Party Finger Food Ideas on a Budget
Looking for party finger foods on a budget? Hosting a party can be expensive, so here are some tips, ideas, and recipes for entertaining on a budget.
Party Finger Food Ideas On A Budget
So we all know that parties are fun, right? But in planning all that fun, the bills can add up. But, my dear readers, there are ways we can cut those costs with just a little bit of prep and planning! They might all seem like little small savings but wow, those savings ADD UP!!
The Planning Part of the Party!
Ok, obviously you need to plan, I know. But, knowing how much money can be spent vs knowing what is actually needed for the party really helps prevent blowing a bunch of money that you didn’t intend on.
Points to use as your party guideline:
Set a budget – Find a dollar figure amount and DON’T go over it.
Who are the guests – How many adults? Are children coming? Are there any special diets that you don’t want to exclude? Even if someone is gluten-free, having one option for them goes a long way in making a party enjoyable for them!
How many guests will be attending? – Knowing this number will help in figuring out how much food and supplies you’ll probably need.
If you’re only serving appetizer/snack type food, there’s a cute little calculator here that will help you calculate how many appetizers you need for the length of time of your party.
If you don’t want to leave it up to a calculator, you can estimate that lets say for a party of 10, you’ll want to serve around 4 – 5 different finger foods, each type having around 12 pieces.
BUDGET PARTY DECOR TIPS
Think about party decorations to set a theme or just make the atmosphere more festive, then make a list of the minimum decorations with the biggest impact.
Start looking for sales and stock up if you have time. Dollar stores are usually the cheapest place to find generic, cheap party decorations. A lot of time, they’ll have bits and bobs that will go along with practically any party theme.
Ask your friends and family if they have any extra serving platters, serving cutlery or anything party-related that you can borrow. Also, don’t forget about seating! Foldable chairs are a great item to borrow!
Party Food Can Still Be Done On A Budget!
Not everybody at the party needs to like everything, but there should be a few things that each guest will enjoy. Here are some party food ideas on a budget:
Dips are great because they are a nice start, can be made ahead, are easy, less expensive, and quick to make. Some dips are also pretty and go a long way like this Roasted Beet Hummus with Pita Chips from Happy Kitchen!
Check out more of these Party Foods on budget ideas below!
Finger Food Ideas on a Budget: Dips and Things
A delicious and creamy white bean hummus with those Mediterranean flavors! Perfect to make for parties as a dip, a spread for sandwiches, or even when you're out of chickpeas!
Easy buffalo chicken dip that is great with any sneak! Make it in your Instant Pot in only 20 minutes.
These cream cheese stuffed mushrooms are the perfect budget appetizer! Tender white mushrooms are stuffed with a creamy filling, topped with panko topping for crunch, then baked until hot and bubbly.
Chips and dips are a great way to offer lots of fun flavors with minimal work! Use a dip like this recipe for our family favorite guacamole, along with salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese for a fun Mexican spread!
Make this White Bean Dip with dried beans, which will give you plenty of bang for your buck. Serve with crudités and crackers.
This tasty bean dip is made with just 4 simple ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes.
Roasted sweet potato hummus is easy and quick to make, requiring very simple ingredients. Serve it with toasted pita chips, crackers, or veggie sticks for a perfect healthy snack!
Garlic and herb goat cheese dip is very affordable! You can even find quality goat cheese at bargain stores such as Aldi for a fraction of the normal price!
Remember, prices change quickly in the grocery stores, so have an optional dish and ingredient list ready in case, for example, the sausage or red peppers are too expensive.
Serve a variety such as potato or taco chips, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn. These items help fill up your guests and are an inexpensive option for you!
If serving red meat or pork, offer poultry or vegetarian options as well. Vegetarians in the group and those watching their diets for one reason or another will appreciate the options.
Party Finger Food Ideas on a Budget: Appies and Other Things
Here you'll find hot and cold appetizers, easy snack ideas, and ideas to feed a crowd! Let's dig in!
Easy to make and feed a bunch, this Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich recipe is ALWAYS a hit when I serve it to people!
So buttery and crunchy, these seasoned ranch corn chips are incredibly delicious and insanely hard to stop at just a few! Super easy and inexpensive to make yet their a crowd pleaser every time!
