85 Finger Foods & Appetizers For The Best Party Ever
Fine, we are by no means food scientists, but we know one thing is 100% fact: When it comes to appetizers, we say the smaller the food, the tastier it is. Could this be why we love pigs in a blanket so much? Probably! When you can eat these appetizers in two bites, it means you and your guests can eat lots of fried goat cheese bites, bang bang shrimp, meatball sub bites, and chicken empanadas. Whether you want fancy little puff pastry bites or the classics like stuffed mushrooms and bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, we have 85 bite-sized finger food recipes that are going to be perfect for your next dinner party, game day tailgate, or holiday potluck.
Want to really impress your guests? Try our easy (yet impressive) apps that are sure to stun. Crispy fried calamari (or even mushroom "calamari"!) couldn't be simpler to whip up. The same is true for our recipes for cheesy shrimp and grit bites, our arancini, and our Taiwanese popcorn chicken. In a rush? Check out all our best quick, last-minute appetizers. Our make-ahead appetizer recipes are like a tasty gift to your future self too.
With all these appetizers working their way around the room, you're going to need some cocktails and mocktails to go with them. Shake things up with our recipes for our best classic cocktails and our best after-dinner cocktails. If you need to stock up your bar cart, check out our favorite gin, tequila, vodka, and non-alcoholic spirit recommendations. Serving a crowd? Try one of our many big-batch cocktails so you can focus on your guests (and those apps!). Whatever you do. don't forget dessert either! These potluck-friendly dessert ideas will keep your spread looking like you hired a pro to do it.
Chicken Nuggets
Want to feel like a kid again? Make homemade chicken nuggets. Coated in crispy seasoned bread crumbs, these tender, juicy bites are hard to beat. The recipe may technically serve 2 to 4, but we’ve definitely demolished an entire tray all by ourselves.
Get the Chicken Nuggets recipe.
Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites
The perfect bite to start any party is one made of mac and cheese and lobster. Here we use a combination of heavy cream, sharp cheddar, and nutty gouda cheese along with sweet shallots and garlic to form a simple, yet decadent canvas for the real stars, pasta and lobster. Our favorite part about these mini bites? How crispy the exterior gets, plus the addition of black pepper on top that really makes them pop.
Get the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites recipe.
Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites
The combination of creamy grits and spiced juicy shrimp in a holy trinity-spiked sauce is a match made in heaven. You can eat it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and now…you can finally have shrimp and grits in appetizer form. For our take on the two-bite version of this classic dish, smoked gouda grits are breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy, then topped with saucy Cajun-spiced shrimp and a flurry of fresh scallions.
Get the Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites recipe.
Crispy Hot Honey Cauliflower Nuggets
If chicken nuggets with honey mustard were your childhood fave, prepare to meet your new obsession. Coated with toasty bread crumbs and drizzled in a ridiculously unputdownable hot honey sauce, these crispy cauliflower nuggets are reinventing that childhood snack into a sweet and spicy sensation. Oh—and did we mention they’re also vegan?
Get the Crispy Hot Honey Cauliflower Nuggets recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
If you haven't experienced the flavor combo of prosciutto + melon, get on it STAT. It's the ultimate in sweet and salty.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Crab Cake Egg Rolls
These two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out egg rolls all into one platter-friendly package.
Get the Crab Cake Egg Roll recipe.
BLAT Toasts
Bruschetta, be warned: BLAT toasts have arrived. Topped with avocado, romaine, sliced tomato, and crispy bacon, these mini toasts pack big BLT flavor in a few small bites. Did we mention the bread is toasted in bacon fat?
Get the BLAT Toasts recipe.
Pigs In A Blanket
There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
Bacon Guac Bombs
Bacon + guacamole = our ideal combo always. Put them in bite-sized form like these in these snack bombs, and we truly can't get enough. Homemade guacamole is rolled into pieces of bacon in these keto-friendly apps that are just as perfect for snacking on throughout the day as they are at a tailgate party.
Get the Bacon Guac Bombs recipe.
Antipasto Bites
Fresh tortellini makes this the hearty party appetizer of our dreams. If you're not a fan of olives, pepperoncini peppers would be a delicious substitute.
Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.
