posted byGina Dicksonon June 23, 2021 (last updated May 13, 2022)
Keep your party budget in check with these  61 Cheap Party Finger Food Ideas. There are tons of recipes that are easy to make and sure to be a hit at your next party. These simple and delicious finger food recipes will allow you to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.
Throwing a party, hosting family reunions, holiday gatherings, or a baby shower is always fun, but sometimes it can get expensive to feed a crowd. So for your next party, I have good news.
I have gathered some great, inexpensive party finger food ideas for you to easily make and serve even on a tight budget.
Hospitality Tip: It’s important to keep life’s business in perspective. When it boils down to one purpose in life, it all comes down to relationships. That is why I want to encourage you to focus on gathering with friends with a low-key attitude. I have some quick, no-bake appetizers that you can whip up and enjoy while spending time talking with friends. Make time for the ones we love.
How do you make cheap party food?
With a little planning ahead you can have budget-friendly finger foods ready in no time. The key is to plan ahead and buy when items go on sale.
The best way to make cheap finger food is to gather a list of recipes you enjoy making for parties.
Make a shopping list of all the ingredients in the recipes.
Check the grocery sales page each week. When you see an item on your list go on sale, buy several of the items. Freeze or store them until it is time to host a party. This will help keep your cost low, and you will always be ready for a party.
Keep your list handy, then when friends pop over, all you have to do is pick a recipe and pull all the ingredients out of your pantry or freezer.
Keep on hand last-minute party food ideas
Keep a few of these easy party finger food ideas, budget friendly in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. You will always be ready for a last-minute “lets watch the game” or “relaxing evening with friends” when you keep quick cheap appetizers on hand. No stress, just time with friends!
Puff pastry – Keep in the freezer. Then bake and fill with ice cream and top with fruit.
Tortilla chips – Always keep an extra bag of chips and a jar of salsa on hand. It is a favorite finger food for sure. Try my green tomato salsa for an extra special treat!
Mozzarella cheese sticks – Keep a bag in your fridge. They are a great item to serve kids
Cream cheese – I buy these when they are on sale and keep them in my freezer. Allow thawing overnight in the fridge or use the defrost on your microwave.
Assorted blocks of cheese – These keep for months in your refrigerator and are perfect for quick cheese boards with crackers. Good choices are cheddar cheese, gouda, pepper jack and swiss cheese.
French fries – Chili cheese fries are a sure hit for last-minute parties or watching the big game. Make a batch of my Wendy’s Copy Cat Chili or Best Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili and freeze it in pint-size containers. Defrost and heat the chili, then top baked fries with chili, Cowboy Candy, and cheese. Toast in the oven until cheese is melted, then serve.
Inexpensive serving dishes
There are many inexpensive options for serving party finger food that will make your party look good and feel festive. I have found some creative options that you might like to try.
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Don’t just grab a bag of chips and dip for your next party. Check out these easy-to-make appetizers that won’t bust your budget. They only take a short time to make and your friends will love them.
Easy Sausage Rolls with just 3 ingredients!
Easy Pork Sausage Rolls with just 3 ingredients – Customize these easy sausage rolls easily with your favorite flavor pairings, and they can be frozen too!
These amazing Jalapeno Parmesan Crisps are crispy bites of baked parmesan, provolone cheese, and a jalapeno slice, that make a delicious low carb, Keto snack, or topper for soup.
Homemade chicken taquitos cook up crispy and delicious for a warm snack, finger food for football parties and more! Easy to make ahead to store in the freezer so you can make a few at a time or a whole batch for friends!
Snack mixes and nuts are an easy food idea for parties. These recipes can be made ahead so you can have everything ready before guests arrive.
Kick up your next batch of slow cooker Unique Flavored Chex mix with a combination of spices, that is simple to make. It will be the hit of your next party or a low-key family night. Everyone is going to want this recipe from you.
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cashews
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cashews are a delightful appetizer, snack or gift to give that is quick and easy to make. The best part is these cashew nuts are good for you, gluten-free and vegan.
BBQ Roasted Chickpeas recipe is a simple to make a healthy snack, full of sweet bbq flavor and the best part is they are protein packed, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free!
If you don’t want to heat up your kitchen, try these easy-to-make, no-cook appetizers.
Bring a little Sicily to your table with this delicious Green Marinated Sicilian Olives Recipe. The olives are infused with fresh herbs, garlic, dried oregano, a pinch of chili pepper for heat all smothered in extra virgin olive oil and white vinegar dressing.
Italian Tomato Bruschetta Recipe
Authentic Italian tomato bruschetta recipe, the classic Italian appetizer and the real garlic bread.
Elevate boring sandwiches to an elegant, appetizer ready, beautiful & easy Grilled Crostini Sandwich Bites! Delicious enough for a party, easy enough for an every day lunch!
Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a perfect appetizer for your next party, full of garlic, toasted pecans, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and then topped with a citrus basil dressing. They are easy to make and you can make them ahead then bake just before a party.
Fresh picked asparagus in a creamy filling on top a light crispy puff pastry shell makes this easy Asparagus Tart so beautiful and tasty that your friends will think you worked hours on preparing it. It’s a perfect quick appetizer or side dish for your spring luncheons or dinners.
