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What Are the Different Types of French Appetizers?

Nicky Sutton
Nicky Sutton

Traditional French cuisine is reflected in a wide variety of French appetizers. Breads are presented in different ways, such as dough balls filled with cream cheese or small toast triangles smothered in duck pâté. Popular French appetizers can be served on small wooden sticks, on top of pastry or in small attractive glasses. Dips, spreads and mousse are served along with bite-size portions of salad, meats, fish and eggs.

French appetizers, also known as les amuse-bouches, are varied and offer a taste of different French flavors and traditional dishes. Bouchées means “mouthful,” and are appetizers roughly the size of one mouthful. French style cuisine is often recreated in small bite-size portions, such as tiny quiches. Other bouchées include accrass, which are fried fish balls, and feuilletés which are French puff pastries containing fillings such as cream cheese or fish.

Baguettes, which can be eaten with dips or cheese.
Baguettes, which can be eaten with dips or cheese.

Breads are commonly used as appetizers. Dough balls known as beignets, containing a vegetable or creamy filling are popular, as are cheese puffs and bread twists. Traditional French bread, such as the baguette, can be broken into pieces and eaten with dips or cheeses. A canapé consists of several layers of toasted French bread with delicious fillings between.

Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French appetizer.
Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French appetizer.

Egg, ham, cream and various vegetables are baked in ramekins to produce a creamy and delicious French appetizer known as oeuf cocotte. Bread is dipped into the ramekins, or the contents scooped out and spread onto toast. Salads are served as appetizers; a small portion of niçoise salad, consisting of green salad with cheese, egg or meat, is sometimes arranged on the serving table. Helix snails too can be served as finger food, fried in butter with mushrooms.

Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.
Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.

Small wooden sticks are used to create a wide variety of French appetizers. French favorites are put onto sticks to create interesting combinations, for example, prunes and smoked ham, or cheese and melon. Appetizers on sticks are known as brochettes.

A wide variety of flavors are possible which with contemporary verrines. These French appetizers consist of a very small glass filled with two to four layers of different foods. Equipped with a small spoon, layers such as fish, cream cheese, fruit and tomatoes, are eaten from the glass.

French meals traditionally include several different courses, including appetizers.
French meals traditionally include several different courses, including appetizers.

Breadsticks or strips of toast are used with dips made mainly from fromage blanc, a food very similar to sour cream. Different ingredients are added, such as chives or tomato, to make a wide variety of dips. Pâté is a traditional French food. This and other spreads, such as pork or rabbit mousse, are presented on small pieces of toast.

Discussion Comments

Chmander

I've always loved having bread as a French appetizer. It's amazing the amount of variety that comes along with it. Not only are there different ways to prepare it (whether it's toasting or baking), but the dipping sauces are absolutely superb. Overall, when it comes to appetizers, I'd say that bread is the cream of the crop.

RoyalSpyder

@Viranty - Have you ever tried going to a five star restaurant? Unfortunately, I don't know any of the average dining places that serve traditional French cuisine and appetizers, but maybe you should look into one of those. The prices are pretty high, but if you're going out by yourself, it shouldn't be too bad. Also, if you've never had experience dining at a five star restaurant, then here's a piece of advice for you - always be sure to make reservations. That aside, I'd say this is definitely your best option for authentic French meals.

Viranty

Does anyone know a place where I can find some real French appetizers? I've always been quite fond of French cuisine, but for the most part, it's as if most of it in the states has been Americanized. Do you guys know what I mean? Not only isn't it authentic, but generally speaking, a lot of things are added to the (French) dishes that are borderline excessive, such as oil and fat.

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    • Baguettes, which can be eaten with dips or cheese.
      By: klsbear
      Baguettes, which can be eaten with dips or cheese.
    • Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French appetizer.
      By: Natalia Mylova
      Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French appetizer.
    • Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.
      By: Betty Abrantes
      Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.
    • French meals traditionally include several different courses, including appetizers.
      By: atm2003
      French meals traditionally include several different courses, including appetizers.
    • Terrine is a decadent French appetizer.
      By: Martin Turzak
      Terrine is a decadent French appetizer.