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If you look for delicious and easy party food ideas for the upcoming holidays, you’ve got to the right place! From crispy crostini to creamy dips and savoury fritters, here you’ll find a ton of ideas to feed a crowd.
The party season is around the corner, and there’s nothing more exciting than planning a holiday table for family and friends. It’s such a great fun to share a variety of appetizers and finger food while sipping a glass of sparkling wine (or two, maybe three! : ).
Here I’ve gathered more than 25 party food ideas, from crostini topped with the most delicious ingredients, to savory patties fresh from the oven, yummy dips, focaccia and cheese board ideas. Easy appetizer recipes that come in handy all year round.
Most of them are vegetarian, economical, and can be made ahead of time. They’re also grouped into categories, so you can find easily what you’re looking for!
And if you prefer only vegan recipes, don’t miss out this collection of 50 vegan appetizers.
Let the party begin! : )
Crostini
Crostini recipes are inexpensive, crispy, and guaranteed to please everybody. Slice and toast a French baguette, top each crispy slice of bread with some scrumptious topping… and you’re done!
1. Artichoke bruschetta
This artichoke bruschetta is super easy to assemble and ready in less than 15 minutes! The crispy bread is topped with a mix of artichoke hearts, creamy ricotta, tangy lemon juice, herbs and extra virgin olive oil. It tastes delicious!
2. Smoky beans on toast
These little toasts are topped with fluffy cannellini beans cooked with smoked paprika, thyme, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. They’re so crispy, easy to make, inexpensive, and full of flavor.
3. Hummus crostini appetizer
Crostini with hummus is one of the easiest party food ideas ever! It’s quick to throw together with garlic hummus, fresh parsley, crispy baguette and a lovely balsamic drizzle. And they look stunning too!
4. Crostini with ricotta and peas
If you think that peas sound boring, this simple recipe will surprise you at first bite. These vegetarian crostini are so economical, full of fresh flavor, and easy to whip up. They’re simply perfect for any gathering all year round.
5. Chicken Caesar crostini
These crostini are super easy to make, and they can be ready in less than 30 minutes. To make these as easy as possible, use some rotisserie chicken, a bottled Caesar dressing, and pre-washed lettuce. Done!
Fritters & mini cakes
It’s hard to resist crispy, golden fritters, patties, and mini cakes! Their delicious texture make them inviting and they’re so easy to whip up with simple ingredients.
6. Carrot fritters
These delicious babies are baked instead of fried, and they are packed with cumin, garlic, and fresh coriander. Serve with a last-minute tangy yogurt-hummus dip. They require only 5 inexpensive ingredients and they’re ready in 30 minutes.
7. Mini shallot Bajhis & minted yoghurt
Spicy and crispy, these little bite-sized bhajis are great for a party or as part of an Indian feast. These irresistible little nuggets are a pleasure to eat, economical, and they’re vegan too!
8. Greek zucchini tots
These golden bites packed with zucchini are from the Greek Island of Alonnisos. You can make them in the oven and shape them into tater-tot shapes, or you can cook them on the stove too. They’re amazing served as appetisers at a party!
9. Butternut squash fritters
These fritters are savory, crispy, soft. Best of all, they’re baked, not fried in oil, and they’re packed with budget-friendly butternut squash.
10. Easy crab cake bites
These delicious mini crab cake bites are more sophisticated then the previous recipes and perfect to impress! They taste just like the real thing but require way less work and are perfect to pass around for parties or for the holidays!
Focaccia & crackers
More party food ideas? Think of moist and soft Italian focaccia, crispy homemade crackers and breadsticks. They’re a must on each party table, they pair beautifully with dips and cheese, and are made with basic ingredients such as flour, water, and olive oil. Here are some of my favorites!
11. Olive focaccia (1-bowl)
Impress for less with this incredible focaccia! It’s moist with golden oil-scented crust, packed with juicy olives and so easy to make in 1 bowl (no kneading is required!). Double, or triple the ingredients, make a few batches, cut into squares and serve to a crowd. It’s totally delicious!
