Attending a potluck or picnic-style party can be a great opportunity to share and experience a wide range of dishes. For party guests, however, it can be intimidating to decide what to bring. You want to bring something to please a crowd, but without blowing your budget or spending all day in the kitchen.
Luckily, there are some easy party food ideas you’ll love to share with fellow guests. Here are a few suggestions to try:
Charcuterie boards & platters
If you want a delicious party snack without any cooking required, consider a charcuterie board or cheese platter. In addition to being quick and simple to put together, boards and platters give you an enormous amount of flexibility when choosing foods to share. A variety of cheeses, cured meats, fruit and vegetables can make a statement without a ton of effort.
For a safer and more convenient take on a cheese board or platter, consider stacking pieces of cheese, salami or other ingredients into bite-sized portions. Breaking your platter down into finger foods will make it easier for guests to enjoy without accidentally spreading germs or making a mess.
Creamy, cheesy dip recipes
A warm, savory dip is a tried and true party food option perfect for almost any occasion. For a classic recipe, try a spinach and artichoke dip made with sour cream, cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add fresh herbs and pair with delicious crusty bread, crackers or even tortilla chips.
Try creating individually portioned snacks with spinach artichoke dip in a small cup or ramekin. This turns a party food favorite into a mobile snack guests can mingle with rather than crowd around the same bowl.
Single-serving party snacks
The sky’s the limit when it comes to bite-sized party snacks. You can go savory or sweet depending on preference, and use a wide variety of ingredients. Some excellent examples include:
- Individual caprese salad bites made with tomato, mozzarella and basil.
- Savory and spicy jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon.
- Roasted skewers with a rainbow of fresh veggies.
Your choice in party foods ultimately comes down to the individual party and your own preferences. Regardless of the occasion, you’ll know you can get the party started with these quick and simple party food ideas.
About the Author
Joe N. Pollifrone
For over 30 years, Joe Pollifrone has practiced real estate full-time as a licensed Real Estate Broker in California. Joe’s vast sales experience includes duplexes, tri-plexes, four-plexes, apartment buildings, land, condominiums, townhomes, fixer-uppers, estate properties, and bank-owned properties (REOs). He also is active in selling non-owner occupied properties and is well-versed in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges, property management, tenant/landlord issues, and local laws. During Joe’s career to date, he has sold in excess of $200,000,000 of real estate, including over $32,000,000 in REOs.
Joe brought his deep experience to Sereno Group Willow Glen as a Broker Associate in 2012. He was the Sales Manager and lead a top-producing office. Joe would mentor new Sereno hires, making sure that they’re comfortable with the ethos of the office, plugged into Sereno’s network of contacts, and well-versed in the technology required of today’s real estate professionals.
Joe prides himself on his proven ability to negotiate, extensive knowledge of contracts, and securing close of escrows in a timely manner. Both he and his clients credit his success to effective communication skills, honesty, and hard work. Joe is a native of San Jose and resides in Willow Glen with his wife of twenty-seven years, Kimi, his daughters Milan and Micaela and their two Goldendoodles, Tony-Luca and Marco.
