12 Savvy Ways to Serve Finger Foods

September 28, 2009
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Easy-to-pick-up finger foods are ideal for parties, and you'll earn big style points with these recipes and creative serving suggestions.
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Marinated Mozzarella

Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Marinated Mozzarella Recipe
Fresh rosemary stems not only add flavor but also provide the perfect way to pick up the cubes of mozzarella.
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Cheese Straws

Ralph Anderson
Cheese Straws Recipe
When you're not using your silver julep cups for bourbon cocktails, turn them into festive serving containers for cheese straws. Line each cup with a linen napkin to keep the cheese straws upright in the cup and to prevent salt and oils from contact with the silver.

3 of 12

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites Recipe
Decorative glass jars are great for food gifts, but they're also a fun way to present and serve treats on a holiday dessert table. Buy jars with lids to match your table setting theme or decorate your own jars with ribbon, raffia or fabric.
Advertisement

4 of 12

Gorgonzola Truffles

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Gorgonzola Truffles Recipe
Sometimes the perfect serving piece is right in your kitchen. Pull out a wooden cutting board for a casual yet artful arrangement of fruits and cheeses.

5 of 12

Espresso Truffles

Photo: Mary Ellen Bartley
Espresso Truffles Recipe
Serving fudgy truffles in miniature paper liners creates visual interest and allows your guests to pick up the candy without getting chocolate on their fingers.

6 of 12

Curried Chicken Tea Sandwiches

Photo: Charles Walton
Curried Chicken Tea Sandwiches Recipe
There's no time like the present to get out those silver trays you received as wedding gifts and use them for serving party sandwiches. Nothing dresses up a table better than silver, so don't wait for a formal occasion to show your style.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Mini Caprese Bites

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen
Mini Caprese Bites Recipe
Place fresh mozzarella cheese balls, grape tomato halves and basil on short wooden skewers, and serve in stemless wine glasses for an easy and colorful presentation.

8 of 12

Corn Bread Bites

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr
Corn Bread Bites Recipe
For a casual gathering, consider serving these bite-size corn bread muffins directly from the baking pan. Loosen the muffins from the pan to make it easier for guests to pick up with their fingers. This way of serving the bread works great for a "top-your-own chili" party or a soup bar in the kitchen.

9 of 12

Feta Cheese Truffles

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Feta Cheese Truffles Recipe
Rather than a presenting a platter full of the same item, use a dish with compartments and place small portions of different kinds of finger foods in each section. Include an easy-to-pick up cheese appetizer along with roasted nuts, olives, and fresh veggies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Bite-size Honey Popcorn Balls

Bite-size Honey Popcorn Balls Recipe
Bag up these mini-popcorn balls in small paper bags, and arrange the bags on a tray with a piece of ribbon. Look for small bags to match your party theme at craft stores or in the gift wrap section of variety stores.

11 of 12

Tofu Bites

Photo: Karry Hosford
Tofu Bites Recipe
When it comes to serving finger foods, don't forget the standbys such as colorful wooden picks. There's no reason to make things hard.

12 of 12

Walnut Brittle

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Walnut Brittle Recipe
Although festive holiday tins are usually reserved for food gifts, there's certainly nothing wrong with using them as serving containers. It's a great way to add a festive holiday theme to the table without spending a fortune on serving pieces. Line the tin with a square of parchment paper and fill it up with candy or cookies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next