Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, a games night, a baby shower or even a casual get together, the key to any great time is excellent food. Hosting a party doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg though!
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Instead of hiring a catering company try your hand at creating a simple menu of snacks, healthy platters and budget friendly bulk meals. Dishes can be made from scratch to create inexpensive finger foods and cheap party food that will wow every guest. Here are some party finger food ideas on a budget.
1. Pasta Bar
A great budget friendly and filling party meal that can be made in bulk. A pasta bar is easy, looks impressive and allows guests to mix and match based on their tastes or dietary requirements. Who knew your favourite pesto pasta could become a party staple?!
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian
Ingredients: Packet pasta, jarred pasta sauces and optional extra toppings.
How to make it: Cook various types of pasta (e.g. penne, spaghetti or fusilli) as per packet instructions and mix with a variety of jarred pasta sauces (e.g. pesto, alfredo or tomato based). Serve in large bowls with tongs for serving. Optional: serve additional toppings such as parmesan cheese, herbs, vegetables or crispy bacon in small bowls on the pasta bar.
Time: 15 – 25 minutes per pasta dish
Price: $
2. Baked Potato Bar
Setting up a baked potato bar is an inexpensive way to feed a large group at a party. Cook jacket potatoes in bulk, and then choose a range of toppings such as cheese, tuna, beef mince, vegetables, sour cream and sauces, so everyone can customise their own. Cheap, simple and very filling!
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian
Ingredients: Potatoes (Russet are best) and whatever toppings you like served on baked potatoes! Need some inspiration? Try these cheesy tuna jacket potatoes with guacamole.
How to make it: Wash potatoes and prick skin with a fork (but do not peel). Bake whole in a 200 degree oven for 50 minutes or until well cooked. Serve piping hot alongside the toppings.
Time: 1 hour + extra for topping prep
Price: $
3. Sliders
Sliders are a popular party food that can be made to suit any taste or budget! Try making mini-cheeseburger sliders, or even Asian inspired sliders with pork patties and pineapple. To cut down on costs you can make your own rissoles from scratch. To make it a quicker party treat, buy small bread rolls and pre-cut salad for serving.
Vegetarian: No
Ingredients: Need some inspiration? These tex-mex sliders are a crowd pleaser!
How to make it: Cook rissoles as per packet instructions (or make your own). Assemble cooked patties with cheese, sauce and other toppings onto the buns and serve.
Time: 25-45 minutes depending on recipe
Price: $$
4. Banana Bread
Banana bread is one of the most beloved desserts and is great for a party. You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry, making this a very budget friendly option! One loaf can be served with tea and coffee as an afternoon or morning treat for a group.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: 3 small bananas, ½ cup milk, 2 eggs, 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted, ¾ cup sugar, 80 g softened butter, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp mixed spice.
How to make it: Combine above ingredients in one bowl and bake in a greased loaf tin for 1 hour and 30 minutes in a 150 degree fan-forced oven. Serve warm with butter.
Time: 2 hours
Price: $
5. Fruit Salad
Easy, healthy and vegan-friendly – fruit salad is a yummy party dish that is often forgotten! To make it extra budget-friendly, buy whichever fruits are in season. This can be served in a bowl, or made into finger food by turning the fruit salad into fruit skewers.
Vegetarian: Yes, and vegan
Ingredients: Any fruit you like! We suggest apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, watermelon and passionfruit.
How to make it: Simply cut up all the fruit and serve in a large bowl.
Time: 15 minutes
Price: $
6. Cheese platter
A crowd favourite, the humble cheese platter can be made as extravagant or as wallet-friendly as you like. Many supermarkets sell cheese selections of three or more cheeses ready to go. Simply assemble with some deli meats, crackers and a sprinkle of fruit and you’ve got a quick and impressive party dish.
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian
Ingredients: Cheese (3-4 cheeses is ideal for a group of 10), deli meats (salami and ham are popular choices), crackers and fruit (dried apple, grapes or strawberries are easy to serve).
How to make it: Assemble and serve.
Time: 10 minutes
Price: $$
7. Veggies and dip
Whip up an impressive and healthy platter in no time but cutting up vegetables and serving with dip! Carrots and celery are cheap vegetables that are perfect for this, and dip can be bought easily from supermarkets.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: Carrots, celery and cucumber and dips (hummus and french onion are good choices).
How to make it: Cut vegetables into sticks and serve alongside dip.
Time: 10 minutes
Price: $
8. Caramel uni-corn
Forget regular popcorn, or even salted caramel popcorn, caramel uni-corn will be a hit at every party! Popping your own popcorn is extremely cheap and easy to make in bulk, with the cute colours, people will have no idea you made it yourself!
