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Diet & meal · 181 recipes

High-Protein Appetizer Recipes

High-Protein appetizer ideas — protein-packed dishes to keep you full and fuel training. Every recipe below is from the Delicious.com kitchen, with full method, macros and a one-tap grocery list.

Spiced Tuna Tartare Carapace with Crispy Lentil Tuile, Black Garlic Emulsion & Pomegranate CaviarSophisticated
Appetizer

Spiced Tuna Tartare Carapace with Crispy Lentil Tuile, Black Garlic Emulsion & Pomegranate Caviar

Sashimi-grade tuna layered in crispy tuile shell, silken black garlic oil, jewelled with pomegranate

297 cal · 36g protein · 40 min
high-proteingluten-freesashimi-grade
Grilled Octopus & Charred Radicchio with Black Garlic Emulsion & Pomegranate MolassesIntermediate
Appetizer

Grilled Octopus & Charred Radicchio with Black Garlic Emulsion & Pomegranate Molasses

Smoky tentacles, bitter greens, umami depth, fruity-sour finish

608 cal · 36g protein · 35 min
high-proteingluten-free
Crispy Turmeric Chicken Skin with Burnt Garlic Oil, Charred Lemon & Crispy CapersIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Turmeric Chicken Skin with Burnt Garlic Oil, Charred Lemon & Crispy Capers

Luxurious, textural, umami-forward

484 cal · 35g protein · 30 min
high-proteinketo-friendlygluten-free
Crispy Saganaki with Fig Jam & Oregano OilEasy
Appetizer

Crispy Saganaki with Fig Jam & Oregano Oil

fried cheese magic—salty, crispy, warm inside

836 cal · 34g protein · 18 min
vegetarianhigh-protein
Pan-Seared Shrimp Salatah with Harissa Oil & Crispy BreadcrumbsIntermediate
Appetizer

Pan-Seared Shrimp Salatah with Harissa Oil & Crispy Breadcrumbs

Spiced shrimp over charred tomato-herb salad, topped with crunchy harissa-fried crumbs

440 cal · 34g protein · 27 min
high-proteingluten-free-friendly
Crostini di Ragu Bianco e Ricotta FrescaEasy
Appetizer

Crostini di Ragu Bianco e Ricotta Fresca

Crispy toast with creamy white bolognese and soft ricotta

800 cal · 33g protein · 25 min
high-protein25-minute
Crispy Duck Confit Lettuce Cups with Tamarind-Chili Glaze & Roasted CashewsEasy
Appetizer

Crispy Duck Confit Lettuce Cups with Tamarind-Chili Glaze & Roasted Cashews

Tender shredded duck wrapped in fresh lettuce with tangy-spicy Southeast Asian finish

681 cal · 32g protein · 30 min
gluten-freedairy-freehigh-protein
Burrata & Charred Peach Crostini with Crispy Prosciutto & Basil OilEasy
Appetizer

Burrata & Charred Peach Crostini with Crispy Prosciutto & Basil Oil

Creamy, juicy, salty, peppery—summer on a toast

608 cal · 32g protein · 16 min
high-proteingluten-free option
Crab-Filled Phyllo Cigar with Charred Lemon Emulsion & Crispy Sage OilSophisticated
Appetizer

Crab-Filled Phyllo Cigar with Charred Lemon Emulsion & Crispy Sage Oil

Delicate pastry tube cradling lump crab, finished with silky lemon foam

665 cal · 32g protein · 70 min
seafoodhigh-proteinelegant-appetizer
Crispy Phyllo Cups with Spiced Lamb, Pomegranate & Tahini YogurtIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Phyllo Cups with Spiced Lamb, Pomegranate & Tahini Yogurt

Shattered pastry shells holding warm, herbed North African lamb

686 cal · 32g protein · 44 min
high-proteinspicedintermediate
Brodetto di Pesce con Grissini al FarroEasy
Appetizer

Brodetto di Pesce con Grissini al Farro

Tomato-saffron fish consommé with crispy spelt breadsticks

263 cal · 32g protein · 32 min
high-proteingluten-free-adaptable
Crisped Lamb Kibbeh with Burnt Walnut-Date Filling, Labne Dome & Black Garlic OilSophisticated
Appetizer

Crisped Lamb Kibbeh with Burnt Walnut-Date Filling, Labne Dome & Black Garlic Oil

