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Seafood Appetizers

5 from 2 votes

These delicious shrimp dumplings make one of the best Seafood Appetizers - along with our list of other easy appetizers with seafood you will love!

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This post may contain paid links. See more info on my privacy page.

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There's nothing like easy Seafood Appetizers to kick off a party with a little extra pizzazz! And with my list of the best seafood appetizers you'll find plenty of delicious, creative and elegant seafood appetizers for a crowd.

a plate of cucumber and shrimp canapes

Seafood Appetizers

Living in Florida, seafood appetizers are a staple for me when it comes to hosting a fun dinner party with friends. I love the variety you have with seafood appetizer recipes - from shrimp, to crab, lobster, and even fish, there are plenty of options for what to make!

There is nothing like a crisp bite of shrimp with refreshing cucumber and dill, or a buttery, tender crab leg that's been steamed or grilled to perfection. No matter what your favorite is, seafood apps are an amazing way to start off dinner!

Shrimp Appetizers

In my house, it's not a party without shrimp. With their beautiful shape and color and perfect size, they're made to be a seafood finger food, and make for some of the most elegant seafood appetizers I've ever seen!

Trust me, make up a big batch of Shrimp Shumai (recipe at the bottom of the post!) and you'll be amazed at how pretty seafood apps can be. Or make use of the wonders of make ahead seafood appetizers, and make up a batch of Cucumber Shrimp Cups the day before!

Cucumber canapes with shrimp on a white plate with fresh herb topping
Cucumber Shrimp Cups
Light, flavorful and beautiful, this recipe for Cucumber Shrimp Canapes has everything- and it's so easy to make! They're almost too pretty to eat- but too tasty to pass up.
Check out this recipe
Shrimp Scampi Linguine served on a table with a lemon on the side
Shrimp Scampi
Leave out the linguini and serve this shrimp scampi as an appetizer with lemon butter dipping sauce on the side!
Check out this recipe
Chinese prawns in a bowl with rice
Chinese Prawns
Made with prawns or shrimp, this Chinese prawns recipe is spicy and delicious! It makes a gorgeous seafood appetizer.
Check out this recipe
bowl of shrimp creole up close
Shrimp Creole
Serve tasty, tangy shrimp creole on little bites of toast or skewers for one of the best seafood appetizers your guests will love!
Check out this recipe
Shrimp bisque in a white bowl with a spoonful
Shrimp Bisque
One of my personal favorite family recipes, this Shrimp Bisque is an excellent starter to any meal.
Check out this recipe
Shrimp Foil Packs
If you're grilling for the party, these easy and delicious Shrimp Foil Packs are a must-try! Filled with delicious grilled vegetables, tender shrimp, and delicious spices to delight your guests.
Check out this recipe
Close up of Shrimp Empanadas on a plate
Shrimp Empanadas
One of my favorite recipes from home is for creamy, toasty Portuguese Shrimp Empanadas! Make them half-size and they're the perfect bite-sized appetizer!
Check out this recipe

Shrimp Shumai

Bring the taste and beauty of dim sum right to your home with tender, delicate Shrimp Shumai! These perfect little shrimp dumplings are one of my favorite fish appetizers and cook for less than 10 minutes. Read on for the recipe at the bottom of the post!

shrimp shumai served on a black plate topped with chives

Crab Appetizers

If you're looking for a dip, you can have fun pairing a tasty Remoulade Sauce, or an all-time favorite Lemon Butter Sauce!

Steamed crab legs on a speckled plate with a glass dish of melted butter and two corn on the cob halves
Steamed Crab Legs
Nothing looks quite as decadent as a big basket of steamed crab legs! They're ultra easy to make and are the perfect centerpiece for a seafood appetizer platter.
Check out this recipe
Grilled crab legs on a white surface with fresh herbs and a side of garlic butter in a little bowl
Grilled Crab Legs
Grilled crab legs are an amazing seafood appetizer for pairing with garlic butter sauce or lemon butter!
Check out this recipe
Steamed crab legs on a speckled white plate with lemon garlic butter sauce in dishes

