But have you ever thought about appetizers for kids? Unless you’re hosting a black-tie event, it’s safe to assume there will be a few little ones running around. So, why not go the extra mile and make something you know they’ll love? Plus, these fantastic, kid-friendly appetizers will probably be just as popular with the adults! After all, who doesn’t love mac and cheese and pizza rolls?
1. Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites
Mac and cheese isn’t just kid-approved dinner; it’s a super nostalgic meal I think we all crave on a weekly basis. Unlike tomato sauce, which can be acidic and overpowering, mac and cheese is wonderfully creamy and mild in flavor. When you make it in a muffin pan, the outer edges will turn golden and crispy, giving it an amazing texture and added taste. Better still, you can so easily dress these up for the grown-ups if need be. How about topping them with pulled pork?
2. Baked Potato Chips
If you’ve ever been to a party with kids, you know that they tend to all converge around the potato chips and pretzels. You probably also know that most parents don’t want their kids eating deep-fried snacks all night. Instead, these potato chips are baked. They’re still lovely and crunchy, but they’re so much healthier. Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or try out these popcorn seasonings for something extra special.
3. Individual Taco Dip Cups
Have you ever watched a kid with a paper plate balanced precariously on their lap as they happily munch on snacks? It can be super stressful waiting for it to topple over. That’s why these taco dip cups are so genius! The dip is contained and more or less spill-free. Plus, you won’t have to worry about sticky fingers double-dipping in the bowl.
4. 5 Fruit Bug Snacks
It’s hard to overstate how adorable these are, and any parent will tell you that kids are drawn to cute, colorful foods. Though these are all made out of fruit, I’ll bet they’ll fly off the plate as the kids run around with their flying ladybugs and caterpillars. I can’t lie, though: these will take some time to make. Not only do you need to trim the fruit, but you also need to pipe melted chocolate. But it’s so worth it in the end!
5. Quick and Easy Nachos
So long as you keep the spices mild, I’ll bet any kid will thank you for handing them a plateful of these delicious nachos. To ensure your nachos stay crisp, try baking the chips before building your platter. Also, only make your nacho plate up just before serving, so nothing has time to seep into the chips. Since we’re talking about appetizers for kids, I’d recommend keeping things simple here. Put on plenty of cheese, but go easy on everything else. In fact, it might be best to keep half of the plate free of the meat and salsa. That way, even the pickier eaters can enjoy some.
6. Game Day Veggie Dip Cups
Though these are full of crunchy veggies, I’m sure even the smallest kids will ask you for more. Of course, there’s nothing a little ranch dressing can’t fix, right? Again, these are such a cute way to serve the kids and prevent spills. Baby carrots and peppers are your best bet here in terms of color and crunch, but I also like to include some pretzel rods, too.
7. Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
When you hit the drive-through, do your kids go for a burger meal, or are they more into the nuggets? If the answer is the burger meal, then these little burger meatballs are perfect for your next party. Don’t worry; it’s not just cheese wrapped in ground beef. Instead, you’ll mix ground beef with eggs, flour, milk, bacon bits, and crushed fried onions. Still, there is cheese in the middle, so be sure the kids are careful when they bite into these.
8. Crunchy Taco Cups
These taco cups are like self-contained nachos. You’ll get the same great crunch and fabulous flavor, but they’re individually portioned and perfect for little hands. The best part is, the whole thing bakes as one. So, line the muffin tray with wonton wrappers and then fill it up with beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese. Again, I would stay away from spices if you’re feeding youngsters. Regular tomatoes will do the trick.
9. Mini Pancakes or Silver Dollars
It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. Most kids will light up at the sight of these silver dollar pancakes. They’re light, sweet, and perfect for dipping. If you have an electric griddle, you can make a massive batch of these in a matter of minutes, as they only need about 45 seconds per side. It’ll be even easier if you have a squeezy bottle or pancake batter dispenser. I like to serve these with all kinds of fun toppings, like whipped cream, salted caramel, and hot fudge sauce!
10. Toffee Brickle Dip
While the adults hover around the spinach and artichoke dip, you won’t be able to keep the munchkins away from this sinfully creamy and sweet toffee brickle dip. Start with room-temperature cream cheese so that it will blend nicely into the other ingredients. Then, beat in brown and white sugar with vanilla until smooth. Finish by folding in toffee baking bits and serving with apple slices, pretzels, and graham crackers.
11. Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
Puppy chow is a mixture of Chex cereal, chocolate and/or peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Of course, there are also usually some other fun ingredients in the mix, such as M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces. This recipe is actually a mix of both chocolate and peanut butter, so it’s rich, creamy, and wonderfully nutty, too. The most you’ll have to do for this recipe is melt the chocolate and peanut butter. I like to do it separately, then pour them into the same bowl without stirring. Then, as you mix in the cereal, you’ll have some more chocolatey pieces and others that are nuttier.
12. Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Have you ever made pizza rolls in the oven only to have them come out soggy and split? Yeah, me too. You can’t deny how popular these little pizza bites are, and serving them as a kid-friendly appetizer is a great idea. But if you want them to be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, you’ll need an air fryer. The convection heat and oil-free frying method are the best for something like this. You can even make them straight from frozen.
13. Pigs in a Blanket (with Cheese!)
In the UK, pigs in a blanket are cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon. Needless to say, they’re super delicious. But I really enjoy this version with the crescent rolls coating. It’s buttery and light and extra satisfying with the cheese inside. When cutting the hot dogs, be careful not to go all the way through and feel free to use a different kind of cheese. Or, if you want these to be even more irresistible, try wrapping little smokies in crescent rolls for the best of both worlds.
14. Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups
These pinwheel-style snacks are always a hit when I have people over. I love that they’re colorful and that the filling isn’t overpowered by thick bread. The base is a blend of cream cheese and sour cream, which must be at room temperature if you want them nice and smooth. The flavor comes from the taco seasoning and sauce. But again, go for something mild if these are for kids. Leftover rotisserie chicken is perfect for these, as is simple cheddar cheese. Although I did make some with Gouda, and that smokey taste was to die for.
15. 20 Minute Mini-Grilled Cheese Appetizers
How cute are these mini-grilled cheese appetizers? The kids will flip over these, so be sure you have enough! I really enjoy the crunch of French bread, but I know that some kids don’t like how scratchy it can be on the roof of their mouths. To combat that, I think these would be great with a loaf of brioche. It’s rich and slightly sweet, and it won’t go quite as hard when toasted.
16. Oven-Baked Potato Wedges
We all know that French fries are one of the most kid-approved appetizers out there. They’re salty, crisp, and impossible refuse. But they’re also coated in oil and deep-fried, making them less than ideal if you want to offer something even close to healthy. That’s where these baked wedges come in. They’re super fluffy and have a nice crunchy on the edges, but they’re only tossed in a tablespoon of oil before they go in the oven.
17. Cheesy Pita Crisps
Kids like chips and dips as much as we do. Unfortunately, they don’t always know when to say “enough.” So, to keep them from overdoing it, serve up these cheesy pita chips with a selection of veggie dips. The pita chips are crunchy around the edges but have a pizza-like finish which I know everyone will enjoy. Add to that the garlic and onion powder, mozzarella, and Parmesan, and they’ll think they’re eating a slice of something from the pizza parlor. Click on a star to rate it!
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