23 Fancy French Appetizers To Make

Anchoïade is a traditional French dip made from anchovies, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.

The ingredients are blended into a smooth paste and served with raw vegetables, bread, or crackers. 

The dip has a salty and pungent flavor that's perfect for seafood lovers and pairs well with a crisp white wine or rosé.

Baked Camembert is a famous French dish that consists of a round of Camembert cheese baked until it's melted and gooey inside.

It's typically served with bread, fruits, and nuts, making it a perfect appetizer. 

The dish is simple yet indulgent, with a rich and creamy texture and a subtle flavor that's hard to resist.

Cheese soufflé is a classic French dish made from a creamy béchamel sauce mixed with egg yolks and beaten egg whites to create a fluffy texture.

Grated cheese, typically Gruyère, is folded into the mixture for a rich and savory flavor. The soufflé goes into the oven until the mixture rises perfectly. 

Brie with pesto is a delightful twist on a classic French cheese plate.

A creamy round of brie is topped with a generous spoonful of pesto.

The pesto adds a fresh, herbal flavor to the savory and rich brie. 

Smoked salmon canapés are a popular French appetizer that consists of small toasts or crackers loaded with a mixture of cream cheese, lemon juice, and dill and then topped with a slice of smoked salmon. 

They're often garnished with capers or chives for a zesty and elegant touch. The dish has a fresh and bright flavor.

Coquilles Saint-Jacques is an appetizer featuring scallops, typically served in a creamy white wine sauce and topped with breadcrumbs and melted cheese. 

The dish is named after the scallop shell in which it's traditionally served, adding a touch of elegance to any table. It's the perfect appetizer for fans of seafood.

Socca is a traditional dish from the coastal city of Nice in France.

It's a savory pancake made from chickpea flour, water, and olive oil, cooked until crispy and golden brown. 

Often served as a street food, socca is a gluten-free and vegan option that's healthy and delicious. Many people add herbs and spices for extra flavor.

Escargots à la Bourguignonne is a classic French appetizer of snails cooked in a garlic herb butter sauce.

The snails are typically served in their shells, filled with butter, before they're baked in the oven. 

The dish is a delicacy in France, often accompanied by a crispy baguette and a glass of red wine.

Steak tartare consists of finely chopped raw beef mixed with ingredients like capers, onions, and Worcestershire sauce.

It's typically served with raw egg yolk on top and garnished with parsley. 

The dish is full of bold and robust flavors, making it a popular choice for meat lovers looking for a unique culinary experience.

Chicken Vol-au-Vent consists of a small, flaky pastry shell filled with creamy chicken and mushroom filling.

The pastry shell is shaped like a small cup and is typically garnished with parsley or chives. 

The light and flaky puff pastry combined with the hearty, creamy filling creates the perfect appetizer with buttery and filling flavor. 

Check out other French chicken recipes if you like this one!

Foie gras is a French delicacy made from the liver of a fattened duck or goose.

The liver is either sauteed or pan-fried, with a rich, buttery flavor and a velvety texture. 

It's typically served as an appetizer and is considered a luxurious and expensive dish due to the specialized farming techniques required to produce it.

Gougères are a popular French appetizer consisting of small, savory cheese puffs made with choux pastry.

The pastry dough is flavored with grated cheese, typically Gruyère, and baked until golden and crisp. 

Gougères are often served as a party snack alongside aperitifs (pre-dinner drinks).

Cake Salé is a savory French quick bread made with ingredients like ham, cheese, olives, and herbs.

The batter is similar to a regular cake, but savory ingredients are added instead of sweet ones. 

Cake Salé is a versatile dish, and it's common for the ingredients to change based on the chef's personal preferences. 

French potato salad, or "salade de pommes de terre," is made with boiled potatoes, vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs.

The salad is typically served at room temperature, and the flavor can be tweaked with additional ingredients like bacon, onions, or capers. 

This dish is a refreshing and hearty option that pairs well with grilled meats or fish.

Salade Lyonnaise is a French salad from the city of Lyon.

The dish consists of frisée lettuce, lardons (bacon bits), croutons, and a poached egg, dressed with a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar. 

It's a simple yet delicious dish that feels hearty and filling yet still refreshing.

Pissaladière is a traditional French dish from the Provence region.

It's a type of flatbread made with a dough similar to pizza dough, topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, and black olives. 

The dish is seasoned with herbs like thyme and rosemary, and it's a flavorful and savory option perfect for sharing.

Potatoes au gratin is a classic French appetizer made by first slicing potatoes thin and then layering them with cream in a large dish, baking until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Grated cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs are often added to the top for extra flavor and texture. 

This cheesy potato dish is the perfect comfort food. 

French Onion Bruschetta is a delicious and simple appetizer that combines the flavors of French Onion Soup with toasted bread.

Thinly sliced baguette slices are toasted until crispy, then topped with caramelized onions, melted Gruyere cheese, and fresh thyme. 

This dish brings the decadent flavor of French Onion Soup into a bite-size appetizer. 

Spinach and Artichoke Dip French Bread is a delicious appetizer that combines creamy, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip with crispy French bread.

The bread is sliced and hollowed out, filled with spinach and artichoke dip, then baked until the bread is crispy and the dip is bubbly. 

This appetizer is a popular party food and perfect for sharing. 

Fromage Fort is a French cheese spread made from leftover cheese.

Various cheeses are blended together with garlic, white wine, and butter or herbs. The mixture is then refrigerated for a few hours to meld the flavors together.

This appetizer is a great way to use up cheese scraps and creates a unique spread best enjoyed on crackers or bread.

Mini Croque Monsieur is a bite-sized version of the classic French sandwich made with ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce. 

The dish consists of sliced bread filled with ham and grated Gruyere cheese, then topped with béchamel sauce and more cheese.

The sandwiches are then broiled until golden and crispy. 

This French Onion Toast replicates the flavor of a classic French Onion Soup, though it blends the flavor with a delicious and crispy loaf of sourdough. 

The dish includes all the staples of French Onion Soup, including caramelized onions, beef stock, and sherry wine, though it adds some new flavor in the form of delicious sage breadcrumbs. 

French Tian Provençal is a traditional dish from the Provence region of France.

It's a layered vegetable casserole made with sliced potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, onions, and tomatoes, seasoned with garlic, thyme, and olive oil. 

The dish bakes until the vegetables are tender and the top is crispy and golden brown.