This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy.
These finger food ideas are perfect for a party! The fun appetizer recipes are easy to make and 100% crowd pleasers.
Entertaining and not sure where to start? These finger food ideas are perfect for a party! Here’s a list of our favorite appetizer recipes that always go over well when we’re cooking for friends and family. The best feedback is gathered when we use these recipes in action. Some of the party food ideas below are fresh and nourishing, while others are rich and cheesy. But all of these finger foods have all been favorites with the crowd! Let’s get to the recipes, shall we?
And now…our top finger food ideas for a party!
One of the best finger food ideas there is? A good pinwheels recipe! And these tortilla roll ups are perfect. They’re full of Italian-style flavors: mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of spices. They look totally stunning on a platter. And better yet: we’ve figured out all the tricks to making a beautiful roll up. Here’s how to make the most perfect pinwheels for your appetizer trays!
Caprese skewers are perfect for parties! This easy recipe is visually stunning and irresistibly tasty, spearing all the components of a Caprese salad onto a skewer. There’s nothing better than basil and tomatoes in summer, and combined with seasoned mozzarella and a balsamic glaze: you won’t be able to eat just one!
Also try: Antipasto Skewers
Need a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack? Let’s make classic bruschetta! This Italian appetizer has become ubiquitous all over the world because of its easy-to-love flavors. Who can say no to crunchy, toasted bread piled with tasty toppings? The most popular way to serve bruschetta in America is with chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil.
This spinach artichoke dip takes this classic to a new level! The tangy, creamy dip is such a crowd pleaser that it might interfere with the conversation when you serve it (sorry!). When we serve it, everyone parks themselves around the bowl! This version is baked in the oven and served warm. It's made with Greek yogurt and less mayo and cheese than the typical dip, giving it a healthy-ish spin. Serve with pita chips, crostini, or crackers to make it a finger food.
This peanut butter dip is just 4 ingredients and somehow tastes like frosting. Greek yogurt, peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla combine into the best dip for sliced green apples. Or dip any fruit you like--or pretzels, if you like the sweet and salty thing. (Don't want peanut butter? Try our Cinnamon Fruit Dip instead.)
Throwing a party? Here’s the best easy finger food: the Ultimate Cheese Board! Cheese boards are our go-to for entertaining: they’re simple to put together, easy to customize for various diets, and look simply brilliant. Here’s an easy way to make a cheese board, with loads of cheese board ideas so you can build the spread of your dreams.
Taquitos / flautas are a finger food that's always a hit at parties! This baked version is an easy spin on that tasty Mexican rolled tortilla treat, and everyone loves them. Roll corn or flour tortillas around a filling of refried beans, cheese, and salsa, then bake until crispy. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping!
Here’s an easy appetizer that looks stunning and relies on simple, spot-on flavors: Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites! The classic combination of smoked salmon, dill, cucumber and cream cheese is a hit every time. Mix the cream cheese with fresh dill, green onion and Dijon for a rich, zingy pop. Make up this platter for a party, and people won’t be able to tear themselves away!
Everything tastes better on a stick, right? This is a simple concept that’s more like an idea than a recipe: but it makes everyone go crazy for pure, fresh fruit. Use whatever fruits you like and if desired, serve with our favorite 3 ingredient fruit dip!
Here’s a classic finger food appetizer everyone will crowd around: a cheese ball! Yes, this one gives us all the retro vibes, imagining a 1970’s style appetizer spread with shrimp cocktail and party franks. But some recipes never go out of style, and this one still pops for parties. This recipe freshens up the classic with cheddar, green onion, Worcestershire, garlic powder and smoked paprika for a creamy, savory punch.
The perfect finger food for a party? Stuffed dates! They're incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. Pair the sweet caramel chewiness of Medjool dates with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world. For plant based, use any nut butter (like our homemade nut butter!).
We’re always in need of easy finger food ideas…so here's one that's beyond easy. Baked Brie! There could not be an easier appetizer recipe, folks. But often, we forget about these simple entertaining tricks. So here’s what you need to know about making a melty, delicious pile of brie. The great part? The toppings are versatile depending on your preferences, and you can make a beautiful platter with little effort. Here’s what to do!
Throwing a party and not sure where to start? Try an Antipasto Platter! This board of Italian appetizers is an explosion of colors and flavors, and it’s almost guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any party. Add traditional antipasti like cheese, meats, marinated vegetables, olives, crackers, breads, and more to a platter and serve with small plates to let your guests get to snacking.
Let’s make tuna tartare! Pairing the bold flavors of soy sauce, lime and toasted sesame oil makes magic with sushi-grade ahi tuna. It’s the ideal spread as a finger food for crackers, toasts, plantains or even crispy wonton cups.
It’s a home run every time! When we serve it, a chorus of “Wow’s” fill the room. (Really. Not hyperbole!) What makes it so great? It’s classic and has the perfect balanced flavor: perfectly savory, creamy, and tangy. Serve it up with tortilla chips and your guests — and you — won’t be able to stop eating this tasty finger food.
Looking for a finger food idea everyone will love? Try Spiced Nuts! This simple idea gives a crunchy, candy-like coating to the exterior of nuts. They’re spiced with cinnamon, chili powder and bit of cayenne for an intriguing mix of sweet, savory and spicy. You won’t be able to resist taking another handful!
