31 Delicious 70s Party Food Appetizers to Throw the Ultimate Retro Party

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The image that we have for the 70s is of flamboyant fashion and styles, great music and a whole lot of parties.

Whether you are a connoisseur of disco or simply enjoy the association with the distant seventies, a modern 70s party is a guarantee of colorful and interesting performances at the next event.

Really, but what designates the suitable background for the 1970s party? The food, of course!

Here, it is possible to explore the main iconic 70s party food appetizers that make the guests feel that they are in another time period.

Iconic 70s Party Food Appetizers Recipes

1. Classic Deviled Eggs

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2. Seafood Cakes with Herb Sauce

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3. Tomato Tea Sandwiches

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4. Pickle Platter

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5. Radishes with Veggie Mayonnaise Cream

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6. Puff Pastry Bites

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7. Stuffed Mushrooms

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8. Old Fashioned Tomato Aspic

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9. Party Cheese Ball

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10. Jell-O Salad

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11. Sloppy Joe Sliders

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12. Pistachio and Date Ricotta Crostini

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13. Festive Carrot Ring

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14. Pickle-Packed Deviled Eggs

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15. Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam

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16. Seven Layer Salad

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17. Pigs in a Blanket

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18. Lobster Vol-Au-Vents

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19. Garnished Deviled Eggs

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20. Shrimp Cocktail

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21. Cucumber Sandwiches

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22. Bacon Bites

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23. Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes

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24. Cabanossi Dip

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25. Luncheon Party Sandwich Loaf

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26. Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly

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27. Salmon Mousse

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28. Ham and Bananas Hollandaise

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29. Swiss Cheese Fondue

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30. Pickle Board

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31. Stuffed Celery

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The Charm of 70s Party Food Appetizers

And yet, it is hard not to feel that the bright, self-expressive style of 70s party food appetizers is most inviting.

They are not only food, but also something with which it’s pleasant to gossip, something that reminds you of the old days, an opportunity to taste the experiments of a chef from the distant prehistoric ages.

These appetizing creations are fabulous indeed! Their vibrancy, the combination of colors on the plates, exotic sauces and textures — all these are the 70s for sure, and thus these appetizers will be ideal for any fashionable and retro event.

The Classic Deviled Eggs

Sure, what 70s party would be complete without the traditional deviled eggs, right?

These tender pieces were present in any party because of their soft and sour-sweet taste.

Served on retro egg platters, deviled eggs were typically decorated with a pinch of paprika, or a splash of olive on top.

Cheese Balls and Logs

Cheese balls and logs were the staple of 70s party party food appetizers. More preferably, wrapped in nuts or herbs, these cheesy delights accompanied different types of crackers.

Its texture being rather creamy and the different tastes of the cheese varying from cheddar to the blues, they became a product easily selling at any kind of social function.

Besides, their elegant appearance also gave a classy look to any segment of the buffet table.

Fondue: The Interactive Appetizer

Of course, the famous fondue was one of the most popular trends in the 70’s that allowed guests to enjoy their appetizers in an interactive way.

Be it the steaming cheese fondue with the bread/ or a hot chocolate foundation accompanied by fruits and marshmallows, this food was specifically to be shared amongst the congregation.

Thus, the fondue has become the pride of the centerpiece pots of meetings or any special occasion where people come together.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Another 70s party food appetizer was stuffed mushrooms. They were normally stuffed with tasty breadcrumbs, garlic and cheese, offering a burst of flavor in every mouthful. 

Their classy look and delicious taste made them a delicacy, and can be found at every elegant dinner party.

Shrimp Cocktail

Symphonic and classy, the shrimp cocktail was a very favored appetizer during the 1970s parties. In tall sterling silver cocktails or ice cold, chilled shrimp and sharp cocktail sauce was an ideal match and rather glamorous.

That was the right way to ensure that you included an element of the luxuries in any event that you planned.

Mini Quiches

Miniature quiches were the rage of the seventy’s appetizers and snacks as these filled the taste buds with a rich taste of foods that were delicious, light and easy to prepare.

No matter the filling of spinach and cheese or hamburger and swiss or mushroom and onions, these mini quiches brought a happy note to any buffet.

Which was perfect for receptions because they can be eaten in small bites and the pastry was always rich and buttery.

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs were seen everywhere in the 70s parties because they could be prepared in advance and placed in warming trays for the guests.

These slightly juicy, very tasty meat-based treats in a creamy sauce were more than filling and seemed to add to the comfort of any part of an appetizer.

It will be seen that these dates were very popular because of their rich flavor and easy preparation.

Canapés and Finger Sandwiches

70s parties were more engrossed with canapés and quite fancy finger sandwiches.

These small, often colorful products could be garnished with smoked salmon, cucumber, or pâté and served on bread circles or crackers.

Their refined look and variety of flavors made them a favorite 70s party food appetizers among everyone.

