Elevate Any Party with Attention-Grabbing Finger Foods
Selecting the best finger foods to serve at your party will have your guests talking, and for all the right reasons. Showcase your hosting abilities with a selection of finger foods that will enhance the main course, satisfy even the pickiest eaters, and make you feel like the best host in town. Here are 20 finger food ideas for your next soirée.
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1. Parmesan Crisps
Parmesan crisps are easy to make and offer a nice textural contrast to other popular finger foods. These paper-thin appetizers are the perfect vessel for spinach dip or a slice of cheese. Yes, it’s cheese on cheese, but the crackle of the crisp with the softness or creaminess of a thoughtfully-selected cheese complements each other perfectly.
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2. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Everyone loves bacon, but no respectable host can serve a pile of bacon. Bacon-wrapped dates are delicious and a perfect way to elevate this fan favorite. There’s a strong chance that this will be the most popular finger food among your guests.
Like_the_Grand_Canyon from Bochum, Germany on Wikimedia
3. Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
If, for some reason, you don’t want to serve bacon to your guests, it is quite heavy after all, prosciutto-wrapped melon offers a lighter and more refreshing alternative. Thin prosciutto wrapped around chunks or balls of melon works as well for a baby shower as they do for a large dinner party.
4. Mini Beef Wellingtons
Serving a finger food version of beef wellingtons will make your guests think that Gordon Ramsey is catering your party. This smaller version of a classic British dish popularized by Julia Child can be quite filling, perfect if you’re planning to serve dinner a little late.
5. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
A healthier and vegetarian version of Buffalo wings, Buffalo cauliflower bites are caramelized and packed with flavor. Serve it with a ranch or blue cheese sauce to capture the essence of Buffalo wings in every bite.
6. Soft Pretzel Bites with Hot Mustard
A soft pretzel offers the ideal Bavarian bite, especially when drenched in hot mustard. This finger food is chewy, soft, and salty, and you don’t need to be an experienced baker to whip up a batch. If you want to serve a neutral sauce, replace the hot mustard with a cheese dip.
7. Spicy Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic, but it’s best to elevate them with a modern twist to draw the attention of your guests. A drizzle of Sriracha can turn a boring deviled egg into something more vibrant and mouth-watering. Garnish each egg with chopped scallion to complete the dish.
8. Antipasto Skewers
These simple skewers, comprised of salami, olives, tomatoes, and cheese, pop with color and flavor. Choose your favorite salami, or the one that fits your budget, and use tiny mozzarella balls or a firm brie.
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9. Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese & Pecans
Some will try to convince you that this finger food is only appropriate for Thanksgiving. We think they’re wrong. Your guests will enjoy the caramelized sweet potato slathered with creamy goat cheese and the crunch of pecans.
10. Turkey Pinwheels
If you want to serve low-carb options to your guests, then you can’t go wrong with turkey pinwheels. This finger food is a fun and creative take on the party sandwich, and you can use flavored cream cheese and any green to make this dish come to life.
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11. Crostini with Ricotta & Honey
Mix savory and sweet with a crostini topped with drizzled honey and a dollop of ricotta. This finger food is light on ingredients and requires barely any assembly, making it a good option if you’re looking for a time saver.
12. Hummus-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
It’s smart to add a vegan option to your smorgasbord. Try these hummus-stuffed cherry tomatoes, which are acidic, creamy, and far too easy to pop into your mouth. Even your more carnivorous partygoers will be tempted to fill their plate with this Mediterranean delicacy.
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13. Fried Ravioli
Put your air fryer to good use by making a batch of these toasted pockets of cheese and tomato sauce. Fried ravioli offers the best of traditional ravioli, but with a distinct twist that makes them even gooier. Don’t feel limited to only one cheese, as five-cheese fried ravioli is a delight.
14. Mini Tostadas
A crispy toastada topped with diced chicken or beef, green peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream will go fast. You can opt to make them vegetarian by excluding the protein or even fancier with slow-cooked pulled pork.
15. Tuna Tartare on Wonton Crisps
Try serving this finger food with an Asian twist. The crispy wonton plays off the rich and fatty tuna to perfection. You can garnish with toasted sesame seeds or a jalapeno ring for a spicy touch.
16. Mini Lobster Rolls
This might sound pricy and a bit much, but stay with us here, as mini lobster rolls can transform any party. Use brioche buns and plump lobster claws mixed with Serranos and lemon juice to create a bite reminiscent of New England.
17. Brie and Cranberry Phyllo Cups
A perfect blend of tartness, creaminess, and crispiness, brie and cranberry phyllo cups are a finger food that never fails to delight. It offers a bite layered with flavor, and you can garnish with rosemary or chopped walnuts for even greater depth.
18. Mini Crab Cakes with Aioli
Crab cakes offer a ritzy alternative to traditional finger foods like sausage rolls. An aioli with hints of garlic and lemon is the ideal partner for the rich crab with a golden brown exterior. Use fresh lump crabmeat, if available, to make this finger food sing.
19. Marinated Mozzarella Balls
You won’t attend a lot of parties that serve marinated mozzarella balls. Not yet, anyway. Mozzarella is delicious, but it lacks flavor. By marinating them in fresh herbs, lemon juice and zest, and garlic, you intensify the flavor.
20. Mini Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup Shooters
Turn the most iconic lunch into a memorable finger food. Serving tomato soup in a shooter delivers an elegant presentation while still allowing your guests to dunk their grilled cheese as if they were in a diner.
