Easy Finger Food Recipes & Ideas For Parties

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Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites

Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites
Recipe

Turn “jacket potatoes” into irresistible potato salad bites. Capers offer a twist on traditional relish; they’re actually pickled flower buds and add bright, briny flavor to this appetizer.

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Photo: Erin Adams; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Cheese Truffles

Cheese Truffles
Recipe

Pimiento cheese transforms into tiny little cheese truffles in this effortless recipe. These bite-sized cheese balls are perfect for your next party or get-together and are an easy no-cook solution to that appetizer spread. Roll each cheese ball into chopped toasted pecans, parsley or crumbled bacon for irresistible flavor in every bite.

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Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Bacon Endive Tomato Bites

Bacon Endive Tomato Bites
Recipe

Multicolored grape tomatoes shine in these little bites. Prepare this appetizer when the tomatoes are at their ripest, sweetest, and juiciest. This starter makes for a bright and fresh starter that is bursting with flavor and color. On the light side, this appetizer will ensure that you and your guests don’t get too full before the main course.

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Photo: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard

Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard Recipe
The Chardonnay in a brut blend pairs well with the corn and the mustard, while the Pinot Noir builds bridges to the hot dog and the cranberry in the dip.

TIP: Make the Cranberry Mustard before you start the dogs.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Learn how to make easy and delicious mini caprese bites for a quick, no-cook party appetizer that your guests can’t resist.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham

Strawberry Bruschetta

Strawberry Bruschetta Recipe
Usher in the warm days of spring and summer with Strawberry Bruschetta. This refreshing mixture of nectarine, grape tomatoes, strawberries, and basil are served over baguette slices with slatherings of goat cheese.

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Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta Recipe
Prepare the fig jam for this savory-meets-sweet appetizer up to three days in advance, and store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature, and assemble bruschetta just before serving. For smaller groups, use half the amount of bread. Leftover jam is great on toast at breakfast.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Allison R. Banks

Fruit, Cheese, and Herb Skewers

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Photo: Oxmoor House

Peaches and Cream Mini Cupcakes

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Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Cari South

Pizza Sticks

Pizza Sticks Recipe
Jarred bruschetta topping, chock full of flavorful herbs and veggies, saves both money and prep time for these cheesy pizza sticks. Simply top a refrigerated thin pizza crust with the bruschetta topping and a shredded cheese blend, bake, and cut into bite-size strips.

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Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Stephana Bottom

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers
Recipe

Put out half of the skewers, and keep the remaining chilled until ready to serve. Everyone loves a good melon salad, so we took that idea and “skewer-ed” it. Salty cured ham meets creamy, fresh melon for the ultimate savory/sweet combination. With the addition of smooth mozzarella cheese, these skewers are texturally satisfying and not shy on flavor. Your guests will absolutley the easiness and accessibility of these skewers, and you’d be surprised at how impressed they’ll be.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Chicken Salad Tarts

Chicken Salad Tarts Recipe
This appetizer recipe for Chicken Salad Tarts is perfect for any occasion and (almost!) too pretty to eat.

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Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Bruschetta with Peach Salsa and Melted Brie

Bruschetta with Peach Salsa and Melted Brie Recipe
Place the cheese in the freezer for about 20 minutes for easier cutting. To make this appetizer in advance, you can prepare and refrigerate the salsa up to a day ahead. Toast bread and assemble just before serving.

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Oxmoor House

Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Crab Cake Hush Puppies
Recipe

Serve these Crab Cake Hush Puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce for tasty appetizers. Hush puppies, a Southern classic made by deep-frying a cornmeal batter gets a seafood makeover. Served with a creamy, thick dipping sauce, these salty critters are a great option for a potluck meal or an appetizer that serves to impress. Freeze any leftovers and defrost up to 3 months later.

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Crispy Baked Ravioli

Crispy Baked Ravioli
Recipe
With just 4 ingredients, you can prepare these baked ravioli bites that are perfect for dipping in marinara sauce.

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Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

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Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro

Mini Peppermint and Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes

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Photo: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños
Recipe

The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar nicely contrasts the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This appetizer recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey

Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey
Recipe
In addition to being a delicious appetizer, Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey are great as croutons on salads or as “meat” balls for vegetarian pasta dishes

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams
Recipe
These little gems will be the first appetizer to disappear. Make them the day before and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 weeks. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer; increase the bake time by 10 minutes.

