Easy Party Food Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

Planning a party on a budget? We've rounded up our favorite affordable party food ideas from wow-worthy appetizers to decadent desserts and everything in between. Step away from the kitchen and make hosting a breeze with our slow cooker eats, make-ahead recipes and self-serve food bars such as a popcorn bar, hot dog bar, kettle chip bar and candied apple bar.

Set the bar for all future parties by providing your guests with a build-your-own toast bar. Crisp bread slices serve as an unmatched base for sweet, salty and savory toppings alike. Serve bread warm and lay out a variety of extras for your friends to choose from. Our go-to toppings include fresh berries, prosciutto, hot honey and crumbly gorgonzola cheese.

Put this sheet pan shrimp boil recipe in your back pocket to save yourself time and money the next time you host your loved ones for dinner. Our flavorful recipe cuts prep and cooking time in half, granting you extra time to catch up with friends. Bonus: It only requires a limited number of ingredients to yield a satisfying and showstopping meal.

Skip the individual cupcakes and canapes and serve your partygoers our big-batch chocolate cherry dump cake. The decadent dessert combines rich devil’s food chocolate cake mix with cherry pie filling and whipped cream to create the ultimate end-of-the-night treat to share with friends.

Get your salt fix and healthy unsaturated fats with this spicy snack recipe. Best part? This budget-friendly snack is easy to make in bulk for casual gatherings with family or friends. Roast cashews with chili pepper and lime juice for a tangy snack that you won't be able to stop eating.

Homemade dips and store-bought chips make this one irresistible party board. With a variety of chip options such as tortilla, pita and salted and flavor-packed dipping choices like sweet pea guacamole and beet hummus, there's a delicious combination for every taste bud.

Indulge in frozen bagel pizza with this healthy, adult-friendly twist. Use whole-wheat bagel halves as your mini bagel pizza base. Spread marinara sauce on the bagel, then add tasty toppings like mozzarella, prosciutto, spicy Italian sausage, arugula and roasted peppers. Pop your prepped pizza bagels into the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts to your liking.

Tomato soup and grilled cheese? Name a better duo. Dramatics aside, though, you can't beat the ease of this party-ready recipe. Serve homemade (or store-bought) tomato soup in a shot glass, and pair with a slice of an all-American grilled cheese to get your party off on the right foot.

Hosting a luncheon or brunch? Swap a heavy post-meal dessert for our light and refreshing fruit salsa recipe. The mouthwatering salsa combines fresh strawberries, apples, pears, blueberries, fresh mint and lime juice to satisfy any sweet tooth without the dreaded sugar crash. Serve with cinnamon-dusted graham crackers or offer it as is in a glass cup with a spoon.

Chicken and waffles, anyone? A sweet waffle cone makes the perfect edible vessel for your favorite chicken nuggets. Drizzle with maple syrup or dipping sauce for a clever handheld snack.

Disguise cheap vino with our party-perfect sangria ice pop recipe. The buzz-worthy treat will earn praise aplenty and is easier to make than you think. All you need is a bottle of budget-friendly white wine, chopped fruit and some fruit juice to leave guests floored at your next warm-weather event.

Prepare this make-ahead pasta salad recipe to leave guests floored after the first bite. The addictive dish calls for bow-tie pasta, shredded chicken, sesame seeds, soy sauce, ginger, fresh green onion and sliced cherry tomatoes. Pro Tip: Make this simple recipe even easier by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken to complete the dish.

Enjoy all the feel-good flavors of an old-fashioned apple pie without all the work (and sugar) that comes with baking one from scratch with these healthy apple pie bites. Use graham cracker squares as your crust and smear with vanilla Greek yogurt. Pile chopped Granny Smith apples on the yogurt, then top with a honey drizzle and cinnamon sprinkle.

When in doubt, guac it out. Trust us, a batch of our homemade pineapple black bean guacamole will always leave a smile on your guests' faces.

Hosting a fall fete or tailgate for friends? Add our easy candy apple bar to your party menu, stat. These tasty autumn mainstays are popular for a reason. They're delicious, relatively healthy and incredibly simple to make. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a party snack dipped in chocolate and caramel?

