35 Easy Party Food Appetizers

We’ve got a party planning tip for you, pulled straight out of the “How to Throw the Most Awesome Party Ever ~ Party Tips Playbook.” (Ok – so maybe we made that up. As far as we know, there is no such book. Although, there really should be, don’t ya think? Hmmmm … maybe we’ll write it …)

Anywho … here’s the tip (which is totally not made up):

Rule #37  When hosting or attending a party, always be sure to include appetizers. Lots of appetizers. This applies to holiday parties like Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner, football parties and tailgating, picnics, cookouts, block parties, birthday parties, and (most especially!) New Year’s parties. Pretty much any party, ever.

Why?

Well, for one thing, everyone loves appetizers! In fact, some of the very best bashes are appetizer buffets where you can sample lots of wonderful nibbles without really overly committing to any of them! A little taste here, a little taste there …

And also because, when all else fails, appetizers can save the party! Yup! When the rest of the food is off schedule or the guest of honor is running late (and everyone else is sizing up the yum-potential of your cardboard drink coasters) … a few little appetizers will keep the party rolling merrily along.

So, just in time for Christmas and New Year’s and the many, many football games to come, we’ve put together a terrific, totally inspiring line-up of finger food appetizer recipes!

As you’d expect from THK, we searched for recipes that look completely droolworthy, but are also easy and so much healthier! No one will notice that they’re eating healthy … they’ll just notice “delicious”! But, everyone will head home pumped up with a few more great nutrients, feeling just a little less overstuffed … and everyone will be asking for your recipes!

Oh! And all the recipes in today’s list are finger foods … great for nibbling. If you’d like to round out the appetizer spread with some fantastic hot dips, then be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Healthy Hot Appetizer Dips, too! From a healthier buffalo chicken dip and a skinny queso, to a spinach dip recipe and baked hummus … they’re absolutely noshable, easy and healthy, too!

Happy Holidays to all our THK friends! May all your parties be delicious successes!

Easy Party Food Appetizers

1 Thai Chicken Wings from Kailley at Kailley’s Kitchen (Update 2021: The original recipe we featured is from an un-secured site. Try the Sweet Thai Chicken Wings from Bee at Rasa Malaysia instead.)

2 Caprese Salad Stack from Judy at I’m Bored Let’s Go …

3 Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas from Faith at An Edible Mosaic

4 Fruit Appetizers: Apples and Peaches Made Fancy from Ethan at Food Fanatic

5 Olive Cocktail Penguins from Sue at The View from Great Island

6 Easy Grilled Polenta with Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Tomatoes from Two Healthy Kitchens

7 Southwestern Quinoa Bites with Avocado Dipping Sauce from Beth at Tasty Yummies

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1 Sprouted Hummus Cucumber Cups from Beth at Tasty Yummies

2 Baked Wonton Cups Filled with Edamame Corn Salad and Ricotta Salata from The Well Floured Kitchen

3 Tofu Buffalo Bites from Soni at Soni’s Food

4 Champagne Turkey Meatballs from Davida at The Healthy Maven

5 Avocado and Cottage Cheese Stuffed Sweet Mini Peppers from The Well Floured Kitchen

6 Easy Candied Pecans from Two Healthy Kitchens

7 Crispy Baked Chickpeas with Truffle Salt from Liz at The Lemon Bowl

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1 Guacamole Deconstructed & Skewered from Kelly at Tasting Page

2 Cracker Bites with Dip, Cucumbers and Cheese from Vicky at Avocado Pesto

3 Spicy Tamari Nuts from Emma at A Splash of Vanilla (Update 2021: This recipe is no longer available. Instead, try the Tamari Roasted Nuts from Weight Watchers or the Tamari Spiced Pecans from Epicurious.) 

4 Chicken Parmesan Meatballs from Stephanie at The Cozy Cook (Update 2021: This recipe is no longer available. Instead, try the Best Anytime Baked Chicken Meatballs from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum or the Baked Chicken Meatballs from Sara at Dinner at the Zoo.)

5 Persian Cucumber Bites with Lox + Dill Cream Cheese from Alyssa at Everyday Maven

6 Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Bites from Beth at Tasty Yummies

7 Crispy Chinese Garlic Chicken Wings from Kate at The Domestic Front

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1 Wine Roasted Mushroom Crostini from Jessie at Life As a Strawberry

2 Spicy Tuna Bites from Taylor at Food Faith Fitness

3 Greek Salad Skewers from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories

4 Harvest Fruit, Goat Cheese & Pecan Crostinis from Danielle at The Creative Bite

5 Spinach and Mushroom Pizza Bites from Marjory at The Dinner Mom

6 Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs from Stephanie at The Cozy Cook (Update 2021: This recipe is no longer available. Instead, try the Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs from SkinnyMs.)

7 Taco Burger Sliders on Polenta from Two Healthy Kitchens

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1 Kalamata Olive & Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes from Beth at Tasty Yummies

2 Camarones con Hierbas y Cítricos (Citrus-Herb Shrimp) from Cooking Light

3 Cool Veggie Lime Nachos with Skinny Cucumber Dressing from Lyuba at Will Cook for Smiles

4 Thai Pesto and Purple Carrot Spring Rolls from Chris at Tales of a Kitchen (Update 2021: This recipe is no longer available. Instead, try the Fresh Thai Pesto and Purple Cabbage Spring Rolls from Kathleen at Produce on Parade or the Fresh Spring Rolls from Lauren at Tastes Better from Scratch.)

5 Quinoa Encrusted Loaded Sweet Potato Bites from Meg at With Salt and Wit

6 Mini Caprese Salad Skewers from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories

7 Grilled Brie Stuffed Figs with Honey from Sandi at Fearless Dining

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More Party Appetizer Recipes We LOVE! (Update 2021)

Want even MORE awesome, party appetizer recipe ideas? Of course you do!

In the years since we first published this list of 35 terrific recipes, we’ve added several more of our own easy party food appetizers to our blog. You’ve definitely gotta give these a try, too!

(And … ahem … yes, technically, this now brings our list total from 35 up to 41. But who’s counting?!? ? )

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

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Mediterranean Deviled Egg Recipe with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

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LOADED Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

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Baked Spiral “Hawaiian Roll” Sliders

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Easy Pepperoni Bread Dippers

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Baked Buffalo Chicken Nachos (So Easy – Starting with Your Crock-Pot!)

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So, with all these delicious ideas, you don’t really even need that mythical “Party Tips Playbook,” do ya?

Nope … just cook up some of these easy appetizers and you’re headed for the best party season EVER! Yay, you!

Enjoy!