Effortless Appetizers: 30 Easy Finger Foods for Parties

Whether it’s a holiday gathering, special occasion or just a spur-of-the-moment get-together, everybody loves to party! And what’s a party without delicious appetizers? The best appetizers are simple to make and serve, bring guests together and set the stage for a fun and flavorful time. Next time you are planning to feed a crowd, plan an intimate dinner party or bring something quick and easy to a potluck, these are the recipes that will make a BIG impression.

How do you choose what appetizer to serve?

Appetizers are amazingly versatile. You can have sweet, salty, savory flavor profiles – or a mixture of all of them to satisfy any palette or appetite. A variety of appetizers allows guests to choose from and they can decide how much they want to eat. Mix colors, textures, spiciness levels, proteins, veggies, starches, as well as serving both hot and cold apps.

Tip: if you’re hosting a crowd, and don’t know everyone’s dietary needs, serve a variety of appetizers that include options for vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and low carb. That way, you won’t have a guest with a growling stomach if they have restrictions.

So how do you know how many apps to make?

In general, we recommend having 2-3 appetizers for smaller groups and when you have a meal planned. When serving a crowd, or when appetizers are the main food, 7-10 appetizers work well. People will usually eat 3-5 pieces when a dinner or meal follows, and 10-12 pieces over the course of a party where appetizers are the main fare.

How do you serve appetizers at a party?

Another great thing about appetizers is that they can be served in many different ways. If you want to have ease of setup and cleanup, you can set up a buffet with all your appetizers in one place. If you’re concerned about folks standing in line, you can even set up multiple serving areas with one appetizer in each place. If you want to be able to mingle with guests, you can walk through with a platter.

Tip: Keep your apps bite-size and carry extra cocktail napkins if you go the route of serving off platters, so people don’t have to stand around holding a plate or hunt for a napkin.

Let’s Party!

Impress your guest with these appetizers that are easy to make and so delicious that you’ll want to throw another party just so you can eat them again. And the best part is, they are so simple that you can spend less time in the kitchen, and more time with your guests.

30 Minutes or Less

These appetizers are quick and easy – you can even get them ready in a pinch for impromptu gatherings.