Jewish Appetizers Recipes

Modern Jewish appetizers for Shabbat dinner, Hanukkah parties, Passover seders, and every gathering where someone says “I just need something to put out before the meal.” This is the category where the wine flows and the conversations start — and the food has to hold its own.

You’ll find the heavy hitters: honey tahini yogurt dip, tzatziki dressing turned into a dip with thicker yogurt, and dill pickle cream cheese with everything bagel chips. Latkes show up here too (yes, they’re technically a side, but try telling that to anyone holding a cocktail). For the table that needs something a little more, knishes, matzo crackers piled with toppings, and savory caramelized onion hamantaschen never disappoint.

Each recipe below works as a standalone — but most are also designed to pair. Layer two or three dips on a board with crackers, pickles, and olives and you’ve got a spread that looks like you spent all day on it. Spoiler: you didn’t have to.