Be it your kid’s birthday, a dinner party with family and friends, or a formal cocktail party, appetizers can add flavor to just any gathering. Here is a mix of some great party appetizer ideas.
Savory, spicy, or sweet, party appetizers are a great way of pleasing your guests and leading off the dining experience in style. Deciding some delicious starter recipes can be tricky―considering the crowd you’re catering to―kids’ party, cocktail party―and the party theme, like for a fun beach party. This article gives these ideas of easy appetizers for parties, which is a complete range of culinary fare and unlimited opportunities that can be mixed and matched for any party occasion. Take a look at some amazing recipes.
Idea #1 | Party Appetizers That Go with Wine
A good wine appetizer can be the start of a great party. Although all that we think of when we say wine appetizers is cheese, but there are a range of delicious pairings with wine that can enhance the taste of the lovely red and white wines.
Toasts with Smoked Salmon
- Bread, 8 slices
- Salmon, 1 package (smoked)
- Cream cheese, 6 tbsp.
- Capers, 1 tsp. (rinsed and patted dry)
- Red onions, 5 (sliced)
On a serving tray, lay the crackers and spread the cheese atop each one of them. Cut the salmon into thin slices and place them on the cracker. Press in a few capers (pat-dried) on the cheese and top your toasts with slices of red onion. You can garnish it with herbs and fresh dill. Refrigerate this delicious wine-tasting recipe for twenty minutes before serving it.
In addition to this, you can serve delicious cheddar cheese, cured olives, dried sausages and nuts, and dried fruits as appetizers for a wine party.
Idea #2 | Appetizers for Dinner Parties
Baked Ham Quesadillas
- Flour tortillas, 5 (large)
- Ham, 9 oz (thinly sliced)
- Shredded cheese, 1 cup
- Tomatoes, 1 cup (diced)
- Green onion, 3 tbsp. (chopped)
- Pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil as required
Spray some vegetable oil onto a cookie sheet and arrange two tortillas on it. Layer it evenly with half a cup of cheese. Place the sliced ham, the onions and the tomatoes atop the cheese. Now sprinkle some shredded cheese and pepper on the tortilla. Brush a little vegetable oil on the tacos and bake it at 425°F for around 12 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with mayonnaise or Sichuan sauce.
Idea #3 | Appetizers For Cocktail Parties
Delicious Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
- Shrimp, 16 oz. (deveined and peeled)
- Herbes de Provence, 1½ tbsp.
- Yogurt, 2 cups
- Mayonnaise, 3 tbsp.
- Whole-grain mustard, 3 tbsp.
- Maple syrup, 2 tbsp.
- Ground turmeric, 1 tsp.
- Fresh basil, ½ cup (chopped)
- Olive oil, 2 tbsp.
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat olive oil in a large pan on medium heat and add the shrimp and the herbes de Provence. Season it with freshly ground pepper and salt. Cook the shrimp by constantly stirring it, until it turns into delicate pink. In a dipping bowl, make a mixture of mayonnaise, yogurt, maple sauce, turmeric, basil and mustard, and add in salt and pepper to taste. Serve it with the sautéed shrimp on a platter.
Idea #4 | Appetizers For a Kids’ Party
Bread Pudding with Blueberries
- French bread, 7 slices (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- Blueberries, 1 cup
- Eggs, 2
- Milk, 1 cup
- Evaporated milk, 12 oz. can
- Granulated sugar, 1 cup
- Powdered sugar for garnish
In a large bowl, whisk in the milk, egg and sugar. Add the bread cubes to the mix, letting it soak in the liquid for around fifteen minutes. Add blueberries and stir it. Spread the blueberry mix on the baking dish which has been sprayed on with a cooking spray. Place the pudding mix into a preheated oven of 350°F, and bake for 45 minutes till the pudding turns a nice golden brown on top.
This list of simple-to-make, delicious party appetizer ideas are a surefire hit with all your party guests, and to top it all, you do not have to sweat it out to get these appetizers for parties in place. In fact, most of the recipes can be made a day in advance and heated just before baking or served plain cold.