30+ party perfect canapé recipes - quick and easy ideas for hosting (2024)

30+ party perfect canapé recipes - quick and easy ideas for hosting (1)

The Champagne is on ice, the playlist is sorted, now all you need are some delicious canapé recipes to serve up and win over your guests. Take the stress out of entertaining and opt for homemade minimalism over fussy finger food this year.

Our crowd-pleasing recipes feature many unique twists and are ideal for seasonal sharing. From meat-free asparagus rolls to veggie Crostini, when food turns bite size it can afford to be all the more indulgent.

Whether you’re preparing your guests for what’s to come or just providing some light bites over a more arduous buffet, some of these recipes can be prepared in less than 20 minutes - and they beat a bowl of ready-made vol-au-vents, right? (Note: we still love a vol-au-vent, of course - but some occasions require something a little more special)

Hot or cold, savoury or sweet - we all know canapés can be great icebreakers, so prepare to make mouths water with these delicious homemade recipes.

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1

Parma ham and parmesan palmiers

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These tasty crisp little puff pastry canapés are a savoury version of the French sweet pastries of the same name. They are also good as an accompaniment to vegetable soups.

Try this parma ham and parmesan palmiers recipe

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2

Nigel Slater's sausage danish

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Succulent little sausage pastries from Nigel Slater will make the perfect canapés - they're sure to go down well with children, too.

Try Nigel Slater’s sausage Danish recipe

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3

Lisa Faulkner's Smoked Salmon Pate

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This super quick and easy salmon paté from Lisa Faulkner is great served up with melba toasts – so retro.

Try Lisa Faulkner’s smoked salmon pate recipe

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4

Poached quails eggs on spoons

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Quail’s eggs are a lovely little delicacy, and this winter twist is sure to delight your guests – especially with an added drizzle of rich truffle oil.

Try this poached quails eggs canapés recipe

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5

Seasonal Sharing Flatbread

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You can top these flatbreads with anything – get creative. Here are some ideas that are sure to get the party started, but everything goes with bread and cheese.

Try this seasonal sharing flatbread recipe

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6

Streamline apricot jam and stilton canapés

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These delicious canapés are really easy to make and are perfect for a drinks party (see our round-up of the easy co*cktail recipes for more inspiration). Ready made puff pastry makes it super simple, and the addition of the walnut adds a good crunch, too.

Try this apricot jam and Stilton canapés recipe

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7

Smoked salmon canapes with cream cheese

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You can’t go far wrong with smoked salmon canapés served with a chilled glass of Champagne...

Try this smoked salmon canapés with cream cheese recipe

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8

Apple, prawn and pork spring rolls

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Serve these hot spring rolls with several bowls of dipping sauce.

Try this prawn and pork spring rolls recipe

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9

Onion fritters

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Onions work perfectly with the Asian spicing in this fritter recipe, due to their natural sweetness and subtle flavour.

Try this onion fritters recipe

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10

Bagna cauda crudites

A moreish, creamy dip that can be prepared in advance.

Try this bagna cauda with winter crudités recipe

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11

Fennel salami bruschetta

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These fennel and salami bruschetta are so easy to make. Try using finocchiona: a Tuscan salami flavoured with fennel seeds.

Try this fennel and salami bruschetta recipe

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12

Asparagus Cigars

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These quick and easy canapés are perfect for drinks parties, and it’s easy to double or triple the recipe, too.

Try this asparagus cigars recipe

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13

Chilli Beef Lettuce Wraps:

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These simple chilli beef lettuce wraps from Gordon Ramsay make the perfect accompaniment to a co*cktail or beer – and they’re incredibly easy to prepare, too.

Try this chilli and beef lettuce wraps recipe

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14

Mini cheeseburgers

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The simplest burger recipe around, try your hand at these as a fun canapé at a drinks party.

Try this mini cheeseburgers recipe

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15

Crostini

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You can make crostini a day or two in advance. Just let them cool before storing in an airtight container. Heat for a few minutes in the oven before garnishing, or serve cold, if you like.

Try this crostini recipe

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16

Pink Lady Apple and Manchego Tapas:

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Crisp apple wedges chargrilled are the perfect partner to the Spanish manchego cheese. Inspired by the Spanish growing region for apples, these are delicious with a glass of sherry.

Try this Spanish apple and manchgo tapas recipe

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17

Cheese sables

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Buttery, crumbly, cheesey, just a little spicy and absolutely perfect with a glass of chilled white wine. Coat the outside of these biscuits with a mixture of sesame and kalonji seeds to make them a more sophisticated co*cktail nibble.

Try this cheese sables recipe

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18

Smoked Mackerel Pate

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Once upon a time smoked mackerel pâté was a harsh, crude dish. By using good quality, oak-smoked fish and mixing with lemon and horseradish to cut through the richness, it becomes subtle and moorish.

Try this smoked mackerel pate recipe

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19

Coconut Pancakes with Mango and Prawns

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These delicious pancakes are quick enough to make for supper and can be reheated (or the batter can be made and kept in the fridge) but they are also glam enough for a starter or canapé.

