Planning a party? Hosting a get together at yourhouse can be fun, but planning can also be stressful and expensive.
Whether you’re throwing a large party or a moreintimate gathering, it’s always a good idea and proper etiquette to providefood for guests. You don’t have to break the bank on catering, however – a fewsimple, homemade dishes or easily purchased options can go a long way!
Before you start planning or purchasing food foryour party, make sure you know how many people are coming! This will affect howmuch food you should buy.
Depending on your crowd and the type of partyyou’re throwing, you can then plan what types of food will go over well, andaccount for dietary restrictions or picky eaters.
It can be hard to provide something foreveryone, but with a few solid dishes, your party is sure to be a hit! Ifyou’re looking for simple, easy to prepare foods, you’ve come to the rightplace.
Try these easy party foods, from classics likepizza to more unusual options to surprise your guests!
Easy Party Foods:
- Pizza
- Potato skins
- Skewers
- Antipasto
- Chips and Dip
Pizza
Pizza is a pretty reliable choice – most peoplelike pizza, and this is usually the most obvious option for feeding largegroups. If you’re trying to save yourself some preparation time, ordering fromyour favorite local pizza shop is an easy way to checkone meal off the list with little effort.
If you aren’t a big fan of delivery pizza, it iseasy and cost effective to make pizza at home as well! You can buy pre-made pizza doughor even already baked crust to save time, or make the dough yourself if you’reso inclined. Either way, homemade pizzas are simple and can be just as good oreven better than delivery!
For a fun activity, you could even have a pizzamaking station with different toppings, so your guests can create their ownpersonal pizzas. This is not only a form of entertainment, but also takes someof the responsibility of cooking off of your shoulders.
Mix it up and try specialty pies or unusualtoppings, or serve a classic cheese pizza. You can’t go wrong with this classicparty food.
Potato Skins
Potatoes are cheap and filling, but rather thanjust buying or making French fries, try potato skins for an alternative! Muchlike pizza, potato skins can incorporate different toppings and flavors to fitany crowd, or you can set up a toppings bar for guests to add what they likebest.
A little research can help you find a variety ofunique potato skin recipes, ideas, and toppings. Making the potatoes is easyenough – simply bake them and remove some of the inside potato to make room forother toppings.
Many recipes will have you empty the potatoskins and mash up some of the inner potato with butter for added moisture andflavor. After that, throw in cheese, bacon, scallions, avocado or whatever you plan to add and throw them back in the oven ifyou want to melt the cheese!
Potato skins can be super inexpensive dependingon your add-ons, and they can be amenable to many dietary restrictions sincethey are meat and gluten free.
Skewers
Skewers, shish kabobs – whatever you call them,these are an easy and fun party food! These are popularly made on a grill, butif you don’t have one a stove top or oven will work as well depending on whatyou’re adding.
Like our other options, skewers can be whatever youwant them to be – you can make them with only vegetables, meat, differentflavors – you could even do fruit skewers for a more exciting presentation thanthe standard fruit tray.
Depending on what ingredients you choose toinclude, skewers can be inexpensive. As far as preparation, simply cut up yourmeats or larger vegetables, add seasoning if you want, and throw them on thegrill! Skewers make an easy finger food for party guests.
Antipasto
For a classy dish that will take your party up anotch, prepare an antipasto plate or tray! Antipasto makes for a delicious andelegant finger food.
You don’t have to break the bank, although somefiner meats and cheeses may be on the pricier side. Choose what price level andingredients you prefer, however, and this is sure to be a hit.
Some classic antipasto options to include areItalian meats like prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats. Add your favoritecheese or multiple types of cheese, like a sharp provolone, aged cheddar, orwhatever matches the other flavors.
Include grapes, olives, crackers, bread slices,peppers, or any other typical or even unusual antipasto ingredient. All youhave to do is arrange your choices on a tray, and your guests are sure to beimpressed.
Chips and Dip
Another party classic, chips and dip are a go-toparty food. Whether you make the dip yourself or choose a store-bought option,most dips are relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare.
Make a bowl of your favorite dip, put out chips,and let your guests enjoy! You could even do a variety of dips to includedifferent flavors and appeal to different guests.
Some classic dips include salsa, guacamole,buffalo chicken dip, French onion dip, taco dip, and so on. Some dips, likehummus, could be served with veggies as well for a healthier alternative or forvegetarian or vegan guests.
Try These Easy Foods to Serve at Parties
Try out any or all of these easy and popularparty foods and your next gathering is sure to be a success! These foods aregreat options for groups, as you can amend them to your or your guests tastesand dietary needs. Serve up these dishes and enjoy your party!