65 Easy Finger Food Appetizers Everyone Will Love

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Say hello to your new favorite flavor combination. Instead of crisping in a pan on the stove, these guys are made all on one sheet tray. Easy-peasy.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

As someone who doesn’t even like a Hawaiian pizza, I think these bites are worth your consideration. They’re crisp and flaky, sweet and savory, and basically like a fancier version of pizza.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 48

In my humble opinion, you’re best off making a double batch of these bites. Why? First of all, it’s easy. And second, they’re going to disappear faster than you can say “cheddar.”

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

The beauty of a delicata squash recipe is that there’s no need to peel the vegetable beforehand. The thin skin is totally edible (and totally delicious, especially when coated in panko and dipped in aioli).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes (+ chilling)
• Why I Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

I’m not following a vegan diet, but I like making sure all my guests feel accommodated. You’ll be sure to please all the plant-based eaters at the party with these rice balls, not to mention everyone else too.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, no sugar, vegetarian
• Serves: 24

Trying to shake things up in the finger food department? Look no further. These easy and unexpected phyllo bites are creamy, spicy and flaky all in one. Serve them with hot pepper jelly to really wow your guests.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: a crowd (makes one 12-inch loaf)

One of my all-time party appetizer secrets is to bake bread right before people come over, so the house smells amazing and the finger food is warm from the oven. The goat cheese in this recipe will still be melty—yum.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

If you want my advice, never trust a person who doesn’t enjoy mozzarella sticks. This recipe is like the homemade, adult-friendly version for cocktail parties, and it’s about as easy to pull off as making the frozen kind.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 12

If I’m being honest, I’m not a huge fan of the ’90s-esque bubbling vat of artichoke dip that’s typically served with chips. This modern, puff-pastry-based finger food, however, is calling my name.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <15 minutes
• Serves: 14

Store-bought crackers are fine and dandy, but if you really want to impress your guests, make your own. (Psst: You can use store-bought pie crust to streamline the process.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

Oh hi, most-crowd-pleasing appetizer of all time. Don’t forget the blue cheese dressing for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

An easy way to please everyone? Take an all-time favorite food (pizza) and make it bite-sized, then cook up a big batch for the crowd. The recipe adds mushrooms and basil, but really, the topping ideas are endless.

• Time Commitment: 23 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occsasion–worthy
• Serves: 12

Reason no. 2,547 why I love store-bought puff pastry: You can make these crowd-pleasing pinwheels with just four ingredients and in all of 25 minutes. (Also, who can say no to cheese and cured meats?)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

I like to think of these crispy, tender bites as fancy chicken nuggets. Paired with marinara (and or ranch dressing), they’re kind of a cocktail party no-brainer.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
• Serves: 6

Give the usual cream-cheese-and-turkey wheels a little makeover with fancy Italian cold cuts, kale and roasted peppers. Are you hungry yet? (I am.) FYI, if you don’t like these fillings, swap them for another meat and green.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 30

Got gluten-free guests on your list? Make them a finger food worth talking about by swapping the usual toasted bread in crostini for sweet potatoes. Then, top them with cream cheese and smoked salmon or cranberry-almond crème fraîche (or go for both).

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, <30 minutes
• Serves: 6

I’ll give you a secret entertaining tip: If you dress up toast with fancy toppings and cut it into small bites, you’ll have an easy appetizer in no time that also happens to look really impressive.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 3

I have nothing against roasted vegetables, but I’ll admit they’re not the most exciting party fare. I’d suggest these cauliflower bites instead, which are lightly battered in a seasoned coating and tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce while they’re still hot.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 40

I’m not saying you’ll never go back to smoked cocktail wieners, but these vegetarian “pigs” in a blanket are a pretty worthy substitute. (Want to dress them up? Give the pastry the ol’ razzle dazzle with a pretzel treatment à la these everything bagel pigs in a blanket, no. 58 on this list.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 20

If you want to make an entrance, don’t just make plain deviled eggs and call it a day. Instead, bring these corn-topped cuties to your friend’s party and watch them disappear. (Just be prepared to share the recipe.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 6 to 8