Try this delicious coconut pancakes with mango and prawns recipe

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20

Vegetable Pakoras

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These spring vegetable pakoras are simple to make and a great way of getting children to eat vegetables during party season!

Try this spring vegetable pakoras recipe

30+ party perfect canapé recipes - quick and easy ideas for hosting (2024)

FAQs

How to host a canapé party? ›

We would normally recommend around 8 canapés per person for the first 2 hours hours followed by 1-2 manapes per person. These can be set out as a grazing table or buffet style for your guests to help themselves to at their leisure.

What should a canapé always have? ›

There are 4 distinctive elements of a canapé – the base, spread, a topping & a garnish. Canape base ingredients are usually bread, puff pastry or crackers, allowing a solid foundation for the rest of the canapé. Then there is spread followed by the topping.

What makes a successful canapé? ›

Balancing colour, flavour, and texture

These three elements are paramount to creating canapés that are memorable and look inviting. Texture is an important one to think about – a successful canapé is one that contrasts several different textures to create an enjoyable eating experience.

What is the tip to making the best canapés? ›

How to make and serve perfect canapés
  • Always serve your canapés at room temperature.
  • Don't ever leave a single canapé on a tray. Ensure your trays look bountiful.
  • There is elegance in simplicity. ...
  • Odd numbers always look best on a tray.
  • Get creative with your canapés, from beautiful toppings to chic and seasonal trays.
Nov 24, 2022

How many canapés for 30 people? ›

How many canapés should I order? For a one-hour drinks reception, order four to six canapés per person. If it's before a grand dinner, four should be plenty. For longer events, add another two to four pieces per hour.

How many canapés do I need for 20 guests? ›

When planning to cater an afternoon event we recommend providing between 5-6 canapés per person. To ensure that your guests aren't left hungry we suggest that within this mix there are 2-3 larger finger food options. This may include items such as sliders, mini tacos or bao buns.

How many canapés per person at a co*cktail party? ›

HOW MANY SHOULD I SERVE? It's best to calculate the amount per person. Canape-only party: 8-10 savory and 1-2 sweet canapés per person for a standard 4-hour private party, where no other food is served. Pre-meal drinks reception: 3-4 pieces per person will do just right.

What are the 7 guidelines for assembling canapés? ›

Guidelines for Assembling Canapés
  • Good mise en place is essential. ...
  • Assemble as close as possible to serving time. ...
  • Select harmonious flavor combinations in spreads and garnish. ...
  • Be sure that at least one of the ingredients is spicy or pronounced in flavor. ...
  • Use high-quality ingredients. ...
  • Keep it simple.

What is a canapé buffet? ›

The canapés are usually one- or two-bite portions and can be a combination of hot and cold options. They can be served by waiters or stationary for guests to help themselves. This event style is a good choice for people wanting a more casual atmosphere and for their guests to really mingle and meet each other.

How to stop canapés from going soggy? ›

How to stop canapés going soggy. Organisation is key. Often canapés need building last minute – something like a croute or a seaweed cracker will go soggy otherwise. So have all the canapé components lined up in the kitchen, to make all last-minute assembly is as quick and easy as possible.

What is the most common base for canapé? ›

Base - 90% of the bases are made out of bread. Bases can also be crackers, veggies or cheese. Important: The base as to be strong enough to hold the other three components.

What is a gourmet canapé? ›

Canapé is a bite-sized food served at parties and formal dos while the drinks are being served. The word is from the French, meaning sofa — tiny morsels had in the living room amidst co*cktail chatter before the formal lunch or dinner. Traditionally canapés are made with an edible base — crackers or breads.

What are good finger foods for a party? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  • Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
  • Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
  • Deviled Eggs. ...
  • Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
  • Garlic Breadsticks. ...
  • Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
  • Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
  • Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
4 days ago

What finger food to bring to a party? ›

Here are some inexpensive yet tasty food ideas for parties: Vegetable platters with hummus, ranch, or blue cheese for dipping. Chips and salsa or homemade guacamole. Cheese and cracker platter with various cheeses.

What is good party food? ›

38 Ideas For Party Food That Will Please Any Crowd
  • Chicken Fajita Quesadillas. tasty.co. ...
  • Cheeseburger Sliders. tasty.co. ...
  • Tomato Basil Bruschetta. tasty.co. ...
  • Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken Pesto Pinwheels. ...
  • Garlic Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms. ...
  • Deep-Fried Mini Calzones (Panzarotti) ...
  • Honey Lime Sriracha Chicken Poppers.
Dec 21, 2023

How many canapés do I need for 50 people? ›

We typically recommend 3-5 canapés per person. Remember, that it will likely be the first thing your guests would have eaten since leaving home so it's important to offer some delicious options to keep guests from becoming too hungry.

How many canapés do I need for 200 guests? ›

For a one-hour drinks reception, 4-6 canapes per person is usually advised. If your individual canapes are particularly labour intensive or feature costly ingredients, it may be worth providing some additional grazing foods.

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