A good party requires tasty snacks! Sure, there will be refreshing big-batch drinks, groovy music, and good company. However, no get-together is complete without a few small bites. And by small, that means easy appetizers that don't require a fork and knife. While a formal sit-down dinner may require fancy appetizers, casual gatherings like backyard cookouts and potlucks work best with finger foods that you can eat with your hands.
Many of these finger food ideas are crunchy, cheesy, or wrapped in bacon, but there are a few healthy-ish appetizers as well. Just look at the shrimp cocktail, smoky mixed nuts, and air fryer appetizers. You'll also find some creative ideas that will have everyone at your party raving like fried ravioli, reuben egg rolls, fried mac and cheese balls, mini beef wellington bites, and spinach-artichoke dip served in wonton cups. There are even homemade potato chips to pair with your favorite party dips.
Then again, you can't go wrong with other make-ahead appetizers like pinwheel snacks, pigs in a blanket, and different kinds of deviled eggs—they make a welcome addition to any potluck spread. If you do want to keep things completely fingerless, you can offer toothpicks to make serving fast and disposable. Either way, these finger food ideas are guaranteed to win over any crowd.
Potato Stacks
These mini scalloped potatoes are baked in a muffin tin with cream, parmesan, cheddar, garlic, and thyme. They come out with crispy, golden edges and soft, melty centers, so every bite has that perfect crunchy and creamy contrast. Bonus: they're make-ahead friendly and reheat beautifully.
Get the Potato Stacks recipe.
Smoky Mixed Nuts with Crispy Chickpeas
This finger food is perfect for parties and holiday grazing. The roasted nuts and chickpeas are warmly spiced with chipotle chile powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of brown sugar for a crunchy, salty, and downright scrumptious snack.
Feta Rolls
Golden, flaky, and totally swoon-worthy—like a fancy cheese stick with a Mediterranean twist. Each bite wraps creamy, tangy feta in buttery phyllo, then gets finished with a drizzle of hot honey for that sweet-salty-spicy payoff.
Get Ree's Feta Rolls recipe.
Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini
Here's an easy yet impressive finger food that hits every note in one bite: crisp toasted baguette, rich lemony ricotta, and jammy roasted red grapes for a sweet-savory finish. Top with lemon zest and a pinch of flaky salt, and you've got a party appetizer that looks fancy, but comes together fast.
Get Ree's Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini recipe.
Mini Beef Wellington Bites
Here's a total showstopper. You get all the classic Wellington goodness (tender beef filet, savory mushroom duxelles, and flaky puff pastry) in a party-perfect, bite-size bundle. Serve with a horseradish cream sauce for dipping.
Get Ree's Mini Beef Wellington Bites recipe.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pears
An effortlessly elegant finger food! These juicy pear slices get a dash of fig preserves and whole-grain mustard, a few peppery arugula leaves, then a wrap of prosciutto for the perfect bite that looks gorgeous on a platter, especially alongside a glass of wine.
Get Ree's Prosciutto-Wrapped Pears recipe.
Fried Green Tomatoes
They're a Southern classic for a reason! Ree even calls them "the best summer indulgence." So pick up some firm green tomatoes (garden-fresh if you've got them) and get to fryin'.
Get the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe.
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Leftovers never tasted so good! Take last night's mashed potatoes and turn them into golden, crispy bits of deliciousness sprinkled with salt, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
Get Ree's Fried Mashed Potato Balls recipe.
Air Fryer Ravioli
Skip the deep fryer, because your air fryer makes this classic a breeze. Just grab some store-bought ravioli and you'll have crispy, cheesy bites in no time. Don't forget the marinara for dipping!
Get Ree's Air Fryer Ravioli recipe.
Homemade Potato Chips
Chips are the ultimate finger food—and they feel extra special when you make them from scratch. All you have to do is fry up super thin slices of potatoes to get them nice and crunchy and then sprinkle on a spicy-sweet seasoning.
Get Ree's Homemade Potato Chips recipe.
Little Smokies
Okay, so you may want a toothpick between your fingers and these bite-sized snacks. That's only because they've been bathing in a homemade tangy-sweet sauce in your slow cooker.
Get Ree's Little Smokies recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These flaky pinwheels are swirled with salty ham and melty cheese, and ranch-flavored cream cheese mixture. Good thing you can keep them stashed in the freezer for whenever a craving hits!
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Crab Rangoon
With its creamy, spicy filling and signature crunch, it's no wonder this classic appetizer is always a hit. You can pan fry it or make it in the air fryer. Just be sure to serve it up with sweet chili sauce.
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Fried Zucchini
Give your veggies the French fry treatment and no one will complain. These zucchini sticks are crispy and golden with a cheesy breadcrumb coating that's a cinch to make.
Get the Fried Zucchini recipe.
Coconut Shrimp
The combination of crunchy coconut and succulent shrimp will make you feel like your on a beach vacation. It would be perfect for a pool party, a cookout, or any time you want a taste of the tropics.
Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Air Fryer Taquitos
Skip the freezer aisle and try making your own crispy beef taquitos at home instead. It's easy thanks to the air fryer, so you don't even need to fuss with a pot of oil.
Get the Air Fryer Taquitos recipe.
Potato Skins
Ree's been making these crispy potato skins for years and she admits, "they never, ever go out of style." You can fill them up with whatever your heart desires like cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
Get Ree's Potato Skins recipe.
Reuben Egg Rolls
This party food is everything you love about a Reuben sandwich in one crunchy bite: corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. There's even a side of Russian dressing for dipping.
Get the Reuben Egg Rolls recipe.
Air Fryer Okra
Even those who are skeptical about okra will love this method for preparing the Southern favorite. The okra pods are cut in half lengthwise so there's even more surface area to be breaded and fried. And all that means is that there's extra crunch.
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
Beef Empanadas
The tender golden dough and warm beef filling make this meat pocket extra-special. If you're in a pinch, you can look for store-bought frozen empanada discs or even pie dough as a substitute.
Get the Beef Empanadas recipe.
15 Things to Always Have in Your Fridge for School
Sheet Pan Broccoli Cheddar Quesadillas
3-Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Dip
10 Pretzel Recipes That Go Way Beyond Snack Time