These are like the cool, hip version of your mom’s cream-cheese-laden jalapeño poppers from the ’80s. Pull out the age-old fun fact when you serve ’em: One in ten shishito peppers is spicy. (You’ve been warned.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, low sugar, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8 to 10

The crispy corners of cornbread are my favorite part, and these polenta bites are just like that: crispy and creamy in just the right ratio. Piled high with pancetta and Brussels sprouts, you’ll want to eat three in rapid succession.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Can I propose an idea? Let’s bring back the cheese straw for every gathering—fancy or casual—from here on out. You can’t possible say no, since these are made with my favorite freezer find, puff pastry.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

I’m the biggest bread-head around and even I’ll skip a bun when these Brussels sprouts bites are on the menu. The prosciutto, mini mozzarella balls (aka bocconcini) and sliced cherry tomatoes don’t hurt either.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <15 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

If you can’t find heirloom tomatoes or they’re not in season yet, no worries. You can use cherry tomatoes instead and they’ll taste just as good.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian, low sugar
• Serves: 12

Whoever first thought to combine sweet and salty was a genius. I’ll be taking all the credit when I pass these around at my next soirée, and I suggest you do the same.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 12

This finger food recipe hits all the right notes: It looks like it took a ton of effort but is foolproof to make with just a few twists of the (store-bought) dough, and tastes like a dream thanks to homemade roasted garlic.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

If you know how to sauté onions, you can make these soup-inspired apps. Truth be told, the most difficult thing you’ll have to do is thaw the puff pastry. (Are you sensing a theme?)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 9

Confession: I despise baked Brie. It’s just so…wet. These pops, on the other hand, are melty yet crisp with a sweet-savory flavor. Plus, they’re way less messy to share and you eliminate the whole double-dipping conundrum.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 9

Think of these poppers a little bit like tater tots, but party-ready. They’re baked, not fried, so it’s fine to eat the whole batch. (At least that’s what I tell myself.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Would you believe me if I told you these zucchini crisps are totally vegan? The secret is nutritional yeast, which tastes cheesy, savory and nutty without any dairy.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto, low sugar, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

I’m not even a fan of the keto diet, but I can tell you that these burger bites are going to be a hit at your next bash. Something about the combination of mozzarella and guacamole is unexpectedly delicious.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Homemade sushi is not happening in my house—too much work. Homemade veggie sushi? In the words of my patron saint, Ina Garten: How easy is that? Fill the rice cups with whatever vegetables you like, and serve with chopsticks instead of toothpicks.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Careful: One bite of these babies, and your guests will be back every weekend for more. But since the glaze requires just five ingredients, maybe you won’t mind.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, gluten free, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Once again, the oven beats the deep fryer by a landslide, especially when you’re entertaining a crowd. This is a classic chicken wing recipe, but with less cleanup and less oil.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8

I always say about shawarma, it’s fun to say and fun to eat. (I’ve never said that until just now, but I’m not wrong, am I?) If you can’t find mini pitas, you can also use mini naan.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

They’re as good as, if not better than, any restaurant version, so yes, I think it’s worth breaking out your deep fryer (or pot of oil) this time. The sweet chili sauce is the cherry on top, and here, store-bought is totally fine.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, low sugar, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4

Yes, I 100 percent approve of serving adult chicken tenders to your party guests. They’re like the most crowd-pleasing finger food of all time, and if you lay out an array of dipping options, you’ll manage to please everyone.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8

Alternatively, you could take it to the next level with these Korean-inspired chicken bites. The gochujang dipping sauce is sweet, spicy, creamy and *chef’s kiss.*

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 6

If you’re hosting a patio party, you can’t go wrong with skewers on the grill. Paired with tzatziki, one bite of these chicken kebabs and you’ll be transported to Santorini.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <15 minutes
• Serves: 8

Everyone will think you spent all afternoon working on these sammies, but you don’t have to tell them it’s rotisserie chicken and store-bought Buffalo sauce.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, low sugar
• Serves: 40

Mozzarella stick meets soft pretzel. How many can you eat? Well, you’ll have to make them to find out (but I have a feeling this is a “the limit does not exist” situation).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

As much as I love a party-size bag of chips, I suggest you save those for a lazier day and make these fancy “chips” in their place. If you want to slice the potatoes faster, use a mandoline.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8 to 10

