The appetizer table is one of the most fun parts of any party. From simple finger food to fancy bites, every age and appetite will be pleased. Here are twenty finger food ideas that you can combine and create a fun table. Your guests will hover over the snacks all night.
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1) Stuffed Mushrooms
They disappear from the tray every single time because they pack an explosively fun flavor!
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Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 375°F and remove the mushroom stems.
- Mix cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, breadcrumbs, and parsley.
- Spoon the filling into each mushroom cap.
- Drizzle with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
2) Mini Caprese Skewers
An appetizer that looks fancy and is quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
Method
- Thread a cherry tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella ball onto each small skewer.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
3) Deviled Eggs with Bacon
The traditional deviled eggs recipe just got better because of the addition of delicious and crunchy bacon.
Ingredients
Method
- Boil the eggs for 12 minutes, then cool in ice water and peel.
- Halve the eggs and scoop the yolks into a bowl.
- Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and salt until smooth.
- Pipe or spoon the filling back into the whites.
- Top with crumbled bacon, chives, and a dusting of paprika.
Notes
4) Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites
Now you can have all that gooey goodness of spinach and artichoke dip in cute little pastry cup form.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 375°F and set the phyllo cups on a baking sheet.
- Mix spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic.
- Spoon the filling into each phyllo cup.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until hot and golden on top.
- Serve warm.
Notes
5) Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Salty prosciutto is paired with crisp-tender asparagus and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
- Toss the asparagus with olive oil and pepper.
- Wrap each spear with a strip of prosciutto.
- Roast 12-15 minutes until the prosciutto is crisp.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
6) Shrimp Cocktail
A classic party showstopper that always has a celebratory feel!
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the shrimp and poach 2-3 minutes until pink, then drain.
- Plunge the shrimp into ice water to chill, then pat dry.
- Stir ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire for the sauce.
- Arrange shrimp around a bowl of sauce with lemon wedges.
Notes
7) Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Crunchy toast with summer's juicy tomatoes and fresh basil.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange baguette slices on a sheet.
- Brush with olive oil and toast 8-10 minutes until crisp.
- Mix tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic, and salt.
- Let the tomato mixture sit 5 minutes to release its juices.
- Spoon onto the toasts just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Notes
8) Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Centerpiece that requires no cooking and can be grazed on all night.
Ingredients
Method
Notes
9) Honey BBQ Meatballs
Sweet, sticky, and impossible to eat just one off the toothpick!
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Ingredients
Method
- Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and salt and roll into evenly sized balls.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet on all sides.
- Stir together the barbecue sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the centers reach 160°F.
- Toss to coat and serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
10) Pigs in a Blanket
Little bites that evoke nostalgia in both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet.
- Cut the crescent dough into thin triangles.
- Roll each sausage in a strip of dough.
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until puffed and golden, then serve with mustard.
Notes
11) Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
These stylish miniature stacks give off a fancy vibe while requiring almost no effort at all.
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the cucumbers into thick rounds and pat dry.
- Mix the cream cheese with dill, lemon juice, and pepper.
- Pipe or spoon the herbed cream cheese onto each round.
- Top with a small folded piece of smoked salmon.
- Garnish with extra dill and serve chilled.
Notes
12) Buffalo Chicken Dip
It’s mild, creamy, and disappears before the game even starts.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 375°F.
- Stir together cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch until smooth.
- Fold in the shredded chicken and half the cheddar.
- Spread into a baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly, then top with green onion.
Notes
13) Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
With any luck, these bright and colorful skewers will be the first appetizer your children will reach for.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and prep all the fruit, then cube the cheeses.
- Thread a grape, strawberry, cheese cube, and pineapple onto each skewer.
- Tuck a mint leaf onto some of the skewers.
- Arrange the kabobs on a platter.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
14) Garlic Knots
Fluffy, buttery knots brushed with garlic and smelling like an Italian bakery.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
- Cut the dough into strips and tie each into a knot.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Stir melted butter with garlic, parsley, and salt.
- Brush the warm knots with garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Notes
15) Loaded Potato Skins
For serious comfort, grab some cheese and bacon loaded crispy potato shells.
Ingredients
Method
- Bake the potatoes at 400°F for about 45 minutes until tender, then cool slightly.
- Halve them and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a shell.
- Brush the skins with olive oil and salt, then bake 10 minutes to crisp.
- Fill with cheddar and bacon and bake until the cheese melts.
- Top with green onion and a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
16) Crab Cakes
All parties can feel a little fancier with these golden lump crab patties.
Ingredients
Method
- Gently mix crab, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice.
- Form the mixture into small patties.
- Chill the patties 15 minutes so they hold together.
- Pan-fry in olive oil over medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve with lemon wedges or a quick remoulade.
Notes
17) Mini Quiches
Eggy and buttery bites perfect for brunch parties and evening soirees.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Cut rounds from the pie crust and press into the cups.
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and chives together.
- Sprinkle ham and cheese into each cup, then pour in the egg mixture.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until set and puffed.
Notes
18) Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender and saucy pork piled high on soft buns for the heartiest bite of the table.
Ingredients
Method
- Rub the pork shoulder with the brown sugar, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Place it in a slow cooker, cover, and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until fork-tender.
- Shred the pork, discarding large pieces of fat, and toss it with the barbecue sauce.
- Pile the pork onto the bottom buns, top with coleslaw, and add the bun tops.
Notes
19) Zucchini Fritters
These are crispy on the edges, tender on the inside, and are a sneaky way to get some veggies in.
Ingredients
Method
- Grate the zucchini and squeeze out the excess water with a towel.
- Mix zucchini, flour, eggs, Parmesan, green onions, and salt.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter and flatten into small fritters.
- Fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden, then drain on paper towels.
Notes
20) Caprese Salad Cups
Everything you love about Caprese is presented in adorable little scoopable cups.
Ingredients
Method
- Toss tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and salt together.
- Let the mixture sit 5 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Spoon the caprese filling into each phyllo cup.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Serve right away so the cups stay crisp.
