Little bites are perfect for creating a festive mood

Parties are a perfect excuse to try out all sorts of fun, indulgent snacks that never make it into your daily cooking repertoire. We’ve compiled some of our favorites here, along with expert tips, techniques and shopping guides, to help you put together a memorable bash. Give one of our appetizer menus a try or select your favorite finger foods from the extensive list below.

Menus

Five hors d'oeuvres add up to a festive party for sixteen with a variety of small bites

Skip the savory and head straight for the sweets with Abby Dodge's Just-Desserts Buffet

Hors d'oeuvres aren't just for pre-dinner nibbling. A festive buffet of appetizers is an inviting spread for any holiday get-together. We've created three special menus starring bite-size party food, both savory and sweet. Short on time? You can still fete with the best of them, using our cocktail party from the pantry menu.

Seeded Crackers  Click to view

Crackers, Cheese & Small Nibbles

• Seeded Crackers
• Zesty Lemon Olives
• Sesame Coins 
• Malabar Pecans
• Spicy Maple Walnuts
• Olive-Oil-Fried Almonds
• Crunchy Roasted Pepitas
• Spiced Mixed Nuts
• Manchego Marinated in Olive Oil & Herbs
• Frico (Cheese Crisps)
• Check out our comprehensive guide to creating a cheese course

Beer & Cheddar Fondue  Click to view

Dips and Spreads

• Beer & Cheddar Fondue
• White Bean & Artichoke Dip
• Crudités with Creamy Roquefort Dip
• Hummus with Mellow Garlic & Cumin
• Golden Onion & Thyme Dip
• Goat Cheese, Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomato Terrine
• Chicken Liver Pâté with Pancetta & Calvados
• Smoky Eggplant & White Bean Dip with Pita Crisps

Bacon, Leek & Cheddar Mini Quiches  Click to view

Savory Pastries

• Bacon, Leek & Cheddar Mini Quiches
• Mrs. Lenkh's Cheese Sablés
• Mushroom-Fontina Tart
• Spinach, Feta & Sun-Dried Tomato Phyllo Triangles
• Ham, Gruyère & Honey-Mustard Palmiers
• Goat Cheese, Lemon & Chive Turnovers
• Sesame Parmesan Twists
• Caramelized Onion & Thyme Tarts
• Spicy Potato Samosas 

Tiny Twice-Baked Potatoes  Click to view

Vegetable Bites

• Tiny Twice-Baked Potatoes
• Apple, Blue Cheese & Hazelnut Salad on Endive Leaves
• Stuffed Mushrooms with Pancetta, Shallots & Sage
• Cucumber Rounds with Hummus and Yogurt
• Roasted Potato Slices with Romesco Sauce
• Dolmathes Yialantzi (Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice & Herbs)
• Buñelitos de Maiz (Corn Fritters)

Asian Beef in Crisp Wonton Cups  Click to view

Meat & Poultry Fare

• Asian Beef in Crisp Wonton Cups
• Grilled Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Cups 
• Crisp Curried Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
• Chicken Satés with Spicy Peanut Sauce
• Crostini with Beef & Horseradish Cream
• Hoisin-Glazed Flank Steak Spirals with Carrot, Red Pepper & Scallions
• Sautéed Chorizo with Red Wine
• Pork Dumplings (Shiu Mai)

Smoked Salmon Rolls  Click to view

From the Sea

• Smoked Salmon Rolls
• Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
• Bacon-Wrapped Ginger Soy Scallops
• Crabmeat-Avocado Quesadillas
• Seared Tuna with Tropical Salsa
• Summer Rolls
• Smoked Trout Rillettes
• Shrimp & Scallop Cakes

Videos

Video: Working with Frozen Puff Pastry 

Video: Working with Frozen Phyllo 

Want to make our Spinach, Feta & Sun-Dried Tomato Phyllo Triangles or Goat Cheese, Lemon & Chive Turnovers, but nervous about working with frozen puff pastry or phyllo dough? Check out our videos for step-by-step instructions, as well as expert advice and tips.

• Feature Articles
  • Easy Cheddar-Pecan Puffs
  • Shrimp Cocktail Better than Ever
  • The No-Shopping Cocktail Party
  • Five Hors d'Oeuvres Add Up to Dinner
• Party Recipes
  • Top Ten Party Hors d'Oeuvre
  • Apple, Blue Cheese & Hazelnut Salad on Endive Leaves
  • Asian Beef in Crisp Wonton Cups
  • Cheddar-Pecan Gougères
  • Cocktail Sauce with Red Onion & Jalapeño
  • Frico (Cheese Crisps)
  • Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
  • Lemon Poached Shrimp Cocktail
  • Malabar Pecans
  • Mushroom-Fontina Tart
  • Sesame Coins
  • Warm Seared Shrimp Cocktail
  • White Bean & Artichoke Dip
  • Zesty Lemon Olives
• Tips, Tools & Ingredients
  • Working with Frozen Phyllo
  • Working with Frozen Puff Pastry
  • Serving Pieces for an Elegant Party
  • Little Black Book: Sources for Great Cheese
  • Start the Party Right with an Apéritif