Crispy Fried Calamari
Fried calamari doesn't have to be reserved for beachfront restaurants. It's easy to make at home and comes out extra crispy and crunchy. A squeeze of lemon juice and fresh marinara, and you're ready to go. After you master this, give fish and chips a go!
Get the Crispy Fried Calamari recipe.
Parmesan Tortellini Bites
As far as stuffed pasta goes, tortellini is highly versatile, convenient, and—the best part—filled with cheese. You may have heard of toasted ravioli, but these crispy Parmesan tortellini bites will soon become your new favorite appetizer.
Get the Parmesan Tortellini Bites recipe.
Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Traditionally stuffed with a meat and rice mixture, dolmas can also be made vegetarian (known as yalancı dolma, or “fake dolma”). Here we stick to rice with lots of herbs and spices, plus some currants for flavor and pine nuts for texture.
Get the Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves) recipe.
Esquites Fritters
We’re happy to report that esquites, the irresistible and less-messy salad version of everyone’s favorite cotija-coated snack, elote, were the perfect inspiration for these bite-sized fritters. Paired with a lime and garlic-spiked sour cream sauce, these crisp patties are guaranteed to disappear in a crowd in minutes.
Get the Esquites Fritters recipe.
Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Air fryers are slowly winning us over. First with these amazing air-fryer pickles (obvs), and now with this amazing coconut shrimp. They get totally crispy, and the spicy mayo goes perfectly with the sweet coconut. Match made in heaven!
Get the Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Caprese Bites
If you’re in need of a quick and easy appetizer or a last-minute addition to your holiday party, then these Caprese-inspired bites are the simple solution your guests will thank you for. Focusing on three ingredients and requiring no cooking, these bites require very little effort and time.
Get the Caprese Bites recipe.
Baked Salmon Sushi Cups
With these baked salmon sushi cups, you can skip all the stress of regular sushi but still get all the flavors of your favorite roll. Baked in mini muffin tins, these also come together fast, making them perfect to serve as a bite-sized app at your next party.
Get the Baked Salmon Sushi Cups recipe.
Deviled Eggs
A classic party appetizer, deviled eggs bring the party to any event. Whether you're serving them at your BBQ, picnic, or summer potluck, you can't go wrong with this satisfying app.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Mini Phyllo Feta Bites
These mini phyllo feta bites are the perfect easy bite-sized appetizer for a party. Salty, gooey feta cheese is wrapped in the flakiest golden-brown layers of phyllo dough. Everything gets drizzled in sticky-sweet honey and topped with flaky salt for extra crunch, and voilá: You have an elegant hors d’oeuvre with just six ingredients.
Get the Mini Phyllo Feta Bites recipe.
Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites
Step aside, hasselback potatoes: Hasselback biscuit bites are coming to steal your thunder. Featuring convenient canned biscuits stuffed with ham and cheese, these flaky, buttery bites will delight party guests wherever they appear.
Get the Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites recipe.
Smoked Salmon Crostini
Smoked salmon has been endlessly married with cream cheese, and we're not tired of it. In fact, we encourage it full-on. Whether it’s smoked salmon dip or in a pasta, there is no denying the perfection of this combo. So, for a quick hors d'oeuvre, like this salmon crostini, we couldn’t shy away from it.
Get the Smoked Salmon Crostini recipe.
Crab Cake Bites
Are these the cutest appetizer or what? When you're craving crab cakes but gotta feed a crowd, these are the way to do it.
Get the Crab Cake Bites recipe.
French Onion Soup Bites
French onion soup is already a bowl of perfection: fortifying broth, sweetly soft onions, a few chunks of bread, and a molten layer of cheese. These little bites prove that perfection can come in many forms.
Get the French Onion Soup Bites recipe.
Stuffed Mushrooms
To make these, we stuff baby bella mushrooms with garlicky, herby breadcrumbs and plenty of cheese. Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready for the most party-friendly appetizer ever.
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Meatball Sub Egg Rolls
These fun little hybrids are exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you'd find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don't want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.
Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.
Peanut Chicken Wonton Cups
If you’re tired of appetizers that are harder to assemble than the entrée, you’ve come to the right place. These peanut chicken wonton cups are super simple to put together and packed with flavor. Tender shredded rotisserie chicken gets tossed in a spicy-sweet peanut sauce, stuffed in a crispy baked wonton shell, and topped with bright, colorful, and crunchy veggies to make this easy two-bite app.
