The Best Finger Food, One Bite Snacks, Dips and Apps For Small Gathering Events
From hot appetizers, small bites, cold appetizers and dips, you are sure to find two or three simple appetizer recipes to make for your guests.
All are simple apps – many can be made ahead OR last minute – and are sure to be irresistible snacks your guests won’t stop eating!
Welcome to Life Hacks for Moms - we hope you enjoy all our tips and tricks for busy moms! Please note that we use affiliate links and ads to generate income at no cost to you.Thanks for visiting - and please feel free to share!
When you’re hosting a small gathering (like a game day party, book club gathering, small Holiday cocktail party or even a potluck at work), simple finger foods, appetizers and snacks are your best bet.
Not only are they easy on your budget, they’re also party food that travels well (if you’re taking it) or simple to throw together if you’re making the food for entertaining and want appetizers that will impress your guests.
These super simple small group party food ideas below are perfect for either situation!
The finger food and apps below are broken down into 5 groups: crowd-pleasing appetizers, hot appetizers, appetizer bites, cold appetizers and cold dips.
You will notice that there are only 4 recipes in each group – that’s because I only want to share the BEST finger food and apps that I have made AND my guests have loved.
I also only included party food recipes that are relatively cheap AND simple to make.
Because c’mon – who wants to spend the whole party in the kitchen, right? Right!
Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers
Yummy crowd-pleasing appetizers to make as finger food appetizers - perfect for small gathering or, double up the recipes to make ahead for a crowd!
These simple little roll-up appetizer bites are SO easy to make! If you need simple appetizers for your small group to snack on, these pinwheels are perfect!
These homemade Alabama Firecrackers will be the fiery hit of your next bash! This seasoned cracker recipe is an easy appetizer to get ready the day before.
This budget-friendly appetizer requires only TWO ingredients and delivers big on flavor.
The sweet glaze pairs perfectly with the savory kielbasa, making it a delicious and irresistible snack.
Plus, it’s super easy on the wallet!
Salami cream cheese roll ups are a delicious snack or appetizer. These make a tasty addition to any charcuterie board. In less than 10 minutes, you'll have a delicious finger food for parties or any day of the week.
Easy Hot Appetizers
These easy hot appetizers are the best hot snacks for a party whether it's a small group or large crowd. Whip up these simple appetizer bites for your small group to nibble on.
Sheet pan appetizers are the best quick party snacks to throw together! These 21+ one pan appetizer finger foods I’ve found are simple, cheap, YUMMY and total MUST MAKE shareable snacks for a party!
Enchilada Crack Dip recipe, wow, reader favorite its so addictive! Enchilada Dip with Ground Beef is a Delicious Mexican beef appetizer or side dish that is ready to serve in 15 minutes flat. No slow cooker or special pan needed and most of your enchilada ingredients are right in your home!
When it comes to the BEST appetizer to make for (or take to) a party, these simple small bite cup appetizers are cheap to make and LOOK elegant. Such simple snacks for parties with yummy Phyllo cup fillings!
Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a kicked-up version of traditional sausage balls!
Only 5 ingredients – sausage, Bisquick, cream cheese, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, and Mexican cheese blend.
Cold Appetizer Recipes
These cold finger foods appetizers recipes are the best cold appetizers for party events with a small group OR simple make ahead cold appetizers to feed a crowd.
Mini Peppers Poppers Stuffed With Cream Cheese are easy to make, don't require any cooking, and are perfect for parties as light appetizers.
A quick healthy appetizer with a serving of vegetables and packed with protein! Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks are a perfect low carb option!
Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites that are low cal, low carb, gluten free and keto. The perfect 4 ingredient cucumber snacks.
Perfect for parties and get togethers, Tortellini Skewers use 5 simple ingredients & are best prepped ahead, the perfect appetizer for entertaining!
Bite Size Appetizers
These bite size appetizers (also called small bites) are yummy one bite mini appetizers that are the perfect apps for small gathering events.
Cornbread Tamale Bites with Jalapeno, Cheese and Bacon - super easy to make with Jiffy Mix (cornbread mix)!
Loaded Baked Potato Rounds are a simple, quick and delicious side. Dip it in sour cream of your favorite dip!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites are crispy, crunchy bites of chicken, topped with cheese and ham, served with a delicious and easy dipping sauce.
Loaded tater tots cups are crispy, cheesy, and filled with your favorite toppings for the perfect handheld appetizer or snack recipe.
Cold Dip Recipes
When it comes to cold apps, we can't leave out cold DIP recipes to serve at your small gathering. These make ahead cold dips are so simple to throw together for parties!
Made with a blend of cream cheese, ranch, and colorful veggies, this Veggie Pizza Dip a flavorful and easy-to-make dip that's sure to impress.
With bacon, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese mixed in, this Pretzel Dip recipe is a perfect one to make for an appetizer to share with a crowd and I bet there won't be any leftovers!
This really Really Good Jalapeño Dip recipe makes a delicious appetizer dip for any celebration!
This creamy party-ready "boat dip" is a twist on the Tik Tok viral classic recipe. You'll only need a handful of ingredients and you'll have an ultra-flavorful ranch dip!
More Small Group Party Foods:
