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How to Plan an Appetizer Party Menu

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Dec 4, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links.

A party isn’t a party without plenty of finger foods, dips, desserts and little snacks to nibble and share. With these 5 easy tips and 19 recipes you can put together a complete, well-rounded appetizer menu that is as satisfying for your guests as it is fun to eat!

A collage of recipes for planning a party menu with appetizers, finger foods and dips with a list of recipes to make and serve.


Finger foods, appetizers and dips create a more casual party atmosphere than a sit down meal. And let’s be honest, we all love a reason to enjoy a plate full of our favorite cheesy, salty, snack-y favorites!

But just because you’re serving appetizers and dips at your get-together doesn’t mean that your guests will go hungry. With just a little planning and a few simple tips, your finger food menu can eat just like a meal… or even better!

New Years drink collage

How to Plan A Party Menu

Planning your party should be just as fun as the party itself. Whether it New Year’s Eve, Christmas, game nights, girls’ nights or tailgates, here are 5 tips I use to plan my finger food menus.

  1. Anchor your menu with heavy finger foods. Think of them almost as main dishes. They usually contain proteins and will be the most filling part of your menu. Think sandwiches, meatballs, shrimp, skewers and the like.
  2. Consider your dips almost as side dishes. They come in to support and compliment the finger foods. So choose them accordingly.
  3. Always add a green or fruit salad to round out your party “meal.” Jello salads perfect for parties too. Think Classic Layered Strawberry Jello Salad or a fun Cherry Coca-Cola Jello Salad.
  4. Fill in the gaps with little bites, like spiced nuts, that your party guests can continue to snack on throughout the night.
  5. Finish strong with desserts! You know everyone looks forward to dessert no matter the occasion. So have a few different types of sweets your guests can choose from- cakes and pies are good. Cookies, bars and brownies keep in tune with the finger food theme. And don’t forget candies, even a snack mix!

What To Serve At A Party

Heavy Finger Food or Hor D'oeuvres

Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sliders

New Orleans Muffuletta Skewers

Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs

Air Fryer Natchitoches Meat Pies

Louisiana Pickled Shrimp In a Jar

Dips with Veggies, Crackers & Chips

Ham & Pineapple Hawaiian Dip

Baked Jalapeño Artichoke Dip

Favorite Southern Pimento Cheese Ball

Million Dollar Shrimp & Crab Dip

Whipped Feta with Honey Dip

Salads

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad

Snacks & Little Bites

Southern Cheese Straws

Easy Italian Marinated Olives

Honey Spiced Pecans

Desserts

Hello Dolly Magic Cookie Bars

Lemon Basil Squares

Coconut Thumbprint Macaroons

Ritz Bits Muddy Buddies Snack

Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars

A party isn't a party without plenty of finger foods, dips, desserts and little snacks to nibble and share.  With these 5 easy tips and 19 recipes you can put together a complete, well-rounded appetizer menu that is as satisfying for your guests as it is fun to eat!

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Everyday, Hospitality, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas, game day, holidays, party, tailgate

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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