Get the Peanut Chicken Wonton Cups recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
When it comes to iconic party apps, jalapeño poppers deserve a major spot in the appetizer hall of fame. In this recipe, cream cheese and shredded pepper jack are stuffed in the jalapeños before being wrapped in smoky bacon (because everything is better with bacon). When cooked, the cheese gets hot and melty while the peppers mellow slightly, making every bite a perfect combo of flavors.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
Reuben Pinwheels
If you love meaty, savory, tangy Reuben sandwiches, then these crispy Reuben pinwheels are the easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ve been searching for. Made with store-bought buttery puff pastry and layered with corned beef, gooey Swiss cheese, creamy thousand island dressing, and crunchy sauerkraut, these bites have everything you love about the classic sandwich in a party-ready shape.
Get the Reuben Pinwheels recipe.
Fondue Bites
If you thought fondue belonged in the 1970s, think again! We’ve hauled this retro party classic into the 21st century by turning it into cheesy bite-sized party snacks, perfect for any festive occasion.
Get the Fondue Bites recipe.
Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a star side in our book, and adding Parmesan to these crispy bites makes them practically irresistible. We coat these sprouts in a cheesy, garlicky mixture before baking on a high heat, giving them an ultra-crispy crust perfect for dunking in homemade Caesar dressing.
Get the Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Mushroom “Calamari” With Spicy Marinara
Umami-rich oyster mushrooms are lightly battered and fried for this squid-free take on fried calamari. You can use other mushroom varieties, but the delicate “petals” of the oyster mushrooms get nice and crispy, so we recommend seeking them out.
Get the Mushroom “Calamari” With Spicy Marinara recipe.
Baked Feta Bites
If you love the TikTok-famous baked feta pasta and the delightful sophistication of our cranberry brie bites, then brace yourself: These little appetizers are the culinary revelation that combines the best of both worlds.
Get the Baked Feta Bites recipe.
Bang Bang Shrimp
A go-to appetizer for many, bang bang shrimp is irresistibly delicious. The pairing of crunchy shrimp and the signature creamy, spicy-sweet sauce is a combo made in appetizer heaven.
Get the Bang Bang Shrimp recipe.
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites
Caramelizing onions takes a bit of time and a watchful eye, but the deep onion-y flavor is well worth it for these puff pastry bites. A little crumbled goat cheese for creaminess and tang and a drizzle of honey for sweetness make them irresistible.
Get the Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites recipe.
Fried Goat Cheese Bites
Attention cheese boards everywhere: Fried goat cheese bites are coming to steal your thunder. Coated in crispy herby bread crumbs and drizzled with honey, these creamy, melt-in-your-mouth morsels will capture the hearts of party guests everywhere.
Get the Fried Goat Cheese Bites recipe.
Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets
This beginner-friendly pastry hack transforms store-bought puff pastry into a beautiful bite-sized snack. We’ve seen videos using sliced apples, tomatoes, and even caramelized onions, but our version leans heavily into savory territory with a cream of mushroom soup-inspired filling.
Get the Upside-Down Cream Of Mushroom Tartlets recipe.
Meatball Sub Bites
The meatball sub is a hearty comfort food classic that's been long overdue for a bite-sized upgrade. Enter the meatball sub bite—a juicy herb and garlic meatball stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in crisp and chewy pizza dough, and served with spicy marinara. 😍
Get the Meatball Sub Bites recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Craving something a little more creative than your average Buffalo wings? Enter: Buffalo chicken meatballs. Ready in just 30 minutes, these meatballs are a flavor-packed app you can have ready in no time, so you don't have to miss any of the big game.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Brûléed Brie Crostini
Caramelizing the tops of your crostini is a great party trick. Assemble the toasts and wait to brûlée the top for when you’re ready to serve them. The crunchy sugar topping will then give way to an warm and oozy slice of brie and sweet jam. Yum!
Get the Brûléed Brie Crostini recipe.
Fried Buffalo Artichoke Hearts
We bet you've heard of Buffalo wings made from cauliflower or tempeh, but what about artichokes? Be still our beating hearts!
Get the Fried Buffalo Artichoke Hearts recipe.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
These pinwheels are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for a party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice. See, simple!