Jell-O Molds

It is impossible to talk about party appetizers of the 70s without mentioning Jell-O molds or gelatinous molds as they are often called.

These gelatin based food items that were filled with fruits or vegetables were common in that period.

Though people may think that they are silly at present, Jell-O molds many regard them as the coolest dishes in the 70s by enhancing the parties with bright and cheerful vibes from their colors.

Pineapple and Cheese Skewers

Pineapple and cheese skewers were one of the appetizers which were fun and quite easy to make.

They reflected 70s tendencies to combine sweet and savory foods. Mixing pineapple chunks into bright yellow molds with cubes of sharp cheddar cheese presented well, and tasted fabulous too.

These skewers were most fashionable in festive platters and hence were popular with those who hosted parties.

Pigs in a Blanket

Closely connected to the traditional meat category, pigs in a blanket are as famous to the modern days as they were in the seventies.

This small sausage that formed a pastry skin kept changing in color was simple to prepare and delicious to consume, therefore a perfect dish for a party.

Accompanying different types of dips, they provided a rather nice and juicy taste which the guests could not help but indulge in.

Vegetable Crudité with Dip

Also, as part of the appetizers, vegetable crudites, which are sliced vegetables arranged in a platter, were popular during the 1970s parties and get-together events.

Various and numerous vibrant colored carrots, celery, bells, and other fresh vegetables came in neatly placed and grouped with different dips that can be ranch or French onion.

It was good to incorporate this healthy, yet delicious item into the party menu because it brought with it the refreshing crunch.

Nostalgia Meets Trend: Incorporating 70s Party Food Appetizers into Modern Parties

Using your party’s appetizers to pair the aesthetics of the 70s with the more modern appropriate appeal is the point. Here are a few tips to seamlessly integrate these classic dishes into your next event:

  • Presentation is Key: Upgrade 70s appetizers and their presentation to the contemporary look. Along with the food presentation use modern serving platters or trays, and elegant dishware to five a modern touch on the traditional dishes.
  • Play with Flavors: At the same time, the recipes of 70s party food appetizers must remain faithful to the traditions, but do not forget about the modern experimentations with the composition. These are retro dishes but the use of fresh herbs, gourmet cheeses and artisanal breads elevates the dishes to a modern style.
  • Themed Decor: Try to extend the 70s theme into the serving of appetizers to the guests as you can set the place with appropriate decor. Importer disco balls, lava lamps and other psychedelic printed items as the setting will also help to create the mood and make the guest feel like they are back in the disco era.
  • Music and Ambiance: Prepare a list of hits songs from the 70s that will help you to achieve the proper atmosphere for a party. The correct tunes will even put you in the spirit of the decade and your event is going to seem like the real party from that time.
  • Interactive Elements: Create live action sections of the event like a fondue station or perhaps a canape building station. Many of them are not only for the guests’ entertainment but are also designed to recreate the atmosphere of the communal dining typical for the 70s.
  • Mix and Match: Introduced 1970s party food appetizers along with modern appetizers to create a diverse and exciting menu. It also enables you to meet a variety of preferences in the menu, while at the same time maintaining flair in the 1980s theme.

Why 70s Party Food Appetizers are Perfect for Today’s Trendy Events

Including a collection of foods that were present in the seventies modern during parties offers a unique blend of nostalgia and novelty.

These dishes are not only tasty, they are also interactive, something that reminds people of a different time and which becomes a point of conversation when shared with friends and family.

Here’s why 70s party food appetizers are making a fashionable comeback:

  • Retro Revival: The fascination with retro and vintage styles extends beyond fashion and decor—it influences our culinary choices as well. Serving 70s appetizers taps into this trend, offering guests a taste of the past in a stylish, contemporary setting.
  • Social Media Appeal: 70s appetizers are inherently photogenic. Their vibrant colors, unique presentations, and nostalgic appeal make them perfect for social media sharing. Guests will love snapping pictures of your retro-inspired spread, adding a fun and shareable element to your event.
  • Comfort and Familiarity: Many 70s appetizers are comfort foods that evoke a sense of familiarity and warmth. In a world that’s constantly changing, these classic dishes provide a comforting reminder of simpler times, making them a hit with guests of all ages.
  • Unique Theme: This could be done in a 70s themed party with authentic appetizers making your party unique. Added to that, it is a very interesting theme that challenges imagination and is different from the typical party themes.
  • Culinary Exploration: When it comes to the younger generation, 70s party food appetizers will allow experimenting with the flavors of a different period. It is beneficial to be aware of the origin and development of these dishes as well as how they were created.

Conclusion

It is pleasing to be able to include 70s party food appetizers to your next event to offset the modern tendencies.

Starting from the richness of the deviled eggs to the engaging idea of fondue these starters have a retro feel that will never go wrong to impress your guest.

So put on your bell-bottoms, pull out the laminated disco balls, and get ready to throw a party that’s as groovy as it is delicious.

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Julie Higgins
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Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.