Here’s a finger food that’s famous in our circles: loaded sweet potato rounds! We created these rounds as a healthy version of a loaded toast for entertaining. Instead of bread, the base is a sweet potato roasted with cumin and chili powder, topped with a sprinkle of cheese. Then it’s loaded with sour cream, hot sauce, and green onion into a perfectly flavorful bite. It’s not wonder these are often the first to disappear from the table!
This Mexican cheese dip recipe is especially for entertaining. It’s perfect for parties: tailgating, a game day gathering, or a party table full of easy finger food recipes for a crowd. It’s a play on white chili, using white beans, mild green chiles, corn, and a gooey mess of Mexican cheeses (sans the typical chicken so it’s vegetarian!).
What’s better for parties than a good spinach dip? This one is so easy to make: it’s the kind that’s served cold, perfect for dipping pita chips or serving in a bread bowl. The recipe is a little healthier than most, relying on Greek yogurt for much of the creaminess. And because it’s not baked, it’s quick to put together: just 10 minutes! Literally the perfect finger food for easy entertaining.
One of our favorite finger food ideas for parties, this dark chocolate hummus is always a crowd pleaser. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised at this sweet take on hummus (“Wait, chocolate hummus?”). This creamy, fudgy dip is perfect with strawberries, green apple slices, or pretzels.
Caramelized onion dip is the centerpiece of this epic happy hour platter, filled with veggies, chips, olives, and cheese! You’ll find people congregate around this dip because it’s just that good: creamy and loaded with spices. It’s perfect for dipping finger food: potato chips are our personal fave.
Ever tried whipped feta? Whipping ricotta cheese with a little olive oil, salt and pepper makes for a creamy spread that tastes downright decadent! Dip pita bread, or spread on crostini for easily customizable finger food. Tomato and basil would be fitting topping, or go sweet with cherries and honey.
This finger food tastes and looks much fancier than it is! Roasting almonds with honey, cayenne and sesame seeds adds a shiny glaze and complex flavor to regular old almonds! It’s the perfect sweet and salty treat, and it takes no time to put together.
Here’s a fun and easy finger food appetizer recipe that takes just minutes of hands on time: Marinated Mozzarella Balls! You’ll be surprised by how quickly this comes together and how satisfying the flavors are for such little effort. Like many Italian-style appetizers, the genius is in its simplicity. Marinade fresh mozzarella balls in a mix of olive oil, chopped herbs and red pepper flakes, and the flavor is a burst of bold and herbaceous.
When you think of your favorite finger food, is it crispy and salty? Ours is, and these crispy roasted chickpeas are a serious go-to in our house! Here the chickpeas are roasted at high heat with olive oil and a few spices: they’re roasted just enough so that they’ll stay crispy in the cupboard for days. Each bite is crunchy and salty, spiced with cumin and black pepper. Don’t know where to find us? Oh yeah: look by the crispy chickpeas.
More party food inspiration
Want more finger food ideas? Here are a few more appetizer recipes you’ll love:
- Pick from our top 50 Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Go for our 30 Top Party Food Ideas or Cold Appetizer Ideas
- Opt for fresh with 10 Healthy Appetizers
- Grab 20 Gluten Free Appetizers, 15 Vegetarian Appetizers or 15 Vegan Appetizers
- Pick from Shrimp Appetizers or Italian Appetizers
25 Easy Finger Food Ideas
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 40 pinwheels 1x
Description
This pinwheel recipe is the ultimate finger food! These tortilla roll ups are perfect for entertaining and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
- 6 cups (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach leaves or ½ cup defrosted frozen spinach
- 4 burrito size 10-inch* flour tortillas
- 8 ounces cream cheese or soft goat cheese
- ⅓ cup finely chopped sundried tomatoes in oil or jarred roasted red peppers
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the spinach: Place the spinach leaves in a skillet with ¼ cup water. Heat over medium heat for a few minutes until the spinach completely wilts down, about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the spinach to a bowl. Add cold water to instantly cool it, then squeeze out as much water as possible. Finely chop the spinach. (If using frozen spinach, defrost it, squeeze out the liquid and finely chop it.)
- Chop the filling ingredients: Chop the sundried tomatoes or bell peppers.
- Make the filling: To a medium bowl, add the spinach, sundried tomatoes, cream cheese or goat cheese, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and salt. Mix it until it comes together into a smooth filling (we found it’s easiest to use clean hands to help break up clumps). Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.
- Roll the pinwheels: Place a tortilla on a cutting board, and spread it with ⅓ cup of the filling. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Roll up the tortilla very tightly, making sure to keep the roll very tight at the beginning (to avoid a hole in the middle!). Repeat for all tortillas. Refrigerate in a sealed container for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set. Slice off the ends of the rolls and discard, then slice into 3/4-inch slices to make pinwheels. They last up to 3 days refrigerated, but they taste best day of because the tortillas become softer over time.
Notes
*The 10-inch size is best for getting the best look to your pinwheels. We recommend getting this size if at all possible!
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Finger Foods, Finger Food Ideas, Finger Foods, Finger Food for Party, Finger Food Appetizers