40 Handheld Party Foods for Your Next Shindig

No matter the occasion, food lovers will rejoice for these delicious, waste-free recipes that allow for mingling and munching, no plate required.

September 05, 2019

By: Morgan Faulkner

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Bite-Size Shrimp & Grits

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

GET THE RECIPE: Make Shrimp and Grits in a Muffin Tin for Bite-Sized Southern Goodness

Spicy Pulled-Pork Empanadas

Pulled pork gets a Cuban kick with these easy empanadas. Use leftover pulled pork or start from scratch for an on-the-go tasty dish.

GET THE RECIPE: Spicy Pulled Pork Pie Crust Empanadas Recipe

Creative Crostini

Throwing together an appetizing snack is as easy as gathering a few baguettes and some tasty toppings. Get creative with endless topping options from savory to sweet and everywhere in between.

Get The Recipe: Sweet and Savory Crostini Recipes

From: Katie Meyers

Portable Banana Puddings

Treat yo’ self (and your guests, of course) to a delicious banana pudding dessert. This one-bag treat is perfect for portable snacking and chatting. GET THE RECIPE

Handheld Chicken & Waffle Cones

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.

SEE MORE: 5 Genius Low-Waste, Handheld Party Foods

Fancy Jam + Bread

Start the meal off right with an undeniably delicious first course: Roquefort crostini topped with port wine cherry compote and Marcona almonds. Rich in flavor and easy to serve, these finger foods will rev up guests' appetites for a hearty meal to follow.

Zesty Mole Shrimp

Have your guests saying "more, please" with this zesty, Mexican-inspired dish. Serve on a crowd-friendly, grab-n-go platter for an easy, breezy entertainment food that packs a delicious punch.

Get The Recipe: Zesty Mole Shrimp: Your New Grilling Go-To

Boozy Brownies

No party is complete without a tasty and scrumptious treat. Transform your favorite brew into a deliciously boozy brownie by adding a few splashes to the batter.

Get The Recipe: Turn Your Favorite Beers Into a Boozy Sweet Treat

One-of-a-Kind Potato Chip Bar

Forget the boring bags of potato chips and opt for a yummy kettle chip bar instead. Various seasonings, sauces and fresh cheese are just a few gourmet toppings included in this interactive chip station.

Make Your Own: How to Set Up a Self-Serve Potato Chip Bar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Tacos in a Bag

Banish bowls and keep waste to a minimum with all-in-one walking taco pouches. These bags are brimming with all the taco must-haves and are ideal for tailgates, game nights and summer get-togethers by the campfire.

Get The Recipe: Walking Tacos

Mexican Street Corn

Plain corn on the cob? Major yawn. Spice those kernels up with a burst of flavor from ancho chili powder, zesty lime juice and crumbly Cotija cheese all grilled to perfection.

Get The Recipe: Grilled Mexican Corn Recipe

From: Kristin Guy

Brie and Sun-Dried Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms

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.

Get The Recipe: Brie and Sun-Dried Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Cup o' Ribs

Barbeque ribs: a classic, finger-lickin’-good entertaining food. Make your guests’ experience more enjoyable by serving the meat in a small cup complete with barbecue sauce for easy dipping and devouring.

SEE MORE: How to Host a Backyard Barbecue Wedding Shower

Blackberry Wine Handheld Pies

Skip the messy cake and ice cream and go for these easy-to-eat, handheld pies instead. A gooey mixture of blackberries, wine and sugar fills a golden brown pie shell for a summer treat that will impress the masses.

Get The Recipe: Blackberry Wine Hand Pies

Cornbread + Chili in a Jar

For an alfresco fall affair, serve this hearty, on-the-go meal packaged in the cutest easy-to-hold glass jars.

GET THE RECIPE: Cornbread-Topped Chili-in-a-Jar Recipe

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Lobster Rolls

A New England party staple, lobster rolls are jam-packed with fresh, juicy lobster meat, mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice and more all in a fluffy hot dog-style bun. GET THE RECIPE

Easy No-Cook Gorgonzola Balls

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.

Get The Recipe: No-Bake Gorgonzola Cheese Balls Recipe

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Petite Ropa Vieja Tacos

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.

Get The Recipe: Ropa Vieja Mini Tacos Recipe

Buttery Char-Grilled Oysters

Delicious oysters swim in a mixture of aromatic herb butter and grated cheeses for an irresistible addition to your next backyard fish fry. GET THE RECIPE

Sandwich on a Stick

Gather the kiddos and create a fun, interactive afternoon of assembling these festive sandwich skewers made from your favorite cookie-cutter shape. The options are endless with meat, cheese and bread combinations and are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Festive Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies

A sweet, fluffy filling is sandwiched between flavorful strawberry pie shells and topped with multicolor nonpareils for a treat that is just as pretty as it is tasty.

Get The Recipe: Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies Recipe

At-Home Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese

Impress your guests with a batch of homemade, pub-style pretzels and warm beer cheese. This yeasty appetizer is finger food made delicious and easy.

Get The Recipe: Pub-Style Pretzels and Beer Cheese Sauce Recipe

Raspberry Mousse Chocolate Cookie Shots

We’re all about the low-waste, edible food vessel trend these days. Not only is this decadent chocolate dessert mess-free but it can also be filled with any tasty filling such as this rich raspberry mousse.

