I just love healthy appetizers! I often like to make a meal of them. When I’m planning to entertain, I have the hardest time thinking of low-calorie, delicious, healthy hors d’ oeuvres to serve to my guests.

It’s so easy to grab the chips and salsa or the block of cheese. Now I keep this list taped inside my kitchen cupboard so that I can quickly and easily make choices.

Healthy Party Options:

  • Roasted Garlic
  • Shrimp and cocktail sauce
  • Oysters wrapped in bacon, served with mustard
  • Veggies and dip
  • Edamame sprinkled with sea salt
  • Fruit with a dip of fat-free whipped topping
  • Relish tray
  • Bruschetta
  • Smoked salmon served with crackers, fat-free cream cheese, capers, raw, red onions rings, and lemon wedges
  • Cherry tomatoes and cubes of mozzarella cheese speared on a toothpick. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  • Portobello mushrooms with cheese and spaghetti sauce
  • Turkey kielbasa hunks on toothpicks, served with mustard

Baked Portobello Caps

My friend and neighbor, Pat, shared this low-calorie recipe with me a few years ago. It was so easy and delicious that I knew right away it was a “keeper.” I made a few changes in the original recipe to make it more to my taste.

  • Oven-375 degrees
  • Spray a baking dish or cookie sheet with Pam
  • Arrange the mushroom caps on the pan, gill side up
  • Spread 1-2 T. of spaghetti sauce in each cavity
  • Top with a small amount of goat, feta, or mozzarella cheese
  • Bake for 20 minutes
  • Garnish with chopped fresh basil (optional)

Oysters Wrapped in Bacon

  • Preheat oven on broil
  • Drain 1 pint of select oysters
  • Using reduced-fat or turkey bacon, cut each strip into thirds
  • Wrap each oyster in a piece of bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick
  • Place oysters on broiling pan, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
  • Spread a small amount of mustard on each oyster
  • Broil about four inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes, or until golden

Cowboy Caviar

My friend, Marian, gave me this popular appetizer recipe. It is always a big hit at her house. You don’t have to be picky about what type of beans or tomatoes you use, as it is always delicious!

  • 1 can black-eyed peas (or black beans)
  • 1 can white corn
  • 1 can chick peas (garbanzo beans)
  • 2/3 cup green onion slices
  • 1/2 lb. Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced (optional)

Mix together with 2 T. red wine vinegar, 2 t. hot sauce, 2 t. olive or canola oil, salt and pepper. Serve with low-fat tortilla chips.

Garbanzo Spread

In a food processor, add:

  • 2 cans of drained garbanzo beans (chick peas)
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 5-6 roasted red peppers (purchased in a jar)
  • The juice of 1 lemon or fresh rosemary (opt.)

Blend and drizzle olive oil in until smooth (about 3-4 T.)

Serve with veggies, low-fat crackers or low-fat pita chips

No-Guilt Guacamole

This appetizer is a big hit with my husband. He has no idea that peas are included in the ingredients. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups. Serving size=2T. For 55 calories, 3 g. fat, 1 g. fiber)

  • 1 avocado
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 T. lime juice
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 t. ground cumin
  • 1-2 T. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)

Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Add the peas, lime juice, tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno, and cumin. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Blend or process until smooth or desired consistency.

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