Festive, easy, cranberry brie bites make the perfect appetizer that tastes and looks fancy!
Another super easy slider recipe that people always ask me to make again and again! They're filling, inexpensive to make, and fill that hunger void like a champ!
A perfect balance of salami, cream cheese and banana peppers in every single bite!
Mini pizzas are perfect for any party where finger foods are the main attraction. They’re fun, easy, and budget-friendly.
Bruschetta is such a fun party food. It's easy to pick up and eat. This one has really high end ingredients, but since you only use a little, it's a frugal recipe. To make a full tray of these, it's under $10.
These Pretzel Pigs In A Blanket take two of your favorite party foods and combine them into one! Mini sausages and cheddar cheese wrapped in dough and baked to perfection!
These Pepperoni and Cheese Crisps have got to be the easiest Gluten Free and Low Carb / Keto snack of all time! You just need three ingredients and less than five minutes to make them at home, and you can cook them in a skillet, oven, or microwave, whatever you prefer!
Chicken Tikkas... the most classic of Indian appetizers. They're a great addition to you party spread!
Creamy and tangy deviled eggs are party-perfect food and crowd-pleasing appetizer for any budget.
Deliciously flavourful mini baked potatoes stuffed with Primula cheese and a selection of toppings.
These Spicy Chili Empanadas are not only delicious but super easy to make. The perfect way to reuse your chili leftovers. Enjoy as appetizers or entrees
Spinach and Artichoke Bites are a perfect easy appetizer that combines a favorite dip with crescent rolls for a delicious finger food.
Our house always has some unexpected guests or parties to attend so I like to keep items for this Smoked Sausage Recipe in my pantry and freezer where I can whip up a snack at the last minute
This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs recipe is a super easy recipe made with just five ingredients. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or main dish, it will serve a crowd!
Everyone goes NUTS over this easy appetizer. Whole water chestnuts are wrapped in bacon and marinated in a sweet/savory sauce.
Make a ranch party mix with bugles and you will be everyone's favorite! Easy, no bake recipe. Mix and match your favorite snacks!
Honey Roasted Peanuts are so easy to make fresh at home either in the oven or the air fryer. All you need are a few simple ingredients to make roasted peanuts that are the perfect mix of sweet and salty.
Skewered foods are nice, offering a party look and the ability to have food go further, such as having smaller slices of pork tenderloin or chicken marinated and skewered as one option rather than serving full slices, which would be costly.
Smaller servings of food are good to offer more choices, and variety will make the food seem more plentiful and make as much food yourself as possible, rather than purchasing it to save money.
Check out a few of these appetizer ideas that Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan!
Finger Food Ideas on a Budget: Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes
Baked Mini Gluten-Free + Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites (Allergy-Free)
These Baked Mini Gluten-Free + Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites are top 8 allergy-free, super kid-friendly, and act as a great side dish, snack, or even an appetizer recipe for your next gathering!
These Vegan Corn Fritters are packed with flavor and can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish or snack.
Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Copycat Pizza Bagel Bites (Allergy-Free)
Gluten-Free Vegan Copycat Pizza Bagel Bites! A mini, allergy-free, recipe that's perfect for the kids, quick & easy to make, and great as a nostalgic adult appetizer and finger food!
An easy and healthy copycat recipe for your favorite bold-flavored tortilla chip snack! Homemade Vegan Doritos in classic "nacho cheese" flavor that are gluten-free, allergy-free, and baked instead of fried! Addicting, crunchy, and great for parties!
These teriyaki chickpea lettuce wraps are a crowd pleaser but only take a few inexpensive ingredients. You can quickly whip up multiple batches and use any leftovers in meals the next day.
These mushroom nuggets are crispy and addictive. The main ingredient is inexpensive mushrooms coated in a simple breaded shell.
Vegetarian/Vegan Pressure Cooker Carrot Tail Wieners make a beautiful presentation for a Cocktail Party. Meat eaters will enjoy them too!
Vegan caviar is the perfect way to do caviar on a budget! It looks the same and tastes similar and you can still have that fancy presentation for way cheaper!
