30 Easy Finger Food Ideas

Finger foods are individual hand-eaten food portions perfect for when you need to provide a dose of deliciousness to larger groups of people at family gatherings or other social events.

 In these instances, finger foods can be used as appetizers for an upcoming meal or as sweet and savory options when snacks are all that is required.

Tired of having to dig out enough cutlery when you have a party and leaving a lot of cleaning up for the end of the night? Homemade finger food recipes are the answer! Whether offering up pizza bites, yummy dips, or crispy crackers, all people have to do is grab a handful and help themselves.

Ideal finger food should be easy to make and not messy to eat. So is it just a case of slicing up your favorite snacks into bitesize pieces? Not exactly.

These easy-finger food ideas will give you some inspiration on how to become a pro at picking perfect recipes, whatever tastes you need to satisfy!

1- Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are scrummy savory appetizers of flaky pastry encasing a meaty filling. Don’t be discouraged by the inclusion of pastry in this tasty recipe, it’s still a great example of simple finger foods for the whole family.

You can buy pre-prepared puff pastry so all you need to make yourself is the sausage filling. For this, you’ll need pork sausage and seasonings like thyme, parsley onion powder, and garlic powder to bring the flavors.

Just mix the filling, wrap in pastry, and bake!

Sausage rolls are fabulous, filling, and sure to be a yummy success for whatever crowd you are trying to please.

2- Stuffed Dates

Need finger food that can be a sweet as well as a savory option? Then dates are just what you need. When looking for easy appetizers, finger foods like this stuffed dates recipe are ideal.

Dates are the obvious star ingredient and large, soft dates are recommended here. When the pits are removed the fillings can be spooned in.

There is a choice of ricotta almond, goat cheese pistachio, cashew butter cacao, or peanut butter chocolate for this recipe. Delicious!

However, you can play about with these fillings any way you like to suit your tastes. They will go down a treat. Have fun experimenting!

3- Mini Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Macaroni cheese is a well-loved meal and now, can be served up as mini bites to delight a whole host of guests at a party or game night.! Smooth and full of flavor, this finger food is certain to be a big hit

The homemade mac and cheese are encased in a ritz cracker crumb crust which is set into a muffin tin.

To get the macaroni noodles creamy and gorgeous, you just prepare and mix in herbed cheese, cheddar, sour cream, milk, eggs, and butter. The herbed cheese is important for flavor, although you can substitute it for your cheese of preference too.

These really are an irresistible finger food triumph.

Serve them warm from the oven and watch them get snatched up. Easy, peasy, mac, and cheesy!

4- Homemade Pizza Rolls

A pizza is always a welcome sight at a social event, and this amazing homemade pizza rolls recipe will give you yummy bitesize versions to enjoy as well. Making pizza is hard though right? Not at all!

Toppings need to be placed on refrigerated pizza dough which is then rolled into a log and sliced into individual portions.

This recipe uses Italian seasoning and garlic salt sprinkled on the marinara sauce as a base. Then mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and pepperoni as a topping. Simple!

You can switch out the toppings for your own favorites too, as long as they’re suitable to be rolled up and sliced. This is a great customizable finger food recipe idea to serve as a snack or appetizer. To roll is your goal!

5- Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites

A mouthful of creamy cheese in a buttery crust with a burst of cranberry sweetness? Yes, please!. You will need pastry cups for these bites but you can buy pie crust to keep this quick and easy.

Philadelphia cream cheese with a little added orange zest and chipotle gives subtle flavors to complement the cranberry sauce.

The cranberry sauce itself can be of the canned variety and is used to top the cream cheese filling after it is placed in the baked pie crust cups.

These cheese bites are smooth, tangy mouthfuls of deliciousness that are easy to make and use affordable ingredients.

Perfect for when you’re preparing your party finger food ideas budget!

6- Homemade Potato Chips

Potato chips are a moreish snack food that can easily be purchased in stores. But why do that when you can create your own scrumptious homemade variety?

With a few potatoes and some oil, you can create your own finger food classic.

Russet potatoes are the recommended potato of choice and must be sliced thinly and patted dry after frying in oil to get that crispy, crunchy texture.

Then just season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and you’re done!

Use different seasonings if you want to change up the taste or serve with a variety of dips. This is a dangerously addictive finger food option that will keep everyone reaching for more. Make a big batch!

7- Almost-Famous Fried Pickles

Whether or not you’re a fan of standard dill pickles, this recipe for fried pickles with a flavorful dipping sauce will definitely convert you. The soft, sour tang of the pickles pairs wonderfully with the crispy spice of the batter and the creamy heat of the sauce.

