22 Best St. Patrick's Day Appetizers to Complete Your Party Menu
We have everything from green snacks to delicious dips and more!
You’ve got the mains, the St. Paddy's drinks and the desserts squared away for March 17: Guinness chocolate cake, Irish mules, and — the bedrock of any Irish-American feast — salty, savory corned beef and cabbage. But if your guests are anything like us, they’re going to want something to nibble on before the main course. That’s where our favorite St. Patrick’s Day appetizers come in.
Our collection of easy recipes includes plenty of emerald-colored finger food options, from spinach dip to zucchini tots, to go with your green beer and other St. Patrick's Day foods or Irish drinks. These festive apps will absolutely get the party started, from gooey fondue spiked with beer to a traditional soda bread (with extra Irish butter, please!) and plenty of potatoes.
If it's chilly where you live, serve steaming soups or hot, crispy totchos. Looking for something fresher? Try an herby pesto (it doesn't get more green than that!) or party dips infused with all kinds of fresh veg. Make one or two (or more) to tide your guests over while they wait for the main event. By the time you've brought out the St. Patrick's Day desserts — like rainbow popcorn and shamrock cupcakes — and poured some coffee (hopefully with a shot of whiskey), your guests will definitely be feeling lucky — and stuffed.
Dill Dip
Not only is dill a delicious way to get your greens in on St. Paddy's, but it's also a great way to herald spring!
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Cheddar Beer Fondue
To us, a perfect St. Patrick's Day appetizer sounds like a warm, melty blend of Irish Cheddar and beer. Make the recipe with a light beer and save the Guinness for sipping!
Get the Cheddar Beer Fondue recipe.
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Think of these crispy potatoes topped with your choice of seasonings, salsas and cheeses as Irish-American nachos.
Get the Crispy Roasted Potatoes recipe.
Soda Bread
Slice up a warm loaf and serve with plenty of salty Irish butter! This classic is also great for breakfast or a snack.
Get the Soda Bread recipe.
Scotch Eggs
They may have originated across the Irish Sea in Scotland, but this is still a popular pub snack in Ireland. Made with a soft-boiled egg wrapped in ground meat then fried, they're perfect with cocktails.
Get the Scotch Eggs recipe.
Arugula Pesto
A brilliant Emerald green hue makes arugula pesto a natural pick for St. Patrick's Day.
Get the Arugula Pesto recipe.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata
Cauliflower is a staple Irish veggie, and it's even better paired with leek, onion and and celery in this ultra creamy soup.
Get the Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata recipe.
RELATED: 30 Soup Recipes That Are Perfect for the Winter (Or Anytime of the Year)
Roasted Asparagus Salad with Feta Vinaigrette
Serve this bright and tangy salad as the perfect starter to Guinness Beef Stew.
Get the Roasted Asparagus Salad with Feta Vinaigrette recipe.
Potato Leek Soup
Serve small cups of this light but cozy soup before moving onto a hearty plate of corned beef and cabbage.
Get the Potato Leek Soup recipe.
Onion Tart
Load store bought puff pastry with charred scallions and a creamy goat cheese-ricotta mixture to make this simple, springy starter.
Get the Onion Tart recipe.
Spring Panzanella
Inspired by the Italian tomato-and-bread salad, we made a green (and St. Paddy's appropriate) version with peas, herbs and mixed greens.
Get the Spring Panzanella recipe.
RELATED: 33 Fresh, Colorful Spring Salads That'll Make It Easy to Eat Your Veggies
Zucchini Tots
Shredded zucchini gives tots just the right hit of green for your St. Paddy's party.
Get the Zucchini Tots recipe.
Green Matcha Popcorn
Naturally colored with fragrant, umami-tasting matcha, this pretty popcorn is great finger food.
Get the Green Matcha Popcorn recipe.
Best Ever Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Add a little gold to this creamy, veggie-packed dip by serving with sturdy potato chips.
Spring Herb Frittata
Pretend that the herbs in this vibrant frittata came from an Irish countryside garden.
Get the Spring Herb Frittata recipe.
Avocado Dip
This guac-like dip is so delicious, your guests won't mind that it's not the most traditionally Irish recipe.
Get the Avocado Dip recipe.
Potato Kale Soup with Crispy Chorizo
Kale lends this creamy soup its lovely color. For the topping, try subbing Irish bacon for the chorizo.
Spring Crudités with Herbed Cheese Dip
Colorful carrots and radishes are even more delicious with a creamy, herb-loaded dip.
Totchos
Crunchy potatoes = a St. Paddy's Day party win. Pair with your favorite beer, green or not.
Get the Totchos recipe.
Spinach and Yogurt Dip
Full-fat yogurt makes this otherwise light dip as creamy and flavorful as possible.
Get the Spinach and Yogurt Dip recipe.
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