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli
Typically, shrimp cocktail brings to mind a large platter of chilled shrimp and a sweet, tangy sauce. We’re opting for roasting instead of the traditional poaching method to give this old-school appetizer even more flavor.
Get the Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli recipe.
Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites
A pizza lover's dream: creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm. What's not to love? Want to skip the macaroni altogether? Try these pizza pepperoni bites!
Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
In the world of fancy bite-size appetizers, the crab-stuffed mushroom reigns supreme. These are also great with chopped, cooked lobster or shrimp meat, but try to avoid imitation crab if you can—it gets a little stringy, and you and your holiday guests deserve the best.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Bean & Cheese Taquitos
These crispy, cheesy Mexican taquitos are quick and easy to make—even if you don’t want to bust out the big bottle of oil. Instead, brush them with a little oil, then bake them at 450° for around 15 minutes.
Get the Bean & Cheese Taquitos recipe.
Harissa Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs get a smoky kick from harissa (Tunisian chili pepper paste) in this simple but flavorful recipe. Topped with crispy fried shallots and fresh cilantro, it may stray pretty far from the original, but it’s just as delicious.
Get the Harissa Deviled Eggs recipe.
Crab Rangoon
Crab rangoon is a bit of a sleeper hit in the world of Chinese-American appetizers. They're basically little pockets of cheesy crab dip wrapped up in a crispy wonton shell. What could be better?
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles
Need an easy, last-minute appetizer? These asparagus bundles are it. Flaky, buttery puff pastry is stuffed with prosciutto, asparagus, and brie and brushed all over with a salted honey butter (!!) to make them extra delicious.
Get the Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Bacon-wrapped scallops are one of those dishes that wow guests but secretly are so easy to make. With five ingredients—not including salt and pepper—you can make a bite-sized appetizer that will have everyone’s mouth watering.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe.
Chicken Empanadas
Empanadas come in many different forms with many different fillings. This version is a flavor bomb, with tender chicken thighs, peppers, and olives, bolstered by tomato paste and paprika. Yum!
Get the Chicken Empanadas recipe.
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
These pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They're chock-full of melty cheese and savory-sweet ham, then topped with fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds for texture and flavor you and your guests will love.
Get the Ham & Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Parmesan Bread Bites
If you're a fan of garlic knots, this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. Sage and thyme are used here to add seasonal flavor, but feel free to add any herbs you prefer.
Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a classic, and it couldn't be easier. We've updated this party standby with a zesty homemade sauce that packs a flavorful punch thanks to ketchup, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The secret ingredient? A small amount of celery salt ties it all together.
Get the Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
Loaded Potato Skins
We expect nothing less than fully loaded from our potato skins. What does "fully loaded" mean to us? If it's topped with cheddar, sour cream, bacon, and scallions (or chives), it's loaded. Examples include (but are CERTAINLY not limited to): loaded mashed potatoes, loaded pickle chips, and loaded zucchini skins.
Get the Loaded Potato Skins recipe.
Black-Eyed Pea Bruschetta
Simply toss canned black-eyed peas with raw chopped collard greens, bell pepper, scallions, and garlic, and toss with an apple cider vinaigrette. Pile the mix onto toasted baguette slices and top with crispy, smoky pork to complete this shareable appetizer.
Get the Black-Eyed Pea Bruschetta recipe.
Spinach Puffs
If you love baked spinach dip, you'll love these baked puff pastry puffs. They're filled with a mixture of sautéed onion, garlic, spinach, and cream cheese and baked inside little puff pastry cups in a muffin tin. Bet you can't eat just one!
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Air Fryer Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms
These poppable snacks harness umami to the power of three. Savory mushrooms, sweet and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and nutty Parmesan combine for irresistible bites you’ll be craving long after they’re gone (so make extra!).
Get the Air Fryer Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Reuben Pickle Bites
Here at Delish, we’re all about a good reuben sandwich. Creamy dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese… what’s not to love? Pair all those delicious ingredients between pickle chips for the the perfect bite-size appetizer (and they come together SO fast).
Get the Reuben Pickle Bites recipe.
Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are THE appetizer we make for every party, and while our classic recipe is great, sometimes we like to switch it up a bit. Enter boursin cheese. It adds a little something to these that’ll have your guests coming back for more.
