65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

By MyRecipes
Updated July 19, 2018
Credit: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Stephana Bottom

From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. 

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Everything Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Everything Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

If you're throwing an all-appetizer party, make sure you provide a variety of options—these cheesy jalapeño poppers are just the finger food you're looking for.

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Melted Manchego Tortas with Romesco and Chorizo

Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Melted Manchego Tortas with Romesco and Chorizo Recipe

These cheesy Manchego tortas are ready in just 25 minutes. Spanish flatbreads, or tortas, are a tapas staple that party guests will love.

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Lemon-Caper Parmesan Potato Salad Bites

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

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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Cheese Truffles

Credit: Erin Adams; Styling: Buffy Hargett

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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Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip

Credit: Rebecca Longshore

Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Two finger food favorites collide as pigs in a blanket get an everything bagel makeover. Rather than the traditional canned biscuit or croissant dough, the "blanket" of this playful appetizer is made with fresh pizza dough that is first boiled, brushed with egg wash, and rolled in an "everything" seasoning blend (poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and coarse salt) before being baked. Using a yeasted dough and this double cooking method is what gives these tailgate-ready bites their bagel personality. Serve them up with a tangy cream cheese dip for a party-perfect snack platter. 

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Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

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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Bacon Endive Tomato Bites

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

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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Caprese Salsa

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Caprese Salsa Recipe

We loved the classic caprese salad so much, we transformed it into a vibrant summer “salsa,” so that we could top just about everything with it. The simple, but so satisfying, flavor combo of ripe, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and rich mozzarella cheese is the perfect path to amping up any number of your favorite summertime staples. Serve this fresh and flavor-packed topper over grilled steak or chicken, use it as a burger relish, or spoon it onto crostini or grilled bread for an awesome and easy appetizer. 

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Mini Corn Dogs with Cranberry Mustard

Credit: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

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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Pesto Pastries

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pesto Pastries Recipe

Unlike classic pesto, there's no oil in this filling. Once everything is minced in the food processor, though, it develops a paste-like consistency. Thaw the pastry in the fridge overnight, or leave out at room temperature for an hour or two.

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Strawberry Bruschetta

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

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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All-Purpose Entertaining Crackers

Credit: Sheri Giblin; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Amy Stone

All-Purpose Entertaining Crackers Recipe

Why buy something that you can make easily and more deliciously at home? Make these all-purpose crackers as they are, or top with Asiago cheese, sea salt and black pepper, Italian herbs, or sesame seed oil after rolling the dough and before cutting it into desired shapes. Note that if you choose to make larger, 2" crackers, the yield is around 60 crackers, which serves 30 people.

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Smoked Trout, Arugula, and Granny Smith Stacks

Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Smoked Trout, Arugula, and Granny Smith Stacks Recipe

Crisp apples make a delicious and nutritious base this quick and easy appetizer.

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Peaches and Cream Mini Cupcakes

Credit: Oxmoor House

Peaches and Cream Mini Cupcakes Recipe

Petite and almost too cute to eat, these miniature cupcakes are infused with the sweet flavor of summer's juiciest fruit.

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Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

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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Chicken Salad Tarts

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

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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Bruschetta with Peach Salsa and Melted Brie

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

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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Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Credit: Oxmoor House

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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Cheesy Sausage Roll-Ups

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cheesy Sausage Roll-Ups Recipe

These southwestern-style roll-ups require just 5 ingredients. 

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Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Credit: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe

Searching for that perfect, crowd-pleasing appetizer for you next get-together? Look no further than these stuffed jalapeño poppers. The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar nicely contrasts the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This grilled appetizer recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version. If you’re looking to keep your stuffed jalapeño poppers vegetarian-friendly, you can eliminate the bacon or replace it with coarsely chopped nuts, like smoked almonds or toasted pecans. 

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Cheese Dreams

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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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Mini Cheese Balls

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Mini Cheese Balls Recipe

Almond milk cream cheese is delicately nutty, with a buttery-rich texture and zero grams of sat fat. Find it at Whole Foods stores nationwide. You can substitute 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, which adds 1.6g sat fat to each serving.

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Creamed Spinach Phyllo Cups

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

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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Skewered Persimmon and Herb Bites

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Skewered Persimmon and Herb Bites Recipe

The combination of persimmons with Southeast Asian herbs and dunk sauce comes as a surprise in these quick appetizers, and it's totally addictive.

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Stuffed Celery

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

Stuffed Celery Recipe

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

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Mini Quiches

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

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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Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites

Credit: Leo Gong

Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites Recipe

These savory hors d'oeuvres can be assembled in advance—ideal for relaxed entertaining.

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Egg and Anchovy Crostini

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

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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Pepper Jelly-Goat Cheese Cakes

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Pepper Jelly-Goat Cheese Cakes Recipe

These delightful goat cheese cakes topped with pepper jelly are a great make ahead appetizer and are served chilled so no warming is necessary.

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Creamy Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Cups

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Creamy Wild 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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Sweet and Spicy Nut and Pretzel Mix

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Sweet and Spicy Nut and Pretzel 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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Pimiento Cheese Squares

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

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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Herbed Onion Parmesan Toasts

Credit: Aya Brackett; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

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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Chicken Sausage Puffs with Creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce