Take your dinner parties to the next level with these 27 elegant appetizer recipes that will impress all your guests.
From mouthwatering souffles to crispy fritters, these small bites will wow your dinner guests and leave them coming back for more.
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Caprese Skewer
Creamy mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil leaves are skewered for the perfect handheld appetizer. With a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze, the flavors of the skewer truly shine.
Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken offers a perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and crunchy. It's the ultimate sweet and salty appetizer. Drizzle the chicken with the sauce or serve it on the side as a dip. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top to give it a more elegant look.
Crab Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
This snack is full of fresh and zesty flavors. The tomatoes give a burst of flavor that will get the party started.
Blue Cheese Fritters
Blue cheese fritters are perfect for a special occasion. It's crispy on the outside with gooey melted cheese on the inside. Each bite is savory and oh-so flavorful!
Chicken and Mushroom Vol-Au-Vents
The flaky pastry is filled with a creamy chicken and mushroom mixture that is both elegant and satisfying. Feel free to use frozen puff pastry in this dish to save time and energy.
Twice Baked Cheese Souffles
Perfectly risen and golden, this twice-baked cheese souffle combines the lightness of a soufflé with a rich, cheesy depth. Its rich flavor is perfect for any special occasion.
Shrimp Cocktail
There's no appetizer more classic than this one. This delicious recipe is easy to prepare and is paired with a delightful Marie Rose sauce for dipping. It's the perfect dish for entertaining!
Smoked Salmon Terrine
Don't be alarmed by how fancy the salmon terrine looks, it's actually quite simple to make. The filling is a rich mix of cream cheese, crème fraîche, mustard, and smoked salmon. The taste is delicate but unforgettable. A smoked salmon terrine is an amazing way to start a meal during the holidays.
Butterflied Deep Fried Shrimp
King Prawn Butterfly offers a crispy, savory treat. These prawns, with their crunchy coating and tender meat, are perfect for snacking on during a dinner party.
Mini Salmon Rissoles
Mini Salmon Rissoles with sour cream and caviar are the epitome of luxury in bite-sized form. This appetizer marries the richness of salmon with the opulence of caviar. You can also serve these without caviar and they'll still be decadent!
Thai Turkey Meatballs
Infused with Thai herbs and spices, these meatballs are a delightful way to bring global flavors to your table. I recommend serving these meatballs with a sweet chili sauce dip for the best experience.
Shrimp Dumplings
These shrimp dumplings are steamed to perfection and have a lovely shrimp filling. You can make these days ahead of time and freeze them until they're ready to be cooked. They're even better with a lovely soy-mirin dipping sauce.
Parmesan Arancini
Parmesan Arancini balls are a crispy, cheesy delight. These risotto balls are deep-fried to golden perfection and are irresistibly scrumptious. Serve it with a light salad to take it to the next level.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Prosciutto
This bruschetta is a crunchy crostini packed with toppings and flavor. This handheld food uses tomato and prosciutto but experiment with a topping you may prefer. Its crusty texture and mix of flavors make it a delight to eat.
Parma Ham and Melon Salad
With its sweet and salty flavors, this salad has the perfect balance of flavor and takes less than five minutes to make! You don't even have to cook for this salad recipe. With a small secret ingredient, you can make this even more elegant for your guests.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Sweet, salty, and meaty - what a great food combination! Bacon wrapped dates are soft and creamy and have such an interesting blend of tastes. The addition of bacon gives the food a smoky flavor, but you can use a different type of meat if you like.
Cranberry Pistachio Goat Cheese Log
With just a few ingredients you can easily make this goat cheese log filled with decadent pistachios. Thanks to the food processor, this is one of the quickest recipes as well. Try serving it with crackers and a nice glass of wine for an elegant dinner party.
Crab Deviled Eggs California Roll Style
These deviled eggs have a lovely, spicy kick to them. With a hint of wasabi, crab, avocado, and cucumber, this handheld food is an absolute delight.
Avocado Goat Cheese Cucumber Appetizers
If you're looking for healthier food to serve your dinner guests, try this fresh and healthy option. The creamy avocado and goat cheese are served on crisp cucumber slices which makes for a refreshing and tasty bite.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Bacon-wrapped scallops are a delight, combining the sweetness of scallops with the crispy saltiness of bacon. They're easy to cook while looking especially fancy. Sprinkle on chopped parsley or cilantro for a nice pop of color.
Ricotta and Roasted Red Pepper Crostini
Beautifully baked crostini are flavored with garlic and topped with a layer of ricotta and roasted peppers. It's so delicious, but also a delight to see on the holiday table.
Caramelized Onion Tartlets with Brie
Flaky phyllo cups are filled with brie and onions to create a tasty handheld food that is simply addictive. You can caramelize the onions ahead of time to save some time!
Baked Oysters
Oysters are great on their own, but they are even better thanks to this recipe. Bake the oysters with plenty of butter, garlic, and cheese for the ultimate comfort food.
Mango Mint Salsa
Juicy mango is mixed with cilantro and mint for a sweet and refreshing salsa. The mint gives it a refreshing sensation, but adding a hint of jalapeño can make it spicy as well. It can be paired with crostini, tacos, or eaten alone as a dip. Make it ahead of the party to cut time on cooking.
Beetroot Falafel
This beetroot chickpea falafel is beautiful to look at, but it also tastes great! Making the falafel ahead of time will make sure you're prepared for any party or gathering. It can be hard to figure out vegan food that will entice everyone, but this chickpea falafel recipe will do just that. Pair it with a sesame dip or yogurt dip.
Burrata Bruschetta
Creamy burrata cheese is slathered on beautifully roasted bread and topped with tomatoes. With just a drizzle of oil and balsamic glaze, this simple appetizer is perfect for a summer get-together.
Puff Pastry Palmiers
These puff pastry palmiers have a beautiful appearance, but they're not just for looks! With sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and pesto, each bite of these puff pastry palmiers is a burst of flavor.
What are fancy appetizers called?
There are several ways to call fancy appetizers including canapés, antipasti, or hors d'oeuvres.
What do you serve at a fancy cocktail party?
Any of the dishes on this list can be served at a fancy party. Make food that is easy to eat without getting messy.
What is a good finger food for a Christmas party?
Keep things festive with foods that have bright red or green colors. Appetizers with roasted red bell peppers or roasted tomatoes are a great choice.
What appetizer is known as a crowd-pleaser?
All of these appetizers will get the crowd going, but shrimp cocktails are a classic crowd-pleaser.
What is the simplest appetizer that gives an attractive appearance?
Smoked Salmon Terrine is surprisingly simple to make, but it looks like a beautiful salmon-wrapped present.
What is the most popular appetizer in the world
Each region has its appetizers, but some of the most popular appetizers are dumplings, bruschetta, and dip.
What appetizers are good for prom?
Prom is a time to wear nice clothes, so make sure to make food that is easy to hold without getting messy.
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