37 Hors d’Oeuvres for Classy Get-Togethers
Hors d’oeuvres set the stage for an elegant party, and let’s face it—sometimes they’re even better than the main dishes. Little toasts? Stuffed dates? Marinated mozzarella? A great cocktail party means you get to sample them all, then do another lap while you catch up with friends and sip some festive drinks before the main course. Below you’ll find a handful of our favorite hors d’oeuvres and fancy appetizer recipes to help make your next gathering one to remember. So grab a deviled egg, have a bite (or three) of baked Brie, snag a cheesy samosa puff, and get ready to party with our best hors d’oeuvres recipes. Oh, and don’t forget the big-batch cocktails to go along with them.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow2/37Smoked 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 croquettes are great whenever you want to impress.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/37Stuffed Mushrooms
You need a few hot appetizers in the mix at any small-plates-only gathering. These Parmesan-loaded mushrooms—filled with fresh breadcrumbs, mushroom stems, onion, celery, garlic, and oregano—will disappear in minutes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/37Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates
Here are some little bites 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, Food Styling by Ali Nardi5/37Figs-in-a-Blanket With Goat Cheese
Looking for hors d’oeuvres ideas for vegetarians? Start here. Spicy honey-glazed figs and creamy goat cheese baked in puff pastry make a fun play on pigs in a blanket.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog7/37Pickled Shrimp
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton8/37Chili Crab Dip With Shrimp Chips
Inspired by chili crab, an aromatic and spicy Singaporean braise, this crab dip gets a little sweetness from tomato paste and dynamic flavor from shallots, garlic, and ginger.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/37Radishes and Butter Curls
Photography by Eva Kolenko10/37Brie and Prosciutto Shortbread
Sometimes the best starters are 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 Jurkevich12/37Dill-Pickled Vegetables
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou14/37Kue Keju (Cheese Cookies)
These savory Indonesian cookies from cookbook author Lara Lee are perfectly buttery, crumbly, and cheesy. They keep for a while, so you can make them a few days before your event.
