We tend to be more mindful of the way we serve them these days – but nibbles are still the true hero of parties and get togethers.
Although most people put all their effort into the roast turkey or whole-baked snapper, you don’t want to underestimate a good starter.
They start the party like a culinary ice-breaker that gets everyone bonding by the food table and they help tide you over until the main meal (if you’ve got room left by then).
From seafood to delicious canapés, salads, dips, and more – we have all the finger food recipes you need to satisfy the hoard this Christmas.
Looking for more finger food ideas?
Spinach dip cob loaf
Out of all the cob loaf recipes out there, this one takes the cake… or should we say the cob!
Ham and cheese croquettes
Snacking doesn’t get much better than this.
Salt and pepper squid
This salt and pepper calamari recipe is perfect for a party.
Blinis with smoked salmon
These mini pancakes are smokin!
Dukkah prawn skewers with labne and minty tomato salad
A Middle Eastern twist to grilled prawns with a nutty pistachio topping and creamy labne on the side.
Prawn cocktail with zucchini and mint salad
Since Christmas is all about indulgent fresh seafood, enjoy these delicious prawn cocktails with zucchini and mint salad. Perfect for the warm weather!
Bruschetta
This classic tomato-based bruschetta is an antipasto favourite but can be turned into a complete meal with the addition of a poached egg.
Zucchini koftas with harissa yoghurt
Your new go-to finger food.
Yoghurt and cucumber dip (Tzatziki)
Light, fresh and creamy.
Sweet potato, mint and goat’s cheese tartlets
These goat’s cheese, mint and kumara mash tartlets are a delicious and easy savory appetiser to serve family and friends at Christmas.
Bread crisps with confit tomatoes
Looking for a new snack or canape? Slow-roasted tomatoes on home-baked bread crisps with ricotta and olive paste will be sure to impress your guests. Leftover tomatoes can be stored in the fridge and make a great pre-dinner snack.
Oysters with chilli and ginger dressing
Fresh and full of flavour – oysters with chilli and ginger dressing. The perfect summer meal.
Five spice squid with lime mayonnaise
Excite your dinner guests with this crunchy, succulent and delicious five-spice squid, served with zingy lime mayonnaise. It makes the perfect share-plate for your next dinner party!
Fish scrolls with capsicum salsa
These delicious fish scrolls are beautiful topped with a zesty capsicum salsa – healthy, fresh and super tasty! They make the perfect finger food for dinner parties.
Prosciutto wrapped haloumi
Prosciutto and haloumi are a match made in nibble-platter heaven – or use this recipe to take this pumpkin, spinach and haloumi salad to the next level.
Kingfish carpaccio with tangy dressing
Sliced thin and served fresh with herbs and a lime and soy dressing, this seafood dish brings tang to a party appetizer.
Smoked chicken canapes
Serve your guests this delicious canape that takes just 15 minutes to make. Just drizzle cranberry sauce over juicy chicken strips and serve on a crisp lettuce leaf.
Sticky chicken wings
Who could resist a bowl of Asian-style sticky wings? Great for the barbecue, kids’ parties… any occasion, really.
Scallops with ginger and lemongrass
Scallops on the half-shell always make a spectacular dish, treat your friends to something special with these delicious ginger and lemongrass scallops.
Tomato and rocket tarts
These pretty little tomato and rocket tarts are a great vegetarian option for a platter of finger food. Rocket can be replaced with baby spinach. Add some baby basil leaves just before serving, if you like.
Roasted parsnip hummus with warm spiced chick peas
The perfect healthy snack. This roasted parsnip hummus is topped with caramelised onions and chickpeas that will keep you reaching for more.
Smoked salmon sushi bites with pickled green onion
Perfect for passing around as finger food at a cocktail party or other celebration, these delicious little sushi bites are given added bite by their pickled green onion topper.
Salmon quichettes
If you’re looking for a simple and tasty finger food to that will please a crowd, look no further than these salmon quichettes. They are delicious hot or cold and a also make a perfect after school snack.
Warm spiced prawns with avocado salsa
This light, fresh and flavoursome dish is perfect as a starter or finger food for dinner parties.
Haloumi and asparagus bites
lemony dressing Note
Beef carpaccio with rocket, parmesan and aioli
This light and full-of-flavour starter is the perfect way to start your five star meal.
Marinated baby bocconcini with prosciutto
If you’re looking for a simple, tasty and appealing platter for a party then marinated baby bocconcini with prosciutto is your friend. Salty meat wrapped around mild, sweet cheese and spiked with basil. Perfect.
Roasted capsicum and green olive dip
You can use char-grilled capsicum from a jar, if you prefer. Note
Polenta, blue cheese and fig tarts
Instant polenta, available from supermarkets, comes with cooking times varying from 1-5 minutes, so it’s always best to read the packet directions. To keep polenta warm when serving, place polenta in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. If fresh figs are out of […]
Grape and apple salad with goat’s cheese
An exotic salad with grapes, apples and goat’s cheese.
Corn blini with avocado cream and crab
Micro cress and herbs are available from gourmet green grocers and some growers’ markets. If unavailable, use small coriander leaves or chopped chives. Note
Peppered beef and blue cheese canapés
Use a soft creamy blue cheese for the blue cheese mousse. The mousse can be made a day ahead and kept, covered, in the fridge. It’s best to cook the beef as close to serving time as possible. Note