Spiced bulgur-meat shell, roasted fruit-nut interior, cultured yogurt, smoky oil

2915 cal · 31g protein · 105 min
high-proteingluten-free (with GF bulgur)
Charred Shrimp & Heirloom Bean Toast with Black Garlic, Crispy Shallot & Charred LimeIntermediate
Appetizer

Charred Shrimp & Heirloom Bean Toast with Black Garlic, Crispy Shallot & Charred Lime

Grilled spot prawns on crispy bread with fermented black garlic, warm beans, and burnt citrus oil

378 cal · 31g protein · 30 min
high-proteinpaleo-adaptable
Crispy Kefalotyri & Fig Leaf Oil Croquettes with Charred Lemon & Burnt GarlicIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Kefalotyri & Fig Leaf Oil Croquettes with Charred Lemon & Burnt Garlic

panfried Greek cheese fritters with herbal infusion and citrus-garlic glaze

1237 cal · 31g protein · 39 min
high-proteinvegetarian
Gyeran Mari with Gochugaru Aioli, Crispy Garlic Chips & Dukka DustSophisticated
Appetizer

Gyeran Mari with Gochugaru Aioli, Crispy Garlic Chips & Dukka Dust

Korean rolled omelette reimagined as an elegant composed bite

1041 cal · 31g protein · 60 min
high-proteinsophisticatedkorean-fusionvegetarian
Tostaditas de Atún Ahumado with Avocado Mousse, Crispy Garlic & Charred JalapeñoIntermediate
Appetizer

Tostaditas de Atún Ahumado with Avocado Mousse, Crispy Garlic & Charred Jalapeño

Crispy corn rounds topped with silky avocado purée, smoked tuna, and spicy charred pepper

912 cal · 31g protein · 33 min
high-proteinseafoodgluten-freeelegant
Crispy Anchovy & Garlic Chimaek Croquettes with Gochujang AioliIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Anchovy & Garlic Chimaek Croquettes with Gochujang Aioli

Korean fried chicken-and-fish hybrid with spicy mayo

512 cal · 31g protein · 36 min
high-protein
Charred Octopus with Avocado Mousse, Crispy Tortilla Dust & Jalapeño OilIntermediate
Appetizer

Charred Octopus with Avocado Mousse, Crispy Tortilla Dust & Jalapeño Oil

tender grilled cephalopod, creamy green purée, spicy drizzle

764 cal · 30g protein · 32 min
high-protein30-minute-plusgluten-free-option
Tôm Chiên Nước Mắm Chua CayEasy
Appetizer

Tôm Chiên Nước Mắm Chua Cay

Salt-and-pepper shrimp with spicy fish sauce-lime dipping sauce

1883 cal · 30g protein · 18 min
high-proteingluten-freeunder-30-min
Pan-Fried Sardine Bruschetta with Green Tomato Caponata & Crispy BreadcrumbIntermediate
Appetizer

Pan-Fried Sardine Bruschetta with Green Tomato Caponata & Crispy Breadcrumb

Delicate fish, tart caponata, a confident sear, rustic-elegant

873 cal · 30g protein · 40 min
high-proteinomega-3
Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Hand Roll with Cucumber, Nori & Sriracha AioliIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Hand Roll with Cucumber, Nori & Sriracha Aioli

Peak summer crustacean, tempura-light, hand-held elegance

416 cal · 30g protein · 16 min
high-proteingluten-freeelegant
Crispy Chicken Liver Kafta with Pomegranate Molasses & Pine Nut YogurtIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Chicken Liver Kafta with Pomegranate Molasses & Pine Nut Yogurt

Spiced ground liver patties pan-seared golden, served with tangy yogurt

578 cal · 30g protein · 22 min
high-proteinintermediategluten-free
Crispy Phyllo Cups with Spiced Lamb, Pomegranate Molasses & Whipped FetaIntermediate
Appetizer

Crispy Phyllo Cups with Spiced Lamb, Pomegranate Molasses & Whipped Feta

Shattered phyllo, warm spiced meat, cool tart cheese

992 cal · 30g protein · 33 min
high-proteingluten-free-option
Smoked Trout Mousse Ramekins with Crispy Rye Soldiers & CapersEasy
Appetizer

Smoked Trout Mousse Ramekins with Crispy Rye Soldiers & Capers

Silky, smoky, and elegant—pure German sophistication

502 cal · 29g protein · 18 min
high-proteingluten-free-ready