Get The Recipe: Raspberry Mousse-Filled Chocolate Cookie Shots

Healthy Cauliflower Skewers

Don’t forget about your vegetarian friends! Louisiana-style hot sauce coats florets of cauliflower for a delicious, guilt-free party food. Serve with a classic blue cheese dressing and veggie sticks for a healthy (and yummy) self-serve spread.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Skewers

Homemade Pepperoni and Cheese Hand Pies

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

Get The Recipe: Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza Hand Pies

Piña Colada Tartlets

If you like piña coladas … then these mini tartlets are for you. Transport your party-goers to the tropics with the classic summer cocktail in a tasty dessert form.

Get The Recipe: Piña Colada Tartlets

Tasty Mini Quiche Florentine

Mini pie crusts are filled with a classic combination of spinach and swiss cheese and paired with crispy bacon, grated parmesan and thyme leaves. Looking to add a vegetarian option to your spread? Just skip the bacon in this recipe.

Get The Recipe: Mini Quiche Florentine Recipe

From: Sam Henderson

All-in-One Fruit Bowls

Cool guests off at a summer party with a refreshing fruit bowl. This clever recipe uses a hollowed-out apple as an edible bowl for its fruity contents and sweet whipped topping.

Discover More: 5 Genius Low-Waste, Handheld Party Foods

Spicy Shrimp Toast

Paired with a sweet chile sauce, these crispy, bite-sized shrimp toast pieces will soon become your guests’ new favorite snack.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Toast

Coca-Cola & Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Decadent chocolate cupcakes get a flavorful cola addition in this recipe while peanut butter frosting delivers a perfect sweet and salty bite.

Get The Recipe: Coca-Cola Cupcake With Salted Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

Cajun Bacon and Ranch Sliders

Crunchy bacon and zesty ranch top this juicy, Cajun-spiced baby burger for a well-rounded, delicious bite.

Get The Recipe: Bacon and Ranch Cajun Baby Cheeseburgers

Creamy Smoked Salmon Roll

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

Get The Recipe: Creamy Smoked Salmon Roll Recipe

BLT Deviled Eggs

Jazz up a classic deviled egg with a filling that includes spinach, tomato, onion and, of course, BACON.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs Three Ways

From: Sam Henderson

Dessert on a Stick

Kebabs aren’t just for savory foods anymore! Create a scrumptious treat-on-a-stick by sandwiching a fresh strawberry (or any fruit) between delectable brownie bites.

DISCOVER MORE: 36 Party Foods You Can Serve on a Stick

Nacho-Stuffed Potato Skins

If your 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.

GET THE RECIPE: Nacho-Stuffed Potato Skins

Self-Serve Popcorn Bar

Entertain a large crowd for less money with an interactive, fun-filled popcorn bar. Allow your guests to create their own snack mix from gourmet toppings and add-ins while having a blast doing so.

Make Your Own: Treat Guests to a Self-Serve Popcorn Bar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Baked-With-Love Churros

The classic fried churro gets a better-for-you makeover by skipping the oil-filled frier and opting for the oven instead. Served with dulce de leche or a creamy chocolate sauce, this scrumptious treat makes the perfect addition to any dessert table.

Get The Recipe: Baked Churros Recipe

Tomato & Feta Skewers

Ideal for weddings, showers and social gatherings alike, these tomato and feta skewers are a foolproof one-bite appetizer to add to the menu. Simply slice cherry tomatoes in half and slide onto a skewer, sandwiching a chunk of tart feta in between.

Grilled Carne Adobo Skewers

Take skewers to the next level by marinating the meat in a mouth-watering mixture beforehand. Juicy beef skewers get a surprise kick with a one-of-a-kind sauce made from chiles, assorted spices and zesty lime juice.

Get The Recipe: Grilled Carne Adobo Skewers

Low-Waste Lettuce Wraps

Ditch the paper plates and serve low-waste apps 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.

Discover More: 5 Genius Low-Waste, Handheld Party Foods

40 Handheld Party Foods for Your Next Shindig

Related To:

Shop This Look

Bite-Size Shrimp & Grits

Spicy Pulled-Pork Empanadas

Creative Crostini

Portable Banana Puddings

Handheld Chicken & Waffle Cones

Fancy Jam + Bread

Zesty Mole Shrimp

Boozy Brownies

One-of-a-Kind Potato Chip Bar

Tacos in a Bag

Mexican Street Corn

Brie and Sun-Dried Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms

Cup o' Ribs

Blackberry Wine Handheld Pies

Cornbread + Chili in a Jar

Lobster Rolls

Easy No-Cook Gorgonzola Balls

Petite Ropa Vieja Tacos

Buttery Char-Grilled Oysters

Sandwich on a Stick

Festive Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies

At-Home Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese

Raspberry Mousse Chocolate Cookie Shots

Healthy Cauliflower Skewers

Homemade Pepperoni and Cheese Hand Pies

Piña Colada Tartlets

Tasty Mini Quiche Florentine

All-in-One Fruit Bowls

Spicy Shrimp Toast

Coca-Cola & Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Cajun Bacon and Ranch Sliders

Creamy Smoked Salmon Roll

BLT Deviled Eggs

Dessert on a Stick

Nacho-Stuffed Potato Skins

Self-Serve Popcorn Bar

Baked-With-Love Churros

Tomato & Feta Skewers

Grilled Carne Adobo Skewers

Low-Waste Lettuce Wraps

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