Want a little ocean-fresh elegance this week? These 19 seafood appetizers are just what you need! Whether you are having a special dinner or want to treat yourself, there is a snack here for you! Get something cold to drink, get the napkins ready, and lets get started!
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
1) Lobster Bisque Shooters
Small glasses, huge flavor of lobster, instant upgrade for your party!
Dinner is handled every Sunday
Get 5 easy family dinners, printable recipe cards, and one grocery list. Simple meals, normal ingredients, no more starting from zero at 5pm.
Lobster Bisque Shooters
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and soften the shallot until translucent.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook one minute, then add brandy.
- Pour in the stock and simmer 15 minutes.
- Add the cream and half the lobster, then blend until smooth.
- Season with cayenne and warm through gently.
- Pour into shot glasses and top each with a piece of reserved lobster.
Notes
2) Crab Rangoon Dip
All of the crab Rangoon taste without any of the folding.
Crab Rangoon Dip
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375F.
- Stir together cream cheese, sour cream, and Worcestershire until smooth.
- Fold in the crab, green onions, and half the mozzarella.
- Spread into a baking dish and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot with baked wonton chips for scooping.
Notes
3) Seared Scallop Sliders
Buttery scallops in delicate little buns and yes, they disappear quickly.
Seared Scallop Sliders
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the scallops very dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear in hot butter about 2 minutes per side until golden.
- Stir mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic for the aioli.
- Spread aioli on the toasted buns.
- Add a small handful of arugula to each bun.
- Top with a seared scallop and serve right away.
Notes
4) Ahi Tuna Tartare
Stylish, sleek, and cool. Almost too posh for snacking!
Ahi Tuna Tartare
Ingredients
Method
- Dice the chilled tuna into small even cubes.
- Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar together.
- Gently toss the tuna with the dressing.
- Fold in the avocado and green onion.
- Spoon onto crispy wonton crisps.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Notes
5) Shrimp and Grits Bites
Southern comfort food, miniaturized into the ideal single bite.
Shrimp and Grits Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the grits according to package directions, then stir in the cheddar.
- Pour into a lined pan and chill until firm, then cut into squares.
- Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
- Saute the shrimp in butter with the garlic until pink.
- Crisp the grits squares in a hot skillet or under the broiler.
- Top each square with a shrimp and a sprinkle of parsley.
Notes
6) Smoked Salmon Crostini
Appears like you put forth effort when really it took 5 minutes.
Smoked Salmon Crostini
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 400F and toast the baguette slices until crisp.
- Stir the dill into the softened cream cheese.
- Spread the herbed cream cheese onto each toast.
- Drape a ribbon of smoked salmon over the top.
- Garnish with capers and thin red onion.
- Finish with a little lemon zest and serve.
Notes
7) Mussels in White Wine Sauce
It isn't just an extra; crusty bread is the entire point!
Mussels in White Wine Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and soften the shallot and garlic.
- Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer.
- Add the mussels and cover the pot.
- Steam 5 to 7 minutes until the shells open.
- Discard any mussels that stay closed.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crusty bread for the broth.
Notes
8) Oysters Rockefeller
Bubbly and green with a touch of rustic charm, this is old school glamour on the half shell.
Oysters Rockefeller
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 450F and arrange oysters on a bed of rock salt.
- Melt butter and wilt the spinach with the green onions.
- Stir in the breadcrumbs and hot sauce.
- Spoon the spinach mixture over each oyster.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
9) Coconut Shrimp
Crispy and golden brown, they're basically impossible to resist.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the shrimp dry and set up flour, egg, and a coconut-panko mixture.
- Dredge each shrimp in flour, then egg, then the coconut mix.
- Heat the oil to 350F.
- Fry the shrimp in batches 2 to 3 minutes until golden.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Notes
10) Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Two of the greatest things on earth combined into one.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 425F and pat the scallops dry.
- Wrap each scallop in a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Whisk the maple syrup with the Dijon.
- Brush the glaze over each wrapped scallop.
- Bake 15 to 18 minutes until the bacon is crisp.
- Sprinkle with chives and serve warm.
Notes
11) Clams Casino
What’s not to love? The buttery flavor and briny topping with bacon!
Clams Casino
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 450F and arrange clams on rock salt.
- Cook the bacon until just crisp, then set aside.
- Saute the bell pepper and garlic in a little bacon fat.
- Stir the breadcrumbs, butter, and bacon into the peppers.
- Spoon the topping over each clam.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden, then garnish with parsley.
Notes
12) Salmon Tartare Cones
Tiny crunchy cones give this one a fancy food truck vibe.
Salmon Tartare Cones
Ingredients
Method
- Dice the chilled salmon into small cubes.
- Gently toss with lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
- Fold in the chives and capers.
- Chill the tartare for 10 minutes.
- Spoon into the crispy cones just before serving.
- Top each with a few extra chives.
Notes
13) Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
With just one in your mouth, you'll instantly want another.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375F and clean the mushrooms, removing the stems.
- Mix the crab, cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and parsley.
- Spoon the filling generously into each mushroom cap.
- Sprinkle the tops with breadcrumbs.
- Arrange on a baking sheet.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
14) Grilled Octopus Skewers
Guaranteed to please and spark conversation is the tender and smoky flavor.
Grilled Octopus Skewers
Ingredients
Method
- Simmer the octopus in salted water 45 to 50 minutes until tender.
- Drain and cut into bite-size pieces, then thread onto skewers.
- Whisk olive oil, garlic, lemon, and paprika.
- Brush the skewers with the marinade.
- Grill over high heat 2 to 3 minutes per side until charred.
- Finish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
15) Lobster Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs went to a fancy school and came back looking fabulous!
Lobster Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
Method
- Halve the boiled eggs and scoop the yolks into a bowl.
- Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, Dijon, and lemon juice.
- Pipe or spoon the filling back into the whites.
- Toss the lobster with a little chives.
- Top each egg with a piece of lobster.
- Dust with paprika and serve chilled.
Notes
16) Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
With a buttery and garlic flavor, they're ready before your guests can finish their first drink.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and saute the garlic until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Pour in the white wine and lemon juice.
- Simmer until the sauce reduces slightly.
- Stir in the parsley and red pepper flakes.
- Serve warm with bread or toothpicks.
Notes
17) Seafood Ceviche Cups
Refreshing and bright, this one tastes like summer vacation on the beach!
Seafood Ceviche Cups
Ingredients
Method
- Combine the diced shrimp and fish in a glass bowl.
- Pour the lime juice over to cover and refrigerate 30 minutes until opaque.
- Drain off most of the lime juice.
- Stir in the tomato, red onion, and jalapeno.
- Fold in the cilantro and season with salt.
- Spoon into crisp tortilla cups just before serving.
Notes
18) Baked Lobster Mac and Cheese
Fancy dressed comfort food for the occasion.
Baked Lobster Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375F and cook the pasta just shy of done.
- Melt the butter, whisk in the flour, then slowly add the milk.
- Stir in the gruyere and cheddar until smooth.
- Fold in the pasta and lobster, then spread into a baking dish.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
19) Pan-Seared Crab Cakes
Golden and crispy on the outside, and filled with delicious crab on the inside.
Pan-Seared Crab Cakes
Ingredients
Method
- Gently mix the crab, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, Old Bay, and Dijon.
- Form into 6 patties without overpacking them.
- Chill the cakes 15 minutes to help them hold together.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sear the crab cakes 3 minutes per side until golden.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and aioli.