When planning a party spread, overloading the buffet table with high-calorie options can be easy. However, many delicious, party-friendly recipes are also good for you. Discover top-rated healthy party food ideas to impress your guests without compromising their well-being.
Appetizers and Finger Foods
Smoky Veggie Nachos
Invite your guests to tuck into this colorful platter of vegetarian nachos with black beans, red peppers, and a fresh tomato salsa. This dish provides plenty of folate, fiber, and vitamin C, as well as delicious flavor and crunch in every bite.
Curried Fishcake Bites
Healthy, low-fat, and low in calories, these spicy fishcakes make a fabulous addition to any canapé selection and can be easily eaten as they're served on cocktail sticks. Make one batch of fishcakes, then pair half with mango and cucumber and the other half with tomato and coriander, so guests can choose their favorite or try one of each.
Beetroot & Rye Tartines
These clever open sandwiches look lovely on a platter and provide perfect finger food for a party. Three-grain bread provides a filling, fiber-rich base for pastrami and gherkins or mackerel and red onion toppings. They're low in calories but pack a real flavor punch in every mouthful.
Stuffed Cocktail Eggs
These high-protein bites are healthy and will save you some time. Make one batch of stuffed eggs, then add salmon and dill or a chorizo crumb. You can make them up to a day ahead and chill until you're ready to serve, giving you more time to pop open the bubbly.
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Zucchini Pizza Bites
Swap out the pizza dough for slices of nutritious zucchini in this fun bite-sized snack. They're still topped with sauce, cheese, and mini pepperoni pieces, so your kids will love them, too.
Antipasto Skewers
They're like charcuterie boards on a stick! Loaded with cured meats, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, olives, cherry tomatoes, and pepperoncini, they're great for snacking while mingling.
Caprese Skewers
These caprese skewers star fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves threaded onto skewers and drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Cucumber Rounds with Smoked Salmon
This easy appetizer looks stunning and relies on simple flavors. The cucumber rounds are topped with herbed cream cheese and delicious smoked salmon.
Spring Rolls
These spring rolls have a rainbow of color thanks to their tender shrimp and crisp veggie filling. The fresh flavor (and peanut dipping sauce) will get anyone excited about eating their vegetables!
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Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Everyone's favorite appetizer gets a lightened up twist with this recipe! Instead of relying on deep frying the spicy bites, these poppers are crisped up with panko breadcrumbs and a handy dandy air fryer.
Mini Chicken Fajitas
These Mexican-inspired party nibbles are filled with spicy chipotle chicken and peppers - make ahead for fuss-free entertaining.
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.
Watermelon Bites
Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs.
Salads and Bowls
Turkey Cobb Salad
Who said salad had to be boring? This party platter is loaded up with soft-set eggs, crisp pancetta, lean turkey breast, avocados, tomatoes, and crunchy chicory. Serve with a tangy, mustardy dressing, and et voilà! A buffet-friendly salad everyone will want to try.
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Kisir
This colorful grain salad makes an attractive addition to any buffet table and is flavored with cumin, chili, and mint, along with crunchy walnuts and juicy pomegranate seeds. It's super-healthy and vegan, too.
Smoky Spiced Veggie Rice
This colorful bowl is a vegan take on a jambalaya and is bursting with nutritious vegetables such as sweetcorn, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. It's healthy and low in fat and calories but still full of flavor.
Waldorf Salad
This refreshing salad made with apples, grapes, and celery is an old-school favorite that has stood the test of time. Serve it in crisp lettuce cups to give it a new elegant, party-ready spin.
Cabbage Salad
This salad is crunchy, refreshing, and packed with healthy mix-ins like fresh apple slices, chopped nuts, and herbs. The pretty purple and green colors are just another reason to love it.
Burrata Salad
Creamy burrata cheese is just one part of this vibrant salad. There's also colorful tomatoes, healthy arugula, shallots, and herbs.
Dips and Spreads
Rainbow Winter Dips & Crudités
Eat a rainbow of fruit and veg with this beautiful selection of creamy dips paired with crunchy baby carrots, radishes, and cucumbers. Options for party guests include creamy butternut squash hummus, caramelized onion & chive dip, or miso beetroot dip with cashew butter.
Bloody Mary Dip
Anyone who enjoys the spicy brunch cocktail from which this dip gets its name will need to dig in! It comes together in just 20 minutes with ingredients like cream cheese, tomato paste, and crispy seasoned bacon.
Beet Hummus
Hummus is already good for you thanks to its high protein power, but this version is also made with another nutritional ingredient: beets! They're known to be loaded with folate, which is good for your heart.
