Hors d’oeuvre recipes create tasty finger foods so good you can make a meal out of them. Whether it is a first course before a lovely meal, a table full of food for a party, or tray passed bites of goodness at a cocktail party, hors d’oeuvres deliver a variety of flavors, textures, and incredibly appetizing food.

This French term literally means “outside the work,” as it is not part of the main dish. Some people might also refer to them as appetizers, apps, starters, aperitifs, and tapas but there are subtle differences between hors d’oeuvres and appetizers.

Hors d’oeuvres are usually smaller in portion size and can be served at any time of a gathering. Appetizers are usually the first part of a meal and are served as part of a main meal.

We have rounded up some of our favorite hors d’oeuvres recipes below with a variety of culinary creations that look as good as they taste. Read through to find your new favorite and enjoy them today.

1. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

This aquatic vegetable is enhanced by wrapping them in bacon and slathering them in a delectable brown sugar glaze. Anything wrapped in bacon will be appetizing, and the addition of the glaze takes them to the next level. These tasty bites are always a huge hit.

2. Blue Cheese, Bacon, Fig Pinwheels

Pinwheels make great finger foods, and there are a variety of flavors to add to them. This one has 4 mouthwatering ingredients that are simple to create. Blue cheese, bacon, and fig preserves are spread on puff pastry dough, rolled up, and baked. These are great for cocktail parties, and every bite is delightful.

3. Meatballs

Small meatballs make the perfect cocktail party appetizer. They are versatile in flavors, easy to eat with a toothpick, and fun, bite-sized, protein-packed deliciousness. Make it extra easy by purchasing a bag of frozen meatballs and throwing them in the crockpot with your favorite sauce, such as marinara or BBQ sauce. 

4. Little Smokies

This hors d’oeuvre recipe is a classic made easy with the air fryer. Once again, bacon takes it to the next level. The cocktail smokies are wrapped in bacon, coated in a flavorful brown sugar and spice mixture, and cooked in the air fryer. The result is a dainty, sweet, and savory finger food everyone loves.  

5. Stuffed Mini Peppers

This finger food is an inviting blend of flavors that is so delicious you will want to enjoy these as a meal. Also a crowd-pleaser, they make the perfect cocktail party appetizer. Mini peppers are stuffed with a decadent cream cheese blend, including ranch seasonings, bacon, and green onion. They are a sublime hors d’oeuvre recipe not to be missed. 

6. Mini Crab Cakes

When it comes to hors d’oeuvre recipes, not many are as impressive as this. Elegant enough for a cocktail party buffet table and tasty enough for game day, mini crab cakes are a tasteful addition, no matter the occasion. They are a superb blend of flavors and easy enough to whip up in under 30 minutes, making this a win-win recipe. 

7. Cream Cheese Wontons

Impress your guests with this easy recipe. Homemade wontons are stuffed with a delightful cream cheese mixture and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. In less than 20 minutes, these delicious crispy bites are ready to be devoured. 

8. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

When you need a sophisticated hors d’oeuvre recipe on the fly, this one always hits the spot. Only 4 ingredients create a dynamite flavor profile of sweet and salty. Bacon wraps pineapple chunks and then is rolled in a brown sugar mixture then cooked in the air fryer. In 20 minutes, this flavorful finger food is on the party table. 

9. Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are an elegant, classic hors d’oeuvre. This distinguished recipe stuffs button mushrooms with a crab mixture and then bakes them. These are the ultimate finger food and cocktail party appetizer that never disappoints. 

10. Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

This is a unique hors d’oeuvre recipe with a refreshing take on fancy finger food. Cherry tomatoes are stuffed with a tantalizing blend of cream cheese, herbs, and spices. They are wonderful for summer entertaining as refreshing bite-sized finger food for outdoor events. 

11. Mushroom Crostini

Crostini are fabulous finger foods. They are elegant and sophisticated bite-sized goodies everyone loves. These are topped with an intoxicating blend of goat cheese and seasonings with sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions. It is a mouthwatering blend that is so delicious you can’t have just one. 

