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10 Healthy Appetizers for Your Next Cocktail Party

Delicious, nutritious small bites to spice up your fete

When planning your next friendly gathering or casual cocktail party, consider these stellar appetizers. All are rich in nutrients and low in fat. From fresh spring rolls to grilled scallops and tasty dips, these one-bite, no-mess recipes are also low maintenance, so you can spend time with your guests, not in your kitchen.

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1. Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls With Filipino Garlic Sauce by Andrew Chase

These colorful spring rolls — sliced veggies delicately wrapped in rice paper — are both pretty and delicious.   

 Per Serving: 233 calories, 0g fat, 50g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 2g fiber

2. Grilled Marinated Scallops With Ginger and Sesame by Linda Greenlaw and Martha Greenlaw

This is a super-easy recipe for seafood lovers: Just marinate, grill for about 5 minutes and they’re ready to enjoy.

Per Serving: 126 calories, 1g fat, 6g carbohydrates, 17g protein, 1g fiber

3. Eggplant “Caviar” With Tomato-Mint Salad by Jonathan King, Jim Stott, & Kathy Gunst

This playful interpretation of caviar is an inventive vegetarian option, and fantastic when paired with the tomato-mint salad.     

Per Serving: 121 calories, 2g fat, 8g carbohydrates, 9g protein, 3g fiber

4. Classic Shrimp Cocktail by James Peterson

A simple recipe for the ever-popular shrimp cocktail that’s nice to serve in a martini glass with several chilled shrimp for each guest.

Per Serving: 98 calories, 0g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 9g protein, 3g fiber

5. Chicken Satay by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Chicken satay is a low-fat but meaty app. Decide how much meat to include on each skewer and pair accordingly with the savory peanut sauce. 

Per Serving: 308 calories, 11g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 13g protein, 3g fiber

Next page: Little Peppers Stuffed With Garlic, Shrimp and Oaxaca Cheese. »

 

6. Little Peppers Stuffed with Garlic, Shrimp, and Oaxaca Cheese by Deborah Schneider

This is a wonderfully flexible stuffed pepper recipe: For spice, use jalapenos. For color, choose a variety of yellow, red and green bell peppers.

Per Serving: 80 calories, 2g fat, 5g carbohydrates, 6g protein, 1g fiber

7. Edamame Tofu Dip by Diane Morgan

Serve this amazingly creamy dip with pita chips, crudités or whole-grain bread.

Per Serving (2 Tbsp): 34 calories, 2.2g fat, 2g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 1g fiber

8. Salad of Curly Endive, Avocado, Grapefruit, and Fennel by Anna Thomas

Looking for an inventive salad instead of the same old Caesar or balsamic? Here it is! This colorful dish combines avocado, endive and grapefruit for a sweet, citrus flavor.

Per Serving: 127 calories, 1g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 6g fiber

9. Hummus by Victoria Blashford-Snell & Brigitte Hafner

All you need to make this homemade hummus is 6 ingredients and a food processor for a fresh and perfectly seasoned dip. 

Per Serving: 201 calories, 1g fat, 29g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 6g fiber

10. Baked Artichokes by Maria Filice

By baking these artichokes instead of frying, you lower the fat, while creating a wonderful crunch. If you need to save on time, use canned artichokes. 

Per Serving: 202 calories, 2g fat, 22g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 7g fiber

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8 foods that help lower cholesterol.

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