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25 Heavy Hors d'oeuvres for a Party

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Here are some hors d'oeuvres recipes that are substantial enough to serve at a cocktail party. They're perfect if you just want to serve nibbles and no main course.

They're great for a cocktail party, wedding shower, holiday party, or Oscars party when you want to serve substantial food that looks cute, tastes great, and is easy to eat.

These heavy appetizers can all be plated or they can be served pass-around style on trays.


Kimchi Avocado Toast

This fantastic and tangy appetizer with kimchi and avocadoes is always a hit! The combination of unique flavors along with the crunchy and creamy texture makes these a memorable dish.

They're extremely easy to pull together and perfect for a party.

An overhead shot of a plate of crostinis topped with avocado, kimchi, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Baked Feta with Olives and Tomatoes

One of the easiest appetizers to pull together, this baked feta with olives and tomatoes is a warm and cozy dip. Serve it with some crispy crackers or pita chips for a substantial bite.

A plate with baked feta, olives, and tomatoes served alongside crackers.

Baked Cotija Zucchini Fries

These crispy, cheesy zucchini fries are a hit with kids and adults. They're great finger food and go well with any kind of sauce you'd like to serve.

We often pair them with a Spicy Mayo.

Baked zucchini fries with a dip.

Leek & Onion Puff Pastry Tart

If you want to serve a warm and cozy hors d'oeuvre, you've got to try this leek onion tart. It's bursting with subtle flavors and has a crispy, buttery base.

It's fantastic for holiday parties and cozy movie nights.

Leek and Onion Puff Pastry Tart

Endive Salad Bites with Grilled Feta

These bright, refreshing endive salad bites are perfect for holiday parties and winter events. This dish pairs creamy feta with bitter endives, juicy citrus, pomegranate seeds, and toasted nuts for a phenomenal dish.

It's as pretty as it is tasty!

closeup of endive salad bites

Ham & Gruyere Tarts

These beautiful ham and gruyere tarts are the most delicious and substantial hors d'oeuvres!

They are the perfect flavor combination of savory and sweet and they are substantial enough that they feel like a complete meal!

A closeup of ham and gruyere tarts.

Roasted Artichoke Hearts

These tasty bites are crispy and delicious! You are going to love these roasted artichoke hearts with parmesan - they are super easy to make!

Roasted artichoke hearts with lemon slices on a plate.

Baked Crab Cakes

Everyone loves a crab cake! These fantastic oven baked crab bites are crispy on the outside and creamy perfection on the inside. They're well seasoned and richly flavorful.

Oven baked crab cakes on a platter with sauce.

Radish Puff Appetizer

These fantastic puff pastry tarts with goat cheese (or cream cheese), radishes, and microgreens are delicious, peppery, and delightfully rich! They are a substantial few bites.

radish puff pastry appetizers on parchment paper

Baked Chicken Wings

One of the best and most classic hors d'oeuvres is a chicken wing!

These well-spiced wings are baked till golden brown. They're succulent and juicy on the inside! The tangy mustardy spice blend can't be beat.

A chicken wing being dipped into sauce.

Tinned Fish Board

Tinned fish boards are such fun - they're a mix of several types of canned fish, crackers, cheese, condiments, and other small bites.

A closeup shot of a tinned fish appetizer board.

Prosciutto and Melon

This wonderful Italian starter of prosciutto and melon is simple to make but a definite crowd-pleaser!

Prosciutto and melon on an appetizer board.

Persimmon Prosciutto Crostinis

This simple recipe for persimmon prosciutto crostinis with homemade ricotta is a wonderful appetizer. The flavors work together wonderfully. 

crostinis on a cutting board

The Creamiest Hummus Recipe

This delicious, homemade hummus recipe is the creamiest dip! Serve it with some cut veggies or toasted pita for a great app!

A closeup shot of a bowl of hummus topped with olive oil, parsley, pomegranate seeds, and a piece of pita.

Zucchini Tartlets

These delicious zucchini goat cheese tarts are wonderful bites! Top them with some microgreens or chopped fresh herbs.

zucchini tartlets closeup

Grilled Chicken Wings

These are the best grilled chicken wings! They're made with a fantastic combination of spices and grilled to crispy perfection. Serve them with a Healthy Ranch Dip.

Grilled chicken wings on a white plate.

How to Make a Hummus Board

This beautiful hummus board will be a hit with everyone! It's a fun way to enjoy some snacks or a healthy appetizer.

An overhead shot of a hummus board with hummus, grape leaves, cut vegetables, pita chips, and veggie straws.

Radish Tzatziki

This radish walnut tzatziki recipe is creamy and delicious! Serve it with some chopped vegetables, pita chips, vegetable straws, or chips.


Mini Chicken Taquitos

These crispy mini chicken taquitos are packed with a creamy, juicy, tangy chicken and cheese filling and are the best holiday appetizer!

A stack of mini chicken taquitos on a plate.

Individual Charcuterie Cups

The options are limitless with these cute charcuterie cups. Grab some clear cups and load them up with meat, cheese, fruit, and all sorts of garnishes. Perfect for holidays and game days!

Individual charcuterie cups.

Antipasto Skewers

Antipasto skewers are the perfect snack or appetizer for a summer get-together, backyard BBQ, or holiday. All of your favorite Italian-style ingredients are served on a colorful, delicious skewer.

A stack of antipasto skewers on a plate.

Asian Chicken Meatballs

These Asian chicken meatballs are an easy healthy appetizer that’s ready in less than 30 minutes and covered in a delicious homemade glaze. 

Asian chicken meatballs in a white bowl.

Corn and Leek Fritters Recipe

This corn and leek fritter recipe is delicious and ready in 30 minutes! They’re vegetarian and gluten-free.

corn and leek fritter with herbed yogurt and mint

Whipped Feta Dip

You are going to love this fantastic whipped feta dip! It makes for a delicious appetizer served with some toasted bread and sliced veggies.

An overhead shot of a bowl of whipped feta dip topped with toasted pine nuts, olive oil, and chopped parsley.

Yield: 6 servings

Heavy Hors d'oeuvres

Ham and cheese hors d'oeuvres on a white plate.

These delicious ham and cheese hors d'oeuvres are one of our favorite substantial appetizer recipes!

Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 1 minute
Total Time 33 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 slices of deli ham
  • 1 sheet of puff pastry
  • 2 tablespoons stoneground mustard
  • 3 ounces Gruyere, thinly sliced
  • ½ Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • several sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Roll the puff pastry to flatten any lines and then trim the edges so it's straight. Cut the pastry into six equal pieces by cutting a line down the center lengthwise and then three sections crosswise.
  3. Lay the pastry pieces flat on a rimmed baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Cut a ¼ inch border around the edges, and then prick the pastries with a fork or knife several times.
  4. Divide the mustard evenly across the 6 pieces of pastry. With the back of a small spoon spread it to cover the pastry inside the border. Then layer on 3 slices of Gruyere cheese, 2 slices of ham, and fan out 3 to 4 slices of apple across the top.
  5. Brush the apples with olive oil and then sprinkle on the pinch of salt and pepper.
  6. Bake the pastries for 20 to 24 minutes, until they are golden brown.
  7. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the honey and top with thyme.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 174Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 656mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 11g

What are your favorite hors d'oeuvres recipes? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

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