37 Hors d’Oeuvres for Classy Get-Togethers
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Hors d’oeuvres set the stage for an elegant party, and let’s face it—sometimes they’re even better than the main dishes. Little toasts? Stuffed dates? Marinated mozzarella? A great cocktail party means you get to sample them all, then do another lap while you catch up with friends and sip some festive drinks before the main course. Below you’ll find a handful of our favorite hors d’oeuvres and fancy appetizer recipes to help make your next gathering one to remember. So grab a deviled egg, have a bite (or three) of baked Brie, snag a cheesy samosa puff, and get ready to party with our best hors d’oeuvres recipes. Oh, and don’t forget the big-batch cocktails to go along with them.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow2/37Smoked Trout Croquettes
These bite-size mashed potato croquettes are filled with smoked trout, mozzarella, Parmesan, and chives. We developed this snack recipe as part of a Feast of the Seven Fishes-themed cocktail party menu, but these croquettes are great whenever you want to impress.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/37Stuffed Mushrooms
You need a few hot appetizers in the mix at any small-plates-only gathering. These Parmesan-loaded mushrooms—filled with fresh breadcrumbs, mushroom stems, onion, celery, garlic, and oregano—will disappear in minutes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/37Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates
Here are some little bites you can easily enjoy with one hand, just in case you’re carrying a martini or a glass of punch in the other.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi5/37Figs-in-a-Blanket With Goat Cheese
Looking for hors d’oeuvres ideas for vegetarians? Start here. Spicy honey-glazed figs and creamy goat cheese baked in puff pastry make a fun play on pigs in a blanket.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog7/37Pickled Shrimp
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton8/37Chili Crab Dip With Shrimp Chips
Inspired by chili crab, an aromatic and spicy Singaporean braise, this crab dip gets a little sweetness from tomato paste and dynamic flavor from shallots, garlic, and ginger.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/37Radishes and Butter Curls
Photography by Eva Kolenko10/37Brie and Prosciutto Shortbread
Sometimes the best starters are easy assembly jobs. Just stack purchased shortbread cookies with a cube of Brie and a ruffle of prosciutto.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/37Dill-Pickled Vegetables
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou14/37Kue Keju (Cheese Cookies)
These savory Indonesian cookies from cookbook author Lara Lee are perfectly buttery, crumbly, and cheesy. They keep for a while, so you can make them a few days before your event.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen16/37Parsnip-Wrapped Devils on Horseback
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen18/37Turkey Meatballs With Cranberry Sauce
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova20/37Bourbon Chicken Liver Pâté
This pâté gets even more flavorful as it sits in the fridge, so it’s best to prep it a day or two before your party. Serve with cornichons and crackers.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich21/37Warmed Spiced Olives
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow22/37Clams Casino With Bacon and Bell Pepper
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow23/37Vanilla Butter Anchovy Toasts
You don’t have to serve canapés you’ve seen a million times before. This combination of vanilla butter and anchovies is a surprising standout to keep up your sleeve.
Photo by Louise Hagger24/37Lumpia Ayam Sayur (Chicken and Garlic Spring Rolls)
Yes, you should fry up a batch of these salty-sweet chicken and mushroom spring rolls. Or better yet, freeze a batch to fry later.
Photo by Cara Howe25/37Broiled Goat Cheese Toasts With Marinated Greens
These simple goat cheese toasts are always a hit. Don’t skip the drizzle of olive oil at the end.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi26/37Savory Mushroom and Parmesan Palmiers
Roll up store-bought puff pastry with a filling of mushrooms, shallots, Marsala, and herbs, then bake until golden and crisp. These elegant hors d’oeuvres can be made ahead and reheated as your guests arrive.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi28/37Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Jam
If your party needs a bacon moment, make these fun little bites speared on decorative toothpicks. As a bonus, these fancy appetizers are supremely easy to put together.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott30/37Cheesy Sesame Phyllo Bites
Top layers of buttery phyllo with sesame seeds, smoked paprika, and nutty Gruyère cheese for the best homemade cracker you can possibly imagine.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca31/37Crunchy Coconut-Sesame Shrimp With Spicy Lime Mayo
Shredded coconut and sesame seeds give these shrimp a gloriously crispy coating. If you have a container of Greek yogurt in the fridge, plus some fresh lime juice and sesame oil, you’re a few minutes away from a tangy dip to pair with them
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton32/37Brochetas de Pescado
Firm tuna or swordfish can hold up to the heat of the grill, which makes them an excellent choice for these chipotle-spiced fish skewers.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi33/37Caviar and Crème Fraîche Tartlets
If caviar isn’t in your budget this year, make these elegant crème fraîche tarts with trout roe instead. They’ll be just as special and delicious.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou34/37Cheesy Samosa Puffs
For the ultimate in crispy, cheesy vegetarian appetizers, grab some puff pastry. Fill it with cheddar and spiced potatoes, then bake until golden brown and serve with ketchup, green chutney, or both.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich35/37Cheddar and Herb Gougères
A savory variation on pâte à choux, these airy French cheese puffs make for a delightful party snack.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro37/37Marinated Mozzarella and Peppadew Peppers
Here’s an easy hors d’oeuvres option to pair with an antipasto platter or charcuterie board—and it can be prepped up to two days in advance.
