Finger foods are fun foods! Here's a collection of 25 Easy Finger Food Appetizers that your friends will love. Most of these appetizer recipe ideas are gluten-free, and many are vegetarian, paleo, or keto! You'll find something for everyone in this round-up of finger food recipes.
Whether you’re planning a happy hour with one other couple, a formal dinner, or a full-scale bash, this round-up of 25 Easy Finger Food Appetizers will give you the appetizer ideas you're looking for when you're deciding what to serve.
If you need just one potluck offering or a full menu of finger foods, this collection of easy appetizer ideas will help with your decision-making. Need ideas for easy finger food recipes for a crowd? Read on!
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👍🏼 Tips for choosing finger food appetizers
How many appetizers per person should I make?
The number of finger food appetizers you should make per person when planning an appetizer night or a cocktail party will vary depending on several factors, including the duration of the event, the type of guests, and whether you'll be serving a full meal later.
However, as a general guideline, you can plan on serving about 8-12 finger foods per person per hour for a cocktail party. For longer events or if you're not serving a full meal, you may want to aim for the higher end of that range.
Here are some questions to consider:
- How long is your event? The longer the event, the more finger foods you should provide. If it's a short cocktail hour, you can plan on fewer appetizers per person.
- Are your guests big eaters? Consider the preferences and appetites of your guests. If you know they have hearty appetites, you may want to provide more appetizers per person.
- Are you serving dinner afterward? If you're also serving a full meal later in the evening, you can plan for fewer finger foods per person. On the other hand, if the appetizers are the main food for the event, you'll need to provide more.
- Do your guests have dietary restrictions? Offering a variety of finger foods with different flavors and textures can help ensure that there's something for everyone. Include options for vegetarians, meat lovers, and those with dietary restrictions. Be sure to offer some gluten-free appetizers and some that are dairy-free.
Tip: It's a good idea to have extra finger foods on hand in case your guests have larger appetites or if unexpected guests show up. You can also adjust the quantity based on your knowledge of your friends and the overall menu you're planning. Ultimately, the goal is to have enough variety and quantity to keep your friends satisfied!
What kind of appetizers are best to serve?
Choose a variety of finger foods for your guests. Some of these recipes are gluten-free, some vegan or vegetarian, and some paleo and keto. There is something for everyone!
This collection of fun appetizers includes
- foods to stuff (like mushrooms, stuffed dates, or mini peppers)
- dips, like shishito peppers with lemon aioli, or smoked salmon dip
- two-bite snacks, like cranberry Brie pinwheels
- nuts and snack mixes,
- crostini with different toppings
- chicken wings
- skewered appetizers, like chimichurri shrimp skewers or Cajun shrimp and pineapple kabobs.
25 Easy Finger Food Appetizers your friends will love
1. Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick
Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick
Need a last-minute finger food for your party? To make these Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick, toss the ingredients in a food processor, form little balls, roll in finely chopped nuts, and skewer with a pretzel or toothpick. Easy!
Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick
2. Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Garlic Lovers' Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Bite-sized mushroom caps, stuffed with garlic, herbs, blue cheese (or other strong cheese) make these Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Easy to make gluten-free.
Garlic Lovers' Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
3. Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese stuffed mushrooms are an easy appetizer, perfect for parties year round. Gluten-free, too!
Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
4. Mini Spinach Artichoke Tarts
Mini Spinach Artichoke Tarts
Mini Spinach Artichoke Tarts make a tasty finger-food appetizer. Made with mascarpone or cream cheese, artichoke hearts, spinach, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, they're ideal party food for any season.
Mini Spinach Artichoke Tarts
5. Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Walnuts and Mint
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Mint
Soft and tender Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese, toasted walnuts and fresh mint, makes a quick and easy appetizer.
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Mint
6. Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Sweet dates, strong flavoured cheese and smoky bacon combine to make this always popular bacon wrapped stuffed dates appetizer.
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
7. 10 Minute Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
10 Minute Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
These 10 Minute Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers are loaded with bright fresh herb flavours from easy-to-make chimichurri sauce. A low carb, keto and paleo-friendly recipe.
10 Minute Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
8. Cranberry Glazed Chili Chicken Wings
Cranberry Glazed Chili Chicken Wings
Simmer sweet chili sauce, tart cranberries and mellow onions to make these spicy Cranberry Chicken Wings for your next party.
Cranberry Glazed Chili Chicken Wings
9. Blue Cheese Crostini with Crisp Honeyed Pear
Blue Cheese Crostini with Crisp Honeyed Pear
Top thin slices of toasted baguette with whipped blue cheese, thin slices of crisp pear, a sprinkle of lemon zest and a drizzle of honey for an always-popular appetizer.
Blue Cheese Crostini with Crisp Honeyed Pear
10. Spicy Stuffed Spanish Mini Peppers
Spicy Stuffed Mini Peppers
These spicy stuffed mini peppers are a fabulous Spanish tapa that you can prepare ahead and pop into the oven just before serving time.