You’ll need some dill pickles for this along with flour, cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper for the batter.

Then a simple mix of mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, and cajun spice results in a super-tasty sauce.

When you serve up these fried pickles golden brown from the fryer, they’ll become a new favorite finger food to please the masses. Well deserving of their almost-famous name.

8- Easy, Tasty, Pinwheel Sandwiches

If you’re looking for buffet finger foods for party purposes you can’t go wrong with this easy pinwheel sandwich recipe. They are a filling and versatile choice to offer up as appetizers and lunch snacks.

The wheels are made by rolling up sandwich fillings in tortillas or flattened bread to be sliced and served. That’s it!

Cooling the rolls in the fridge before slicing will also help ingredients stick together. Fillings detailed in this recipe include club sandwiches, Italian, tuna salad, taco, or BLT pinwheels. A truly tasty selection.

The great thing is though, you can customize the fillings to include whatever you want. The possibilities are endless for these super simple, perfect party pinwheels!

9- Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffing a variety of fabulous fillings into vegetables is a popular way to create simple finger foods. In this easy recipe, it is mushrooms that get the stuffing treatment.

Button mushrooms are stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, parsley, thyme, and parmesan to create a soft and sumptuous center.

They are then baked with a panko and parmesan topping to add a bit of crunch to the texture. Perfect!

These make an ideal appetizer for a dinner party as they are light and tasty, in addition to being quite healthy. So, get stuffed and get happy!

10- Best Deviled Eggs

Are you looking for a healthier finger food option to use for a snack or appetizer? Deviled eggs may be your answer. The ‘devil’ in this recipe is the inclusion of some spice in the form of dijon mustard.

You’ll naturally need some eggs for this recipe, as the hardboiled yolk centers are removed and mashed with mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar to make a smooth and spicy filling.

Simply spoon this mix back into the hole in each egg white and sprinkle with paprika.

This yummy center can be jazzed up by the inclusion of bacon, goat’s cheese, herbs, or any other additions you want to try out. Whether you keep your eggs classic or get creative, a deliciously devilish snack awaits.

11- Parmesan Bread Bites

Finger food doesn’t get much tastier or more comforting than a bit of cheesy bread. This recipe uses pizza dough to create the bread bites and parmesan for a sprinkle of cheesy decadence.

In addition to these ingredients, you’ll need garlic, butter, and Italian seasoning to create a mixture to brush the dough balls with before and after baking.

This gives them a buttery, flavorful taste and texture finished off by the parmesan topping.

These moreish, cheesy bread bites are best served hot and, while they are perfectly yummy on their own, can be served with a marinara sauce for dipping. It will fast become a finger food favorite.

12- Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Want a bite that doesn’t feature bread? Why not try some baked buffalo cauliflower? It’s a vegetarian, low-carb finger food with a spicy, crispy kick. You just need some cauliflower, batter, and buffalo sauce.

Large florets of cauliflower are coated in a batter of flour, water, and spices. This recipe uses paprika and garlic but you can substitute these for other spices to suit your preference.

Buffalo sauce requires hot sauce and butter, the less butter used, the healthier the sauce.

If you serve these mouthwatering morsels straight from the oven and pair them with a ranch dip they’ll be gobbled up in no time!

13- Soft Pretzel Bites

Pretzels are a favorite snack served at many a group gathering. These homemade, bitesize pretzel pieces will be just as popular at parties with their springy softness and sweet or salty taste.

This recipe does require you to make homemade dough, but don’t worry! It’s a straightforward process using simple ingredients.

Water, flour, butter, salt, and, sugar, are likely to be in your kitchen anyway. Just get in a bit of yeast. As for the coating, salt, cinnamon, melted butter, or even everything bagels will provide a tasty finish.

These delicious pretzel bites are tasty enough served solo but feel free to provide sauces for dipping too. Your kneading and baking efforts will be richly rewarded. Everyone will just love them!

14- Sausage and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels offer a fun swirl of flavors and are a great party finger food idea. These particular pinwheel swirls feature cream cheese and sausage.

Unsurprisingly you’re going to need some pork sausage and cream cheese for this recipe. Also some packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough sheets.

This is what the crumbly cooked sausage and cream cheese will be rolled up in. You’ll need to refrigerate the rolls before slicing and baking, but that’s it. You’re done!

It’s so easy and results in some irresistible pinwheels with soft creamy textures and bursts of juicy meat. Simply scrumptious!

15- Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Dates feature in some great, simple finger food recipes. You can stuff them or, as in this recipe, wrap them up in something. The something in question here is beautiful bacon.

