18 Valentine’s Appetizers That’ll Easily Level Up Your Gatherings

Whether you’re gonna invite good friends over for a Galentine’s Day party or just have a cozy night in with your partner, I think having some cute Valentine’s appetizers is kind of necessary.

You can have the perfect Valentine’s Day menu with elevated dishes and pretty desserts, but the perfect appetizer kind of does set the mood for your celebration. It’s the first thing you bring out and it’s a great way to make your night either feel elevated, fun, or somewhere in between.

And whether you’re looking for elegant and impressive baked starters or fancy seafood appetizers, I honestly think this list of Valentine’s Day appetizers has got you covered this year.

1. Caprese Phyllo Cups

These cute sharable bites give your Valentine’s Day table a bit of a fun, romantic vibe. And with creamy heart-shaped cut cheese, satisfyingly crispy phyllo cups, tangy tomato, and aromatic basil, it’s perfect for a more relaxed celebration.

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2. Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

Add a pop of color to your Valentine’s spread with this super pretty pink dip. The sweet-tartness of the cranberries probably works so well with the spicy jalapeños. And together these two key ingredients create a visually beautiful appetizer. Just grab your favorite chips, veggies, or crackers, and you’re all set.

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3. Blackberry Brie Pinwheel

You can pretty easily level up your Valentine’s Day with these magazine-worthy pinwheels. With a really nice blend of creamy Brie and sweet/tart blackberries wrapped up in a flaky puff pastry, they kind of make for one of the most sophisticated, homemade Valentine’s Day appetizers on this list.

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4. Easy Brie Puff Pastry Cups

Simplify your Valentine’s celebration and entertaining with this pretty simple and elegant brie appetizer. You get tasty ingredients like melty, creamy cheese, honey, and crunchy almonds. Honestly, the combination sounds incredibly good.

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5. Pink Beet Hummus

If you want to add some more color to your Valentine’s table, then this pretty pink hummus is your answer. The earthy, rich beets combined with the creamy texture of the chickpeas makes for a very aesthetically pleasing and tasty dip.

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6. Dairy-Free Cherry Bruschetta

I feel like bruschetta is one of the best appetizers for Valentine’s Day. It’s one of the more effortlessly elegant dishes you can make, and it can even give your evening a more romantic mood.

Also, the combination of the juicy cherries combined with fresh basil on a crisp baguette sounds incredible.

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7. Valentine’s Day Snack Board

If you’re looking for super fun (and snackable) Valentine’s Day party food with a stunning presentations, then this might be your answer.

You have macarons, cheese, candies, berries, crackers, dips, and fruits all making up a ridiculously aesthetically pleasing Valentine’s appetizer. It’s honestly the perfect centerpiece for your table.

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8. Heart-Shaped Pork Potstickers

Hearts are such an easy way to add a bit of romance (and fun) into your Valentine Day party or dinner. And let’s be honest, heart-shaped pot stickers are kind of next level. They’re extra, they’re tasty, and they’re totally worth it.

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9. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

I’d definitely recommend making this savory, crunchy bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer for your Valentine’s party. It kind of looks like the perfect crowd pleaser and will probably be gone in minutes.

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10. Goat Cheese With Pomegranate and Pistachios

I feel like pomegranate, pistachios, and goat cheese are an incredibly tasty combination. You get flavor, you get crunch, you get creaminess, and it’s all bite sized. Perfect for a simple Valentine’s day appetizer.

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11. Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

If you liked deviled eggs but you also wanna be extra, then this elevated version of the classic is for you. Also, as an added tip, I’d recommend maybe subbing the horseradish out for freshly grated garlic. So think of the mixture as a creamy mayo, egg yolk, garlicky aioli kind of situation. This is totally untested, but I think it could work. 🤷‍♀️

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12. Puff Pastry Baked Brie and Prosciutto di Parma

With baked, buttery puff pastry, creamy, rich brie, savory prosciutto, and tart cranberries, this is one of the best Valentine’s starters for your table. I mean anything cheesy, hot, and rich will always be a crowd pleaser.

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13. Valentine’s Day Heart Shaped Appetizer

If you’re running low on time, but you still want an appetizer that’s cute and has good presentation, then this is the one to make. It’s a great recipe you can make since it’s tasty, but if you bring it to a party, I don’t think anyone’s gonna guess that you made it last minute.

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14. Oysters on the Half Shell

I love oysters. They’re such an easy way to elevate any gathering or holiday. And this Valentine’s seafood appetizer does just that. It has a thyme-infused mignonette which probably adds some fresh, tanginess to the oysters.

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15. Charcuterie Bouquet With Salami Roses

It’s kind of whimsical, fun, and definitely tasty. It’s perfect if you want a party food that’s both sweet and salty. Also, the presentation works so well with the whole Valentine’s Day theme.

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16. Seasoned Whipped Ricotta With Honey

I’m sorry, but I kind of need this appetizer right now. It looks so savory, creamy, crunchy, sweet, and ridiculously good. Just grab a hot, fresh baguette, toast the slices, and you have the perfect starter for your Valentine’s dinner for two.

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17. Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates in Puff Pastry

I’m sorry (not really), but date stuffed puff pastry sounds way too good. Also, the filling has goat cheese, so I can only imagine how savory, sweet, and addictive this Valentine’s appetizer is.

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18. Honey Goat Cheese Balls

I really like the combination of ingredients for this recipe. You have honey, pecans, apricot preserves, and cheese. It sounds like the perfect elevated starter for any gathering.

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