The Best Friendsgiving Food Ideas Your Friends Will Rave About
Friendsgiving isn’t something we celebrate here in the UK, but I am completely obsessed with the concept, and honestly, the food alone is enough reason to get on board! All those cozy fall flavors, the grazing boards, the pies, the warm drinks – yes please! I’ve put together the best Friendsgiving food ideas for every part of the meal, from appetizers to dessert, so whether you’re hosting a proper Friendsgiving or just want an excuse to make all this amazing food, you’re in the right place! They work for any sort of get-together and are great for potluck parties too!
Appetizers
1. Harvest Charcuterie Board
A harvest charcuterie board is the perfect way to kick off a Friendsgiving and it doubles as a decoration too! Load it up with seasonal cheeses, cured meats, crackers, dried cranberries, roasted pecans, apple slices, and a little pumpkin butter on the side. It looks absolutely stunning on the table, guests can help themselves while you finish everything else, and it takes about 15 minutes to put together. Check out my food board ideas post for tips on how to style one!
2. Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
This one is a total showstopper, and I cannot recommend it enough! Don’t be put off by the sourdough, if you don’t make your own, buy one- the recipe works perfectly! Score the sourdough loaf and stuff it with brie and cranberry sauce. Bake until golden and gooey, it looks like you spent hours on it, but it’s honestly so simple. Put it in the middle of the table and watch it disappear in minutes. It’s one of the most popular Friendsgiving appetizers right now, and once you make it, you’ll understand why!
3. Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
These little finger bites are so good and so easy! Wrap crescent dough around cream cheese and cranberry sauce, and then bake until golden and puffed up. They’re sweet, savory, and just the right size for snacking before the main event. You can make them ahead of time and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive, perfect for a host who wants to actually enjoy the party too!
4. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are one of those appetizers that always impress people and are so easy to make! Fill them with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and parmesan, you can also add some sausage if you want an extra kick. Prep them earlier in the day and bake just before guests arrive so they hit the table warm. They’re a great option for vegetarian guests too, which is always a bonus at a bigger gathering!
5. Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
A cheese ball might sound a bit retro, but trust me, this cranberry pecan version is anything but! Roll your cream cheese in dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and fresh herbs, it looks spectacular on a board, tastes incredible with crackers, and takes about 10 minutes to make. It’s one of those appetizers that feels really festive and gets so many compliments for very little effort!
Sides
6. Creamy Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese might not be a traditional Thanksgiving side, but at Friendsgiving it is absolutely essential! This is the time to go all out with it, use three types of cheese, a crispy breadcrumb topping and bake until bubbling and golden. It’s the dish everyone secretly hopes is on the table and it disappears faster than anything else. Make a big pan because there will never be enough!
7. Maple Bourbon Brussels Sprouts
If you’ve never tried maple bourbon Brussels sprouts, you are in for a treat! Roasted until crispy and caramelized, then tossed in a maple and bourbon glaze, they’re sweet, smoky, and so delicious that even the people who think they don’t like Brussels sprouts will go back for more.
8. From Scratch Stuffing
A good stuffing is non-negotiable at any Thanksgiving table, and Friendsgiving is no exception! Skip the box and make it from scratch using good bread, celery, onion, butter, and loads of fresh herbs. You can take it up a notch by adding sausage, apples, or bacon. My biggest tip is to use day-old bread and make sure it’s properly toasted first. Soggy stuffing is a crime and totally avoidable!
9. Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
The recipe for creamy garlic slow cooker mashed potatoes is a winner for Thanksgiving sides! Add diced potatoes and minced garlic and cook gently in the slow cooker until silky and soft, and then add sour cream (or Greek yogurt), butter and milk for extra creaminess. I love this because it frees up your stovetop, keeps things hands-off, and delivers deliciously smooth and tasty potatoes without any fuss, making it an easy dinner recipe for when you’re hosting.
10. Green Bean Casserole
This is a true Thanksgiving classic that has been on tables for generations and honestly still deserves its spot. Made with tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onion- this is comfort food at its finest. If you haven’t made it before, this is the year to try it!
Drinks
11. Apple Cider Sangria
Apple cider sangria is the Friendsgiving drink, and I will not be taking questions! This one is so easy to make, combine a bottle of pinot grigio, fresh apple cider, club soda, ginger brandy, and loads of chopped honeycrisp apples and pears, give it a good stir, and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. The ginger brandy gives it the most gorgeous warm autumn flavor and it looks beautiful in a big pitcher. Make it the night before, and it tastes even better the next day!
12. Sparkling Cranberry Punch
If you want a non-alcoholic option that still feels really special, sparkling cranberry punch is it! Cranberry juice, apple cider, ginger ale, and a handful of fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish, it looks so beautiful in a punch bowl, and everyone loves it. It’s also really easy to spike for the adults if you want to offer both versions!
Desserts
13. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie bars are one of the best Friendsgiving desserts because they’re so much easier to serve than a whole pie- just cut and go! Make a buttery shortbread base and top it with a rich, gooey pecan filling, it has all the flavor of pecan pie with none of the fuss of making pastry from scratch. Make them a day ahead, and they keep perfectly, which is always a bonus when you’re juggling a lot of cooking!
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14. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
If you want a seriously wow dessert at your Friendsgiving, this is the one, and the best part is there’s no oven involved at all! It has a buttery graham cracker crust pressed into individual jars, topped with the lightest, creamiest pumpkin cheesecake mousse, and finished with a big dollop of fresh whipped cream. It takes about 25 minutes to make and the best part is, you can prep it the day before!
15. Mini Pie Dessert Board
Instead of committing to one big dessert, put together a mini pie dessert board! Fill the board with mini pumpkin pies, mini apple pies, mini cherry pies and a few little extras like fall cookies, fruit and nuts. It looks absolutely gorgeous and it completely takes the pressure off having to make one perfect pie. Check out my Thanksgiving food ideas post for more dessert inspiration!
My Thoughts
The best thing about Friendsgiving food is that there are no rules! Make the dishes you love, delegate the rest, and don’t stress about having a perfect traditional spread. As long as there’s plenty of food and good people around the table, it’s going to be a great night.
Sarah xx
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