Finger Food Recipe Ideas
Finger foods are commonly served to guests of parties and other gatherings. At a meeting, cocktail party or informal gathering, they are typically served as a main dish. At dinner parties and formal gatherings, finger foods are often served as an appetizer before the main course. Whether you are looking for foods to serve adults at a party or teens at snack time, you may find finger food recipes to be a convenient alternative to standard dinner meals and desserts.
Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls can be prepared in less than 20 minutes and served at snack time, slumber parties and any number of informal gatherings.
Before beginning, heat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll one 8 oz. can of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls and separate it into four rectangles. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of chopped pepperoni, 2 tbsp. of chopped green bell pepper, 2 tbsp. of grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the four rectangles. Starting with the shortest side, roll each rectangle to seal the ingredients. Gently press the edges for a tighter seal. Use a knife to cut each of the four rolls into six small slices. Place the slices on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 17 minutes or until they're golden brown. Remove the pizza rolls from the cookie sheet immediately and allow them to cool on a plate. Serve pizza rolls with your favorite pizza or marinara sauce.
Grilled Veggie Platter
Grilled vegetables make for healthy finger food that can be served at formal and informal gatherings.
Prepare a medium- to high-heat barbecue or place a grilling pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with olive oil; 3 large red bell peppers that have been seeded and halved, 3 each of eggplant, yellow squash and zucchini that have been sliced lengthwise, 12 cremini (or portabella) mushrooms, 1 pound of trimmed asparagus and 12 scallions (green onions) with the roots removed. Season the vegetables with salt, pepper and herbs as desired. Grill the vegetables in separate batches until they are tender and lightly charred, then set them aside. Grill the red bell peppers for 8 to 10 minutes. The mushrooms, eggplant, yellow squash and zucchini should be grilled together for 7 minutes, and the asparagus and scallions should be grilled together for about 4 minutes. Arrange the vegetables on a large pan or platter.
In a medium-size bowl; combine 3 tbsp. of balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp. of olive oil, 1 tsp. each of fresh chopped parsley leaves and basil leaves, 1/2 tsp. of fresh chopped rosemary leaves and 2 minced garlic gloves. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly and season to taste. Pour the herb dressing over the vegetables or serve it on the side.
Chicken Garlic Bites
Try Chicken Garlic Bites for spicy, meaty finger food that is ready to go in less than 60 minutes.
Cut two boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and place them in a shallow dish. Mix 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 tsp. black pepper and 4 minced garlic cloves together in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the pieces of chicken. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a lid and allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 475 degrees several minutes before removing the chicken from the refrigerator. Drain the chicken pieces completely. Combine 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs and 1/4 tsp. of cayenne pepper (if desired) in a small bowl. Place the pieces of chicken into the breadcrumbs to coat them. Remove the pieces of chicken from the breadcrumbs and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake the chicken garlic bites for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Chocolate Cheese Balls
Try Chocolate Cheese Balls, the sweet finger food dessert that doesn't require baking.
Pour a 6 oz. bag of semisweet chocolate morsels into a microwave safe bowl. Melt the chocolate morsels in the microwave for about 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, stir the chocolate to see if it's completely melted. If it's not, place the bowl in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Use an electric mixer to thoroughly whip one 8 oz. package of plain cream cheese until it's creamy. Pour the chocolate into the bowl with the cream cheese and continue to mix the ingredients together until they're smooth. Add 3/4 cup of vanilla wafer crumbs and 1/4 cup of strawberry preserves into the bowl with the cream cheese and chocolate. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with a spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. Break off pieces of the mixture to roll into small balls. Pour 1/2 cup of finely chopped almonds into a bowl. Roll the chocolate cheese balls inside the almonds. Set the balls on a plate and place them in the refrigerator to chill until you're ready to serve them.
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