Salty, sweet and oh-so-refreshing, these melon and prosciutto skewers cover all the bases for the perfect party snack. To make them, use a melon roller to carve out watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe balls. Thread alternating melon balls on skewer sticks between fresh basil leaves, buffalo mozzarella and salty prosciutto slices. Serve as is or spice it up with a sprinkle of fresh-cracked pepper.

Make your guests feel right at home without having to do any dishes. Simply make a slow cooker full of chili, and set out all your desired toppings and a basket full of corn chip bags. Instead of bowls, have your guests use the bags to create their perfect bowl — or bag, rather — of chili.

Cater to your health-conscious, vegan or vegetarian guests with this healthy hot wing alternative from Food Network. The toasted buffalo cauliflower bites offer the same addictive spice without the extra grease and cholesterol found in traditional chicken wings.

This easy-to-make, colorful party dip will add a touch of fantasy to your next gathering — no magic required. A box of confetti cake mix combines with cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar and is rolled in rainbow sprinkles to create the perfect dipping dessert.

Step away and let the slow cooker do all the work. These whiskey meatballs can easily be enjoyed on their own or on a hoagie bun for a tasty party sub.

Serve these salty French fry shots as an easy-to-tote appetizer at your next cookout, party or any gathering. Fill shot glasses with hot sauce-spiked ketchup or grated garlic horseradish, and serve crispy fries on top.

Hack alert! Fool friends and family at your next gathering into thinking you're a pro in the kitchen by picking up a juicy rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Shred the meat, and serve on soft butter buns with your famous (read: favorite store-bought) barbecue sauce.

Even guests with the pickiest palates are bound to enjoy this classic dessert. Our grilled strawberry shortcake tastes as divine as traditional shortcake recipes but comes skewered for effortless, hand-held enjoyment. To make, cut the tops off strawberries and use a cookie cutter to cut stars out of slices of pound cake. Place pieces of cake and berries alternately on the skewers until they are full. Grill over medium heat until the pound cake is lightly toasted and the berries are just beginning to soften. Top with whipped cream for the perfect finishing touch.

If you grow a summer garden, chances are you have tons of tomatoes just waiting to be eaten. Take advantage of your summer bounty with these tangy tomato chips — perfect for a crowd.

Always a crowd-pleaser, a popcorn bar is a budget-friendly way to feed a big group. Serve with specialized toppings like garlic salt, Cajun or lemon pepper seasoning. and encourage guests to indulge in a sweet-and-salty mix by incorporating a curated candy topping section.

Portable sundaes in jars are the perfect handheld treat. Mix and match your favorite ice cream and toppings ahead of time, then store the lidded jars in the freezer till it's time to party.

Give adults a taste of their childhood at your next soiree with our elevated take on an old-school staple. These poppy seed pigs in a pie crust offer the same crowd-pleasing flavors and crispy texture as classic pigs in a blanket but with a more sophisticated twist.

Using a muffin tin to make these shrimp and grits bites means they're pre-portioned and ready for eating. Make ahead and enjoy at room temperature, or heat in a low oven just before serving.

Elevate your store-bought chicken salad with a sprinkle of taco seasoning, sliced green onions, green peppers and shredded cheese. For even more south-of-the-border flair, serve with avocado slices, fire-roasted salsa or green chile hot sauce.

Spicy, cheesy and indulgent — this buffalo chicken dip checks all the boxes for a backyard party or football tailgate. Serve with celery sticks, crackers or tortilla chips for dipping.

Whether you're hosting an Oktoberfest event or you're on the hunt for the perfect salty spread, this tasty charcuterie board is all the inspiration you'll need. Highlights include pickled okra, fresh berries, sharp cheese, pretzels, sliced sausages and various spreads including wholegrain mustard, beer cheese and horseradish sauce.

Only have an hour before your soiree? You can whip up these cheesy wonton bites and still have time to pour yourself a glass of wine before company arrives.

These chocolate cookie shot glasses make such a fun treat for kids and adults alike. You can fill them with candy, milk — most anything — but you can't go wrong with our raspberry mousse filling.

Take store-bought potato chips out of the bag for this year's cookout or barbecue. Create an interactive chip station where guests can top chips with various seasonings, sauces and fresh cheeses.

Ditch the paper plates and serve low-waste appetizers at your next get-together instead. For a super quick and flavorful starter, scoop crowd-pleasing chicken salad onto individual romaine leaves and watch this nutritious snack steal the show.

