• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • On the Road
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Starters » Seafood Appetizers

    10 Best Seafood Appetizers – Chef Approved

    Published: Jul 9, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    5.0K shares
    • Facebook83
    • Yummly
    pinterest image for 10 best seafood appetizers

    If you’re looking for the Best Seafood Appetizers let a chef help you out. My tried and true seafood appetizer recipes are guaranteed to wow your guests at your next dinner party or family get-together.

    Over the years I’ve cooked hundreds of thousands of appetizers for all types of functions, and for all types of people. Trust me when I tell you, I know what people love to eat and these are the 10 Best seafood appetizers

    The Best Oyster Appetizers

    Oysters Rockefeller

    During my career as a restaurant chef, Oysters Rockefeller was one of the more popular seafood appetizers on my menu.

    Oysters Rockefeller are not difficult to make and with a little prep, you’ll be amazing your friends with this restaurant-quality appetizer.

    oysters rockefeller with a slice of lemon on a bed of rock salt on a white platter

    Click on this link for the Oysters Rockefeller Recipe.

    Garlic Oysters

    Garlic Oysters were another favorite at my Jersey Shore restaurant. You won’t find this delicious seafood appetizer on many menu’s but this restaurant classic is sure to be a welcome addition to your dinner table.

    It’s easy to make and I also share tips oh how to open oysters.

    Garlic oysters on a white plate with lemon slices and parsley

    Click this link for my Garlic Oyster Recipe.

    The Best Clam Appetizers

    Clams Casino

    Of all the seafood appetizers I offered on my restaurant menus over the years, Clams Casino would rank #1. It’s definitely a Jersey Shore appetizer and one that has all but disappeared from menus over the years.

    One bite of this amazing clam appetizer and you’ll know why it was Jersey Shore favorite!

    Clams Casino sitting on a white plate with lemon slices

    Stuffed with bacon, onions, bell peppers, and grated romano cheese in a seasoned butter sauce, clams casino is an appetizer you’ll love to share with your friends.

    Click this link for my Clam Casino Recipe.

    Jersey Shore Deviled Clams

    Another Jersey Shore favorite is Deviled Clams. They’re a close cousin to Clams Casino, with the main difference being the amount of bread crumbs that are used to make the stuffing. Other than that and a little added heat (optional) the ingredients are just about identical.

    deviled clams on a white plate with lemon wedges

    Click this link for my Deviled Clam Recipe.

    Best Mussel Appetizers

    Mussels in a White Wine Sauce

    If you love seafood appetizers, my quick and easy mussels recipe will take your tastebuds on a delicious journey! Don’t be intimidated by shellfish. This mussel recipe is so easy to make it almost cooks itself.

    steamed mussels in a white platter

    Click this link for my quick and easy Mussels Recipe.

    New Zealand Mussels 5-Ways

    Another favorite seafood appetizer is my New Zealand Mussels 5-Ways. My recipe lets you have fun with the toppings creating a delicious variety of flavors for your guests to enjoy.

    This is a great game day appetizer or party appetizer. New Zealand mussels don’t require any work, other than thawing them out. Add your favorite toppings and its a party!

    mussels with five different toppings on a white platter

    Click this link for my New Zealand Mussels 5-Ways Recipe.

    Best Shrimp Appetizers

    Shrimp Cocktail

    When it comes to seafood appetizers, I don’t think anything is ordered more often than Shrimp Cocktail.

    And my classic version boasts big, plump, succulent, perfectly-cooked shrimp that are so easy to make that you’ll never look at this appetizer the same way again.

    I also share how to make restaurant style cocktail sauce.

    overhead view of shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce on an iced plate with a lemon wedge

    Click on this link for my Shrimp Cocktail Recipe.

    Peel and Eat Shrimp

    Peel and Eat Shrimp is one of my favorite appetizers to order when I’m at the shore. And it’s one of the easiest appetizers I make at home for friends and family.

    You’ll be amazed how easy it is to make this seafood appetizer.

    partial overhead view of peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemons in a white bowl

    Click this link for my Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe.

    The Best Seafood Dips

    Cheddar Lobster Dip

    If you love warm dips my Cheddar Lobster Dip is going to become one of your favorite seafood appetizers.

    Cheesy and creamy, loaded with lobster meat, this delicious appetizer will be the hit of your next get-together!

    hand dipping into cheddar lobster dip with a tortilla chip

    Click on this link for my Cheddar Lobster Dip Recipe.

    Shrimp Scampi Dip

    Cheesy, garlicky, and delicious, my Shrimp Scampi Dip is perfect for parties, game day or just to treat yourself to something special! This is one seafood appetizer that won’t break the bank and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

    cheesy, bubbly shrimp scampi dip in a white casserole

    Click this link to get my Shrimp Scampi Dip Recipe.

    More Shellfish Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Restaurant-Style Fried Lobster Tails
    • Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • Easy Shrimp Salad Recipe
    • Pan-Seared Scallops with Summer Corn Medley

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    More Seafood Appetizers

    • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp
    • Shrimp Cocktail Recipe {Restaurant-Style}
    • Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers Recipe

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emil Bevacqua

      July 16, 2022 at 2:58 pm

      My My My these recipes are going to go a long way around my household. I can not spoil them with all the mussel dishes I will have to keep them dangling for a while to see what’s next . Thank You so much Chef

      Reply
    2. Maria

      November 30, 2016 at 4:04 pm

      Those mussels at the beginning look to die for!! We are also a seafood loving family!! So anything seafood is always a huuuuge hit! I will be giving these a go over the holiday season for sure!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar


    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
    • Baked Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe
    • Chicken Parmesan Recipe
    • Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • Best Tiramisu Recipe {step by step}
    • Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
    • Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • Best Chicken Salad – Deli Style
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • Easy Oven Baked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork {Pork Rib Roast}
    • Best Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-style recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact
    © 2009-2023 · Ask Chef Dennis ·

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    5.0K shares
    • 83