It’s essentially a savory monkey bread, and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop eating it. Good thing it’s simple to make, with five ingredients and store-bought pizza dough.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

TBH, I don’t looove lasagna. These bites have all the good parts (sauce, cheese, noodles) without the tedious assembly, messy slicing and serving or slippery texture.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, dairy free
• Serves: 6

It’s surprisingly creamy and decadent without any dairy, thanks to coconut milk, aromatics and spices. Even the non-vegans on your guest list will gobble it up. Mini sweet peppers, broccolini, Brussels sprouts, endive and fingerling potatoes make excellent accompaniments for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 24

Wonton wrappers are the secret to making these impressive mini ’dillas. They’re packed with refried beans, cheese and scallions, but you could swap in black beans or shredded chicken, too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

The recipe calls for firing up your grill, but here’s a tip from me: You can totally make them in your oven, broiler or even on the stove. Just line them up on a sheet pan for the former or sear them in cast iron for the latter.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

Everything is exponentially more delicious when it’s wrapped in prosciutto. These start with store-bought pizza dough for extra convenience.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 12

Giant pockets of cheesy, saucy bread? What’s not to love? I’ll add that they’re made with store-bought dough and take less than an hour to come together to entice you even more.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 or more

I love meatballs. I love chicken tikka masala. So I suggest combined them and using your slow cooker (plus a bit of garam masala, natch) to develop layers and layers of flavor. This finger food recipe serves four as a main, but more as an appetizer.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Layer your favorite deli meats and veggies (like mortadella and artichoke hearts or, why not, even ham and cheese) between mini slices of bread. Just like that, your next-level party appetizer is ready.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

Are you inviting kids (or kids at heart) to your gathering? They’re about to go bonkers over these kitschy, cute tomato soup shooters. This grilled cheese recipe uses American slices, but you could also swap in Swiss, cheddar or another type of cheese.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 8 to 10

Dish these veggie poppers up with a tangy Dijonnaise dipping sauce and cute toothpicks and then watch them disappear like magic. People will be shocked that they’re eating Brussels sprouts.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 24

Pop quiz: Which appetizer will have your guests buzzing for days: A) a veggie platter, B) canapés or C) bite-sized chicken and waffles? The answer is C, and that’s not just my opinion. (Although, if you want that, I say serve maple syrup on the side.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

I’m a firm believer that everything tastes better on a skewer, including a beloved summer salad like caprese. Add peaches and a drizzle of balsamic and you’re officially the host with the most.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6 to 8

These fritters can be made with fresh or frozen corn, so they’re a year-round treat. The elote-inspired sauce is creamy and slightly spicy, but if you want a more mild pairing, try a lemon-yogurt sauce or ranch. You’re welcome.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

They’re just as easy to make as the original, but with a special “pretzel” treatment that gives a gorgeously golden brown crust, and a sprinkle of everything seasoning. The secret is to dip them in boiling water and baking soda before baking.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

This high-protein food will satisfy the masses. The recipe calls for honey to add sweetness and help with the golden brown exterior, so if you want to make it vegan, use maple syrup instead.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

Homemade nachos are underrated as is, but if you divvy them up into individual servings, you’re basically a party-hosting miracle-worker. Avocado and sour cream are givens.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

I love a light and fresh appetizer; even better that it comes together in one bowl. If you have frozen peas and eggs on hand, you’re essentially already halfway there.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, no bake, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2 or more

This eight-ingredient recipe serves two as a main, but can easily be doubled (or just put out a platter with crackers and let your guests do their thing).

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: air fryer recipe, kid-friendly, vegan
• Serves: 4

French fries are a dinnertime/party time/anytime classic. Without the oil, they’re even better. Sprinkle them with garlic, herbs or a mix of both before serving.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, kid-friendly, air fryer recipe
• Serves: 6 to 8

Instead of being deep-fried, these falafel into patties are lightly sautéed in a pan with just a touch of olive oil. Serve with tzatziki or hummus (homemade or store-bought), and you’re golden.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

These nuggets are breaded in quinoa for a gluten-free twist. You’d be a fool if you didn’t serve honey mustard or barbecue sauce on the side.