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: 1 cup popcorn kernels, 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup caster sugar and assorted natural gel food colouring (4 colours).
How to make it: Separate ingredients into four even portions. Place one portion in a medium sized saucepan and add a few drops of food colouring to each one (use one colour per portion). Heat to a medium heat and put on the lid, shake as the kernels begin to pop. Once the popping slows down, remove from heat and stir so the topping is even distributed. Put aside to cool and repeat with the other coloured portions. Once they’re all done, mix together for a rainbow of colours!
Time: 30 minutes
Price: $
9. Prosciutto & parmesan croissants
Puffy pastry is the secret to creating freshly baked goodies with almost no effort. These prosciutto and parmesan croissants use puff pastry to make a quick and tasty finger food that will have everyone asking you for the recipe. Make this recipe even cheaper by replacing the prosciutto with ham.
Vegetarian: No
Ingredients: 2 ready-rolled reduced-fat puff pastry sheets, lightly thawed, ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese, 2 prosciutto (or ham) slices, 1 egg lightly beaten with a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds.
How to make it: Cut pastry into 18 even triangles per sheet. Sprinkle cheese over pastry and press lightly into pastry with a rolling pin. Lay prosciutto on one triangle and top with another triangle, with the points out of alignment. Roll to create a ‘croissant’ shape. Repeat with the remainder. Brush pastries with the beaten egg and sprinkle with cumin seeds. Bake in a 180 degree fan-forced oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Time: 15 minutes
Price: $$
10. Vietnamese Chicken Wraps
Wow guests with Vietnamese chicken wraps! Fill soft flour tortillas with pan-fried chicken, lightly pickled cucumber and carrot for an Asian-style party food. Tip: Save time by using a roast chicken from the supermarket.
Vegetarian: No
Ingredients: ½ cucumber, halved, deseeded and sliced, 1 small carrot, grated, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips, 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 25 g ginger (peeled weight), finely grated, 3 tbsp light brown soft sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 8 mini or 4 large soft flour tortillas and 2 little gem lettuces, leaves separated and cut in half.
How to make it: Put the cucumber, carrot and vinegar in a small bowl and set aside. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan, add the chicken and fry on a medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside. Pour the remaining oil into the pan and lower the heat. Add garlic and ginger, and cook for 2 mins until softened but not coloured. Add the sugar, soy sauce and 150ml water, and bubble for 5 mins until saucy. Return the chicken to the pan and heat through. Heat tortillas and top the tortillas with lettuce, chicken, and pickled cucumber and carrot to serve.
Time: 40 minutes
Price: $$
11. Pesto vegetable skewers
These easy pesto vegetable kebabs are a great vegetarian option for barbecues and parties. They’re a cheap dish to make using vegetables that are in season and jarred pesto.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: A variety of colourful vegetables (capsicum, corn, red onion and zucchini are great choices), pesto (any variety will work) and the juice from half an orange.
How to make it: Cut vegetables into bite size portions and alternately thread onto pre-soaked skewers. Cook on the BBQ or in a pan for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Combine juice and pesto and brush on kebabs once removed from the heat.
Time: 25 minutes
Price: $
12. Melts
Melted cheese, toasty bread and tasting toppings make melts an easy, cheap party food that are almost like mini pizzas! Try these Hawaiian mini melts, or make your own variety with different meats, sauces and even vegetables!
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian, simply remove any meat
Ingredients: Dinner rolls, mozzarella cheese and toppings (ham, pineapple and pizza sauce are a great choice).
How to make it: Halve rolls, add toppings and melt under the grill until browned.
Time: 25 minutes
Price: $
13. 5-Minute Tiramisu Dip
This tiramisu dip is the perfect treat at your next party and can be whipped up in no time. Only a few ingredients make a unique and cheap dessert treat for everyone.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules, 1 tablespoon coffee-flavoured liqueur, 300ml tub thickened cream, 1/3 cup icing sugar mixture, 250g tub mascarpone, cocoa powder, to decorate and sponge finger biscuits, to serve.
How to make it: Dissolve coffee in 1 tablespoon boiling water in a small heatproof jug. Stir in liqueur. Cool slightly. Beat cream and sugar in the small bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beat in coffee mixture. Using a whisk, fold in mascarpone until just combined. Spoon into a serving bowl. Dust with sifted cocoa. Serve with sponge finger biscuits.
Time: 5 minutes
Price: $ – $$ (if you don’t already own coffee-flavoured liqueur)
14. Potato wedges
Potato wedges are a crowd favourite that can be made in no time! Buy frozen wedges, or cook and bake your own – both are cheap options! Be sure to serve with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: Packet of frozen potato wedges (or make from scratch with potatoes), sweet chilli sauce and sour cream to serve.
