We like to think that some the best party foods are the ones you can eat with your hands. It's just so much more fun to munch on than having to use a fork and knife—or even a plate! (But napkins are still recommended, especially if you have kids.) And with the adorable bite-sized finger food ideas ahead, you can eat more than one without a second thought. So, go ahead and reach for these easy appetizers to make for your next holiday party or game day spread. No matter what the occasion may be, these finger food ideas are just what you need to feed a crowd of hungry guests. Here, you'll find tons of one-bite wonders, including pigs in a blanket, garlic knots, fried pickles, and whipped deviled eggs.
Looking for healthy appetizers to pair with your party dips? We've got you covered with classic recipes like cranberry brie bites, shrimp co*cktail, and mozzarella sticks that are made in an air fryer. You'll also find some creative ideas that will have everyone at your party raving. Try the chicken taquitos or pepperoni pizza rolls that would make a welcome addition to your Super Bowl party. (Speaking of football, the lemon pepper chicken wings are one of our favorite additions to this list.) Just serve them with one of our tasty co*cktails, and these finger food ideas are guaranteed to win over any crowd.
1
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet, smoky, salty, spicy—there are so many flavors packed into one tiny bite. It's no wonder this party food has been around for decades. You might even want to make a double batch since they'll likely disappear in minutes.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
2
Sausage Balls
These cheesy sausage balls are incredibly poppable! And the best part is that you can serve them up any time of day—from breakfast to dinner. We especially love when they’re dunked into the honey mustard sauce.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
3
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
The creamy crab filling and elegant mushroom caps make this finger food feel like a special occasion treat. Luckily, you can skip the more expensive jumbo lump crabmeat and use regular lump crab or even claw meat instead.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
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4
Deviled Eggs
For the Drummond family, it wouldn't be a party without deviled eggs. They're the perfect accompaniment to a holiday potluck, cookout, brunch, or dinner party—and they're so easy to make!
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
5
Popcorn Chicken
It's crispy fried chicken—but make it bite-sized! The trick is to add the buttermilk and hot sauce marinated chicken to a bag with the dry ingredients and seasoning, then shake it to coat. It's an easier method than your typical dredging station-fried chicken.
Get the Popcorn Chicken recipe.
6
Gougères
Just because you're serving finger foods doesn't mean it can't be elegant. These cheesy, puffy bites will look extremely impressive without all the hard work. In fact, you can even make them ahead and store in the freezer.
Get the Gougères recipe.
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7
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
You only need three ingredients to make these "spicy little wonders," as Ree calls 'em. It's a party food that you'll want to make again and again.
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies recipe.
8
Arancini
This Italian finger food is crispy on the outside and filled with creamy risotto and melty cheese. Try it the next time you have leftover risotto in your fridge—you won't regret it!
Get the Arancini recipe.
9
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Bring this popular restaurant appetizer to your own home with this easy recipe for onion rings that doesn't require any hot oil. Yes, the air fryer will do all the work to get them nice and crispy.
Get the Air Fryer Onion Rings recipe.
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10
Pigs in a Blanket
These mini hot dogs might just be the perfect party food. They're wrapped in crescent roll dough, then topped with everything bagel seasoning to really take them over-the-top.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
11
Chicken Taquitos
Taquito is Spanish for "little taco," and that's exactly what these are! The rolled taco is fried until crisp making it perfect for a grab-and-go bite.
Get the Chicken Taquitos recipe.
12
Jalapeño Poppers
Melty cheese, crispy bacon, and a hint of spice... what's not to love about jalapeño poppers? You can even give them an extra kick by adding a dash of cayenne pepper to the filling.
Get the Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
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13
Spinach Artichoke Cups
Turn your favorite cheesy dip into a bite-sized snack that's easy to serve. These wonton cups are each filled with that classic spinach-artichoke mixture.
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Cups recipe.
14
Hushpuppies
This classic finger food is made from a cornmeal batter that's fried until crisp. To give it a twist, sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeños are added for a fiery kick.
Get the Hushpuppies recipe.
15
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Come football season, it's all about the wings! And this version made with lemon pepper seasoning is finger-licking good!
Get the Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings recipe.
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16
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
This cheesy appetizer is made with mozzarella string cheese, but you can easily swap in Colby Jack or pepper Jack sticks for added flavor.
Get the Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
17
Garlic Knots
Anything that's slathered in butter and garlic is bound to be delicious. Add a bowl of warmed marinara for dipping and everyone at the party will be happy.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
18
Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
One pigs in a blanket recipe is never enough, so Ree's pull-apart version is a fun way to switch things up.
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
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19
Shrimp co*cktail
This twist on shrimp co*cktail adds a burst of flavor by poaching the shrimp with garlic, lemon, and Old Bay Seasoning. It's a major upgrade on a holiday classic.
Get Ree's Shrimp co*cktail recipe.
20
Sausage Rolls
Store-bought puff pastry dough makes these bite-sized snacks super simple. For even easier entertaining, prep them in advance, then freeze for up to a month!
Get the Sausage Rolls recipe.
Certainly! As an enthusiast in the culinary world with a penchant for finger foods and appetizers, I've explored various cuisines and experimented extensively with bite-sized treats. From classic recipes to innovative creations, my experience delves into crafting appetizers suitable for diverse occasions.
Let's break down the concepts and components featured in the article:
Finger Food Ideas:
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates: A classic combination of sweet, smoky bacon wrapped around dates, offering a delicious contrast of flavors.
- Sausage Balls: Cheesy and savory sausage-based bites, versatile enough to be served at any time of day.
- Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms: Elegant appetizers filled with a creamy crab mixture, providing a taste of luxury.
- Deviled Eggs: A party favorite, easy to make and customizable with various flavors and garnishes.
- Popcorn Chicken: Bite-sized crispy fried chicken, marinated and coated for maximum flavor.
- Gougères: Cheesy and puffy bites, sophisticated yet simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time.
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies: Spicy, three-ingredient wonders with bacon-wrapped jalapeños.
- Arancini: Italian fried rice balls with a crispy exterior and gooey, cheesy interior.
- Air Fryer Onion Rings: Crispy onion rings made healthier in an air fryer, eliminating the need for excessive oil.
- Pigs in a Blanket: Mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough, topped with seasoning for an extra kick.
- Chicken Taquitos: Rolled, crispy tacos perfect for a grab-and-go bite.
- Jalapeño Poppers: Spicy appetizers filled with melty cheese and bacon.
- Spinach Artichoke Cups: Bite-sized cups filled with a classic spinach-artichoke dip.
- Hushpuppies: Fried cornmeal batter infused with sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeños.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings: Finger-licking good chicken wings seasoned with zesty lemon pepper.
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Cheesy appetizers made from mozzarella string cheese, perfect for dipping.
- Garlic Knots: Buttery, garlicky knots of dough served with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket: Ree's creative take on the classic pigs in a blanket, offering a fun twist.
- Shrimp co*cktail: Elevated shrimp co*cktail with poached shrimp infused with garlic, lemon, and Old Bay Seasoning.
- Sausage Rolls: Bite-sized snacks made with puff pastry dough, ideal for prepping in advance.
These finger food ideas cover a wide range of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques, ensuring a delightful spread for any gathering, from casual parties to game day feasts.