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Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Creamed Spinach Phyllo Cups

Creamed Spinach Phyllo Cups
Recipe
Turn a beloved side dish into a cute and savory appetizer. Frozen phyllo shells speed prep time, as does bagged baby spinach (rather than frozen). Toasting the phyllo cups keeps them crisp longer after being filled.

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Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Skewered Persimmon and Herb Bites

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Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Stuffed Celery

Stuffed Celery Recipe
For an easy side dish, serve guests Stuffed Celery. This stuffing is also great as a dip.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos

Mini Quiches

Mini Quiches Recipe
Five ingredients and 5 minutes of baking gets you these mini quiches, tasty pastry cups filled with egg and cheese and topped with bacon.

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Leo Gong

Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites

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Photo: Annabelle Breakey

Egg and Anchovy Crostini

Egg and Anchovy Crostini Recipe
Enjoy eggs with soft yolk, nestled into lemon-scented toasts and topped with marinated white anchovies for a fresh, clean appetizer.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Pepper Jelly-Goat Cheese Cakes

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Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Cups

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Cups Recipe
The filling can be made and refrigerated up to a day in advance, then brought to room temperature before filling the cups. Phyllo shells come conveniently prebaked, so they’re ready to fill once thawed.

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Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix

Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix Recipe
This sweet and spicy mix is a must for holiday entertaining. Make a batch at the beginning of month and serve all season long.

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Pimiento Cheese Squares

Pimiento Cheese Squares Recipe
The South’s classic spread made into savory bites of Pimiento Cheese Squares makes the perfect appetizer for parties— a taste of home the crowd will love.

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Smoked Trout, Arugula, and Granny Smith Stacks

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Photo: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Herbed Onion Parmesan Toasts

Herbed Onion Parmesan Toasts Recipe
An all-Chardonnay blanc de blancs has an herbal quality that loves the green onions and dill in this appetizer, a brioche layer that echoes the toast itself, and a bright acidity that cuts through the rich mayo and cheese.

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Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Melted Manchego Tortas with Romesco and Chorizo

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Chicken Sausage Puffs with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce

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Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Mini Corn Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Dill Crème Fraîche

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Photo: Theresa Raffetto; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Cumin-Roasted Cashews

Cumin-Roasted Cashews Recipe
This simple appetizer of Cumin-Roasted Cashews is full of flavor and will subdue an appetite until the feast is complete.

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Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote

Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote
Recipe
This lovely appetizer is about as quick and easy as it gets–as tasty, too. You don’t even need to let the cheese come to room temperature first; the warm fruit that goes on top will soften it up.

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Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Peach-and-Blue Cheese Bites

Peach-and-Blue Cheese Bites Recipe
Cut refrigerated pie crust dough into rounds and bake in mini-muffin cups for these bite-size tartlet shells. The 3-ingredient filling is simply cheese, fruit spread, and almonds, or you can use a number of other flavor combinations.

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Pecan-Raisin Mini-Tarts

Pecan-Raisin Mini-Tarts Recipe
Pecan pie is always a welcome treat during the holidays but is sometimes a bit messy to serve. With these little pecan tarts, there’s no need for a fork since you can simply pick one up and pop it in your mouth. The raisins in the filling add a bit of extra sweetness.

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

Seared Beef Tenderloin Mini Sandwiches with Mustard-Horseradish Sauce

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Photo: Maura McEvoy

Modern Cheese Balls

Modern Cheese Balls Recipe
Eliminate the need for cute party spreaders or knives when you offer bite-size cheese balls that guests can either pick up with their fingers or with wooden picks.

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Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Brownie Bourbon Balls

Brownie Bourbon Balls Recipe
A packaged brownie mix is the shortcut ingredient in this fudgy favorite. You might need to make an extra batch as your guests will have a hard time stopping with one.

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Photo: Jan Smith

Classic Shrimp Cocktail with Red and Green Sauces

Classic Shrimp Cocktail with Red and Green Sauces Recipe
The tails of fresh shrimp beckon you to pick them up with your fingers and dip them into a savory sauce. If you need a few shortcuts, buy steamed shrimp at the seafood counter and use bottled green salsa and horseradish sauce instead of making your own.