12. Spinach Dip Bites

This finger food is a great alternative to a bowl of dip and chips. The filling is similar to a spinach and artichoke dip in a delectable bite-sized form. It is baked in a crescent dough cup, making this a simple hors d’oeuvre recipe ready in 20 minutes. 

13. Goat Cheese And Apricot

This recipe is simple to create an elegant and inspiring hors d’oeuvre with 4 simple ingredients. It is perfect for a cocktail party with its alluring size and beguiling flavors. Apricots, goat cheese, walnuts, and honey are all you need to create these tasty bites. 

14. Mini Baked Potatoes

This may sound like an odd hors d’oeuvre recipe, but it is a fabulous idea and one to definitely try. Mini potatoes are cooked until they have crispy skin and a soft, fluffy inside. Sprinkle with salt and serve or cut the tops open and put a dab of sour cream, bacon bits, and cheddar cheese on them for the ultimate mini loaded baked potato bite. 

15. Deviled Eggs

When it comes to hors d’oeuvre recipes, it doesn’t get any more traditional than deviled eggs. This quintessential appetizer graces more holiday, game day, and cookout party tables than any other. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or a loaded deviled egg, no matter how you serve them, there are never any leftovers. 

16. Cranberry Brie Bites

These bites are simple, tasteful, and have a heavenly blend of flavors. They are easy enough to make any time, but the flavor profile makes them a holiday favorite. Creamy brie, sweet cranberry, and candied walnuts fill a phyllo dough cup for irresistible finger food. 

17. Chicken Wings

It isn’t possible to have a game day party without chicken wings. Juicy chicken wings cooked and tossed in hot wing sauce is a tantalizing, finger-licking good treat. Chicken goes with everything, and wings are a beloved dish making chicken wings a welcome dish at gatherings.

18. Pear Crostini

Upscale finger foods aren’t just for a fancy cocktail party. They are great for any party you want to enjoy delicious bite-sized morsels of goodness. This hors d’oeuvre recipe delivers a beautiful balance of flavor and texture. These crostini are refined and stylish, with mouthwatering flavors everyone enjoys. 

19. Garlic Shrimp Crostini

The name says it all, but there is a secret ingredient in this hors d’oeuvre recipe that really up levels it. The crostini are baked and then spread with mashed avocado. The garlic shrimp is seasoned with cumin and tops the crostini for a fabulous finger food fit for any party.

20. Cucumber Sandwiches

Little cucumber sandwiches aren’t just for your grandma’s tea party. These mini morsels are a light and refreshing appetizer. A divine cream cheese blend with mayo and ranch mix spreads on the baguette and then is topped with sliced cucumber and dill. This heavenly finger food is a crowd-pleaser and always a big hit. 

21. Prosciutto Crostini

Prosciutto crostini with burrata cheese, seasonings, basil, and a dynamite balsamic glaze is a finger food that feels fancy yet is easy to make. This hors d’oeuvre recipe will wow partygoers and delight their taste buds. It bursts with sweet and salty flavors that will certainly dazzle the senses. 

22. Ham And Cheese Mini Quiches

Mini quiches make wonderful finger foods for gatherings like a dinner party. They are easy to make and downright delicious. Ham and cheese quiche is the perfect combination of flavors that pair well with any party, regardless of the time of day.

23. Ham And Cheese Puffs

Another fabulous cocktail party finger food is the ham and cheese puff. Puff pastry, diced ham, cheese, apricot jam, and fresh rosemary create a dazzling flavor profile. These morsels are a delectable treat fit for any party. 

24. Onion Phyllo Cups

These cups are a delightful hors d’oeuvre recipe. They are a magical blend of sweet onions, garlic, seasonings, and broth. Once the onions have soaked up the goodness, they are added to their phyllo cup and topped with creamy gruyere cheese. The result is a tasty tart worthy of any cocktail party. 

