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.

How many canapés per person for a drinks party? ›

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. Savoury canapés are always more popular; if you're serving savoury and sweet, aim for a ratio of around 4:1.

What is the tip to making the best canapés? ›

Size: Make sure your canapés are easy for your guests to eat by serving in mouth-sized portions. Taste: Since it's only a mouthful, it needs to be full of flavour and well-seasoned. Many of our recipes are served with an accompanying dipping sauce for extra hosting points.

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 is a canape buffet? ›

A canapé buffet presents an impressive array of canapés arranged beautifully on serving platters or trays. This dining style allows guests to mingle freely while sampling different canapés at their own pace.

How much finger food for 30 guests? ›

If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

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 are the three optional parts of a canapé? ›

It defines canapés as bite-sized open-faced sandwiches consisting of a base, spread, and garnish. The base can be crackers, toast, or pastry to hold the ingredients. Spreads include flavored butters or cream cheeses.

What's the difference between canapés and hors d'oeuvres? ›

Canapés are typically made with an edible base – crackers, blinis, bread or pastry, and served cold. Hors d'oeuvres are small bites of something tasty and can be both savoury or sweet, and served hot or cold.

How do you present a canapé? ›

Tips for Using Canape Dishes

Consider Practicality: Ensure that the chosen holders not only look good but are also practical for the type of finger foods being served. Sturdiness and functionality are key. Balance and Variety: Experiment with different types of holders to create a visually dynamic presentation.

How do I host an appetizer only party? ›

Planning Your Appetizer Party Menu

Bruschetta, breadsticks, crackers, and rolls are also mainstays. Protein: Serve meat or fish dishes, such as meatballs, chicken wings, or sushi, to give your guests protein. You could also make an egg, cheese, or tofu appetizer. Try these grilled appetizer recipes.

How is a canape usually served? ›

Canapés are made from white, graham, and brown bread, sliced very thin and cut in various shapes. They may be dipped in melted butter, toasted or fried. They could be served hot or cold, spread with anchovy, crab or caviar paste, served with garnishes like green and red peppers, paprika, and lemon juice.

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