"Heavy" Appetizers and Snacks for a Kids Party

Meatballs are little smokies are always good. Cheese and crackers are easy and filling. Fruit is always fine. Maybe even some egg rolls or taquitos or something too.

I like to fill up those little mini phyllo cups with random stuff. You could do chicken salad, fruit, pudding, anything really. They look homemade but are fast and easy.

I also like dips. Costco has good dips that come in large quantities and are reasonably priced.

Sweet & sour meatballs - easy to do in crockpot or oven-baked casserole: 2 bags turkey or beef meatballs (about 48 total). Make sure they are not Swedish or Italian. Add 1 large bottle of chili sauce and 2 small jars of currant jelly (I mix them over a saucepan or in the microwave first and stir to blend), then dump over the meatballs. Heat until meatballs are hot - probably 6 hours in crockpot, 40 minutes in oven, stirring once.

Artichoke cheese dip - 1 can artichokes (not marinated), thoroughly drained and liquid squeezed out, 1 cup good mayonnaise, 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (use the bagged stuff from the refrigerator section). For a big crowd, double these quantities. Throw it all in the food processor if you have one, otherwise chop the artichokes and mix in the rest. Add pepper or seasoned pepper to taste, put the whole thing in a baking dish or crock. Sprinkle a little extra pepper on the top. Bake 350 about 30-35 minutes until the top starts to brown and bubble. Serve with party pumpernickel, party rye, or any substantial cracker. Put a couple of appetizers knives or a couple of spoons in there for spreading. You can make this ahead except for the baking party.

Cheese puffs - easy, make-ahead recipe. Take one package of good English muffins, halve them, and toast lightly. You'll have 12 halves. Make a mix of cheddar or Mexican-type cheese (about 1 or 1.25 cups), about 1/2 cup of good mayo, and mix into a paste. Quantities don't 't matter that much so just wing it. If desired, mix in a can of crabmeat. Spread the cheese mixture onto the muffin halves, then take a sharp knife and cut the circles into 4 quarters (like cutting a pizza). You'll have 48 little wedges. Put them on a baking sheet - you can refrigerate or freeze at this point. I cover with foil or plastic and stick a few toothpicks into the muffins to hold the wrap off the cheese. At serving time, put in a 350 degree oven or even under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and browning. (15 minutes or so in a regular oven if you are cooking other things, less time if alone and under the broiler. These are best if passed to guests but you can keep them not on a heating tray. People will think you fussed.

Is this for an adult party or a kids party? It makes a difference.

What's the venue or theme? Casual or dressy?

I do salad on a stick that's a lovely presentation and tasty, caprese salad, anti pasta platter with assorted meats, cheeses, olives, roasted veggies, breads and oils, and beef tenderloin skewers

If I do something way more casual .., maybe pulled pork, meatballs, cheese/meat tray

Large green salad, pasta salad, etc

Hope you find what works best for your event!!

I re-read your post. My options aren't cheap but they are good quality and filling.

People RAVE about and LOVE my meatballs that I 'make' for our parties. I will tell you the secret recipe lol: 6# frozen meatballs (doesn't matter which ones) and 2 bottles of Bulls Eye original BBQ sauce. Put all in a crock pot and cook on low 4-6 hours.

Walmart has those big boxes of taquitoes, chicken or beef. I have put those in a crock also after baking in the oven with a side of sour cream mixed with some salsa for dipping.

I don't know how 'impressive' these are but everyone, including kids, loves them and there is NEVER any left, even with our smaller parties. Good luck.

So are you seeking ideas for the adults, or food that the kids will enjoy, or food that will satisfy both? Is this a nice event (after a confirmation or baptism) or an outdoorsy casual party? A few more details will help.

We will often serve white pizza cut in appetizer size pieces. We also will order ham and cheese Stromboli and cut that into appetizer size pieces. It is a little pricey but we also order a large tray of chick-FIL-a nuggets. They go really fast.

Stuffed mushrooms. Get mushrooms with large caps. De-stem the mushrooms. scrape out the gills. pulse the stems in the food processor together with hard cheese of your choice (asiago, parmesan, cheddar, etc), some soft bland cheese, onion if you like, parsely if you like, and breadcrumbs. (you can add sausage if your crowd likes that sort of thing). stuff mushrooms, bake until mushrooms are cooked and tops are bubbly. serve warm.

bite sized quiche-
grease a mini muffin tray. put some cubed ham, roasted tomato, broccoli, swiss, egg and bisquick in each. bake until the egg is set.

cantelope spears wrapped with prosciutto.

dates stuffed with ricotta, wrapped in bacon and crisped up.

fruit skewer sticks

Best,
F. B.

Here is what we go-to for appetizers for football or just appetizer night:

Veggies/Dip
Chips/Dip/Salsa
Pigs in a Blanket
Pizza Rolls
Bagel Bites
Lumpia
Mexican Dip
Meatballs (sweet and sour or BBQ)
Lil Smokies (sweet and sour or BBQ)
Spinach DIp
Cheese and Crakers
Sausage dip (basically cream cheese, sausage, and rotel)
Fruit Tray
Mini Quiche
Taquitos
Chicken Wings
Chicken Tenders
Potato Skins
etc....

Hors d'Oeuvres are served and are not a part of a meal and appetizers are usually things served at the beginning of the meal, small tidbits or savory drinks designed to get your hunger going.

You might try googling Hors d'oeuvres instead of appetizers and you'll get more full bodied foods and more like things you serve that are not part of a meal.

I prefer a fruit tray with maybe cheese cubes and a veggie tray with a dip served with a big bowl of punch. You could also do a fruit pizza and mini muffins.
If I go to a party and there are a lot of heavy appetizers, I don't like it. I don't want a bunch of heavy food before a meal. I do not want feel obligated to eat a lot and go home bloated and over fed.
I understand it's my choice to eat the appetizers but if the hostess has gone to the trouble to make them I feel obligated to eat part of it.