How to make it: Bake in oven as per packet instructions, or follow this recipe to make from scratch.
Time: 1 hour
Price: $
15. Blinis
Blinis are a well known party finger food that look more complicated to make than they really are. Try smoked salmon blinis, pizza cracker style blinis or crème fraîche, roast beef an cornichons blinis.
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian, simply don’t include any meat or fish
Ingredients: Pre-made blinis (crackers or homemade mini pikelets work too) and a few simple toppings (smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers are a popular combination).
How to make it: Simply assemble and serve.
Time: 15 minutes
Price: $ – $$ (if using smoked salmon the price will go up)
16. Veg and cheese rolls
A twist on a classic sausage roll, these vegetable and cheese rolls are tasty and more simple to make than they seem! Make even cheaper by using whatever vegetables are in season or frozen spinach. Tip: use a food processor to cut and combine vegetables quickly.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: 1 large onion, halved and grated, 2 carrots, grated, 1 beetroot, grated (wear gloves to avoid pink fingers), 100 g mature cheddar, grated, 1 small bunch thyme, leaves picked, 50 g flaked almonds, 2 sheets puff pastry and 1 egg, beaten.
How to make it: Cook onion and vegetables in pan until softened. Add cheese, almonds and herbs to vegetable mix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut each pastry sheet into thirds. Pile the cooled filling down the middle of each strip of pastry. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little beaten egg, then fold the sides over to cover the filling. Turn the rolls over so the pastry seam is tucked underneath and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush with a little more egg and sprinkle over the remaining almonds. Chill until ready to cook (or at least 15 mins). Bake in 180C fan-forced oven for 20 mins until golden brown.
Time: 1 hour
Price: $
17. Spirals
Roll up, roll up, roll up to an easy dish for entertaining that won’t take you long or break the bank! With only 20 minutes of prep time and only five ingredients, these are the most simple, yet elegant looking appetisers for when you’re entertaining a crowd.
Vegetarian: Yes, this can be made vegetarian, simply don’t include any meat
Ingredients: Wraps and toppings. Try these spinach and salami variety, or turkey, avocado and cranberry.
How to make it: Spread ingredients onto a flat wrap, roll lengthways and then slice into one inch segments.
Time: 20 minutes
Price: $
18. Watermelon, feta and cucumber bites
Watermelon, feta and cucumber bites are a summery healthy finger food that will have everyone coming back for more. These balsamic glazed mini canapés make refreshing party snacks!
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: ¼ seedless watermelon, cut into 2cm cubes, 2 x 200 g firm feta cheese, cut into 2cm cubes, 2 Lebanese cucumbers, roughly peeled and cut into 2cm pieces, caramelised balsamic vinegar, to drizzle and 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves.
How to make it: Thread the watermelon, feta and cucumber alternately onto 24 wooden toothpicks. Cover and chill until ready to serve. To serve, drizzle a platter with caramelised balsamic and top with skewers. Sprinkle over mint and serve.
Time: 20 minutes
Price: $
19. Bacon-wrapped sausages
Get into these tasty bacon-wrapped sausages for your next party. They are simple with only two ingredients and won’t break the bank, just don’t expect any leftovers!
Vegetarian: No
Ingredients: 500 g beef chipolatas, 8 bacon rashers, rind removed and sauce to serve.
How to make it: Par-boil chipolatas in a large pot of simmering water for 5 min. Remove pot from heat and allow to stand for 5 min. Drain the chipolatas well. Cut each bacon rasher in half. Wrap one piece around each sausage and secure with a toothpick. Grill on a preheated barbecue or non-stick frying pan for 4 min each side, or until bacon is golden.
Time: 30 minutes
Price: $$
20. Cob loaf
Perhaps the most popular party dish in Australia, cob loaf is simple to make and is sure to be the first thing to go from the table. There are many flavoured fillings you can make this in, but we love this creamy French onion cob loaf.
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients: 1 medium sourdough cob loaf, 250 g frozen spinach, thawed, 250 g block cream cheese, room temperature, 40 g packet salt-reduced dry French onion soup mix and 250 g tub sour cream.
How to make it: Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced. Take a slice from the top of the cob and set aside. Carefully remove the centre of the cob, leaving enough bread around the crust to make a case. Set the soft centre pieces aside. Squeeze any excess liquid from the spinach. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add the French onion soup mix, then the sour cream. Fold in the spinach. Spoon the dip into the prepared cob and replace the bread lid. Wrap tightly in a double layer of foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until centre is warmed through. Meanwhile, take the soft centre pieces of bread and tear into pieces, place into a large bowl. Add olive oil and garlic and toss to coat. Spread onto a baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown, tossing a few times. Let cool on the tray.
Time: 50 minutes
Price: $
