Last Updated: June 10, 2024, 7:06 a.m.

An appetizer bowl is a small dish or bowl used to serve appetizers or starters. These bowls are designed to hold small portions of food such as dips, nuts, olives, or other snacks that are typically served before the main course. They come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, depending on the occasion and the type of appetizer being served.

We reviewed a ton of the best appetizer bowl sets and picked our favorites; we looked at bowl size, color, and quantity. The HBLife Appetizer Bowl Set takes the top spot because of its modern design, tiered structure, and unique bowl shape.

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Now that you have had a look at the top appetizer bowls on the market, you can now start deciding on what set is the perfect choice for you. You should watch out for features such as material, color, and maintenance when deciding on what set to purchase. Here are a few of our recommendations when it comes to judging what set will work the best for you!

Material

It all starts with the material! It is impossible to have a great bowl set if the foundation is not perfect. You want to look for premium options like ceramic, wood, or stainless steel. There are cheaper alternatives like plastic, but they aren’t the safest to serve food in (unless they’re BPA-free and have the appropriate certifications). With that said, food-safe plastic can also be a suitable choice if you plan on using the bowls to serve cereal, snacks, or ice cream to accident-prone kids! They’re unbreakable, which not only means they last longer in children’s hands, but they’re also much safer than glass or ceramic bowls which can shatter into dangerous shards. You can also go for China dishes for a higher-end feel, but keep in mind that you might have to hand wash them as they’re not generally dishwasher safe.

Capacity

Another key feature to look at is the amount of food the bowls can hold. From dipping bowls to full-sized dessert bowls, you can find any capacity within the range of 2.5 and 10 fluid ounces. This decision mainly depends on how you plan on using your appetizer bowl set, and how many people you generally serve food to! For instance, if you live alone, one or two 8-ounce bowls are all you need! On the other hand, you’ll need a 6 or 8-pack of large-sized bowls if you typically prepare food for a big family or a large number of guests!

Ease of Maintenance

Not all bowls are safe for your dishwasher, and it mainly depends on what they’re made of! If you plan on using your appetizer bowls daily and don’t want the hassle of doing the dishes manually, you’ll have to look for a dishwasher-safe option. Most ceramic, wooden, and melamine options are dishwasher-safe, but check the product description and user manual very carefully anyway. You should also check reviews to see how the bowls really hold up after a wash or two!

Design

The main reason why you’re shopping for a bowl set is to make your appetizer, desserts, and all sorts of recipes look better, right? Well, that’s only possible with a design that’s visually appealing to present your dishes in a flattering manner. But aesthetics aren’t the only area where an appetizer bowl set’s design should excel. It should also be practical and have useful qualities like space efficiency, ease of use, and ease of storage. A great example would be the HBLife Appetizer Bowl Set’s design, which gets you the best of both worlds with a triple-leveled storage solution without even taking much storage space. So, if you don’t have a large dining table to work with, these smart design features could make a significant impact on your overall user experience.

Top Picks

• Best Overall: Hblife Appetizer Bowl Set
• Most Vibrant Colors: Annovero Appetizer Bowl Set
• Best Value: Selamica Appetizer Bowl Set
• Most Earthy: Bestysuperstore Appetizer Bowl Set
• Most Bowls Per Set: Farielyn-X Appetizer Bowl Set

Reviews

Can I put my porcelain bowls in the dishwasher?

Porcelain and ceramic bowls might seem delicate and vintage, but they’re generally dishwasher-friendly (unless they’re hand-painted). Still, we recommend looking at the user manual or product description to check the manufacturer’s claims about this.

How big should my appetizer bowls be?

Depending on your needs and serving volume, you can go for smaller bowls (about 3-6 inches in diameter) to serve single-servings, light snacks, and dips, or medium-sized ones (7-10 inches in diameter) for heavy appetizers and desserts.

How can I tell if my ceramic bowls are microwave safe?

Generally, glazed pottery doesn’t mind the microwave. Still, you can look for a symbol underneath the bowl that confirms that it’s dishwasher-friendly. If it’s not there, you can always check the user manual to see if you can safely put it in the microwave.