For homemade yummy bites without the fuss or expense of catering, simplicity and variety is key—and these recipes check both those boxes.
Try these quick eats that everyone will love, so that you can actually enjoy the party.
1. Crescent Roll Pizza Bites
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These are a party favorite among kids and adults alike—and super easy on the host. Save money and time with only four ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
6 oz. pepperonis
4 sticks string cheese, halved
1 cup marinara
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and cut dough into triangles. Place three pepperoni slices on each triangle with one halved string cheese slice. Roll up until all triangles are finished. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until golden brown. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
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Kids Activities2. Cookie Cutter PB&J Snacks
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This bite-size snack is especially awesome for the toddlers. Better yet? They're beautiful to display, and anyone can make them (even your toddler).
Ingredients:
White or wheat sliced bread
Creamy peanut butter (or almond butter for those with peanut allergies)
Jelly or jam
Small cookie cutters
Directions:
Create a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with peanut butter spread on both sides. For jelly, switch it up with different flavors for more variety. Then, start cutting out pieces of the sandwich with small cookie cutters (about 1-inch), without including the crust.
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Kids Activities3. Mac & Cheese Bites
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This has childhood favorite written all over it! Think fried mac and cheese meets the real stuff, with a Ritz cracker twist.
Ingredients:
12 oz. elbow macaroni
5 oz. garlic and herb cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. cold butter
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
For the crust:
2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
6 tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Begin with the crust by taking the melted butter and mixing with crushed crackers and the cheddar. Press about one tablespoon into each muffin tin. Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions. When done, place into a large bowl and add herbed cheese, cheddar, sour cream, milk, eggs, cold butter and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix together until cheese melts and mixture is smooth. Add into cups. Bake for about 15 minutes. Don't remove cups until fully cooled.
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Kids Activities4. Taco Bites
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These no-mess taco bites are super fun to make and a nice, salty snack for your guests. Everyone will love them, and they're bite-size, just like your little one.
Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef, cooked and drained
3 tbsp. taco seasoning
10 oz. diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
24 wonton wrappers
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and coat a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Combine cooked beef, taco seasoning and tomatoes in a bowl and stir to combine. Line each cup of the muffin tin with a wonton wrapper. Add about a tablespoon of taco mixture to each cup and top with one tablespoon of cheese. Press down and add another layer of wonton wrapper, taco mixture and a final layer of cheese. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until heated through with golden edges. Garnish with sour cream and salsa.
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Kids Activities5. Rainbow Kabobs
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Don't just buy a fruit tray—mix it up with these yummy skewers. Kids and parents alike will love the healthy option and they look great on the table.
Ingredients:
Raspberries
Orange pieces
Pineapple
Green grapes
Purple grapes
Blueberries
Directions:
Place fruit on skewers from lightest color to darkest color.
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Kids Activities6. Garlic Bread Pull-Apart Rolls
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Who doesn't love yummy garlic bread? This moist, pull-apart bread is perfect for parties, and it's a fun presentation for the little ones.
Ingredients:
12 oz. can refrigerated biscuits
4 tbsp. butter, melted
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray or butter. Cut each biscuit into four pieces and place in mixing bowl. Add melted butter, Parmesan and garlic and toss with biscuit pieces. Place three biscuit pieces in each muffin cup. Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Bake for 11 to 14 minutes until golden brown. Serve with parsley for garnish.
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Kids Activities7. Mini Pancake Bites
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Whether it's a brunch party or breakfast for dinner, these are absolutely perfect for all ages. Don't forget the syrup!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp. white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
4 tbsp. butter, melted
Directions:
Whisk together dry ingredients, then mix in all wet ingredients. Heat a pan on medium-low and add butter. Measure out small 1-inch round pancakes and cook both sides until lightly browned. Add strawberries and powdered sugar for garnish.
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Kids Activities8. Mud Pudding Cups With Gummies
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Cap off the party with a sweet treat, minus the expensive cake. The kids will love these, even if they only eat the gummy worms!
Ingredients:
1 15 oz. package Oreos
1 4 oz. package chocolate instant pudding
2 cups cold milk
8 oz. whipped topping
Gummy worms
Directions:
Place sandwich cookies in a large zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin, until all are fine crumbs. Make the pudding according to the package with cold milk. Once pudding is made, add in about half the cookie crumbs and the whipped topping. Place in cups and put gummy worms in each cup; press into pudding. Add remainder of crushed cookies for the "dirt."
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Kids Activities9. Chocolate Fruit Dip
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As an alternative to time-consuming chocolate-covered strawberries, make it a dip! Kids love dips, especially toddlers.
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, and then add in 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and whip until the peaks are stiff. In a separate mixing bowl, whip together cream cheese, the remaining powdered sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract until smooth. Add in whipped cream mixture and remaining powdered sugar. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with your favorite fruits, such as strawberries and bananas.
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Kids Activities10. Pretzel Wands
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These are a party favorite that's perfect for goodie bags and can be customized to the occasion with sprinkles!
Ingredients:
16 oz. white candy coating
12 oz. pretzel rods
Assorted sprinkles
Directions:
Line up several baking sheets with wax paper. Melt candy coating according to package and pour into a pint glass. Place each pretzel rod into coating, leaving enough room at the end so that the rod can be held while eating. Shaking off excess. Holding each pretzel above the wax paper, coat with sprinkles, turning the rod. Let set on cookie sheets and then store in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days.
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