14 Overpriced Restaurant Appetizers That Are Cheaper To Make Than You Think

We have all been there; you are starving when you finally reach your table at a restaurant. As you get your menus, your eyes light up at the starters section. You couldn't possibly wait for your party to decide what they want to eat, so you order up a few appetizers to hold everyone over. While this is a good strategy in theory, it can lead to impulse ordering of items, which might even include some appetizers you should never order. If the starters are lackluster, it is disappointing. But if they are also expensive for the portion sizes, that is the ultimate disappointment.

Luckily, we rounded up a list of appetizers that can be pricey at restaurants but are surprisingly cheap to make at home. We priced out some popular picks at chain restaurants, which vary by your location, so be sure to check your local establishments. We then compared the cost of making a similar dish in your own kitchen with grocery store staples. Read on for how you can still get your favorite appetizer fix at home for comparable quality and, in some cases, better quantity.

Shrimp cocktail has a long reputation as a classy appetizer, replacing oysters around 1960 when cost became a factor. But this popular dish can get pretty pricey, even at the more affordable seafood chains like Red Lobster for around $15, up to $20 at New Orleans-inspired Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, or even closing in at $30 for jumbo shrimp cocktail at higher-end steakhouses like Ocean Prime. Exact prices depend on your location, but it's safe to say that sourcing your own shrimp from a grocery store can bring this fancy appetizer home.

For example, Target's Good & Gather brand lists jumbo tail-on peeled and deveined cooked shrimp for about $10. You would get 26 to 30 pieces for less than what you'd pay for a smaller portion at a restaurant (plus it's already cooked, so less prep for you). If you are looking for higher-quality seafood, Whole Foods has ready-to-serve shrimp cocktail options for around $13, or you can buy cooked shrimp by the pound from the seafood counter. Raw shrimp is also an option if you are particular about how you cook your crustaceans. Whatever you choose, grab a bottle of pre-made cocktail sauce for a couple bucks, and you have your own fancy shrimp cocktail!

Though an extra couple of dollars may not seem like much to add guac to your burrito at a Mexican restaurant, it's another food you're overpaying for at restaurants. And if you aren't just adding it on the side but ordering guacamole as an appetizer portion to share, the prices get steeper. Fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle charge some $8 for a large chips and guacamole. Chuy's guacamole can run over $10 depending on the size. And if you opt for tableside guacamole, you may find a bigger upcharge for the preparation by your server (but potentially a bigger portion). Chevy's tableside guacamole runs around $15.

Instead, try making your guacamole at home with a quick and easy recipe. The main ingredient of avocados are typically pretty cost-effective (less than $1 a piece at Walmart), limes and fresh cilantro are a nominal fee, and you probably already have salt and garlic. Plus, you get the added bonus of customizing your guac to your tastebuds. Love spice? Add super spicy hot peppers instead of more mild poblano peppers. Hate cilantro? Skip it! And choosing your vessel for your guac is easy. If you aren't picky about your tortilla chips of choice, you can grab a bag for under $3 at Walmart.

Edamame is an appetizer that got ruined for me in my serving days after snacking on endless amounts for a heavy discount. Though there are certainly restaurants that amplify the flavors around the soybean, it is a simple ingredient that can be purchased in the frozen section of a grocery store. P.F. Chang's price of the edamame appetizer runs over $10, while Benihana's charges between $12 to $14. There are certainly restaurants that price it more modestly, but likely not as affordable as what it costs to put it on your table at home.

Find the bag of frozen edamame in pods at major grocery stores like Walmart for less than $2, then steam, finish with salt you likely already have, and enjoy! Or give your edamame a kick with some crushed red pepper flakes for this spicy garlic edamame. This way, you get to customize your appetizer, you get a large amount, and you can even reheat it for a snack later.

Though you may not think squid is a crowd-pleaser, fried calamari certainly is. It took some time, but fried calamari is featured on menus from chain restaurants to Italian joints to upscale seafood destinations. Though it isn't the healthiest of appetizers thanks to the breading, it is protein-rich, and there are ways to enjoy it without the fryer. You may think you're getting seafood at a steal with the appetizer running for under $14 at Olive Garden or around $17 at Red Lobster. But fried calamari on its own is actually quite inexpensive compared to other seafood dishes.

The delicious fried coating is part of the reason restaurants upcharge for this appetizer. Just look at the grocery store data to prove it. Wegmans sells a 16-ounce bag of frozen rings and tentacles for $11.49 a bag. Then, you can make your own breading and fry them to perfection in this easy fried calamari recipe. You can even opt for pre-breaded options that you heat up like Trader Joe's crispy battered calamari for under $7 if you want a ready-to-serve appetizer.