This recipe really couldn’t be simpler. Stuff the dates with an almond then wrap them in half a piece of bacon secured with a toothpick. Now bake them evenly until the bacon cooks. See? Told you it couldn’t be simpler.

These are tasty little treats you can put together quickly and easily. You can also try changing up the recipe by stuffing the dates with something else before wrapping them in bacon.

Why not try some ricotta, chorizo, or cream cheese? Give it a go!

16- Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be incorporated into meals in many forms. It is the same with finger foods. The chicken in this recipe is placed on skewers with pineapple and a Hawaiian barbecue sauce. Scrummy!

Grab some bamboo skewers and alternately thread seasoned chicken pieces and pineapple pieces onto them. Used canned pineapple instead of fresh so your chicken doesn’t get mushy.

Then just grill them and give them a brush of King’s Hawaiian BBq Sauce Original. Easy enough right?

This succulent summer snack would be ideal to share out at a garden party. Fire up the grill!

17- Fried Goat Cheese

Cheese is often featured in finger food recipes but rarely the main event itself. This recipe focuses on goat’s cheese and how to create perfect bites of golden crusts surrounding soft, gooey centers.

It’s best to buy your goat’s cheese in a log so it’s easier to section up.

You can use herbed or original as your taste dictates. Then it’s just a case of dipping the cheese in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs to create the coating.

Once chilled and lightly fried, your mouthfuls of melted moreishness are ready to eat.

These are great served as solo bites or to complement a bit of salad. All will be pleased with this cheese!

18- Baked Brie Bites

Baked brie bites are another cheese-centric finger food that is sure to satisfy the crowds. This easy recipe features puff pastry cradling melty pieces of brie topped with cranberry sauce. Irresistible!

Puff pastry sheets can be purchased for convenience and cut up into squares to be tucked into muffin tins. Pop in a cubed piece of creamy, buttery brie and top it with cranberry sauce, salt, and pecans for added flavor.

Then bake. It’s so simple and can be customized by trying different jams to replace the cranberry such as raspberry, fig, or apricot.

This fabulous finger food looks as good as it tastes. Be warned, there’s no way people will be able to stop at just one. Bake in large quantities.

19- Pepperoni Pizza Bites

These pepperoni pizza bites are little, personal, cheesy, meaty, scrummy triumphs. They will be a big success at a party but are they difficult to make?

Nope! Some extra effort is required if you want to make your own pizza dough but the pre-made variety can be used to cut down preparation times.

The dough is pressed into muffin tins and pre-baked before toppings are added. Top with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and chopped pepperoni if following this recipe, and bake again until cheese is melted. Is your mouth watering yet?

As tasty as this recipe is, alternative toppings can also be tried such as pesto, bell peppers, or ricotta. Get creative!

20- Rosemary Garlic Crackers

Crackers are a great finger food option to pair with dips or whatever cheeses strike your fancy. These flavorsome rosemary garlic crackers will add a little something extra to the mix too.

The key ingredient is garlic-infused olive oil which is mixed with flour, fresh rosemary, and garlic powder to make the delicious dough.

All you need to do to get your crispy crackers is roll out this dough, cut it into pieces and bake them in the oven. Job done!

Imagine digging into these crackers with a slice of your favorite cheese sitting on top. Everyone will go crackers for it. Please excuse the pun!

21- Tomato Basil Bruschetta

If a crunchy toasted bruschetta with juicy ripe tomatoes sounds like your dream finger food then this recipe is the one for you.

The American bruschetta recipe is a simplified but no less scrumptious version of an Italian classic.

The ingredients are essentially the same. Diced tomatoes are needed, though discard any excess juice from these so soggy bruschettas are avoided.

They are mixed with onion, basil, and garlic to create the topping. The bread itself is a baguette, sliced into small pieces and baked in the oven until crisp.

The satisfying crunch of the bruschetta is closely followed by the tasty tang of the toppings. It’s a classic for a reason.

22- Extra Crispy Homemade Onion Rings

When thinking of onion rings, they are often pictured in burgers or offered up by the bowlful in a restaurant. How about a perfect onion appetizer made in the comfort of your own home? These onion rings aren’t just crispy. They’re extra crispy!

The key to the crispness is in the batter and breadcrumb coating so pay attention to this process. Any onions can be cut up into rings and used here although white onions are recommended.

The batter is a standard mix of egg, flour, and milk with flavorings of paprika or chili pepper.

It’s a simple set-up with a deliciously crunchy result. These onions will make a great finger food or even a side to complement another meal or snack.

