Best Appetizer Cooking Books of 2026

Beautiful Boards: 50 Amazing Snack Boards for Any Occasion by Maegan Brown is a visually stunning and deliciously enticing cookbook that offers 50 inspiring, family-friendly, and easy-to-recreate snack boards. From classic cheese and charcuterie to fruit-and-veggie rainbows with cracker clouds, each board is artfully arranged and comprised of easy-to-find fresh and prepared foods. The book includes boards for anytime family meals and snacks, seasons and holidays, breakfast and brunch, desserts, and entertaining and special occasions. With gorgeous photos and step-by-step instructions, this entertaining game changer will have you spending less time in the kitchen and more time having fun.

The Cheese Board Deck: 50 Cards for Styling Spreads, Savory and Sweet is a must-have for anyone who loves to entertain. Expert food stylist Meg Quinn provides 50 creative ideas for styling and presenting food platters for any occasion. From quick-to-make meal boards for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to fancy cheese boards, and even colorful dessert and candy boards, this deck has it all. With ingredients lists, tips for swaps, and simple and optional recipes for elevating store-bought goods, this deck makes it easy to impress your guests. Overall, this deck is a great resource for anyone looking to elevate their entertaining game.

The Complete Guide to Pressure Canning by The Canning Diva® Diane Devereaux is a comprehensive resource for safely preserving low-acid foods through pressure canning. With over 80 recipes, including stocks, soups, meats, vegetables, and more, readers of all skill levels will learn the science behind safe food preservation and enjoy delicious meals. The book also includes guidance for buying a pressure canner and pressure canning fundamentals. Overall, this book is a must-have for those new to pressure canning as well as seasoned canners looking to expand their recipe collection.

The Low-FODMAP Diet for Beginners is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing a low FODMAP diet to alleviate gut health issues. The book features a 7-day meal plan and dozens of easy-to-prepare recipes that are gluten-free and labeled to indicate if they are dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, one-pot, or fast to make. The author provides essential information on high and low FODMAP foods, symptom tracking, and meal prep. The book is highly recommended by physicians and clinical pharmacists for its easy-to-follow guidance. The book is an excellent resource for anyone starting a low FODMAP diet.

The "Simple and Delicious Vegan" cookbook by Michaela Vais, aka ElaVegan, is a must-have for anyone looking to add more plant-based meals to their diet. With 100 vegan and gluten-free recipes, this cookbook offers innovative ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The recipes are easy to follow and use simple ingredients that are healthy, allergy-friendly, and good for the planet. The author's expertise in plant-based cooking shines through in this beautifully photographed cookbook. Overall, "Simple and Delicious Vegan" is a great addition to any cookbook collection and a perfect choice for those looking to embrace sustainable living while enjoying delicious food.

Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings by Elle Simone Scott is a must-have book for anyone who loves to entertain guests. With over 150 foolproof recipes, this book provides tips and tricks for creating photo-worthy spreads that are sure to impress your guests. From charcuterie and cheese board how-tos to customizable baked potato and DIY Bloody Mary board ideas, the book pushes the boundaries of what a “board” is. The photography is both aspirational and inspirational, making it easy to follow the tips to replicate it exactly or use it as a jumping-off point for your own creation. Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone looking to up their entertaining game.

Brilliant Bites by Maegan Brown is a must-have cookbook for anyone who loves to entertain. The book features 75 small bites that are visually stunning and deliciously enticing. The recipes are perfect for family-friendly entertaining, parties, special occasions, breakfast, brunch, snacks, and meals. There are even holiday-themed bites for Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas. The book also includes 11 creative cocktails and mocktails to pair with the finger foods. With stunning photos accompanying every recipe, these easy-to-make bites are sure to impress your guests. Overall, Brilliant Bites is a fantastic addition to any cookbook collection.

The fourth edition of "Sauces: Classical and Contemporary Sauce Making" by James Peterson is a must-have reference for both home cooks and professionals. With nearly 500 recipes and detailed explanations of every kind of sauce, this book celebrates the importance of sauces in cooking. The updated edition features step-by-step color photographs that clearly show the essential sauces at every step. Peterson covers an impressive range of sauces from the basic to the complex and shows the evolution of sauces across a variety of cuisines. Overall, this book is a useful and accessible reference that is sure to become a companion in any kitchen.

Graze: Inspiration for Small Plates and Meandering Meals: A Charcuterie Cookbook is a must-have for those who love the tapas-style of eating. Suzanne Lenzer shares her guidance on how to make small plates at home, starting with cheese and charcuterie and combining them with a few easy dishes that make a meal special. The book is full of tips to help prepare healthy, wholesome, and appetizing food without spending hours in the kitchen. This cookbook is perfect for anyone who loves simple food with big flavors and wants to learn how to make delicious, beautiful dishes and snacks for grazing.

Platters and Boards: Beautiful, Casual Spreads for Every Occasion is a visually stunning cookbook that offers 40 contemporary arrangements for breakfast, brunch, appetizers, antipasto, charcuterie, and cheese boards. Author Shelly Westerhausen shares her secrets for creating effortlessly chic spreads that anyone can make and everyone will enjoy. The book includes easy-to-prepare recipes, suggested meat and drink pairings, and notes on preparation and presentation. Platters and Boards is an inspiring resource for throwing unforgettable get-togethers, making it an ideal bridal shower, housewarming, or hostess gift. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to entertain with style and ease.