentine Ciabatta
I came up with this appetizer because of my love for white pizza. I’ve served my ciabatta pizza at many holiday parties, and it’s always a big hit among both children and adults. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
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Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
These bacon-wrapped smokies are a delightful blend of savory and sweet and are a breeze to prepare. Perfect for a tailgate or party, they are sure to be a hit and you'll be amazed at how easy they are to make.
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Olive Oil Dip
Combine a blend of herbs to create this mouthwatering mix. Plumping the herbs in water before stirring into olive oil enhances the flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini
Pomegranate seeds intrigued me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
This warm, rich and creamy Swiss cheese dip is guaranteed to please family and friends alike. Served with thin, crunchy slices of French bread, it makes the perfect appetizer—especially since it can be prepared ahead, put in the fridge, and then baked just before you want to serve it. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada
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Caramel Havarti
Havarti cheese is a wonderful dessert cheese and is made even better by pecans, caramel topping and apples. This recipe is elegant yet simple. —Tia Thomas, Mountain City, Tennessee
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Swiss Potato Puffs
Encourage guests to mingle by serving these cute little morsels. They’re transportable, mess-free and easy to eat in a few bites. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas
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Swiss Cherry Bruschetta
This recipe is a spinoff a cherry chicken main dish my husband adores. The combination of sweet, tart and salty flavors provides a contrast that’s hard to resist. —Shelley Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
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Strawberry Corn Salsa
This recipe makes art in a bowl! This fresh, light salsa can be served with chips or alone as a side dish. —Catherine Goza, Charlotte, North Carolina
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Quick Focaccia Bread
Green olives complement this quick focaccia recipe for an easy pizza-like bread. With very few ingredients, it’s still packed with flavor. Serve the focaccia as an appetizer or alongside pasta, soup or salad for a mouthwatering meal.—Ivy J Laffoon, Ceres, California
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Lobster Tartlets
I love lobster, so I created this lobster tart recipe. They are the perfect appetizer for a cocktail party or family dinner. Top with chives or green onions for color. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Poppers
There’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the those who are intolerant of hot peppers will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida
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Brie Cherry Pastry Cups
Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio
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Asiago Beef Tart
I love simple recipes that are fancy enough for guests. To get a velvety texture in this tart, I use creme fraiche, but sour cream works too. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
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Feta Cheese-Stuffed Tomatoes
These tempting cheese-stuffed tomatoes are bursting with fresh flavor. Use the small end of a melon scoop to easily remove the pulp. —Laura LeRoy, Waxhaw, North Carolina
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Ginger-Tuna Kabobs
I find myself making this recipe again and again. It's a hit at parties and potlucks. —Mary Beth Harris-Murphree, Tyler, Texas
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Zippy Shrimp Skewers
These flavorful skewers deliver a mouthwatering kick with minimal effort. Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear. —Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
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Tomato Galette
This tomato galette is a simple and easy dish to prepare when you want something that's satisfyingly savory. Cherry tomatoes and slices of cheese fill a flaky crust that's a cinch to prepare.
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Caprese Skewers
Light, satisfying and healthful in one impossibly easy-to-make dish? Yes, please! Enjoy these Caprese skewers as an app, side dish—truly perfect paired with grilled meat or poultry—or a convenient snack. Every bite is a little taste of summer.
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Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Ball
This garlic cheese ball is one of our entertaining mainstays. It complements most meals and is so easy to prepare and dress up with a variety of garnishes. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
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Steak & Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Onion & Roasted Tomato Jam
An appetizer bursting with flavor from bleu cheese, caramelized onion, jam and balsamic vinegar—tasty bites that vanish in a hurry. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida
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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
It's up to you how to enjoy this cocktail—eat it with a spoon as a chilled soup, or use tortilla chips or crackers for scooping. —Erin Moreno, Arcadia, Wisconsin
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Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Pear Sauce
I enjoy cooking for my parents, and my bacon-wrapped scallops recipe is one of their favorites. If you prefer, replace the pear preserves with preserves or jam of a different flavor. —Ethan Hall, King, North Carolina
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Crab Phyllo Cups
I always like a little extra chili sauce on top of these easy snacks. If you’re out of crab, try them with water-packed tuna. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers—the finger-friendly Italian kabobs with marinated vegetables, cheeses and tortellini— are precisely what you need for your next gathering. Mix and match your favorite ingredients for a unique and varied spread.
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Jalapeno Poppers
These creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York
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Smoked Deviled Eggs
Grilling these smoked deviled eggs gives them a distinctive taste that will have everyone talking. —Catherine Woods, Lexington, Missouri
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