23- Mini Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and waffles are one of the best sweet and savory combinations out there. This yummy pairing is just as good in its mini version and will have everyone looking for a second and third helping when you present it as finger food.

You’ll need to prepare a waffle batter if you are not purchasing pre-made waffles. Either way, they will be cut into bitesize squares.

The succulent chicken has dipped alternately into a seasoned flour mix and buttermilk before being fried. Then just secure little pieces of chicken to the waffle squares with toothpicks.

These minis are delicious solo or served with dips like hot sauce. Small in size but big in flavor!

24- Gougeres

Know what a gouger is? You’re about to find out. Gougeres are French in origin and feature choux pastry puffs with a gorgeous cheesy flavor. Don’t be alarmed by the need for pastry dough, it’s a simple enough recipe.

Mix butter, milk, and flour to make the dough and knead it until dry.

Then place in a mixer and fold in eggs, mustard, and cheese. Put little mounds of the dough on a tray and bake until golden.

That’s it. Not too scary, right?

Gruyere or a sharp cheddar is recommended for the cheese but you can try different varieties to suit your preference. Whatever you choose, these perfect pastry puffs will be a lovely light appetizer to impress at any group gathering.

25- Southern Hush Puppies

Hushpuppies are a classic cornmeal-based snack synonymous with the American South. They are a perfect side dish or appetizer to pair with southern food or to use as finger food.

Essentially, they are balls of fried cornmeal batter. It’s tastier than it sounds.

They have a crunchy exterior and soft, flaky interior. The thick batter is made of simple cornmeal, flour, egg, and buttermilk mix.

The seasonings are important too, so don’t forget the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.

Once fried, you’ll have perfectly bite-sized balls full of tasty textures and savory flavors. They can become quite addictive. You’ve been warned!

26- Easy Mini Cheesecake Bites

Easy finger food ideas are not just of the savory variety. This recipe for mini cheesecake bites showcases the best of what sweet finger foods can offer.

They are a soft and creamy delight, much easier to share out than a big cheesecake. They freeze well too, so you can prepare batches ahead of time.

The simple ingredients include graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar for the crust and cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla extract for the filling.

The crust is pressed into the bottom of muffin trays with mini muffin liners. The filling is then heaped on top and the mini cakes are then baked and chilled. Easy!

With very little effort, you can have a beautiful bitesize dessert finger food that can be topped with fruit or served straight up. Delicious!

27- Blooming Onion Bites and Dipping Sauce

Do you fancy a savory onion snack but want something a bit different from the standard onion rings? This recipe is just what you’re looking for. Blooming onion bites are onions cut into wedges, battered, then deep-fried.

This crunchy indulgent finger food is easy enough to make and requires simple ingredients.

The onion wedges are dipped repeatedly into both an egg and milk mixture, and a seasoned flour one. Then deep fry until brown and crispy. Done!

You can experiment with seasonings to adjust flavors and serve the bites up with a beautiful; dipping sauce made of spicy mayo and sour cream. Watch as they disappear amongst a sea of happy friends and family.

28- Egg White Bites

On the face of it, this finger food might seem a bit bland and boring. Egg whites? How can they make tasty finger food? Well, with the help of some scrummy additions.

These additions include several kinds of cheese, red pepper, onions, chopped spinach, and a drop of hot sauce. Now that’s more like it! Mix the ingredients together and pour into an egg bite mold to cook.

You can customize these egg white bites by switching up the vegetables used or even adding a bit of meat. You can make them as interesting as you want. Enjoy playing with the recipe!

29- Stuffed Jalapenos

There is one more stuffed recipe to add to this finger food list. We’ve had dates and mushrooms. Now welcome the jalapenos! These are appetizers guaranteed to give you a little fiery kick.

Don’t worry too much about them being too hot though, the use of dairy in this recipe will calm some of the heat. The two stuffings suggested here are cream cheese, onion, and cumin mix, and a bacon and jack cheese option. Both are dangerously delicious.

You can experiment with your own fillings too, maybe trying out shrimp or barbecue sauce. Be brave and savor the stuffing!

30- Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp

For a fabulous seafood option to use as finger food, look no further than some crispy fried shrimp. This recipe requires an air fryer for a quick, simple, and healthier alternative to deep frying.

Large shrimp are better for this recipe and should be breaded in panko crumbs, lemon pepper seasoning, and garlic powder for a fantastic flavor.

If you want to spice things up, you can also try cajun seasoning. Dip the shrimp in the breading and batter mixtures, then cook in the air fryer. It’s as straightforward as that.

Munch on these tasty morsels with your dip of preference or enjoy them in their original glory.

There’s no way they can be anything other than delicious!