Appetizers are widely considered the best part of a great meal. Their job, first and foremost, is to be delicious. Appetizers are little bites to savor in anticipation of an upcoming feast. They should be easy to eat, with or without utensils. The toothpick has become a universal instrument used to spear passed appetizers as well as apps sitting on the counter during a gathering.
The term “toothpick” is used lightly since skewers (fancy or not) or even pretzel sticks do double duty as an edible version of the tool. If it’s a festive occasion, decked-out, frilly and flag-topped picks are also very popular.
Related: 80 Appetizer Recipes That Will Be the Stars of Your Fall Get-Togethers
What Food Can You Put on a Toothpick?
- Meatballs or cheeseballs
- Antipasto
- Olives
- Seared tuna bites
- Mini sandwiches
- Roll-ups
- Meat and cheese
- Bacon-wrapped pineapple, dates or meat
Related: 3-Ingredient Appetizers Everyone Will Be Talking About the Day After Your Party
Best Toothpick Appetizer Recipes
In all cases, toothpicks make bite-sized foods easier to grab and consume, with very little effort or mess. That’s probably why they remain so popular. Here are 35 of the best appetizers on toothpicks (or any other types of sticks) you can serve at your next dinner party (or Game Day party!)so your guests can help themselves and you can enjoy the party too!
Related: 31 Easy Appetizers That Will Rock Your Holiday Party
BLT Skewers
Mark Boughton Photography
These bite-sized BLT skewers (OK, they’re really just toothpicks) are absolutely delicious when served as a snack or as a fun appetizer. Plus, meat lovers will applaud the meatballs, which are the perfect complement to the yummy bacon and French onion dip.
Get the recipe: BLT Skewers
Related: 35 Best Cherry Tomato Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Mark Boughton Photography
These apps come together in no time. Serve them with a toothpick to avoid messy hands.
Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Mini Ravioli Skewers
Parade
Use frozen or refrigerated ravioli for this Italian-inspired snack.
Get the recipe: Mini Ravioli Skewers
Cashew-Crusted Salmon Skewers
Ben Fink
Salmon, nuts and seeds are a home-run flavor combo in these.
Get the recipe: Cashew-Crusted Salmon Skewers
Pizza on a Stick
Mark Boughton Photography
Pizza is always a great party food, but not the best for walking around. This recipe changes all that.
Get the recipe: Pizza on a Stick
Sausage Tater Tot Skewers
Johnsonville
You can use sausage strips or bacon for this fun, kid-approved skewer recipe.
Get the recipe: Sausage Tater Tot Skewers
Itty Bitty BLTs
Parade
Everyone loves a great BLT, and now they are party-size.
Get the recipe: Itty Bitty BLTs
Cheeseball Bites
Lisa Waddle
The choices and variations of these are endless with different nuts, herbs and dried fruit.
Get the recipe: Cheeseball Bites
Pita Tree Appetizers
Mark Boughton Photography
No cooking is required for these quick apps.
Get the recipe: Pita Tree Appetizers
Smoked Sausage Appetizers
Delicious Made Easy
This football season, enjoy an easy appetizer at home! With a plate of these Smoked Sausage Appetizers, you’ll be spending less time cooking and more time cheering on your favorite team.
Get the recipe: Smoked Sausage Appetizers
Related: 23 Savory Sausage Skillet Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
Home Cooking Memories
Love buffalo wings? If you do, you’ll love these! This Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels recipe makes a delicious party food with all the flavors of buffalo wings + blue cheese, but without the mess.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
Wasabi Glazed-Seared Ahi Tuna
Cooking on the Weekends
The tuna is slightly warm and peppery on the outside and refreshing and cool on the inside, while the glaze is spicy, sweet, rich and perfectly smooth, from Cooking on the Weekends.
Get the recipe: Wasabi Glazed-Seared Ahi Tuna
Turkey Pesto Appetizer Bites
Glorious Treats
Puff pastry makes the perfect base for these quick and easy hands friendly sliders.