Fish Appetizers

Close up of a forkful of salmon in a salmon poke bowl
Mini Salmon Poke Bowls
Everyone loves poke bowls, so make up a big batch and separate it out into dip bowls for the perfect salmon appetizer! Serve them up with disposable mini spoons for a seafood snack that's as pretty as it is tasty.
Check out this recipe
New England Seafood Chowder in a bowl with bacon and shrimp on top
Seafood Chowder
Put out a big bowl of New England Seafood Chowder for your next party and watch it disappear! This warm and cozy soup is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Check out this recipe

Oyster Appetizer

Pan Fried Oysters on a white paper with lemon wedges
Crispy Fried Oysters
A seafood twist on a finger food classic! These battered and fried oysters are one of my favorite sea food snacks, and they come together in no time! They're just begging to be paired with your favorite homemade dips.
Check out this recipe

Lobster Appetizer

lobster ravioli in a bowl with a fork and fresh herbs on top
Lobster Ravioli
Comfort food and decadence come together in perfect harmony with these mouthwatering Lobster Ravioli! Served up with sage butter sauce, they're light and filling at the same time and never fail to please.

Seafood Dinner Recipes

Sauces for Seafood

Appetizers with Seafood FAQs

What are some seafood appetizers?

Some appetizers with seafood to serve your guests are skewered shrimp, crab legs, or fried oysters, among other recipes like seafood soups. There are plenty of dishes to choose from when deciding on what to serve.

Four shrimp shumai dumplings in a steamer basket on parchment paper

Shrimp Dumplings - Seafood Appetizers

Recipe Author: Isabel Laessig
These delicious shrimp dumplings make one of the best Seafood Appetizers - along with our list of other easy appetizers with seafood you will love!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings 20 dumplings (approx.)
Calories 37 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon ginger - grated/finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic - grated/finely chopped (1 clove)
  • 8 oz shrimp - peeled, deveined, raw
  • ¼ cup water chestnuts - (from can)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
  • 20 gyoza dumpling wrappers - (round dumpling wrappers)

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop (or grate) garlic and ginger. Add them to a food processor with peeled shrimp and pulse until the shrimp is well broken up.
    1 teaspoon ginger,1 teaspoon garlic,8 oz shrimp
  • Add the water chestnuts and pulse to chop. Then, add the egg white, soy sauce, sesame oil and rice wine vinegar and pulse to combine.
    ¼ cup water chestnuts,1 egg white,1 teaspoon soy sauce,½ teaspoon sesame oil,½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
  • Set dumpling wrappers on a dry, clean surface. Add a tablespoon of filling to the middle of each wrapper.
    20 gyoza dumpling wrappers
  • Dampen y our finger and run it along the edge of the dumpling wrapper. Pinch the wrapper together in small folds, working your way around so the middle of the filling still shows. Repeat with all dumplings.
  • Brush a steamer with oil, or line with parchment paper with holes poked into it. Place the dumplings in the steamer with a little bit of space between them. If they won't fit all at once, cook them in batches.
  • Set the steamer over a pot of water. Steam for 6-8 minutes until the shrimp filling is cooked through.
  • Serve immediately, with your preferred dipping sauce or soy on the side.
Final stepPlease consider Leaving a Review below to tell me what you think of the recipe! This helps me know what you're looking for, so I can continue to provide you with high-quality recipes at no cost.
5 from 2 votes

Notes

  • You can find ready-made dumpling wrappers in your local supermarket or Asian supermarket.
  • To substitute the rice wine vinegar, try apple cider vinegar, or white or red wine vinegar.
  • Shrimp shumai are generally served with a bit of flying fish roe (tobiko) on top for decoration, but you can also add finely chopped chives.

Nutrition

Serving: 1dumplingCalories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 151mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg
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Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

About Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Sunday Supper Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

» About Me

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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  1. Amee says

    So many fun ideas here! Thank you for including my recipe! 🙂

    Reply

  2. Jessica {Cooking my Dreams} says

    I love seafood appetizers and there are so many great ideas in this post!

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Thanks so much, Jessica! Is there anything better than a good seafood appetizer?

      Reply