For your next large bash, consider party food platter ideas to reduce stress while serving delicious items to your guests.
About Food Platters
When you are hosting a party at your home, why fuss over a sit-down dinner or creating a wide variety of dishes when food platters are a simple and hassle-free option? There are endless possibilities for food platters from ones featuring appetizers to those for the main course. Guests will enjoy helping themselves to their favorites while you will enjoy mingling at your party without the need of slaving away in the kitchen.
Creative Party Food Platter Ideas
Consider the following party food platter ideas for your party menu.
Fruit and Cheese Platter
Fruit and cheese go great with wine. Why not serve a platter of fresh fruit and a variety of cheeses and call it a wine tasting party? Some simple ideas include the following
- Wheel of brie
- Cheddar cubes
- Swiss cubes
- Bunches of grapes
- Strawberries
The thing to keep in mind is to serve a soft cheese, a hard cheese and whatever fruit may be in season. Crackers and cubes of bread are the perfect accompaniment to this type of platter.
Sandwich Platter
A sandwich platter has endless possibilities. Sandwiches can be made on breads such as sourdough, focaccia and even tortillas. Choose fillings such as roasted vegetables, ham, turkey and tuna salad. Offer a variety so that there is something to suit the taste of all your guests. For a tea party or afternoon luncheon, make mini sandwiches with combinations such as cucumbers and cream cheese, chicken salad and tomato and mozzarella. The possibilities are endless. Be creative and come up with your own personal favorites.
Finger Foods Platter
Serving finger foods is convenient for both the host and the guests. Finger foods allow the guests to mingle while they eat. Some simple ideas to serve on your platter include
- Deviled eggs
- Chicken skewers
- Mini quiches
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Spring rolls
- Bruschetta
Antipasto Platters
An antipasto platter can be made as an appetizer option or even as a main meal depending on your choices. The platter should consist of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables and fresh fruit. Offer a variety of items such as:
- Breadsticks, crackers and hearty bread
- Pepperoni and salami
- Mozzarella and parmesan cheeses
- Marinated peppers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and olives
- Cantaloupe, honeydew and berries
Vegetable Platter
Vegetable platters are a must at any gathering. They can be served with a ranch dip or a dill dip and can replace the need for a salad. Choose fresh seasonal vegetables along with classics such as carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower. For a unique twist, offer steamed vegetables as well.
More Ideas
Some other platter ideas include:
- Chocolate dipping platter served with fresh fruit, marshmallows, pretzels, graham crackers and donut holes.
- Seafood platter with shrimp, crab legs, lobster claws, oysters, lemon wedges for garnish and cocktail sauce.
- Salad platter with chicken salad, tuna salad and pasta salad.
- Sushi platter with California rolls, cucumber rolls, spicy rolls and vegetable rolls along with your favorite sashimi selections. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi.
- Mexican platter with chips, salsa, guacamole and mini tacos.
Party Platter Tips
Keep the following simple tips to keep in mind when preparing a party platter:
- Presentation is key. Be sure that you make the food as appealing as possible.
- Use a decorative platter and place dips or sauces in the center.
- If the platter is less than appealing, place the food on a bed of lettuce to hide the platter.
- Use garnishes such as wedges of lemon or lime to accent the food. A sprinkling of fresh herbs such as parsley or basil can complete your presentation as well.
Food platters work great for bashes such as graduation parties, open houses, friendly get-togethers and birthday celebrations.
