Easy Food Ideas for Parties
Planning a party? Hosting a get together at your house can be fun, but planning can also be stressful and expensive.
Whether you’re throwing a large party or a more intimate gathering, it’s always a good idea and proper etiquette to provide food for guests. You don’t have to break the bank on catering, however – a few simple, homemade dishes or easily purchased options can go a long way!
Before you start planning or purchasing food for your party, make sure you know how many people are coming! This will affect how much food you should buy.
Depending on your crowd and the type of party you’re throwing, you can then plan what types of food will go over well, and account for dietary restrictions or picky eaters.
It can be hard to provide something for everyone, but with a few solid dishes, your party is sure to be a hit! If you’re looking for simple, easy to prepare foods, you’ve come to the right place.
Try these easy party foods, from classics like pizza 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 people like pizza, and this is usually the most obvious option for feeding large groups. If you’re trying to save yourself some preparation time, ordering from your favorite local pizza shop is an easy way to check one meal off the list with little effort.
If you aren’t a big fan of delivery pizza, it is easy and cost effective to make pizza at home as well! You can buy pre-made pizza dough or even already baked crust to save time, or make the dough yourself if you’re so inclined. Either way, homemade pizzas are simple and can be just as good or even better than delivery!
For a fun activity, you could even have a pizza making station with different toppings, so your guests can create their own personal pizzas. This is not only a form of entertainment, but also takes some of the responsibility of cooking off of your shoulders.
Mix it up and try specialty pies or unusual toppings, or serve a classic cheese pizza. You can’t go wrong with this classic party food.
Potato Skins
Potatoes are cheap and filling, but rather than just buying or making French fries, try potato skins for an alternative! Much like pizza, potato skins can incorporate different toppings and flavors to fit any crowd, or you can set up a toppings bar for guests to add what they like best.
A little research can help you find a variety of unique potato skin recipes, ideas, and toppings. Making the potatoes is easy enough – simply bake them and remove some of the inside potato to make room for other toppings.
Many recipes will have you empty the potato skins and mash up some of the inner potato with butter for added moisture and flavor. After that, throw in cheese, bacon, scallions, avocado or whatever you plan to add and throw them back in the oven if you want to melt the cheese!
Potato skins can be super inexpensive depending on your add-ons, and they can be amenable to many dietary restrictions since they 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, but if you don’t have one a stove top or oven will work as well depending on what you’re adding.
Like our other options, skewers can be whatever you want them to be – you can make them with only vegetables, meat, different flavors – you could even do fruit skewers for a more exciting presentation than the standard fruit tray.
Depending on what ingredients you choose to include, skewers can be inexpensive. As far as preparation, simply cut up your meats or larger vegetables, add seasoning if you want, and throw them on the grill! Skewers make an easy finger food for party guests.
Antipasto
For a classy dish that will take your party up a notch, prepare an antipasto plate or tray! Antipasto makes for a delicious and elegant finger food.
You don’t have to break the bank, although some finer meats and cheeses may be on the pricier side. Choose what price level and ingredients you prefer, however, and this is sure to be a hit.
Some classic antipasto options to include are Italian meats like prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats. Add your favorite cheese or multiple types of cheese, like a sharp provolone, aged cheddar, or whatever matches the other flavors.
Include grapes, olives, crackers, bread slices, peppers, or any other typical or even unusual antipasto ingredient. All you have to do is arrange your choices on a tray, and your guests are sure to be impressed.
Chips and Dip
Another party classic, chips and dip are a go-to party 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 include different 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, like hummus, could be served with veggies as well for a healthier alternative or for vegetarian or vegan guests.
Try These Easy Foods to Serve at Parties
Try out any or all of these easy and popular party foods and your next gathering is sure to be a success! These foods are great options for groups, as you can amend them to your or your guests tastes and dietary needs. Serve up these dishes and enjoy your party!
