41 Hors d’Oeuvres for Classy Get-Togethers
Hors d'oeuvres can set the stage for an elegant holiday dinner—but sometimes they are dinner, and that can be even more fun. Grab a deviled egg, have a bite (or three) of baked Brie, snag a stuffed mushroom and some pickled shrimp. Little toasts? Stuffed dates? Marinated mozzarella? A good party means you get to sample them all, then do another lap while you catch up with friends and sip some festive cocktails. Below you'll find a few of our favorite recipes for hors d'oeuvres to help make your next gathering one to remember.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow2/41Smoked Trout Croquettes
These bite-size mashed potato croquettes are filled with smoked trout, mozzarella, Parmesan, and chives. We developed this snack recipe as part of a Feast of the Seven Fishes-themed cocktail party menu, but these little bites are great whenever you want to impress your guests.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/41Stuffed Mushrooms
You need a few hot appetizers in the mix at any small-plates-only gathering. These Parmesan-loaded mushrooms will likely disappear in minutes. The filling includes fresh breadcrumbs, the mushroom stems, onion, celery, garlic, and oregano, plus the cheese.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/41Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates
Here are some little bites that you can easily enjoy with one hand, just in case you're carrying a martini or a glass of punch in the other.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog7/41Pickled Shrimp
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/41Radishes and Butter Curls
Photography by Eva Kolenko10/41Brie and Prosciutto Shortbread
Sometimes the best starters or easy assembly jobs. Just stack purchased shortbread cookies with a cube of Brie and a ruffle of prosciutto.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/41Dill-Pickled Vegetables
Photography by Laura Edwards13/41Phyllo-Wrapped Brie With Hot Honey and Anchovies
A lot of baked Brie recipes veer toward sweetness, with layers of jam or chutney under the crust, this easy appetizer goes savory with anchovies, garlic, and roasted bell peppers. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell15/41Roasted Oysters With Warm Butter Mignonette
If you're a little intimidated by shucking oysters, but you want to serve them anyway, the secret's in the oven method. A little heat pops the shells apart so they can be opened the rest of the way by hand, no shucking skills required.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen16/41Parsnip-Wrapped Devils on Horseback
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova18/41Spinach and Feta Tarte Soleil
Puff pastry always looks impressive, but these cheesy, buttery twists will really wow your guests.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen19/41Turkey Meatballs With Cranberry Sauce
These tender, flavor-packed turkey meatballs are the perfect snack for any get-together. As one reviewer says, these morsels are “fantastic for the labor to flavor ratio.” If you're still looking for hors d'oeuvres ideas for Thanksgiving, this one has your number.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova21/41Bourbon Chicken Liver Pâté
This pâté gets even more flavorful as it sits in the fridge, so it's best to prep it a day or two before your party. Serve with cornichons and crackers.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich22/41Warmed Spiced Olives
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow23/41Clams Casino With Bacon and Bell Pepper
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow24/41Vanilla Butter Anchovy Toasts
Photo by Louise Hagger25/41Lumpia Ayam Sayur
Yes, you should fry up a batch of these sweet and salty chicken and mushroom spring rolls. Or better yet, freeze a batch to fry later.
Photo by Cara Howe26/41Broiled Goat Cheese Toasts With Marinated Greens
These simple little toasts are always a hit. Don't skip the drizzle of olive oil at the end.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi27/41Savory Mushroom and Parmesan Palmiers
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton28/41Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi29/41Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Jam
Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell, prop styling by Sarah Cave30/41Olive-Oil Toasts With Greens, Pine Nuts, and Raisins
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca32/41Crunchy Coconut-Sesame Shrimp With Spicy Lime Mayo
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi34/41Caviar and Crème Fraîche Tartlets
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime35/41Hand Salad With Buttermilk, Grapefruit, and Mixed Seeds
If it's snacks for dinner and you're not serving a meal with main dishes and vegetable sides, you might be thinking about how to get some veggie bites in the mix. These snaggable, snackable wedges have more in common with a bowl of party mix than any perfunctory salad—plus, it's friendly to anyone who is eating gluten-free.
Photo by Alex Lau36/41Potato Blinis
These fluffy miniature potato pancakes are the perfect canvas for smoked or cured fish, sour cream, and a sprinkling of chives.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott37/41Snapper Crudo With Chiles and Sesame
Serve this crudo with toothpicks or on slices of cucumber to make it work as finger food.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian38/41Smoked Salmon Rillettes
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro40/41Marinated Mozzarella and Peppadew Peppers