25. Endive Salad Bites

There is nothing better than whipping up an appetizer that is elegant, sophisticated, and will wow partygoers. These endive bites are just that. Endive filled with crumbled blue cheese, diced pear, dried cranberry, and toasted pecans, is both a culinary vision and an enticing bite.

26. Whipped Ricotta Bruschetta

This hors d’oeuvre recipe is a magnificent version of its classic counterpart. Ricotta is combined with herbs and garlic and whipped until fluffy and creamy. It is spread on Italian bread and then topped with a classic bruschetta mixture. This creates an exquisite, upscale version perfect for a cocktail party. 

27. Baked Artichoke Hearts

This recipe is equally tasty and easy to make with just 5 ingredients. Artichoke hearts are dipped in garlic butter, then in parmesan breadcrumbs, and baked to crispy perfection.  These make incredible finger food for all types of gatherings. 

28. Stuffed Dates

Another killer cocktail party hors d’oeuvre recipe is these irresistible dates. They are filled with manchego cheese, then wrapped in prosciutto and baked. The cheese gets melted into ooey-gooey deliciousness, and they have the magical flavors of sweet and salty. It is a trifecta of tastiness, texture, and simplicity. 

29. Savory Palmiers

An intoxicating combination of crispy bacon, shredded gruyere cheese, and caramelized onions combine in these savory palmiers. A layer of cream-style horseradish is spread on puff pastry, then baked with delicious ingredients. This is an elegant hors d’oeuvre recipe that creates an inviting finger food. 

30. Blini

Blini is a Russian and Eastern European little pancake. These serve as a vehicle for your favorite top-shelf toppings. The luxurious cocktail blini are the perfect size to add salmon, caviar, creme fraiche, and many other delectable toppings. This is one show-stopping finger food for your next cocktail party. 

31. Fried Olives

These little bites are such a treat. They are perfectly crispy on the outside and warm and juicy on the inside. Dip them in garlic aioli, and you’ll be in heaven. Fried olives make fabulous finger food for any occasion, and are ready in 15 minutes. 

32. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

We love bacon-wrapped asparagus as a side dish to meals, and this hors d’oeuvre recipe turns it into a delicious finger food. The asparagus is cut into 3-inch pieces, bundled, topped with a cheesy mixture, and then wrapped with bacon. Once baked, they are a decadent, flavorful addition to any gathering. 

33. Sausage Balls

Similar to meatballs, sausage balls make a great appetizer. Bisquick, breakfast sausage, and cheddar cheese combine for a mouthwatering meatball with alluring flavors. This quick and simple recipe takes a handful of ingredients you already have on hand to create delicious finger food.

34. Smoked Salmon Bites

These salmon bites are an upscale, easy hors d’oeuvre recipe that you can make ahead. Great for all types of gatherings, including cocktail hour, bridal showers, wedding reception and more. They are light, tasty, and sophisticated. They only take 15 minutes to make and are a true culinary delight.

35. Buffalo Chicken Bites

These bites are a brilliant idea to turn buffalo chicken dip into finger food. It has all the spicy flavor of hot wings in a creamy dip filled into bite-sized phyllo cups. Skip the dip and chip bowls for this enticing finger food that will quickly become a party favorite. 

36. Salami Bite

Quick and simple to make, these bites whip up in 5 minutes. Baguette bread, salami, arugula, and a pickle stack together for a delicious bite-sized mini sammy. It is finger food great for a cocktail party or any other gathering. Each bite is balanced in texture and flavors, making these a crowd pleaser. 

More finger food recipes

• Potato skins – Easy potato skins made in the air fryer.
• Popcorn chicken – Little bites of fried chicken.
• Jalapeno poppers – Crispy frozen jalapeno poppers made in the air fryer.

Did you make any of these delicious hors d’oeuvres recipes? Let me know below.