Dips can be the ultimate appetizer to share. Spinach and artichoke dip is one that is featured across many restaurant menus. In fact, it was rated the superior appetizer at Olive Garden by diners in a 2022 survey conducted by Mashed. While the price point may not seem too bad at restaurants like Olive Garden or Applebee's, with options that go for around $11, this budget-friendly appetizer can be made at home for even less. The dip requires minimal ingredients that are cost-effective, like canned or frozen spinach, canned artichokes, mayonnaise, and cream cheese. Ingredients are listed on Walmart's website for as little as $8.

Restaurants are typically serving this appetizer hot. However, there are plenty of recipes for both hot or cold spinach artichoke dip, which may sound more refreshing on a warm summer day. Choose your dipping vessels like vegetables, pita chips, or even fresh bread. Or, cut corners for a party by buying a 32 ounces of pre-made dip at a big box store like Costco for around $10 and put it in a fancy serving dish — your guests will be none-the-wiser!

While you may think of french fries as more of a side dish, gussied-up fries are popular appetizers, such as loaded fries or poutine. But truffle fries are a starter that stop many diners in their tracks. You can find fries drizzled with truffle oil and parmesan cheese at many restaurants like Yardhouse, which prices this app upwards of $10, or Bonefish Grill on the lower end at around $6. However, famous chefs like Martha Stewart and Gordon Ramsay have expressed their distaste for truffle oil and deemed truffle fries a waste of money. The issue surrounding the oil is that some varieties today don't actually contain truffles or real extracts in them. So you could be paying for a markup of fries with artificial flavoring, not actual truffles. That's not to say some restaurants aren't using the real-deal, but just something to be aware of when ordering.

If you love truffle fries, you can splurge for truffle oil (which may be a bit pricey, but you are getting the real thing and a whole bottle) and make them at home. A 3.4-ounce bottle with real truffle costs around $17 at Walmart, and you can opt to hand-cut your potatoes, which are a cheap ingredient at less than $1 a piece, or buy the bag of pre-cut fries from the freezer aisle for as little as $3. An added benefit from making them at home is that you could go the healtheir route and use the air fryer for truffle fries.

While we're on the subject of carbs piled high with added toppings, loaded tater tots are another popular spud-based appetizer found on many restaurant menus. Tater tots somehow always seem to taste better at a restaurant, but some places may take what is likely from the frozen section of the grocery store and upcharge you to add some toppings. The loaded tot offerings range from simple toppings like cheese, bacon bits, or even chicken, such as Buffalo Wild Wing's buffalo chicken tater tots that cost up to $18.

If you want to make loaded tater tots at home, your main ingredient is frozen tater tots, which you can get for less than $3 for a 32-ounce bag at Walmart. But be warned, not all options are created equal, so give our frozen tater tot ranking a look. Then, pick your toppings of choice, from ground beef and guacamole to black beans and sour cream. You can even up the ante with these loaded baked potato totchos (a combination of tater tots and nachos). Whatever you end up choosing to top your tots with, be sure not to skimp on the salt and spices.

Quesadillas are a popular choice in my household. Although they may be eaten at any time in Mexico, you'll find them on U.S. restaurant menus in both the appetizer and entree sections. It can be tempting to order this crowd-pleaser akin to grilled cheese, but you're likely paying a big upcharge for a tortilla and melted cheese. A general price range on restaurant menus is as low as $8 but can reach up to $18 depending on your location. Applebee's charges around $12 for its quesadilla with chicken. Chevy's lists quesadillas starting at $14.50. Meanwhile, you can get a whole pack of flour tortillas for less than $3 at Target and a bag of shredded Mexican-style cheese for a similar price or even less.

The exception to whether it is worth it to get the quesadilla at a restaurant is if the kitchen is making its own homemade tortillas and using specialty cheeses like queso fresco. If you find the joint is upping the ante of the typical quesadilla in some way, you may find it a worthwhile investment. Or you could try your hand at making your own quesadillas with homemade flour tortillas.

If you are missing the baskets of bread ahead of a meal, you may be tempted to get bruschetta as an appetizer. But after seeing the price tag at some restaurants like Maggiano's charging $14 for a regular-size portion, you may change your mind about preparing your own. Bread and tomatoes — the two main ingredients of this dish — can be sourced at a reasonable price to make at home. A bakery baguette at a chain grocer like Walmart could be as little as $2, while tomatoes can be less than 25 cents a piece. Add in some pantry staple spices and follow a recipe like this easy 15-minute bruschetta and voila! You have the fancy appetizer at home.