12. Easy breadstick recipe
This easy breadstick recipe doesn’t require any stand mixer and makes irresistible crispy breadsticks (aka Italian grissini). Serve them with cheese, olives, or on your charcuterie board: they’re perfect with classic antipasti. Make a double batch, they will be gone in no time!
13. Easy flatbread crackers
One of the very best ways to make the most of entertaining and friends time is by placing a tray of crispy crackers and a cheese platter on your holiday table. And freshly homemade crackers are the best!
14. No-knead Italian focaccia
This is my go-to recipe when I have friends over, it’s inexpensive, super easy to make in 1 bowl and absolutely perfect for sharing. You can make in advance, and it’s also freezable. Serve it warm, with a cheeseboard, ham, olives… the sky is the limit. It’s a winner!
15. Homemade verything crackers
16. Crackers with olive oil & herbs
More party food ideas… Dips!
Dips are quick to make and they make the perfect addition to any holiday menu. They’re packed with flavor, colors, and you can make them ahead, definitely a big bonus!
17. Quick carrot hummus
How festive and deliciously creamy is this carrot hummus? It’s healthy, easy to make, full of lemon and garlic flavor, perfect for spreading or dipping!
18. Spicy Greek eggplant dip
This dip recipe is fresh and slightly spicy, super easy to make and big on flavor. Serve with fresh chopped basil and a drizzle of lemon juice!
19. 5-Minute creamy avocado dip
This festive 5-minute creamy avocado dip makes an eye-catching holiday appetizer that comes together in a pinch. It’s one of the best dips that pair with crackers and breadsticks, definitely a crowd-pleaser.
20. Beetroot hummus in 5 minutes
You’re going to be dipping everything into this beautiful vibrant beetroot hummus! This delicious velvety smooth dip is perfect for a large crowd and requires so little effort and a few basic cupboard essentials. And you don’t need to roast the beets.
21. Mascarpone, ricotta and honey spread
22. Sundried tomato hummus
Cheese plates
Who doesn’t love cheese, seriously? Place some delicious cheese with nuts, honey, red grapes, sweet fruit and crispy crackers on a wooden board, and you’re done.
23. How to make a cheese plate
A delicious cheese plate appetizer is perfect for a party, holiday entertaining, and any get-togethers!
24. Herbed garlic baked brie
Easy and totally delicious, this baked brie is guaranteed to disappear in no time! Make thin slivers, load them with garlic and then drizzle on a thyme honey butter sauce that makes this wheel of brie totally unforgettable!
25. Baked brie with pomegranates
26. How to make a cheese board
I hope you love this collection of easy party food ideas as much as I do!
For more recipes perfect for the holiday season and special occasions, have a look at some of my favorites:
Whether you plan an epic holiday party, Christmas dinners, potlucks or any other special occasion, I hope that a few of these easy recipes will be on the menu!
Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions, I would love to hear from you.
And for more recipe updates, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
25+ Party food ideas
Ingredients
Carrot Fritters
- 1 lb (440 grams) grated carrots
- 2 small eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ cup coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp fine salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (optional)
Yoghut Hummus Dip
- ¾ cup chickpea hummus
- ¾ cup plain yoghurt
- 1-2 Tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease or line with parchment paper a baking pan.
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until combined. The grated carrots might release some moisture, you want to drain it, and you might add a little flour if the mixture is still wet.
- Take a heaping tablespoon of the mixture, place it on the baking pan and flatten slightly with your hand.
- Bake the fritters for about 12 minutes, then turn them over and keep baking for a further 12 minutes or until golden and crispy. Check your oven, the baking time might be slightly different.
- Meamwhile, mix plain yoghurt, hummus and lemon juice in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your taste. Add a bit more of lemon juice if you like.
- Serve the fritters while they're still warm with the yogurt-hummus dip. However, they taste nice even when they are cold. Enjoy!
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