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  4. The Best Finger Food Recipes for Silverware-Free Hosting Year-Round  

The Best Finger Food Recipes for Silverware-Free Hosting Year-Round  

Jenna Sims, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Jenna Sims October 06, 2021
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Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Finger foods are a great way to get any party started. We've rounded up our best finger food ideas for your next gathering. Whether you're hosting a laid-back tailgate, a celebratory tea, or a holiday party, there's plenty of easy finger foods on this list to fit any occasion. Finger foods are great as appetizers, but can also be hearty enough to serve as the main course. Finger food recipes are also easy to transport and don't require many utensils so any of these delicious handheld foods would be a great choice to take along to a party, so you don't show up empty handed.

Here are our best finger food recipes that are sure to be the star of any get together you host or attend. We guarantee you'll be asked to share these easy finger food recipes after just one bite. 

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Cheesy Garlic, Herb, And Ham Bites

Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Cheesy Garlic, Herb, And Ham Bites

Frozen puff pastry serves as a convenient base for these ham bites that come together in a snap.

 

 

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Mini Potato Skins

Mini Potato Skins
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Mini Potato Skins

Just five ingredients are needed to create this miniature version of the classic party food.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

If you can't find a gourmet fresh mushroom blend you can use any combination of mushrooms you can find as long as it equals 8 ounces. 

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Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Tomato Tea Sandwiches
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches

You can't go wrong with a classic tomato sandwich. Depending on how many guests you'll be expecting, you may need to double (or triple) this easy recipe. 

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Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

Prepared pizza dough and spicy smoked sausage come together to create pretzel bits that are packed with flavor in every bite. 

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Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets

Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets

For a delicious filling without too much work, we call on chive-and-onion cream cheese for this recipe. 

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Cacio e Pepe Puffs

Cacio e Pepe Puffs
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Cacio e Pepe Puffs

Aside from frozen puff pastry sheets, you probably have all of the ingredients for these simple puffs on hand in your kitchen already. 

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Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Tangy goat cheese spread over a crusty baguette serves as the perfect backdrop for roasted tomatoes. 

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Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

This recipe uses chorizo to give each bite a little kick and sweet potatoes add heartiness as well as another layer of flavor.

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Stuffed Okra Poppers

Stuffed Okra Poppers
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Stuffed Okra Poppers

No jalapeños necessary for these grilled party poppers. Instead, fresh okra pods serve as the base. 

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

We're here to share the good news that you can create a warm and delicious snack with just two ingredients. 

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Potato Puffs with Toppings

Potato Puffs with Toppings
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Potato Puffs with Toppings

Think of these potato puffs as a party-ready version of tater tots. 

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

The combination of salty brie with fruity cranberry is a winning duo in this four-ingredient appetizer. 

 

 

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Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

Get the taste of spinach dip in handheld form when you serve it in a button mushroom. 

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Pizza Pepper Poppers

Pizza Pepper Poppers
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Recipe: Pizza Pepper Poppers

Kids and adults will love this healthier but just as delicious take on the flavor of pizza. 

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Basic Deviled Eggs

Devilish Spins on Deviled Eggs
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

We definitely suggest doubling this classic recipe, as we're sure they'll begin to disappear the second guests start walking through the door. 

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Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

This recipes proves that Kentucky's signature sandwich can be enjoyed in bite-size form. 

 

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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Credit: Stephen DeVries

Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

No rolling is necessary to create this handheld version of classic enchiladas. 

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Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Pickled cherry peppers are sold in jars with the stems and seeds already removed. 

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Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles

Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles

Pick up fried chicken breast tenders from your favorite supermarket or restaurant to help these miniature chicken and waffles come together quickly. 

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Egg Salad Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwiches
Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches

Finger sandwiches are an easy, no-fuss dish to serve for any occasion. Plus, the egg salad can be prepared a day in advance of serving. 

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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Just as effortless as they are delicious, these tomato sandwiches come together in 20 minutes. 

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Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

These sweet potato biscuits freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead of time if needed to save time the day of your party. 

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Think of these tarts as a handheld and party-friendly version of tomato pie. 

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Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Baked Brie Bites

This impressive appetizer couldn't be easier. We recommended keeping the frozen mini phyllo pastry shells on hand during the holiday season for drop-in guests. 

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Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sausage Balls

No matter the time of day, sausage balls are a bite-sized snack that will be welcome at any party. 

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Party Poppers

Party Poppers
Credit: Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Party Poppers

These poppers start with a jalapeño base that's filled with a chicken-cream cheese mixture and then wrapped in bacon. Broiling just before removing them from the oven will crisp each piece of bacon to create the ideal finish. 

 

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Maple-Bacon Smokies

Maple Bacon Smokies
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Maple-Bacon Smokies

You'll only need four ingredients (plus toothpicks!) to pull this crowd-pleasing finger food together. 

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 28 Cheesy Garlic, Herb, And Ham Bites
    2 of 28 Mini Potato Skins
    3 of 28 Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups
    4 of 28 Tomato Tea Sandwiches
    5 of 28 Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites
    6 of 28 Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets
    7 of 28 Cacio e Pepe Puffs
    8 of 28 Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
    9 of 28 Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites
    10 of 28 Stuffed Okra Poppers
    11 of 28 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers
    12 of 28 Potato Puffs with Toppings
    13 of 28 Cranberry Brie Bites
    14 of 28 Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms
    15 of 28 Pizza Pepper Poppers
    16 of 28 Basic Deviled Eggs
    17 of 28 Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites
    18 of 28 Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
    19 of 28 Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
    20 of 28 Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles
    21 of 28 Egg Salad Sandwiches
    22 of 28 Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
    23 of 28 Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw
    24 of 28 Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
    25 of 28 Baked Brie Bites
    26 of 28 Sausage Balls
    27 of 28 Party Poppers
    28 of 28 Maple-Bacon Smokies

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    The Best Finger Food Recipes for Silverware-Free Hosting Year-Round  
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