50+ Delicious Ideas for Cocktail Party Food Appetizers

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Very few things beat a carefully planned cocktail party food appetizers.

When it comes to creating an experience that is memorable, everything from the drinks provided to the free finger food and sophisticated music selection work together!

For this reason, we’re sharing with you our best advice on how to throw an elegant cocktail party unlike any other.

Read the article below to find the easiest tips, tricks, and hacks to throw the party of the year!

50+ Best Ideas for Cocktail Party Food Appetizers

No party is complete without food.

While you have the drinks sorted out, it’s important to send your guests home with a full tummy and a happy head. 

Browse through our roundup of favorites below!

From cheese and charcuterie boards, to cheese fingers, and fries, find what works for your guestlist and stock up!

Smoked Salmon Appetizer

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Pesto Ricotta Crostini

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Melon Balls

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Cucumber Rollups

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Antipasto Skewers

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Mini Salad Cakes

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Teriyaki Meatballs

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Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Reduced Balsamic

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Mini Mushroom & Gorgonzola Bites

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Veggie Cups with Hummus

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Crudites with Roasted Red Pepper Buttermilk Dip

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Pasta Salad Cups

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Crab and Cream Cheese Stuffed Snow Peas

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Lemon and Herb Goat Cheese Log

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Olives Jubilee & Goat Cheese Pastries

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Seared Salmon With Whisky Dipping Sauce

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Tortellini Skewers

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Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo Appetizers

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Tomato Pops

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Drunken Grapes with Wine Poached Shrimp

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Pineapple Skewers

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Cucumber Shrimp Rolls

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Heirloom Tomato Caprese Frico Cups

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Watermelon Feta Cubes

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Cheesy Broccoli Crostini

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Mini Caprese Cups

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Glazed Tofu Bites

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Fried Ravioli Caprese Stacks

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Mini Queso Cheese Balls

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Caviar Waffle Sticks

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Brie Phyllo Cups with Blackberry and Thyme

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Jalapeño Popper Deviled Eggs

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Crispy Avocado Wedges with Crab Salad

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Mini Basil Parmesan Cheesecakes with Tomato Jam

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Gourmet Polenta Bolognese Cups Appetizer

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Phyllo Cups with Creamy Whipped Goat Cheese

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Mini Ground Beef Tacos

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Baked Jalapeno Popper Roll Ups

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Mexican Taco Dip Wonton Cups

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Mini Taco Bites

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Cajun Shrimp & Cucumber Bites

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French Onion-Gruyere Mini Boules

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Grape & Prosciutto Skewers Appetizer

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Honeydew Melon with Parma Ham

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Melon, Proscuitto and Mozzarella Skewers

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Cranberry Brie Bites

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Roasted Tomato Crostini with Avocado

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Antipasto Appetizers

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Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites

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Tuna Cucumber Bites

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Mini Margarita Cheesecakes

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Baked Churro Chips

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Maritozzi (Italian Cream Buns)

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Brownie Petit Fours

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Champagne Jello Cups

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White Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Mousse

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Blackberry Cream Cheese Danish Pastry

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Chocolate Tiramisu

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Classic Cocktail Party Appetizers

A good party is made of great friends and good food.

So classic appetizers are dynamite shrimp, chicken popcorn, pigs in a blanket, or even spring rolls. 

We have a ton of bite-sized finger food recipes that are going to be ideal for your next dinner party, game day tailgate, or holiday potluck, whether you want fancy little puff pastry bites or the tried-and-true favorites like stuffed mushrooms and slow-cooker grape jelly meatballs.

Creative and Unique Appetizers

Feeling creative? Here are some ideas to let your inner masterchef shine:

  • Mini cheese balls: We love cheese in any form, so serving these little cheese balls as the first course at a gathering is sure to be a hit. This savory appetizer is one of our favorite hors d’oeuvre ideas to get a head start on menu prep because it can be made ahead and frozen for up to three months.
  • Jalapeno deviled eggs: Combine two traditional party bites (deviled eggs and jalapeño poppers) in one inventive dish. They are prepared using a standard deviled egg recipe, but the filling has a few extra stir-ins.
  • Mini Quiches: You really can’t go wrong with this appetizer idea for a brunch gathering. Not only are they incredibly tasty, but they also make use of store-bought ingredients (like chilled pastry crust) and fridge-to-table options (you can add any combination of chopped meats and veggies you want) to make assembly even simpler.

Vegetarian Appetizers for All

We have a show-stopper on our hands! Try these Rose Summer Rolls to make your party an absolute hit with the vegetarians:

The rolls are filled with fresh herbs and veggies and rice noodles, and the edible rose petals nestled into the rice paper create a lovely floral appearance.

While the herbs in this cold party appetizer pack a punch, it’s the soy sauce and rose vinegar Rose Dipping Sauce that steals the show.

Pairing Appetizers with Cocktails

You can up your entertaining game by selecting the ideal combinations of cocktails and appetizers.

It is possible to give your guests an experience they will never forget if you choose complementary flavors and textures.

Consider complementary flavors and textures. For example, spicy and savory appetizers pair well with refreshing and light cocktails.

There is a perfect pairing out there for everyone, regardless of your preference for traditional cocktails or more daring concoctions. 

Presentation and Plating

Your party will seem more sophisticated and well-put together when all of its components seem to go together. 

This also holds true for the way you present your appetizer.

Think about using the same color scheme and design for all of your serving trays, skewers, picks, plates, and tasting utensils. 

Now you have it! Following our cocktail and food pairing basics to help you create all the magic at home.

Go forth, shake and bake and have fun…

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Julie Higgins
Author
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.