It should be noted that some Italian establishments may choose specialty breads as opposed to a regular baguette, which would up your price of ingredients. But the big bonus would be getting more delicious bread for your money by buying a whole loaf in bulk at a bakery.

Ah, who doesn't love fried cheese? Mozzarella sticks are a fan favorite, rounding out the top three in our survey of favorite appetizers. There are plenty of options for chain restaurant mozzarella sticks, but many spots charge a lot for only a handful of fried goods. Both Olive Garden and Applebee's charge around $10 for their mozzarella sticks when not included in a promotion like discounted appetizers. That doesn't sound like a ton of money at first. But when you can peruse the frozen food aisle at your grocery store and get a 72-count from Sam's Club for less than $15, it does give us pause.

You could argue the quality is not the same at home if you buy the frozen ones. However, there are homemade mozzarella stick recipes that use just a few kitchen staples and string cheese, which goes for around $5 for 16 sticks at Walmart. Add in the possibility of using the air fryer for a healthier take, and you could have mozzarella sticks for days at a minimal price.

Jalapeño poppers are beloved for being the perfect combination of spice, crunch, and creaminess. Stuffed with a cheese combination and deep-fried, what's not to love (other than the price)? Texas Roadhouse serves its version of jalapeño poppers (rattlesnake bites) for around $10. You can also find them at fast food restaurants like Sonic for pretty cheap (around $5) but you only get a handful. While some restaurants may be hand-stuffing and frying the poppers, others may simply be using a product similar to what's offered in the grocery store freezer aisle — like the stuffed jalapeño peppers at Walmart for under $4.

Jalapeño poppers are also pretty inexpensive to make on your own at home. Ingredients like jalapeños are less than 25 cents per pepper at the supercenter, and an 8-ounce brick of Great Value cream cheese comes in at under $2. Add in some pantry seasonings for a minimal cost and you can make a slew of poppers for less than what you'd pay at a sit-down restaurant and a better quality than fast-food chain options.

Stuffed mushrooms can be as simple as mushrooms, cheese, and breadcrumbs, or more elaborate with a seafood stuffing. Restaurants can charge a pretty penny for these little morsels of deliciousness, like Longhorn Steakhouse's appetizer for $12 or Maggiano's parmesan stuffed mushrooms that go for around $16.

If you are a big fungi fan, consider making easy stuffed mushrooms at home to save some money. You can pick a more premium mushroom than the restaurants may choose, or stick with the affordable grocery store button mushrooms for less than $3 per package. If you opt to stuff with seafood, it would obviously bring up the price point. Otherwise, add in cream cheese for under $2, parmesan, breadcrumbs, and seasonings you likely already have in your pantry, and you have an entire tray of stuffed mushrooms for less than the cost of a smaller restaurant portion.

Many variations of onion rings can be found on restaurant menus, from traditional baskets to presentations of towers and flowers. Though some joints are hand-breading and frying the onion slices themselves, others may be cutting corners with frozen pre-breaded options. Regardless, you likely are paying a hefty amount. The famous Bloomin' Onion at Outback can be roughly $11, while the towering onion rings at Red Robin can be as much as $14.

The good news is that you can replicate crispy fried onion rings or even the more elaborate Bloomin' Onion at home, starting with a bag of onions for as little as $4.The other staples of panko breadcrumbs and vegetable oil for frying come in at around $6, meaning you can get a huge amount of onion rings for less than the cost of the restaurant appetizer. And if you are just looking for a quick onion ring fix, there are plenty of frozen options at the grocery stores from generic brands at $4 a bag to the more specialty name brands for around $6.

Zucchini fries are an appetizer that can make you feel good about getting your vegetables. However, fried vegetables aren't necessarily good for you, thanks to the breading. But they are delicious! This app can be found at more casual restaurant chains like Red Robin for around $11 or at the Cheesecake Factory for upwards of $13. That seems high for a dish where the main ingredient (zucchini) can be as little as $1.50 at stores like Walmart. 

You can stock up on all the ingredients for zucchini fries from start to finish for about $15 at Walmart, with the panko breadcrumbs being key to getting that great crunch. However, the price gets even lower if you have staples like flour, eggs, shredded cheese, and spices or a garden and are growing your own zucchini. But even if you are buying everything from the store, you'll get a lot more with the homemade version. You can slice it in the traditional fry shape or cut it into circles for fried zucchini chips.