Putting together a delicious finger food platter for a party or get-together can seem daunting. With so many options and combinations, it’s hard to know where to start. The key is choosing a variety of flavors, textures, colors, and styles to create an appetizing and visually appealing spread. Here are some tips and ideas for assembling the perfect finger foods platter.
Types of Finger Foods
Finger foods come in many forms, so you’ll want to include a mix on your platter. Some popular categories include:
- Bites – Small, popable foods like meatballs, deviled eggs, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms
- Skewers – Foods skewered onto sticks like fruit, cheese, chicken, shrimp
- Vegetables and dip – Carrots, celery, broccoli, peppers served with ranch, hummus, salsa
- Crackers and spreads – Crackers with cheese, tapenades, spinach-artichoke dip
- Sliders – Mini sandwiches like burgers, bbq pulled pork, grilled cheese
- Flatbreads – Bruschetta, pizzas, crostini
- Rolls – Pinwheel sandwiches, wraps, spring rolls
Picking Proteins
Proteins make for hearty, filling finger foods. Mix up your choices for variety:
- Meatballs – Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, sausage
- Chicken wings – Buffalo, bbq, teriyaki, lemon-pepper
- Meat skewers – Steak, chicken, shrimp
- Sliders – Beef burgers, pulled pork, crab cakes
- Meatballs – Italian, Swedish, Greek flavors
Cheese Options
Cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. Some cheese options for finger foods include:
- Cubes – Cheddar, Swiss, gouda, brie, fresh mozzarella
- Spreads – Whipped or creamy options like feta, bleu cheese, goat cheese
- Skewers – Cheese cubes alternating with fruit like grapes, berries, melon
- Stuffed – Cheese-filled peppers, mushrooms, phyllo cups
- Flatbreads – Fig and goat cheese, apple and brie, prosciutto and mozzarella
Crunchy Bites
For textural contrast, be sure to add some crispy, crunchy finger foods:
- Chips – Potato, pita, tortilla
- Crackers – Wheat, rice, cheese its
- Vegetables – Carrots, celery, jicama, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower
- Breadsticks
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
Sweet Treats
A few sweet options will balance out the savory flavors:
- Fruit skewers – Grapes, berries, melon, pineapple
- Cookies – Chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter
- Mini cupcakes or brownies
- Chocolate-dipped pretzels or strawberries
- Lemon bars
Dips and Spreads
Dips and spreads add moisture and flavor contrast to finger foods:
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Hummus
- Tzatziki
- Spinach or artichoke dip
- Pesto
- Queso
- Jams, chutneys
Presentation Ideas
The presentation and arrangement of your finger foods can make them even more appealing. Some ideas:
- Use plates, boards, and platters with varying shapes, sizes, colors
- Arrange foods by color – make rainbow sections
- Skewer foods for visual interest
- Stack bites like meatballs, cookies, sliders
- Scatter small bites around larger items
- Include decorative toothpicks, napkins, serving utensils
Sample Finger Foods Platter
Here is an example platter with a delicious variety of finger foods:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Meatballs | Beef and turkey, tossed in bbq and Swedish sauces |
| Cheese cubes | Assorted cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack |
| Vegetables | Carrots, celery, bell peppers, served with ranch dip |
| Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus | Grilled, with lemon zest |
| Pinwheel sandwiches | Ham and cheese, roasted veggie, buffalo chicken wraps sliced into pinwheels |
| Chicken satay skewers | Served with peanut ginger sauce |
| Stuffed mushrooms | Filled with sausage, cheese, spinach |
| Shrimp cocktail | Chilled cooked shrimp with lemon and cocktail sauce |
| Fruit skewers | Watermelon, pineapple, grapes, and berries |
| Brownie bites | Mini brownies topped with ganache |
Shopping List for Finger Food Platter
When preparing for your party, use this shopping list to ensure you have all the components for creating your finger foods platter:
- Proteins – Chicken tenders, Italian sausage, ground beef or turkey, cocktail shrimp
- Cheeses – Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, cream cheese, goat cheese
- Vegetables – Mushrooms, carrots, celery, bell peppers, asparagus, spinach, artichokes
- Fruits – Pineapple, watermelon, grapes, berries
- Bread – Mini rolls, pita chips, baguette
- Crackers/chips – Wheat crackers, pita chips, potato chips
- Dips and spreads – Ranch dressing, salsa, hummus, spinach artichoke dip
- Misc ingredients – Toothpicks, skewers, serving platters/boards
Keeping Finger Foods Fresh
When prepping ahead for a party, follow these tips to keep finger foods tasting their best:
- Store meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, sandwiches in the fridge until ready to serve
- Place cheese, vegetables, fruits, crackers in sealed containers or bags
- Skewer fruits and cheese ahead of time, then refrigerate
- Prepare dips in advance but don’t mix in sour cream or mayo until serving
- Cook chicken, shrimp, and bacon just before serving
- Slice breads, muffins, rolls, etc. at the last minute to prevent drying out
- Take items out of fridge about 30 mins before serving to take chill off
Food Safety
When handling finger foods, be sure to follow food safety guidelines:
- Keep cold foods at safe temps below 40°F
- Keep hot foods above 140°F
- Don’t let any items sit at room temp for over 2 hours
- Provide serving utensils for dips and spreads
- Use separate cutting boards and knives for meats vs. veggies/fruits
- Always wash hands thoroughly before prepping any items
Conclusion
Putting together a stellar finger foods platter is easy with the right mix of proteins, cheeses, fruits, veggies, breads, and dips. Vary textures, colors, and flavors for visual appeal. Maintain proper food safety when prepping and serving. With these tips, you’ll have the perfect spread of appetizing bites guests will rave about.