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Savory Parmesan Bites

Savory Parmesan Bites Recipe
Start with refrigerated crescent roll dough to make these cheesy little roll-ups. You can freeze the unbaked roll-ups for up to one month, and then bake just before serving.

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Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

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Photo: Jan Smith

Goat Cheese Tarts with Lemon-Fig Compote

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Photo: Travis Rathbone

Chocolate Banana Bites

Chocolate Banana Bites
Recipe

If you’re craving something sweet, try these super simple chocolate bites. These freezer treats are delightful frozen or thawed, and make a great party snack. Insert toothpicks into each bite to serve to guests easily and be prepared to share the recipe with everyone who asks!

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Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Onion Frittata Bites

Onion Frittata Bites Recipe
Instead of cooking a frittata in a skillet, bake the egg mixture in a baking dish and then cut into rectangular pieces. You can serve them either warm or at room temperature.

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HOWARD L. PUCKETT

Barbecue Pizza Bites

Barbecue Pizza Bites Recipe
Pizza wedges are perfect when you need a hearty party appetizer. Because of the sturdy Boboli crusts and a small amount of sauce, you can hold these pizzas bites in one hand and not make a mess.

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James Carrier

Panko-crusted Crab Cake Bites with Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli

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Charles Walton IV

Ham-and-Cheese Skewers

Ham-and-Cheese Skewers Recipe
These 4-ingredient appetizer skewers are the perfect pick-up party food and an elegant addition to an appetizer menu.

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Photo: Quentin Bacon

Pigskins in a Blanket

Pigskins in a Blanket
Recipe
Offer a slightly more sophisticated version of pigs-in-a-blanket for your next football party. You only need 3 ingredients: chicken sausage, frozen puff pastry, and whole-grain mustard.

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Photo: Gooseberry Patch

Yummy Sausage Cups

Yummy Sausage Cups
Recipe
These phyllo cups filled with maple-flavored sausage, cheese, and sour cream are perfect for a brunch buffet or a holiday open house. Easy to grab and go, these little cups are sure to be a hit.

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Oxmoor House

Greek Olive Cups

Greek Olive Cups Recipe
Fill mini phyllo cups with a mixture of olives, pecans, pine nuts, and cheese for a savory holiday appetizer offering. These cups can be made ahead and frozen, so they’re ideal for holiday entertaining.

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Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Double Peanut Butter Candy Bites With Granola

Double Peanut Butter Candy Bites With Granola Recipe
Make a little magic with peanut butter cookie dough, mini peanut butter cup candies, and granola. When you offer these 3-ingredient sweet treats at your next dessert party they’re sure to disappear quickly.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Kristen Shelton Fielder

Tomato-Feta Bites

Tomato-Feta Bites
Recipe
Start with frozen puff pastry to make these 6-ingredient Mediterranean-style appetizers featuring the savory goodness of tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites Recipe
Cram all the amazing flavor of pecan pie into these bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties and gift-giving alike.

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Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls
Recipe
This 3-ingredient recipe is the perfect finger food for Christmas morning when children are too excited to sit down for breakfast, but it’s also a great choice for breakfast and brunch any time of the year.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls
Recipe
These bourbon-flavored cookies offer up a powerful punch while packaged in a small bite. These sweet, no-bake treats are a favored gift and a perfect nibble for parties.

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Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Goat Cheese-and-Olive Mini Tarts

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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Mini Bacon Quiches

Mini Bacon Quiches Recipe
These mini crustless quiches are filled with potato, bacon, Parmesan cheese and sour cream and baked in mini muffin pans. You can serve them either warm or at room temperature.

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Photo: Gooseberry Patch

Mini Sausage Tarts

Mini Sausage Tarts
Recipe
You’ll only need 5 ingredients to make these tasty little sausage tarts for your next holiday party. The recipe makes 5 dozen, so it’s a perfect recipe to make if you’re having a crowd.

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Randy Mayor; Cindy Barr

Chocolate Bruschetta

Chocolate Bruschetta Recipe
Turn your bruschetta into a sweet treat for a change. Salt enhances the chocolate flavor. For best results, use good-quality chocolate and coarse sea salt.

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Oxmoor House