finger food
No utensils needed
Finger food is food meant to be eaten with the hands rather than utensils—appetizers, snacks, and small bites served at parties and receptions: The caterer prepared an assortment of finger foods.
The term implies portions small enough to pick up and eat in a bite or two: sliders, bruschetta, spring rolls, cheese cubes on toothpicks.
Thin fried slices
- crackersCrispy flat biscuits
- nutsSeeds in shells
- olivesSmall Mediterranean fruits
- pretzelsTwisted baked snack food
popcorn · cheese cubes · crudités · carrot sticks · celery sticks · grapes · edamame · trail mix
Small hamburgers or adjustable controls
- tacosFilled folded tortillas
- spring rollsWrapped fried appetizers
- samosasStuffed fried pastries
- empanadasStuffed, folded pastries
dumplings · satay · falafel · arancini · mini quiches · pigs in blankets · jalapeño poppers · mozzarella sticks
Bite-sized topped appetizers
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- tapasSpanish appetizer assortment
meze · ceviche · blini · amuse-bouche · prosciutto · caprese · vol-au-vent · deviled eggs
Topped tortilla chips
- meatballsSeasoned ground protein spheres
- pinwheelsSpinning toys on sticks
- cheese platterArranged dairy selection serving
- fruit skewersProduce pieces on sticks
veggie tray · spinach dip · buffalo wings · cocktail sausages · cheese straws · bruschetta · seven-layer dip · Swedish meatballs
Tiny ornate French confections
- macaronsFrench filled meringue cookies
- profiterolesFilled choux pastry bites
- tartletsSmall individual pastry cases
- trufflesExpensive edible fungi
meringues · madeleines · financiers · cake pops · scones · palmiers · ladyfingers · ganache
chips
Thin fried slices
pretzels · popcorn · cheese cubes · crudités · carrot sticks · celery sticks · grapes · edamame · trail mix · pita chips
sliders
Small hamburgers or adjustable controls
- tacosFilled folded tortillas
- spring rollsWrapped fried appetizers
- samosasStuffed fried pastries
empanadas · dumplings · satay · falafel · arancini · mini quiches · pigs in blankets · jalapeño poppers · mozzarella sticks · chicken wings
canapés
Bite-sized topped appetizers
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
tapas · meze · ceviche · blini · amuse-bouche · prosciutto · caprese · vol-au-vent · deviled eggs · stuffed mushrooms
nachos
Topped tortilla chips
- meatballsSeasoned ground protein spheres
- pinwheelsSpinning toys on sticks
- cheese platterArranged dairy selection serving
fruit skewers · veggie tray · spinach dip · buffalo wings · cocktail sausages · cheese straws · bruschetta · seven-layer dip · Swedish meatballs · party mix
petit fours
Tiny ornate French confections
- macaronsFrench filled meringue cookies
- profiterolesFilled choux pastry bites
- tartletsSmall individual pastry cases
truffles · meringues · madeleines · financiers · cake pops · scones · palmiers · ladyfingers · ganache · pralines
- foodmeat, fish, meats, burger, casserole
- snackschips, crackers, cookies, granola bars, chocolate
- appetizersmozzarella sticks, canapes, bruschetta, buffalo wings, nachos
- garden partiesgarden party, lawn chairs, patio furniture, gazebo, gazebos
- grab-and-gohot dog, burrito, taco, sandwich, bagel
- party foodbirthday cake, cake, appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, punch
finger foodsit-down meal
formal dinner · plated dinner · banquet · fine dining · state dinner
finger foodsoup
Cooked liquid dish
stew · noodle soup · risotto · casserole · pasta
food, finger, fingers, fingerprint, fingernail, fingered, fingerprints, fingertips, fingertip