Get the Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
If you're unfamiliar with dates, it's time to familiarize yourself! The date's sweetness is the perfect counterpoint to crisp, salty bacon and creamy goat cheese.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
Arancini, 3 Ways
The Italian dish is prepared by forming cooled risotto into balls, filling them with some sort of filling (typically cheesy!), then breading and deep frying them into golden, crispy perfection. We've got three different flavor options here, but our fave for spring is pesto provolone!
Get the Arancini, 3 Ways recipe.
Cheesy Corn Poppers
These savory bites have earned a notorious reputation here at Delish—they're pretty impossible to stop eating. The contrast of sweet juicy corn, salty Parmesan, and bright scallions is pretty unbeatable. These poppers are definitely one of our all-time favorite summer corn recipes.
Get the Cheesy Corn Poppers recipe.
Butternut Squash Potstickers
These seasonal potstickers are a super-clever and delicious fall appetizer. They're easy to put together, and most of your time is spent roasting your squash until really tender, which can be done ahead of time. Crimping takes a little practice, but the good news is that even if they look a little wonky, they're still going to taste great!
Get the Butternut Squash Potstickers recipe.
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
The spice mix here is what sets this crispy popcorn chicken apart: five-spice heightened with some white pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, onion powder, and mildly spicy gochugaru.
Get the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken recipe.
Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Tahini Dip
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these falafel are baked, not fried, for less mess. Chickpea flour is your new best friend in this gluten-free treat.
Get the Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Tahini Dip recipe.
Brown Butter Radish Crostini
Crunchy, peppery red radishes are underrated, so we thought it was time to give them the spotlight, front-and-center on this springy crostini with plenty of sweet, caramelized brown butter.
Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.
Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans
Here, we set out to make crispy delicious green beans, minus the deep frying. Our solve? Panko bread crumbs and your air fryer, which give the benefit of tempura's delicious crunch, without the need for a pot of hot, spattering oil or a classic tempura batter (since wet batters don't do well in the air fryer).
Get the Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans recipe.
Potato Gratin Stacks
Potatoes au gratin are one of the most satisfying sides, so we decided to turn it into a crowd-pleasing bite-sized app too. No casserole dish needed here—a muffin tin, Russet potatoes, two types of cheese, heavy cream, and staple seasonings are all you need to create these cheesy stacks.
Get the Potato Gratin Stacks recipe.
Ginger Pork Pot Stickers
Looking for a weekend project? We suggest these super-flavorful (and surprisingly easy) pot stickers! Don't miss the photo guide of our folding technique, though you don't need to fuss too much over them. These Chinese-inspired snacks will taste amazing no matter how they look.
Get the Ginger Pork Pot Stickers recipe.
Spinach Spanakopita
So much flaky crispy goodness. The elegant shape might look intimidating, but these cute two-biter spanakopita pockets are actually so easy to fold! Take a long strip of phyllo and just imagine you're folding a paper football or a flag. See? Easy!
Get the Spinach Spanakopita recipe.
Toasted Ravioli
Breaded and fried, it's so fun to eat ravioli with your hands and dipping it in plenty of marinara. Bonus! Toasted ravioli works in the air fryer too, meaning you can skip all of the oil for an even more perfect appetizer.
Get the Toasted Ravioli recipe.
Scallion Pancakes
Scallion pancakes might be one of our favorite appetizers ever. Crispy, flaky, and with the *slightest* bit of chew, it's easy to polish off a whole plate in minutes.
Get the Scallion Pancakes recipe.
Cheese Straws
Crunchy, flaky, and cheesy. What's not to love? These cheese straws are studded with cheddar, green onions, and sesame seeds for the most flavor-packed cheese straws we've ever had. Using store-bought puff pastry makes them extremely easy to pull together for a party!
Get the Cheese Straws recipe.
Garlic Knots
Slathered in buttery, garlicky goodness, these garlic knots are seriously irresistible. These savory bites come together in 30 minutes, but just make sure to let your refrigerated pizza dough sit on the counter for around an hour before assembling.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
Air-Fryer Egg Rolls
The two main tips for perfect air-fryer egg rolls is 1) brush your egg rolls with oil, this will ensure they get crispy and develop those iconic little bubble on the outside and 2) preheat your air fryer to 400º and "fry" for 10 minutes flipping halfway through.
Get the Air-Fryer Egg Rolls recipe.
You Might Also Like