Spicy Stuffed Mini Peppers
11. Cranberry Walnut Beggars' Purses
Cranberry Walnut Beggars' Purses
Beggars' Purses made with mini Brie cheese rounds are wrapped in puff pastry with a cranberry-walnut filling and baked in the oven or cooked in an air fryer. A popular appetizer!
Cranberry Walnut Beggars' Purses
12. Easy Cold Crab Dip
Easy Cold Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
This crab meat dip is always a hit! Made with fresh or canned crab and flavoured with horseradish, lemon, and crisp veggies, this is a light dip to serve with low-carb crackers or veggie sticks.
Easy Cold Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
13. Prosciutto with Melon and Mint
Prosciutto with Melon and Mint
Wrap a small piece of Italian prosciutto ham around a fresh slice of melon and garnish with a fresh mint leaf for a quick and easy appetizer.
Prosciutto with Melon and Mint
14. Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Maple Walnuts
Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Maple Walnuts
A simple, spectacular 5-minute summer appetizer made with fresh figs, salty goat cheese and sweet maple-glazed walnuts.
15. Creamy Cannellini Lemon Feta Dip
Creamy Cannellini Lemon Feta Dip
This Creamy Cannellini Lemon Feta Dip is ideal for holiday parties or casual get-togethers. It's smooth and creamy with hints of lemon and garlic. Serve with veggies or pita chips.
Creamy Cannellini Lemon Feta Dip
16. Blistered Shishito Peppers with Miso Aioli Dip
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Miso Aioli Dip
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Miso Aioli Dip make a fun finger food appetizer. Skillet roasted on the stove top, smoky charred shishito peppers are mild but tasty.
17. Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
This Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini with hazelnuts and honey is an impressive appetizer for any time of the year.
Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
18. Grilled Cajun Prawn & Pineapple Kabobs
Grilled Cajun Prawn Kabobs with Pineapple
These grilled Cajun Prawn Kabobs are skewered with pineapple and cooked to perfection over high heat. They're packed with smoky, spicy flavours! An ideal appetizer or main dish year round. Gluten-free and low-carb!
Grilled Cajun Prawn Kabobs with Pineapple
19. Spanish Spiced Almonds
Spanish Spiced Almonds (Almendras Fritas)
A small bowl of these salty, smoky Spanish Spiced Almonds tapas, known as Almendras Fritas in Spain, makes a great shared starter or a happy hour snack. Serve these spiced nuts at a tapas party! Delightfully addictive!
Spanish Spiced Almonds (Almendras Fritas)
20. Five Tips for Making Perfect Crostini
5 Tips for Making Crostini - Ultimate Guide
Crostini appetizers are small canapés that make ideal finger food! You can pack a lot of interesting flavour combinations on top of one small slice of baguette! Avoid common mistakes by following these 5 tips for making perfect crostini appetizers your guests will love! This post includes 10 crostini recipes.
5 Tips for Making Crostini - Ultimate Guide
21. Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie Pinwheels
Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie PInwheels
Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie PInwheels make ideal finger food appetizers. Simple to make, this recipe uses store-bought puff pastry, Brie cheese, dried cranberries and walnuts or pecans. Make ahead and bake when you need them!
Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie PInwheels
22. Puff Pastry Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels
Puff Pastry Spinach Artichoke PInwheels
Spinach Artichoke PInwheels made with puff pastry are an easy finger food appetizer. Using either regular or gluten-free puff pastry, these crispy pinwheels are filled with a tantalizing mixture of cheese, artichokes and spinach!
Puff Pastry Spinach Artichoke PInwheels
23. Puff Pastry Pizza Tarts
Puff Pastry Cheddar Tomato Tarts (Pizza Tarts)
These puff pastry tarts with tomato and cheddar are like mini pizza tarts. With a short list of ingredients and store-bought puff pastry (regular or gluten-free) these savoury tomato tarts are quick and easy to make.
Puff Pastry Cheddar Tomato Tarts (Pizza Tarts)
24. Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet dates, smoky bacon and creamy cheese, all in one tasty bite! These Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates make a delicious finger food appetizer.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates
25. Mini Crustless Smoked Salmon Quiches
Mini Crustless Smoked Salmon Quiches
These Individual quiches made with smoked salmon, eggs, cream, cheese, and veggies are perfect for an appetizer tray, for a brunch buffet, or for a light lunch.
Mini Crustless Smoked Salmon Quiches
More crostini recipes
When you make one of these finger food appetizers, let me know which ones you tried in the comments section below. I love hearing when you've made one of my recipes!
Dee
So many great ideas. I made the goat-cheese stuffed dates and the mini cheese balls. Both were gobbled up! Thanks. Will be trying the other ones soon.
Flavour & Savour
Those two are both popular all the time! Hope you get a chance to try the other ones soon!