Forget the forks and knives! Sometimes, the best meals are the ones you can eat with your hands. This article explores a variety of healthy and delicious finger food ideas perfect for adult gatherings, parties, or even a fun and different supper. From light and refreshing bites to savory and satisfying options, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
The Allure of Finger Foods
Appetizers are a great way to kickstart a party with fun and festive food ideas. These small, flavorful portions are not only delicious but also offer several advantages:
- Variety: Appetizers allow you to introduce a diverse range of flavors and textures to your meal or gathering.
- Health Boost: They provide an opportunity to incorporate healthy ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet.
- Portion Control: Finger foods can be portion control friendly.
- Conversation Starters: A well-arranged platter of finger foods can be a visual centerpiece and spark conversation among guests.
- Reduced Dishes: More finger food options equal fewer dishes at mealtime! It’s a win-win!
Savory Sensations
Turkey and Swiss Sliders
These portion control friendly sliders for supper are a delightful and easy option. This recipe uses turkey, which is leaner than beef. Cut the rolls, spread mustard, place turkey and Swiss cheese (the more the merrier) and top with the other half of the rolls on top, mix the mustard with melted butter and brush it on the rolls.
Cauliflower Breadsticks
For those watching their carbs or seeking a new culinary adventure, cauliflower breadsticks are an excellent choice. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a high speed blender on low, or a food processor until fine. Steam in a steamer basket (about 7-10 min) and then remove and let cool. In a bowl, combine the cauliflower with the almond flour, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and eggs. Transfer to the center of the baking sheet and spread into a large rectangle. Try to keep it to no more than 1/2 inch thick. The thinner, the crispier, the thicker, the fluffier. Take it out of the oven, and slice into desired size and shape.
Fried Green Tomatoes
A Southern classic, fried green tomatoes offer a tangy and crispy bite.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Leftovers never tasted so good! Use last night's mashed potatoes and turn them into golden nuggets of deliciousness sprinkled with salt, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Ravioli
Skip the deep fryer and still make this classic, thanks to your handy dandy air fryer. Just grab some store-bought ravioli and you'll be done in no time. Don't forget the marinara for dipping!
Homemade Potato Chips
Chips are the ultimate finger food and feel so special when you make them from scratch. Fry up super thin slices of potatoes to get them nice and crunchy and then sprinkle on a spicy-sweet seasoning.
Little Smokies
Okay, so you may want a toothpick between your fingers and these little snacks. That's only because they've been bathing in a homemade tangy-sweet sauce in your slow cooker.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These flaky pinwheels are swirled with salty ham and melty cheese, and ranch-flavored cream cheese mixture. Good thing you can keep them stashed in the freezer for whenever a craving hits!
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Crab Rangoon
With its creamy, spicy filling and signature crunch, it's no wonder this classic appetizer is always a hit. You can pan fry it or make it in the air fryer. Just be sure to serve it up with sweet chili sauce.
Fried Zucchini
Give your veggies the French fry treatment and no one will complain. These zucchini sticks are crispy and golden with a cheesy breadcrumb coating that's a cinch to make.
Potato Skins
You can fill them up with whatever your heart desires like cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
Reuben Egg Rolls
This party food is everything you love about a Reuben sandwich in one crunchy bite: corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. There's even a side of Russian dressing for dipping.
Pot Stickers
This recipe keeps things simple by using store-bought dumpling wrappers. Then, each one is filled with crunchy veggies and hearty ground pork. It's all finished with a sweet and savory dipping sauce.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Air Fryer Falafel
This Middle Eastern favorite is made with a flavorful mixture of herbs, spices, and chickpeas. Then, it's crisped up in the air fryer. Serve it with tahini yogurt sauce for dipping.
Corn Fritters
There's just something about fried anything that's so irresistible. To make it even better, this variation is loaded with sweet corn. You can even top it with sifted powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
They're just as delicious as an after-school snack. What's more, they're healthier than your typical fried tender.
Air Fryer Okra
Even those who are skeptical about okra will love this method for preparing the Southern favorite. The okra pods are cut in half lengthwise so there's even more surface area to be breaded and fried. And all that means is that there's extra crunch.
Beef Empanadas
The tender golden dough and warm beef filling make this meat pocket extra-special. If you're in a pinch, you can look for store-bought frozen empanada discs or even pie dough as a substitute.
Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps
Casual, flavorful and low in carbohydrates, these Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps are a perfect and low-fuss way to feed a group. Place the ingredients in separate dishes and let your guests assemble their own wrap, which allows them to personalize to suit their tastes. 1 wrap: 199 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
Steak lettuce cups
Rustle up these easy steak canapés to serve at a party. With two sauces to accompany them, they're delicious and healthy too
Mini chicken fajitas
These Mexican inspired party nibbles are filled with spicy chipotle chicken and peppers - make ahead for fuss-free entertaining
Slow cooker barbacoa beef
You can leave this barbacoa beef in the slow cooker during the day if you're entertaining. Serve in lettuce cups, tacos, or over rice with vegetables
Cheat's duck, hoisin and cucumber lettuce cups
A quick and easy, low-fat alternative to duck pancakes. Spiralized cucumber, sesame seeds and hoisin sauce make these a simple and delicious party snack
Seafood Delights
Boiled Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
Skip the fancy restaurant and turn your kitchen into an enchanting evening in! Squeeze juice from 2 lemons into a small bowl and set aside, reserving 2 squeezed halves. Combine 3 tablespoons lemon juice, sugar, salt, coriander, reserved lemon halves and 6 cups water in a large saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar and salt. Add shrimp to boiling water and cook, uncovered, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 8 cups ice to saucepan. Meanwhile, combine ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, vinegar, 1 tablespoon remaining lemon juice, and sriracha in a small bowl, stirring to combine.
Coconut Shrimp
The combination of crunchy coconut and succulent shrimp will make you feel like you're on a beach vacation. It would be perfect for a pool party, a cookout, or any time you want a taste of the tropics.
Corn cups with prawns, mango & chillies
Buy ready-shaped corn tortillas to save time with these easy, healthy seafood canapés - perfect for a party or buffet spread
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
The bacon-wrapped shrimp, garlicky sauce and burst of cool cuke flavor make this a crowd pleaser.
Ceviche
Ceviche is a seafood recipe of raw fish marinated in citrus juice, which cooks it without heat. This version starts with cooked shrimp and adds tomatoes, cucumbers and serrano peppers.
Vegetarian Victories
Festive Goat Cheese Balls
This pretty appetizer only requires four ingredients and it comes together in a matter of minutes. It might just be one the easiest finger foods you could make.
Everything-Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
Smoky veggie nachos
Serve a sharing platter of vegetarian nachos at your next informal drinks party. Unlike most party food, these nachos are healthy, boasting plenty of folate, fibre and vitamin c
Smashed mini jackets
Serve these smashed mini jacket potatoes with our creamy chicken stew for a crowd-pleasing dinner. The dish also works well for a family New Year's Eve feast
Grilled aubergine stacks
Planning a Christmas party? You needn’t compromise on healthy eating with these tasty aubergine canapés which you can make with two different toppings
Avocado canapés
Serve our healthy avocado verrines when you're entertaining. They come in two tasty flavour combinations for easy party prep - crab or Mexican kidney bean
Aubergine & chickpea bites
Combine chickpeas and aubergine with garlic and cumin for these tasty, healthy vegan canapés. Everyone will love them served with our harissa yogurt
Baked carrot & nigella seed bhajis with raita
A healthy baked carrot alternative to much-loved Indian side dish onion bhajis. Serve these golden, crispy snacks as part of a thali or curry feast
Pani puris
This deep-fried Indian street food makes a great party snack - crisp rounds of bread filled with chickpeas and potato, drizzled with a herb and spice water
Vegetarian scotch eggs
Combine two winning dishes in this picnic-friendly vegetarian recipe of eggs coated in spiced, herbed chickpeas
Cranberry & chestnut falafel
Add a bit of seasonal spirit to your chickpea bites with fruit and nuts.
Edamame
Edamame are young soybeans in their pods. While I love to get them with my sushi when I go out, they are also so easy to make at home.
Beetroot Hummus
This tasty beetroot hummus is the prettiest pink snack I’ve ever seen. The healthy recipe is handy to make in large batches and keep in the fridge for lunches and snacks throughout the week.
Guacamole
Get the scoop on making a standout guacamole. A handful of chopped celery adds some fun crunch in this avocado dip-everyone’s favorite fiesta starter.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Even if you don't like mushrooms, you will have to try them again with these pretty appetizers, which taste divine. For a main dish, double the filling and use large portobellos.
Bruschetta
As a starter or light snack, this bruschetta is a wonderful way to savor the season with just a bite of fresh peach amid a medley of lively flavors.
Watermelon Bites
Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs.
Mini Peppers
Mini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories.
Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help.
Stuffed Cocktail Eggs
Are you entertaining? Double up on party nibbles using eggs that are stuffed with either salmon and dill, or a chorizo crumb. They're tasty and healthy too
Curried parsnip soup shots
Treat dinner guests to healthy, spiced soup shots - they make great canapés. The crispy kale version is vegan while meat eaters can opt for a prosciutto topping
Beetroot & rye tartines
If you're keen to rustle up lighter party nibbles for a celebration, these low-calorie beetroot tartines with pastrami or mackerel are ideal