12 Savvy Ways to Serve Finger Foods

Updated September 28, 2009
Credit: 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.

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Marinated Mozzarella

Credit: 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.

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Cheese Straws

Credit: 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.

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Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Credit: 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.

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Gorgonzola Truffles

Credit: 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.

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Espresso Truffles

Credit: 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.

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Curried Chicken Tea Sandwiches

Credit: 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.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Credit: 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.

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Corn Bread Bites

Credit: 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.

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Feta Cheese Truffles

Credit: 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.

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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.

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Tofu Bites

Credit: 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.

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Walnut Brittle

Credit: 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.

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