3 Party Ideas Appetizers Your Guests Will Love

Planning a party and looking for ways to impress your guests with more than just the usual appetizers like garlic knots, deviled eggs, and beer-cheese fondue? You’re in luck! So these unique ideas for an appetizer party not only taste amazing but also allow you to show your knack for food plating techniques to leave your guests in awe. 

Get ready to transform simple party foods into visually stunning creations that are sure to be the talk of the event!

Exquisite Appetizer Ideas for Parties

Sushi Donuts

Servings: 6 | Total time: 1 hr

This recipe transforms traditional sushi into a fun and eye-catching treat, making it a perfect appetizer idea for parties.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of sushi rice 
• 7 tablespoons of rice vinegar 
• 4 tablespoons of sugar 
• 1 teaspoon of salt 
• 4 cups of still mineral water 
• Nori sheets 
• 3.5 oz of cold-smoked salmon 
• 1 cucumber 
• 1 mango 
• 1 avocado 
• 2 teaspoons of light sesame seeds 
• 2 teaspoons of nigella seeds or black sesame seeds 
• Sesame oil

STEP 1: Cook the sushi rice. Follow the instructions on the package to cook the sushi rice. It’s important to rinse the rice several times before cooking to remove excess starch. For best results, use still mineral water for cooking. 

STEP 2: Prepare the seasoning. In a separate bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Add this mixture to the warm cooked rice and stir thoroughly. Cover the seasoned rice with plastic wrap and let it cool down. 

STEP 3: Form the sushi donuts. Grease a donut pan with some oil and press the rice into each mold to form rice rings. Once the pan is full, cover each “rice donut” with a nori sheet (you can cut the nori into circles to fit as a base). Then, place a board over the pan and firmly flip it to release the sushi donuts from the mold. 

STEP 4: Prepare the toppings. Use a vegetable peeler to slice the cucumber into long ribbons. Slice the mango and avocado into thin pieces. Arrange these on top of the rice to decorate. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi. 

Note: If you don’t have a donut mold, you can still shape the rice by hand into disks and use a glass to cut out the center. 

Rosemary-Stuffed Skewers

Servings: 4 | Total time: 30 min

Rosemary-stuffed skewers offer a creative and flavorful option for appetizer ideas for parties, featuring a delightful mix of marinated meats and vegetables threaded onto aromatic rosemary branches.

Ingredients:

• 9 oz of roast beef 
• 2 chicken breasts 
• 1 zucchini 
• 1 green bell pepper 
• 1 red bell pepper 
• 1 yellow bell pepper 
• 2 red onions 
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil 
• 2 tablespoons of honey 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Long rosemary branches or skewers

STEP 1: Wash and dry the vegetables and meat. 

STEP 2: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. 

STEP 3: Cut the vegetables and meat into evenly sized pieces.

STEP 4: Strip off some of the needles from the rosemary branches. Thread the meat and vegetables onto each skewer, alternating between them. 

STEP 5: Dip each skewer into the marinade, then grill for 10-15 minutes, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Salmon Tartare with Mango

Servings: 4 | Total time: 45 min

Salmon Tartare with Mango is a sophisticated and refreshing choice for appetizer ideas for parties, combining rich, cold-smoked salmon with the tropical sweetness of mango and the creamy texture of avocado.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz of cold-smoked salmon 
• 2 Hass avocados 
• 2 shallots 
• 2 mangos 
• Juice of 1 lime 
• Fresh dill to taste 
• 4 slices of sourdough rye bread 
• Himalayan pink salt to taste 
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste 
• 2 chili peppers (for a spicy version)

STEP 1: Dice the avocado and toss it with lime juice, sprinkle with salt, and mix with finely chopped shallot. 

STEP 2: In a separate bowl, combine peeled and diced mango with finely chopped dill. 

TIP: For a spicy version, mix in finely chopped chili pepper.

STEP 3: Finely chop the cold-smoked salmon and season it with freshly ground black pepper. 

STEP 4: Use a round cutter to cut circles from the slices of bread. Layer the prepared avocado, salmon, and mango onto each bread circle.

STEP 5: Place the assembled tartare in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.