49 Easy Party Food Ideas You’ll Make All the Time

Read Time: 23 mins

49 Easy Party Food Ideas You’ll Make All the Time1/49 Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado The only thing better than cheesy, decadent chicken parm is a handheld appetizer version you can eat while you catch up with family and friends. You’ll want to make a double batch of these irresistible apps. 2/49 Fontina Asparagus Tart 15 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen

This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus

Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It’s a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised your guests will be vying for the last piece. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan Frozen puff pastry does the heavy lifting for this party food idea that looks impressive, but is actually a breeze to make. Use a pizza cutter for easy slicing. 3/49 Cream Cheese Cookie Cups 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min

Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need a quick dessert?

Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need a quick dessert? Try these yummy cookie bites. For a pretty look, use an icing bag to pipe the filling into the cups, then top each with mini M&M’s. —Rachel Blackston, Mauk, Georgia Store-bought cookie dough has never looked so good. Use a piping bag—or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off—to fill these pretty pastry cups with cream cheese frosting before serving. 4/49 Mediterranean Pastry Pinwheels 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: These quick appetizers are irresistible

Creator: These quick appetizers are irresistible. The flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and pesto balance beautifully. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York Pesto, provolone cheese, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and olives come together to create a flavor-packed party food idea. Make a batch and watch them disappear. 5/49 Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball 15 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 3-1/3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cheese ball will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It’s delicious! I’ve found

it’s especially popular at a party or get-together

it’s especially popular at a party or get-together. 6/49 Grilled Glazed Drummies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland These crowd-pleasers are mild, so they’re great for adults and kids alike and sure to please any palate. Best of all, you can whip up two dozen in less than half an hour. 7/49 Garlic-Cheese Flatbread 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garlic-Cheese Flatbread Recipe photo

Unless you plan to make two, don’t count on leftovers

by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Unless you plan to make two, don’t count on leftovers. As an appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that’s not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina Be forewarned, this cheesy bread disappears fast. But thanks to a tube of refrigerated thin pizza crust, it couldn’t be easier to make more. 8/49 Baked Asparagus Dip 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baked Asparagus Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

This cheesy asparagus dip fits the bill

30 min Servings about 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since I’m from Wisconsin, I thought it was only logical to put together a vegetable and a cheese—two of the foods my state produces in abundance. This cheesy asparagus dip fits the bill. —Sandra Baratka, Phillips, Wisconsin This is the quintessential party food idea that never disappoints. Remember to cook the asparagus before chopping it into the dip—that way, it’ll be nice and soft. Use baked pita chips and veggie sticks for dipping. 9/49 Apple Sausage Appetizers 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Apple Sausage Appetizers Recipe photo

Bacon Quiche Tarts 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon

by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love making apple appetizers. This no-fuss recipe makes plenty, so it’s great for a football party or holiday gathering, just serve with toothpicks. —Dolores M. Barnas, Blasdell, New York Four-ingredient apps are perfect for a party. This party food idea makes 20 servings and takes less than an hour to cook, from start to finish. Best of all, your guests will spend the whole night saying, “Wow, your house smells amazing!” 10/49 Bacon Quiche Tarts 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon

The tarts are impressive but also quite easy to make

Quiche Tarts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Flavored with vegetables, cheese and bacon, these memorable morsels are bound to be winners at any brunch. The tarts are impressive but also quite easy to make. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped green onion.—Kendra Schertz, Nappanee, Indiana Equally tasty for breakfast, lunch or dinner, these cute little quiches can be whipped up a few days in advance. Just reheat them on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F until heated through. 11/49 Picnic Bars 12 Reviews

They’re very moist and rich

Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll score points with a crowd when you stir together these delicious fudge-like treats. They’re very moist and rich. The chocolate chips and walnuts make a pretty topping. —Frank Bee, Eugene, Oregon You don’t need to be out on a picnic to make these bars! They’ll be a tasty addition to your holiday table too. Keep the recipe in your back pocket for celebrations all year long. 12/49 Marshmallow Fruit Dip 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Marshmallow Fruit Dip Recipe

—Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin Talk about nostalgia

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 5 cups (40 servings) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin Talk about nostalgia. Kids and adults alike will devour this fun and easy dip, which goes from fridge to table in 10 minutes. Serve this party food idea with seasonal fruit and toothpicks. 13/49 Fruit Compote With Brie Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE

Clara Coulston – Washington Court House, OH

OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What a special, versatile recipe! “I stir leftover compote into yogurt or serve it over cheesecake, ice cream, blintzes and crepes.” Clara Coulston – Washington Court House, OH The party food idea calls for raisins and cherries, but you could try it with whatever seasonal fruit you have on hand, like cranberries or pears. If you have any leftover compote, stir it into yogurt or oatmeal the next morning. 14/49 Pecan Pie Bars 58 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45

min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These bars are decadently rich—just like pecan pie! They’re sure to disappear from the dessert table at your next gathering, so you might want to save one for later before putting them out. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York Because pecans have a higher fat content than other nuts, their shelf life is shorter. Store them in the freezer to keep them fresh longer, then use any leftovers for more tasty pecan desserts. 15/49 Party Cheese Bread 43 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total

The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful

Time 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You can’t go wrong with this recipe. The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful. Plus it looks fantastic, and people just flock to it! It’s better than the usual garlic bread too. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California 16/49 Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 16 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire The

quality of the ingredients is key for these super simple shortbread cookies

quality of the ingredients is key for these super simple shortbread cookies. Check out our Test Kitchen taste test for the best butter brands to bake with. 17/49 Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love, love, love to make appetizers and I especially like this recipe because I can make the rolls ahead, freeze them, and then slice and bake when needed. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California They’re crunchy, they’re salty, they’re

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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