Get the recipe: Turkey Pesto Appetizer Bites
Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Reluctant Entertainer
These perfect, pepper bites are filled with tuna, greek yogurt and seasonings.
Get the recipe: Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Sweet ‘n Sour Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Food Faith Fitness
Bacon-wrapped pineapple chunks are coated in a sticky sauce for a sweet and smokey flavor combo.
Get the recipe: Sweet ‘n Sour Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Bacon Chicken Bites
The Gunny Sack
Little bites of chicken, bacon and spicy sriracha hit all the right taste buds at the same time.
Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Bacon Chicken Bites
Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce
Cupcakes and Kale Chips
A skewer of perfectly seasoned beef to drown in a puddle of oozy red deliciousness.
Get the recipe: Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
Baker By Nature
Livened up with a zingy horseradish and dill cream cheese, these simple yet fancy bites are crunchy, creamy finger food perfection.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Sage
Noble Pig
Dried apricots wrapped in juicy bacon and a sage leaf to complement.
Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Apricots with Sage
Greek Salad Skewers
Miss in the Kitchen
A tasty Greek salad, no fork required.
Get the recipe: Greek Salad Skewers
Related: 30 Best Greek Yogurt Dips
Kicked-Up Classic Cocktail Meatballs
Noble Pig
A classic version of favorite cocktail-time meatballs, but taken up a notch.
Get the recipe: Kicked-Up Classic Cocktail Meatballs
Macedonian Style Grape Caprese Salad
Diethood
This light, fresh appetizer-salad is made with red grapes, feta and spinach, set atop slices of garlic toast.
Get the recipe: Macedonian Style Grape Caprese Salad
Maple-Glazed Apple-Chicken Sausage Bites
Noble Pig
Sausage bites with a maple-mustard glaze and an edible toothpick.
Get the recipe: Maple-Glazed Apple-Chicken Sausage Bites
Olive Penguins
The View From Great Island
Little penguins made with two sizes of black olives, cream cheese and a carrot.
Get the recipe: Olive Penguins
Caprese Skewers
The Heritage Cook
Each skewer has two cherry tomatoes and two bocconcini, separated by fresh basil leaves… it’s the perfect party bite.
Get the recipe: Caprese Skewers
Port Glazed Manchego Figs and Prosciutto
Cooking on the Weekends
The perfect sweet, salty and savory bites.
Get the recipe: Port Glazed Manchego Figs and Prosciutto
Prosciutto-Wrapped Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil Bites
Karen's Kitchen Stories
The perfect, portable appetizer to bring to a party—packed with flavor and easy to put together.
Get the recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil Bites
Buffalo Falafel Balls
Noble Pig
Not buffalo as in the meat… but buffalo sauce for those who like a little kick.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Falafel Balls
Blackberry Brie Bites
Inside Bru Crew Life
Melted Brie cheese with blackberry jelly and fresh blackberries.
Get the recipe: Blackberry Brie Bites
Barbecue Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
Miss In The Kitchen
Sweet barbecued bacon wrapped around a crunchy tater tot, so simple and irresistible.
Get the recipe: Barbecue Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
Related: 30 Best Tater Tot Recipes
Almond Crusted Chicken Bites with Honey Mustard Dip
Food Faith Fitness
They take only 20 minutes to make and six ingredients. Plus, they are baked not fried, for fewer calories.
Get the recipe: Almond Crusted Chicken Bites with Honey Mustard Dip
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Well Plated
If you think you don’t like Brussels Sprouts, think again!
Get the recipe: Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Chicken Satay
Well Plated
Chicken marinated in Asian flavors, cooked and then dipped in an addicting peanut sauce.
Get the recipe: Chicken Satay
Cheese Stuffed Apple Chicken Meatballs
Well Plated
Anything stuffed with cheese will be a huge hit at your party.
Get the recipe: Cheese Stuffed Apple Chicken Meatballs
Antipasto Cheddar Pickle Skewers
Noble Pig
All the favorites from a big grazing board, but in one tasty bite.
Get the recipe: Antipasto Cheddar Pickle Skewers
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