31 Finger Food Recipes For Silverware-Free Hosting Year-Round

These recipes are sure to be the star of any get-together.

By

Updated on June 10, 2024

Cheese Dreams — Photo:
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Finger foods are a great way to get any party started. We've rounded up our best finger food ideas for your next gathering. Whether you're hosting a laid-back tailgate, a celebratory tea, or a holiday party, there's plenty of easy finger foods on this list to fit any occasion. Finger foods are great as appetizers, but can also be hearty enough to serve as the main course. Finger food recipes are also easy to transport and don't require many utensils so any of these delicious handheld foods would be a great choice to take along to a party, so you don't show up empty handed.

Here are our best finger food recipes that are sure to be the star of any get together you host or attend. We guarantee you'll be asked to share these easy finger food recipes after just one bite.

01 of 31

Mini Potato Skins

Mini Potato Skins — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Just five ingredients are needed to create this miniature version of the classic party food.

02 of 31

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you can't find a gourmet fresh mushroom blend, you can use any combination of mushrooms as long as it equals 8 ounces.

03 of 31

Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapés

Smoked Salmon-Potato Chip Canapes — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Smoked salmon elevates potato chips into a company-worthy appetizer. You should plan to assemble each bite just before guests arrive to ensure the chip remains crispy.

04 of 31

Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

These cheesy bites can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, so you can always have them on hand for both planned and impromptu happy hours.

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Hasselback Sausage Bites

Southern Living Hasselback Sausage Bites on a platter to serve with dipping sauce — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Slice hickory-smoked Conecuh into these fanned-out sausage bites, then brush them in a peach preserves-mustard mixture that will turn syrupy when baked. You'll be glad these are finger food, because you'll want to lick up every bite of this appetizer.

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Sausage Rolls

Sausage Rolls — Will Dickey

This recipe calls for Italian sausage, which packs a little bit of heat into each roll. Want to skip the spice? You can always use andouille or herbed chicken sausage.

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No-Stuff Deviled Eggs

No-Stuff Deviled Eggs — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Buttery crackers serve as the base for this easy-to-assemble version of deviled eggs.

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Fried Mashed Potato Balls

fried mashed potato balls — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Who says mashed potatoes can't be a finger food? Plus, this recipe calls for refrigerated mashed potatoes to cut down on prep time.

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Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

When looking at this appetizer, your guests probably won't believe it when you tell them it came together in just 15 minutes.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Whether served as a side or an appetizer, classic stuffed mushrooms are guaranteed to disappear quickly from the serving platter.

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Five-Alarm Firecracker Saltines

Five-Alarm Firecracker Saltines — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Turn saltine crackers into a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's anything but boring.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

For a delicious filling without too much work, we call on chive-and-onion cream cheese for this recipe.

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Spicy Cheese Twists

Spicy Cheese Twists — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

These spicy twists are the perfect companion to homemade cocktails.

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Okra In A Blanket

Okra In A Blanket — PHOTO: JAMES RANSOM, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN

From start to finish, this appetizer comes together in just 20 minutes.

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Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Tangy goat cheese spread over a crusty baguette serves as the perfect backdrop for roasted tomatoes.

16 of 31

Fig, Pecan, And Brie Bites

Fig, Pecan, And Brie Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Fig preserves, Brie cheese, and glazed pecans are the ideal trio to top frozen puff pastry.

17 of 31

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This recipe uses chorizo to give each bite a little kick and sweet potatoes add heartiness as well as another layer of flavor.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

We're here to share the good news that you can create a warm and delicious snack with just two ingredients.

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Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This colorful spring appetizer is just as pretty as it is delicious.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites — Southern Living

The combination of salty brie with fruity cranberry is a winning duo in this four-ingredient appetizer.

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Pizza Pepper Poppers

Pizza Pepper Poppers — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Kids and adults will love this healthier but just as delicious take on pizza.

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Basic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We definitely suggest doubling this classic recipe, as we're sure eggs will begin to disappear the second guests start walking through the door.

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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas — Stephen DeVries

No rolling is necessary to create this handheld version of classic enchiladas.

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Masters Egg Salad

Egg Salad Sandwiches — Jen Causey

Finger sandwiches are an easy, no-fuss dish to serve for any occasion. Plus, the egg salad can be prepared a day in advance of serving.

25 of 31

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise — Victor Protasio

Just as effortless as they are delicious, these tomato sandwiches come together in 20 minutes.

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Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls — Emily Laurae/Southern Living

No matter the time of day, sausage balls are a bite-sized snack that will be welcome at any party.

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts — Alison Miksch

Think of these tarts as a handheld and party-friendly version of tomato pie.

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Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites — Laurey W. Glenn

This impressive appetizer couldn't be easier. We recommended keeping the frozen mini phyllo pastry shells on hand during the holiday season for drop-in guests.

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Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Tomato Tea Sandwiches — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

You can't go wrong with a classic tomato sandwich. Depending on how many guests you'll be expecting, you may need to double (or triple) this easy recipe.

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Party Poppers

Party Poppers — Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

These poppers start with a jalapeño base that's filled with a chicken-cream cheese mixture and then wrapped in bacon. Broiling just before removing them from the oven will crisp each piece of bacon to create the ideal finish.

31 of 31

Maple-Bacon Smokies

Maple Bacon Smokies — Southern Living

You'll only need four ingredients (plus toothpicks!) to pull this crowd-pleasing finger food together.

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