Easy Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe: Crockpot
Make these Easy Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe using your crockpot.  These wings have a mouthwatering blend of peppery heat and are coated in a delicious sticky hot honey sauce drizzled over them just before serving. The best part is they are not fried, so these Chinese wings have a healthier twist with less fat and calories
This air fryer lemon pepper wings recipe is the best recipe for getting incredibly flavorful, super crispy wings. This easy recipe is made with a dry rub to make insanely crispy wings in 20 minutes.
Little Smokies Crescent Rolls – Mini Pigs in a Blanket!
Little Smokies Crescent Rolls aka Mini Pigs in a Blanket are easy to make party appetizer. Little Smokies Pigs in a Blanket are great on Football Sundays!
This recipe is a healthy copycat version of the classic Lipton Onion Soup Dip Recipe without all the preservatives in the box mix. It takes less than 5 minutes to make this rich and creamy dip using everyday pantry staples and fresh sour cream.
Roasted Red Pepper Spread is a delightfully sweet, Mediterranean flavored roasted red pepper and tomato spread that can be used as a dip for naan bread, a sauce for pizza and pasta, or a sandwich spread.
An easy dip bursting with olive flavor. This olive dip is the perfect combination of creamy and salty. Great olive appetizer for a party, holiday or potluck.
The best Pimento Cheese Crackers recipe is easy to make with only 4 simple ingredients. These homemade crackers are perfect to serve as an appetizer or enjoy as a savory snack.
Perfectly crispy restaurant-style Tortilla Chips made with only 3 ingredients. Plus all my tips on how to make the best and tastiest homemade tortilla chips.
A great inexpensive option that can be made before your guest arrives is cold finger foods.
Mini Taco Salad Cups –
Mini Taco Salad Cups are great easy appetizers for parties or Big Game Day event. Two bite tortilla cups are layered with meat, cheese, lettuce, lime crema.
Warm, small bites such as meatballs are a good, hearty finger food that your party guests will enjoy. Make these and keep them in your freezer. Then, with minimal effort, you will have hearty finger food to serve guests.
Meatballs are easy make-ahead party food, so browse through these 60 delicious and easy meatball appetizer recipes for your next party. You are sure to find the perfect meatball recipe that your guest will love them so much they will want your recipe!
3 Ingredient Sauce Ideas For Easy Crockpot Meatballs
When you need an easy appetizer, all you have to do is grab some frozen meatballs and pick your sauce combination. The best part is it will take you less than 5 minutes to prep these saucy meatballs.
Saucy Crockpot Meatballs With Grape Jelly And Chili Sauce
Crock Pot meatballs with grape jelly and chili sauce are the easiest appetizer recipe I know. Beyond easy to make and cooked in the slowcooker, these cocktail meatballs are tender, juicy, and full of flavor – and you barely have to lift a finger.
This Cheesy Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs recipe is a delightful twist on the classic dish. These flavorful meatballs combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings, all nestled in a rich marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family meal or when entertaining guests. These classic parm meatballs are sure to become a family favorite.
Saucy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe; Easy Slow Cooker
These sweet and sour meatballs are a mouth-watering combination of tender meatballs, juicy pineapple chunks, and colorful bell peppers, all simmered in a delicious blend of sweet BBQ and teriyaki sauce. Preparing them is a breeze; it only requires 10 minutes of prep time, and your slow cooker takes care of the rest. You can serve these delicious Hawaiian meatballs as a main dish over rice or as a simple appetizer at your next party.
This easy BBQ meatballs recipe guarantees juicy, tender hand-rolled meatballs covered in a homemade smokey barbeque sauce and then simmered in a slow cooker. Perfect for easy entertaining or an easy home-cooked weeknight dinner.
Buffalo Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are the perfect quick snack or appetizer that you can make ahead and freeze in large batches. Then when you need a quick party snack just place them in your air fryer and bake. Sauce them up mild, medium, or extra hot.
When it’s football season and you are looking for fall finger foods and dips you will want to pin this list. These crowd-pleaser snacks are perfect for watching the game.
These game-day party food bar ideas are a fun and easy way to feed a crowd while watching your favorite team play. Get tips for decorating, setting up a foobar, and recipe ideas for the next big game day.
Unique Cheap Appetizers
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
This Pepperoni Pizza Dip is cheesy, creamy, and bursting with all the pizza flavors! It’s an easy appetizer loved by all! #saltandbaker
These Cheesy Apple Bites are the easiest appetizer to to make.They’re made with the most delicious Autumn Glory Apples with cinnamon & caramel flavor tones.
Instant Pot boiled peanuts in the shell are a southern snack served traditionally in a brown paper bag that has a salty and sometimes spicy delicious flavor.
Pasta Frittata Muffins – What to do with Leftover Pasta
These Pasta Frittata Muffins are fun for breakfast, snacks or appetizers. While this simple on the go breakfast recipe uses fresh angel hair it is also a great way to use up leftover pasta. Pasta Frittata
Mac and Cheese Balls make a tasty side dish, appetizer or finger food! All the great taste of macaroni cheese, but in crispy bites. You’ll love this recipe.
Hummus is a cheap easy appetizer that you can make ahead before guests arrive. Your guest will love dipping inexpensive veggie sticks, crackers, and bread in a variety of hummus recipes.
Cauliflower Hummus
Cauliflower Hummus has a creamy nutty flavor, with hints of roasted garlic, cumin, and sesame. It is a nutritious snack that is paleo, keto, and vegan.
