Planning An Appetizer Party
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Easy Appetizer Parties
Features
- Pick A Date
- Planning the Menu
- Crunchy Bacon Bites
- Get Your Party Stuff On!
- Preparing the Table
- Mediterranean Pinwheel Appetizers
- Warming Tray for Hot Appetizers
- Appetizer Poll
- Champagne Punch
- Fun Punch Bowls!
- Fun Tips and Recipes
- Decorate with Flowers
- Top Party Appetizers
- Appetizer Party Picks
- Southwest Chicken Bites
- Serve Your Appetizers with Elegance!
- Decorate with Candles
- Candles with Flair!
- Apple Martini
- More Martini Recipes
- Find Martini Glasses at Amazon
- Easy Aioli
- Beautiful Appetizer Cheese Plates
- Assorted Appetizer Plates
- Choose Your Music Theme
- Great Party Music!
- Favorite Party Music
- Share your tips for an appetizer party or just say hello!
Pick A Date
The date for your appetizer party is as important as the party itself. Check calendars to make sure that there is nothing else happening on that date. Set the scene for your party as you pick the date. Do you prefer a Friday evening happy hour type party or a Sunday afternoon gathering? Would you like everyone to arrive at the same time or have a more casual open house? These are all things to consider as you pick your party date. Get your invitations out early (2-3 weeks) and include an RSVP date. There are many ways to invite by mail, email, or social networking sites. Decide which would work better for your guests. Over-invite as there will always be some guests that will not be able to attend. If there are guests that have not responded after the RSVP date, it's perfectly fine to check in with them to see if they are attending. Tip #1
Once all of the guests have arrived, plan a toast. This is a wonderful way to officially get the party started. A good friends, good times impromptu toast is always welcomed or a favorite quote is also nice.
Planning the Menu
Easy or Elaborate
An appetizer party can be anything from very simple to gourmet. If you are using new recipes, make and try them ahead of time. Recipes that can be prepared or frozen in advance are a huge timesaver. If you are having the party catered, check to see if the caterer can have taste samples available weeks in advance. Try to have a variety of items while keeping in mind your guests tastes. A balance of cold and hot appetizers makes a nice selection for any type of party. If you like to cook but time is a problem, prepare a few favorite recipes and order the rest. Most restaurants can put together appetizer platters for you. Don't forget about your slow cooker. They are always handy for heating wings, dip or meatballs. Everything is better
with bacon!
Crunchy Bacon Bites
Be prepared to share this recipe!
1/2 lb. bacon
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbls. worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. celery seed
cooking spray
toothpicks
Preheat oven to 375'F.
Line a large baking dish with aluminum foil. Coat with cooking spray. Cut bacon slices into thirds. Wrap each water chestnut with a piece of bacon and secure with toothpick. Place in baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Meanwhile place ketchup, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce and celery seed in a small saucepan, stir. Cover with lid and simmer for about 10 minutes. Dip the crunchy bacon bites into the sauce mixture and swirl to coat. Place on serving platter. Makes about 20 Crunchy Bacon Bites appetizers.
Get Your Party Stuff On!
Fun recipes and entertaining ideas
Preparing the Table
Small groupings are great for mingling!
Instead of placing your appetizers on one large table, it's fun to spread them out into smaller groupings. For instance, large appetizer dishes can be placed on the dining table, chips and dip, nuts and pretzels on the cocktail table and several dishes arranged on the kitchen countertop. The countertop is especially great if you are using warmers or slow cookers. If you are having desserts, they can be placed on a side or folding table. If you have one spectacular appetizer that is showcased, this could be placed on it's own table to focus the attention. This technique will have your guests mingling and having fun while trying out the different appetizer stations! Tip #2
Send your guests home with a treat. A few pieces of homemade fudge, cookies or candy can be a special way to end the evening. Package these in mini boxes or cellophane bags and tie with fancy ribbon.
Warming Tray for Hot Appetizers
A Party Essential
Appetizer Poll
Fun Punch Bowls!
and enjoy Free Shipping
Fun Tips and Recipes
- Summer Parties
- Summer Party Planning
- Crab Nachos
- Easy Appetizer
- Outdoor Entertaining
- Inexpensive Tips
- Stuffed Chicken Rollups
- Delicious and versatile dish!
Decorate with Flowers
A few pretty flowers will make your appetizer party come alive!
Flowers are a lovely and inexpensive way to create a fun and inviting atmosphere. Choose one large centerpiece for the main table or several smaller vases set on different tables. Float flowers in a decorative bowl for a unique look. Set herb plants in pretty containers for a fresh look. For seasonal parties, choose tulips for spring, daisies for summer, mums for fall, and holly with berries for winter. Pick flowers with vibrant colors to make your arrangements stand out. Use unique containers for your flowers such as a hollowed out pumpkin, a vintage pitcher or crystal tumblers. Top Party Appetizers
- Wings
- Meatballs
- Veggies and Dip
- Salsa and Tortilla Chips
- Nachos
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Cheese Tray
- Bruschetta
- Stuffed Mushrooms
Tip #3
Choose an appetizer recipe and ask each guest to bring one ingredient. Upon arriving, have the guests make the appetizer together. This is a great way for guests to break the ice and become acquainted!