This festive vegan mushroom crostini recipe is an easy and impressive appetizer perfect for holidays. Crunchy baguette with grilled vegan mozzarella topped with sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms with a hint of balsamic and Dijon mustard will surely be a show stopper.
Surprise your taste buds with these flavorsome Veggie Tortilla Roll ups, quick to prepare, and just melts into your mouth. All the flavor, all the crunch, get them ready in just 10 minutes!
Here's a super-easy, hard-to-stop-munching, budget-friendly party dip you make using cheesy homemade tofu feta. It's a no-cook dip loaded with satisfying ingredients—and since it's naturally gluten-free, everyone can dig in and enjoy!
Marinated mozzarella balls are easy and affordable to make. They are a crowd favorite and you can serve them in a variety of ways
Budget dessert finger foods are also an option!
An easy dessert idea for a party is an ice cream bar. It can include different toppings such as syrups, candies, fruits, and for adults, some liqueurs.
Serve smaller amounts of cheesecake, cookies, etc., to be able to offer more variety. Another option is a fresh fruit salad! They look amazing and offer a simple but refreshing dessert like this Fresh Fruit Platter from Veggie Desserts! (My mouth is watering right now!!)
Enjoy some of these dessert ideas below!
Finger Foods on a Budget: Desserts
List list of Finger Foods on a Budget, Desserts edition is packed with delicious and fun ideas to satisfy anyone's sweet tooth AND your wallet!
These super delicious Butterscotch Confetti Squares have to be one of the easiest to make, delicious, and crowd-pleasing dessert squares out there!
Set out this salty, savory Fakin' Bacon Bark and get ready for a wave of compliments to rush your way! This quick and easy, penny-pinching dairy and gluten-free treat can also serve as a take-home party favor they'll devour or o a welcomed gift idea any time of the year!
These easy, no-bake coconut balls are a family favorite around the holidays.
If you need an easy and delicious dessert for any occasion, this Easy Cake Bites recipe will be your new go-to! They are so delicious and everyone will love them.
Slice and bake, use cookie cutters, or pipe through a star tip to make delicious butter cookies anytime!
No bake cheesecake bites make the perfect easy party desserts and it doesn’t get much better than this easy cheesecake recipe! Made with just five ingredients and topped with your favorite berries, they’re not just fun desserts to make but they taste amazing too!
Brigadeiros are the perfect dessert that can easily fancy up any party! They only require 3 ingredients and are easy and inexpensive to make!
Delicious pumpkin pie pudding can be made with just a box of vanilla pudding, a can of pumpkin, and a few spices! Serve it in small party cups with a dollop of cream on top for a fun party look!
This delicious caramel popcorn is made without corn syrup and baked for maximum crunch and flavor. Its perfect for family movie night or game night and makes mouthwatering edible gifts for Christmas or any other time of year.
These cinnamon sugar pita chips have just four ingredients, are quick and easy to make and are completely moorish. I challenge you to try and stop at just one!
Budget Party Drinks for a Crowd
Serving alcoholic beverages can be a very expensive part of the party. I highly suggest that you ask your guests to bring their own alcohol, but if you really want to provide them yourself, here are some ways to ease the cost:
Instead of serving straight wine, add a carbonated water or beverage and a fresh fruit slice to make a wine spritzer – a lighter drinking option as well as lighter on the budget.
Punch either made with a wine or liquor base – go through websites and find different options and try to find recipes with ingredients already on hand
Have one main drink so those ingredients can be purchased in volume and, therefore, a bit cheaper, and a few alternatives – depending on crowd favorites, vodka is very versatile, with pop, orange juice, cranberry juice, tomato juice, and Clamato juice for mixes.
Don’t buy coolers but make them with a carbonated soda and liquor base, such as vodka and lemonade or a flavored brandy and lemon-lime pop.
Have carbonated and noncarbonated beverages to offer as well as water. Check out this recipe for Healthy Homemade Soda that’s way healthier than store-bought from Dogwoods and Dandelions!
Planning the party as much as possible will make it easier to look for sales, comparison shop, and borrow needed items. Planning the food and drink options will allow time to look for the best prices and different ways to offer variety. These tips should help to plan, make, and serve the party food ideas on a budget.