Avocado Salsa
You can think of this dip like a mash-up between guacamole and pico de gallo. It's fresher than store-bought dips and perfect for serving up with baked chips or even veggies for scooping.
Avocado Dip
Made with heart-healthy avocado and protein-backed yogurt, this dip is a lovely, bright addition to any party. It gets a ton of flavor from basil, green onions, lemon, and garlic. Serve it up with fresh cut veggies, like radishes, cucumbers, and carrots.
Guacamole
A handful of chopped celery adds some fun crunch in this avocado dip-everyone’s favorite fiesta starter.
Black Bean Dip
This delicious black bean dip is creamy, smoky, and full of flavor!
White Chili Dip
This tasty white chili dip uses white beans, mild green chiles, corn, and gooey Mexican cheeses.
Cold Spinach Dip
This cold spinach dip relies on Greek yogurt for much of its creaminess, making it healthier than traditional versions.
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Roasted tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapeños add bold depth of flavor to this homemade salsa. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, save them to spoon over tacos or a burrito.
French Olive Tapenade
This traditional French spread takes just five minutes to prepare and explodes with Mediterranean flavor. The salty, briny combination of olives and capers creates a dip that's perfect with bread or crackers.
Whipped Feta
Whipping feta with olive oil, salt, and pepper creates a surprisingly creamy spread that works well with bread or crackers.
Bruschetta
A healthy and refreshing appetizer, bruschetta is a wonderful way to savor the season with just a bite of fresh peach amid a medley of lively flavors.
Pumpkin Hummus
Throw a Halloween party and use a carved out pumpkin to make this creamy hummus. At other times of the year, use butternut squash or a blue-skinned pumpkin.
Skewers and Wraps
Sesame Chicken & Prawn Skewers
Serve these chicken and prawn canapés with drinks when you're entertaining. They're not only tasty but healthy and low-fat too.
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.
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.
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.
Other Creative Dishes
Pan Puris
This Indian-style street food recipe makes for a great party snack. Crisp bread is filled with spicy chickpeas and potato and finished with a drizzle of herb water. Serve in an assortment of bowls and let your guests assemble on their own.
Mexican Pulled Chicken & Beans
Keen to feed your guests well without breaking the bank? This budget-friendly sharing platter could be just the ticket. Using bone-in chicken thighs bulked out with canned black and kidney beans helps keep costs down, while chipotle paste adds plenty of flavor at a pinch. Serve with crunchy tortilla chips and wedges of lime for extra zest.
Smashed Mini Jackets
Serve these smashed mini jacket potatoes with a creamy chicken stew for a crowd-pleasing dinner. The dish also works well for a family New Year's Eve feast.
Air Fryer Falafel
These golden chickpea bites are packed with protein, but they're also air fried so you don't have to worry about heating up a pot of oil. Just serve them up with a creamy yogurt-based dip and you'll be coming back for more.
Sweet Potato Bites
These loaded sweet potato rounds are a healthy twist on loaded toasts. There’s no better finger food for parties than baked goat cheese. It’s got just 4 ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to bake.
Deviled Eggs
You can't go wrong with classic deviled eggs. These little bites are packed with enough protein to keep you satisfied, and they can also be customized based on your preferences. Add a touch of hot sauce if you can handle the spice!
Stuffed Mushrooms
Make these 10-ingredient stuffed mushrooms for your next party, and the whole batch will disappear in minutes!
Caprese Salad on a Stick
A lighter riff on the classic finger food!
Bruschetta with Grilled Plums
Make a bold statement with this simple yet elegant treat. Ripe plums are grilled and then dressed with a balsamic reduction and tangy goat cheese.
Edamame Salsa
Edamame and corn give this unique salsa its unmistakable team colors. You can add a little salt if you like, too. A healthy alternative to creamy dips, it’s good for the extra point.
Tips for Healthy Party Planning
- Offer Variety: Ensure a diverse selection of dishes to cater to different dietary needs and preferences.
- Label Dishes: Clearly label each recipe, especially for guests with dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.).
- Estimate Portions: Plan for approximately 4-6 pieces per person for cocktail parties or 8-10 pieces for a more substantial meal.
- Prioritize Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, seasonal produce to enhance flavor and nutritional value.
- Make Ahead: Prepare components of dishes in advance to reduce stress on the day of the party. Most dips and spreads taste even better the next day as flavors meld together. Assembled items like pinwheels and skewers maintain their best quality when consumed within 24 hours.