Simply roll a homemade cheese mixture onto fresh salmon pieces and serve atop a crunchy cracker for easy party food at its finest.

Be an entertaining superhero by serving shot glasses filled with churros and chocolate. The perfect churros will be crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Paired with sipping chocolate, they make the perfect bite-sized dessert.

Flavored with stout beer, this hearty nacho dip is delicious served with potato chips, or turn it up a notch by serving it with French fries or tater tots.

You won't believe how easy (and tasty) our rich chocolate pumpkin muffins are. This recipe uses just two packaged ingredients to yield moist, springy muffins with a hint of pumpkin and warm fall spices.

Turn your favorite bar food into fancy hors d'oeuvres. Cut up German-style pretzels into small bites (or buy bite-sized versions in the freezer section) and top with a dollop of melty beer cheese. Skewer with easy-grab toothpicks and serve on a garnished platter for extra fanciness.

Please a crowd at your next party with our fresh ceviche shot appetizer. Combine pico de gallo with lime-marinated raw shrimp and finely-chopped cucumbers in shot glasses. Serve chilled and garnish with a few strips of crispy fried tortilla strips for a satisfying salty crunch.

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time mingling. With just five ingredients, these creative mushroom bites are bound to be a hit with all who try them.

This recipe features all the same great flavors as your favorite pepperoni pizza — without the greasy mess.

Dark chocolate and zesty orange are a flavor pairing made in confectionery heaven. Although these two-bite treats may look like expensive bonbons, they're actually easy to make at home using an ordinary ice cube tray.

This decadent-yet-healthy combo of strawberries, cinnamon and honey cream cheese is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Mix a desired amount of honey with low-fat cream cheese, then spread evenly onto whole wheat wraps. Sprinkle with cinnamon, then roll up the wraps and slice into one-inch-thick rings. Thread a skewer through the sliced wraps and tuck sliced fresh strawberries in between.

If you're looking for a simple, no-bake recipe that is still oh-so-delicious, then this recipe is for you. Simply make these yummy cheese balls ahead of time, keep refrigerated and serve fresh when guests arrive.

Pesto gets a turn at the table with these perfect little pinwheels. Light, flaky crust is wrapped around the robust flavors of basil, garlic, and parmesan.

When in doubt, a self-serve hot dog station will never — and we mean never — disappoint. Use this mouthwatering display by Brian Patrick Flynn as your muse and provide guests with a wide variety of toppings and fan-favorite sides like baked beans and slaw.

For the perfect addition to your cheese platter, wrap paper-thin slices of prosciutto around three-quarters of breadsticks. Serve with assorted cheeses for an instant party favorite.

These brownie sundaes are just a few bites of decadence that your guests are sure to appreciate. Make them ahead and put them in the freezer. Then just top with whipped cream and a cherry to serve.

Go store-bought or made from scratch. Either way, this yummy biscuit plus ham combination is bound to be a hit.

If your cold-weather get-together includes gathering around the TV for a football game, then be sure to make these restaurant-style potato skins a star player in your appetizer lineup.

Kick off your shindig the right way with a tray full of miniature ropa vieja tacos. These delicious bites can be prepared ahead of time and assembled right before party-goers arrive.

It doesn't get much easier than this. Simply wrap pineapple cubes with bacon. Broil, flipping halfway, until crisp (about 8 minutes).

Chips and dip is always a party favorite, but for a variation on the classic standby, give eggplant chips a try. The beautiful color and sweet taste pair perfectly with fresh cilantro pesto

Save money on food with simple fresh watermelon and feta appetizers flavored with red wine vinegar and mint. With that extra cash, we recommend splurging on a bottle of champagne to go along with these delicious morsels.

Jazz up your standard deviled eggs recipe by adding some tasty flavor combinations like bacon, spinach, red onion, tomato, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil and pine nuts. Is your mouth watering yet?

It seems like such a pity to not take advantage of nature's bounty during the warmer months. This garden-fresh bell pepper and mozzarella combination could not get any easier, but sometimes the simplest recipes are also the most delightful.

Love creamy spinach dip? These parmesan spinach balls are its crispy counterpart.

No fall or winter party is complete without the classic cheese straw. A savory combination of butter and cheese gets an added kick from cayenne pepper, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer or hearty snack.