Appetizer Party Picks
Plan Ahead with a
Make Ahead Appetizer!
Southwest Chicken Bites
Puff pastry surrounds a spicy chicken center!

- Serves: 18
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
These freeze very well! Just place pre-made bites on a cookie sheet and place in freezer for 30 minutes. Seal bites in a zippered freezer bag.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 8 oz. shredded pepperjack cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 package puff pastry
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except puff pastry, set aside. Cut one sheet of puff pastry into 18 rectangles. Place one tablespoon of chicken mixture on each rectangle. Brush edges of pastry with water, fold over and crimp edges. Places on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.
Serve Your Appetizers with Elegance!
Bia Cordon Bleu 18-Inch Rectangular Platter White Porcelain
Amazon Price: $42.85 (as of 02/23/2012)![]()
Providing timeless, classic and contemporary designs in high quality porcelain since 1952, BIA Cordon Bleu is the leader in the industry. All items are made from high fire porcelain and are oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. This perfectly proportioned platter is beautiful, durable, and affordable and will make a welcome addition to your kitchen. BIA makes a wide range of both serve and bakeware - mix and match to fit your needs.
Tip #4
Have the beverage or bar area set up first. That way if you are running late or guests arrive early they can help themselves to a drink, while you finish the preparations.
Decorate with Candles
Candles are an easy way to decorate for your appetizer party!
A few well placed candles will soften the room and create a relaxing party atmosphere whether used inside or out. Scented candles can be placed on tables or mantels. Use unscented decorative candles near food displays as to not overpower the food aromas. One or two large pillar candles are always a good idea for the main food table. Be careful not to place candles in the way where guests will be reaching for food or drinks. Floating candles make a lovely addition to the drink table. Candles with Flair!
Tip #5
If you are preparing a special cocktail for your appetizer party, print the recipe on a card and place it at the bar. This way guests can help themselves or offer to make a new batch.
More Martini Recipes
- Bullet Martini
- Serve with Dry Gin
- Madrid Martini
- Serve with Citrus Vodka
- Strawberry Redheaded Martini
- Serve with Strawbery Vodka
- Gin Glimmer
- Serve with Dry Gin
Find Martini Glasses at Amazon
Need a super easy appetizer?
Prosciutto Wrapped Breadsticks
8 slices prosciutto
8 thin breadsticks
Wrap a slice of prosciutto
around each breadstick.
Serve with aioli.
Easy Aioli

- Serves: Makes 1 cup
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp. coarse salt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbls lemon juice
- 1 tbls. olive oil
- black pepper
Instructions
Mash garlic with salt until a paste forms. Whisk in mayonnaise, lemon juice and olive oil. Add pepper to taste. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
Assorted Appetizer Plates
Music Sets the Tone of the Party!
Choose Your Music Theme
A little background music will give your appetizer party a whole new ambiance. First decide if you would like to match the music to the theme of the party or to your guests tastes. For instance if you are having a Christmas party, then you might want to choose favorite seasonal music or a beach theme party might include summer favorites. However, if the majority of your guests are in a specific age group, you could choose 70's disco or 80's ballads. If you are planning a quiet cocktail party, the music of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett would set the tone very nicely. Whichever musical selections you choose, it will add that special mood to make your appetizer party come alive! Great Party Music!
Favorite Party Music
Share your tips for an appetizer party or just say hello!
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AndyPo
Feb 1, 2012 @ 3:58 am | delete
- Great party ideas
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sheezie77
Jan 23, 2012 @ 1:40 pm | delete
- great lens! thumbs up
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CherryTriggerCola
Jan 22, 2012 @ 3:40 pm | delete
- Love the article and pictures. Well done! Thanks for sharing.
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lftypjk900
Jan 18, 2012 @ 6:26 pm | delete
- great recipies, love your lens!
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KonaGirl
Jan 11, 2012 @ 1:44 pm | delete
- Lovely lens. It made me hungry reading it. This will be helpful to someone who has never thrown an appetizer party before. *Squid Angel Blessed* This lens has also been added to My Squid Angel Blessings 2012 to the "Food & Cooking » Recipes » Appetizers" neighborhood. Nice job!
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gottaloveit Jan 8, 2012 @ 5:57 pm | delete
- Delicious article. Blessed!
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Wbisbill Jan 5, 2012 @ 10:27 am | delete
- Beautiful and delicious idea!
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SquidooPower
Jan 4, 2012 @ 4:43 pm | delete
- This is an ingenious idea. Would you mind terribly if I stole this concept for introducing people to a Forks Over Knives party? (if you don't know what that is, look at my lenses or Google it, it's a way of eating I'm trying t promote to everyone who will listen)>
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KitandCaboodle Dec 28, 2011 @ 4:20 pm | delete
- Great recipes and just in time for a New Year's Eve appetizer party! Blessed
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sarahrk
Dec 14, 2011 @ 7:07 pm | delete
- These are some great looking appetisers. . . I love these kinds of appetisers.
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by MareeT
Appetizers are fun, easy and perfect for parties!
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