Planning a graduation party and need some finger food ideas? Here’s list of delightful graduation party appetizer ideas that will surely impress your guests and make the celebration even more memorable.
Graduation Appetizer Serving Tip
Graduating is a significant milestone in one’s life, an achievement that deserves a celebration filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. The food you serve can enhance the celebration, so it’s important to have a variety of delicious and easy-to-eat appetizers to keep your guests satisfied throughout the event.
In addition to offering delicious appetizers at your graduation party, it’s important to prioritize the hygiene and safety of your guests. Because graduation parties have a lot of guests in attendance, it’s crucial to provide appropriate serving utensils, toothpicks, plates, or single-serve containers to avoid cross-contamination. So, while many of the graduation party appetizers in this roundup list can be picked up directly with your hands, it’s best to provide tongs or toothpicks because it prevents multiple hands ‘accidentally’ touching the food.
Graduation Party Appetizer Ideas
Charcuterie Cups: How to Make Beautiful Appetizers and Snacks
These charcuterie cups make it easy to grab, go, and eat while mingling. The perfect portable snack cup.
Mini Salami Cheese Balls
Mini Salami Cheese Balls feature hard salami, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayo, and Dijon mustard. Served with a pretzel stick, it makes for the perfect small bite-sized appetizer.
Pigs in a Blanket with Puff Pastry & Beef Hot Dogs
You might want to double or triple this tasty pigs-in-a-blanket recipe. Beef hotdogs and mustard are rolled in puff pastry, then topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning for a treat that can't be ignored.
Guacamole Bites
Instead of tortilla chips, this appetizer places fresh guacamole on sliced tomatoes for a burst of fresh flavors.
Bell Pepper with Cream Cheese and Bacon
Simple and delicious and only 4 ingredients. Bell peppers with cream cheese filling and topped with bacon and Everything Bagel Seasoning is a match made in yummy heaven!
Cajun Bacon Crab Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapenos stuffed with a cheesy Cajun crab and bacon filling and topped with breadcrumbs is a fantastic party appetizer. Make the stuffing a day ahead for a quick and easy assembly. Can be made Keto-friendly by omitting the breadcrumbs.
Caprese Skewers
This easy appetizer pairs creamy mozzarella balls, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves flavored with olive oil, balsamic, and seasonings for a mouthful of flavor! And if you're worried about time, these can be made a day ahead.
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Maple dipped pineapple wrapped in bacon is tangy, sweet smoky, salty, and simply irresistible. You might want to double or triple the recipe since this won't last long.
Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks are loaded up with spicy buffalo chicken and then drizzled with ranch dressing. These cute bite-sized appetizers are so quick and easy to prep ahead of the party.
Hawaii Pork Hash Recipe – Pork and Shrimp Shumai
A popular Hawaii island Chinese dish - dumpling wrappers stuffed with a mix of pork, shrimp, water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and spices.
Chinese Baked Dumplings - Pork and Shrimp
Chinese dumpling filling and puff pastry create a fusion of taste and textures, making a delightful party finger food.
Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups with Creamy Lemon Dill Spread
Elevate the typical pinwheel appetizer by using smoked salmon and a creamy lemon dill spread. These taste amazing and is another appetizer that can be made ahead of time.
Chicken Taco Pinwheels
This creamy Mexican Chicken pinwheel recipe is easy to whip up and full of flavor. Just a few simple staples from your kitchen and you're good to go!
Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Pinwheels
In case you have some vegetarian or health-conscious party guests, this vegetable pinwheel is sure to be a hit. This recipe is adult and kid approved!
Italian Pinwheels
Genoa salami, provolone cheese, and tangy cream cheese combine to make an appetizer that tastes like a mini Italian sub. Simple to make and delicious!
Firecracker Chicken Wraps Recipe (Copycat)
Inspired by the Longhorn steakhouse wraps, this Firecracker Chicken Wrap recipe has a bit of a spicy kick. A combination of tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and creamy textures combine for a perfect symphony of flavors. And this can be made ahead and is freezer-friendly!
Lumpia Recipe (Filipino spring rolls)
Homemade lumpia is one of my family's favorite things to eat. It's a mixture of ground pork and beef, veggies, and seasonings wrapped in a thin pastry, fried to a crispy golden brown perfection!
Bruschetta Recipe
Garlic rubbed crostini and red wine vinegar-flavored tomatoes, the Classic Italian Bruschetta recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.
Bruschetta with Mozzarella
All you need to make this Bruschetta with Mozzarella are 6 ingredients and 30 minutes! It's a cheesy twist on the classic tomato bruschetta.
Cajun Shrimp Crostini
These Cajun Shrimp Crostini bites are topped with guacamole, fresh salsa, and spicy cajun shrimp. They make a delicious party finger food and come together in less than 30 minutes.
Cheesy Meatball Sliders
Stuffed with cheese inside and out, these meatball sliders with BBQ sauce taste like a mini meatball sub!
Roast Beef Sliders
Calling all roast beef lovers (that's me)! This slider is made with roast beef, onions, cheese, and horseradish sauce for a twist on the classic ham and cheese slider.
Easy Make-Ahead Ham & Cheese Hawaiian Sliders
Ham and Cheese sliders are easy to make, tasty, and only take 20 minutes to bake.
Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe with Hawaiian Rolls
Ready in about 30 minutes, these BBQ Chicken Sliders have a smoky flavor that everyone will love.
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
If you love chicken parmesan, this slider is chicken parm piled on a sweet bun. It makes a great mini portable sandwich.
BLT Sliders
BLT sliders are light, fresh, and so easy. It's a classic sandwich turned into a mini hand-held appetizer that everyone will enjoy.
Vegan Tea Sandwiches
These vegan-friendly tea sandwiches require just 4 ingredients: creamy avocados, crisp cucumber, savory pesto, and white bread.
Bacon Wrapped BBQ Meatballs
Inspired by an award-winning recipe, these bacon-wrapped meatballs will have guests coming back for more!
Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Meatballs
Slow cooker honey bourbon meatballs are a sweet and savory delight that's easy to prepare. Balanced with sweet honey and tangy bourbon, this dish is the perfect graduation appetizer!
Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
These made-from-scratch teriyaki chicken meatballs are juicy, sweet, and salty. Meatballs can be frozen or left in the fridge up to 3 days ahead of time and cooked right before needed.
Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Instead of buffalo chicken wings, make these easy buffalo turkey meatballs! No need to slave over a stove, just place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and top with bleu cheese before serving.
Your graduation party deserves to begin with a bang, and these tasty appetizer ideas are sure to get the celebration off to a great start. From elegant Caprese skewers to classic sliders, there is something for every taste. And to make the party stress-free, choose appetizers that can be prepared in advance. By incorporating these delicious appetizer ideas, you’ll set the stage for a memorable and enjoyable graduation celebration.
