-
Our content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.
The Best Appetizer Bowl Sets of 2024
.
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.
Our Top Picks For Appetizer Bowl Sets
View all ContentsThe Best Appetizer Bowl Sets
Best Overall
The top spot on the list goes to the HBLife Appetizer Bowl Set. It has three ceramic bowls that are supposed to be stacked on top of each other on a metal stand that comes included in the package. The bottom bowl is the largest, with a medium-sized and small bowl in the middle and top racks. You can get the stand in either black or gold to match the aesthetic of your dinner table or interior decor. But regardless of the color you choose, this set will make any dish look stunning thanks to the overall minimalist look!
We love the space efficiency of this bowl set as the three bowls stack vertically, which is an exclusive feature on this list. This automatically makes it the best available option overall!
Pros
- Space-saving design
- Classy look
- Easy to store
Cons
- Too small for large dishes
Most Vibrant Colors
The list’s runner-up is the Annovero Appetizer Bowl Set; stealing the show with a striking combination of six multi-colored bowls with interesting patterns on top. They can be your go-to serving companions for ice cream, condiments, side dishes, rice, snacks, noodles, and just about anything that belongs on the dinner table!
Made out of Grade A Porcelain, these round bowls are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher-friendly! They’re also graded safe for daily use and tested for having no cadmium or lead. Each bowl holds about 7-8 fluid ounces comfortably, with a maximum capacity of 10 fluid ounces, which means the set is large enough for a whole group of guests!
Pros
- Year-long warranty
- Made out of grade A porcelain
- Striking color combinations
Cons
- Are susceptible to chips and cracks
Best Value
At number three, we have the Selamica Appetizer Bowl set. This one has a well-deserved spot on this list thanks to the insane amount of value it offers! Even though it’s the cheapest item on this list, it still has a pack of six ceramic mini-bowls that are well-designed!
Each of these holds about 2.5 fluid ounces, which makes them ideal for food items like nuts, seeds, chicken nuggets, crackers, and dipping sauces. You can get them in a white and blue design with each bowl having a different pattern, but they’re also available in an assorted color combination of red, green, yellow, blue, dark blue, and orange with unique patterns.
Pros
- Very easy-to-use
- High value for money
- Stackable and easy to clean
Cons
- Unsustainable packaging
Most Earthy
At number four, we have the BestySuperStore Appetizer Bowl Set. It’s the only wooden option listed here, which gives it a rustic charm. Each bowl in this four-pack is also accompanied by a wooden spoon, making it a pretty high value-for-money purchase!
If you’re worried about toxins, don’t be! The Acacia wood used in the bowls’ construction is toxin-free. It’s completely food safe, and naturally resistant to odors, stains, and water. Unlike ceramic or porcelain options, this one doesn’t crack or chip up even after months (or even years) of use, which also makes this one of the most durable bowl sets you can buy!
Pros
- Eco-friendly materials
- Comes with sleek-looking spoons
- Visually appealing design
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
Most Bowls Per Set
If you have a big family with groups of relatives showing up at family events, then three or four small bowls won’t quite cut it for you. You need to have a large pack of decent-sized bowls to serve enough appetizers or dessert. That’s why this eight-pack Appetizer Bowl Set from Farielyn takes up the last spot on this list! The bowls are made out of high-fired porcelain material which is lead and cadmium free, 100% BPA-free, and non-toxic, making it completely food-safe.
Each of these eight uniquely designed bowls has a 4.75-inch diameter and a capacity of 10 fluid ounces (1.25 cups). The whole set can comfortably accommodate enough soup, salad, condiments, ice cream, dessert, and side dishes to go around the entire dinner table.
Pros
- Lots of serving room
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Large quantity of bowls
- Unique and eye-catching design patterns
Cons
- Some patterns might not perfectly line up
The Best Appetizer Bowl Set Buying Guide
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.
People Also Asked
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.
