Trying to feed a party crowd for cheap? Below is my personal list of 20 easy snacks and apps I’ve served on my party food table at all my large crowd events and get-togethers. From quick and easy appetizer bites to affordable finger foods and dips, there are a TON of party food recipes I’ve made on this page.
Whether it’s card night with friends or a Christmas party with family and neighbors, these cheap, easy shareable snacks and party finger foods will impress your guests AND be easy on your budget.
With everything SO expensive these days, it’s tough to find affordable snacks and foods to prepare and serve a big group. It’s become my MISSION to keep an ongoing list of cheap appetizers and dip recipes I can make easily, quickly, and CHEAPLY.
Simple and Delicious Snack Ideas for Crowd
Like these simple little meat, cheese, and pickle bites (called Cuban Sandwich Skewers)—so simple, right? Here’s the thing: just because it looks almost TOO easy to make does NOT mean they’re not delicious!
Here’s a preview of all the recipes I’ve found that are on this page below: Yep, I’ve been a busy little hostess collecting TONS of easy and affordable recipes for ALL my special events… and casual gatherings, too.
If you’re hosting a large group with lots of people, food can get expensive and very time-consuming. Keep scrolling for MY favorite quick and easy large batch party appetizers on a budget for any size crowd to snack on.
These are all quick and CHEAP party foods to make (or buy) and considered the BEST budget-friendly party food and grab-and-go snacks in my circle of friends and family.
Cheap Snacks for Large Groups
Need easy snacks or cheap finger food ideas to serve? Sure, you COULD just put out the cheapest snack foods like some microwave Chex Mix, popcorn, or hummus dip like everyone else does (yawn!). OR, you could try these UNIQUE and inexpensive snack ideas below and knock it out of the park while still staying well within your food budget.
Quick, Affordable Party Appetizers For Large Group
- Cuban Sandwich Skewers – Stack ham, Swiss cheese, and a pickle slice on a toothpick for these crowd-pleasing bites.
- Lemony Lemon Bars – Sweet and tangy, these classic bars are always a hit. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make in big batches.
- Spicy Party Crackers – Just four ingredients: Ritz crackers, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. These have a kick but are absolutely addictive.
- Cheesy Taco Sliders – Mini tacos filled with seasoned beef and cheese. Just assemble, bake, and serve!
- Chopped Italian Hoagie Sliders – Grab some mini rolls and layer with Italian meats, cheese, and chopped veggies. Ideal for large gatherings!
Crowd-Pleasing Dips
- Skinny 7-Layer Taco Dip – Lighter on the calories, but still packed with flavor. Serve with tortilla chips for an irresistible bite.
- Copycat Applebee’s Spinach Dip – Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with spinach—always a favorite at parties.
- Cowboy Corn Caviar – A simple cold dip with corn, bell peppers, black beans, and a zesty lime dressing.
- Classic Ranch Party Dip – Combine cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar, and bacon bits. Double the recipe if feeding a crowd!
Sweet Treats for a Crowd
- 3-Ingredient Fudge – Whip up a quick microwave fudge with just chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
- Dump Cakes – Layer canned fruit, cake mix, and butter in a baking dish. Pop it in the oven, and you’ve got an effortless dessert.
- Microwave Mug Brownies – Perfect for quick individual servings and sweet cravings that strike suddenly.
- 5-Minute Peanut Butter Bars – A no-bake treat using peanut butter, graham crackers, powdered sugar, and melted chocolate.
No-Cook Snack Ideas
- Pinwheel Roll-Ups – Deli ham or rotisserie chicken with cream cheese and pickles wrapped in tortillas. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Fruit and Cheese Platter – Arrange assorted fruits and cubes of cheese on a tray. Great for filling up guests without breaking the bank.
- Pretzel Bites and Dip – Serve a variety of dips like mustard, cheese, and chocolate with a big bowl of pretzel bites.
- Cold Veggie Platter – Simple yet effective! Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers with a ranch or hummus dip.
Make Ahead Party Food Platters For A Crowd
- Snack Boards – Arrange crackers, cheese, veggies, and dips on a board. Even with budget-friendly items, a well-arranged board impresses guests.
- Theme Platter (like “Yellow Party”) – Center the platter around a color theme with yellow foods (pineapple, cheese, corn chips) for a visually appealing table.
- Holiday-Themed Platters – Get festive by using food colors, such as green and red for Christmas or pastels for Easter, to make your platters fit the season.
- Fillable Number Trays – Use numbered trays filled with snacks to celebrate specific milestones, like an anniversary or birthday.
Cheap Store-Bought Options
- Popcorn – Make it fancy with a variety of seasonings like cheese, caramel, or kettle corn.
- Chips and Dip – Grab different types of chips (potato, pita, tortilla) and a selection of dips like guacamole, salsa, or ranch.
- Pizza Rolls – These mini pizza bites are always popular, and you can heat up a big batch quickly.
- Veggie and Fruit Trays – Buy pre-made veggie trays to save prep time, or customize one with your own favorite produce.
Dishes to Impress Your Guests
- Potato Skins – Bake potatoes, scoop out the insides, and fill them with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Bake again for a deliciously crispy treat!
- Sweet and Spicy Nuts – Mix up a batch of sweet and spicy roasted nuts for a crunchy snack. They’re perfect for nibbling and can be made ahead of time.
- Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks – Use store-bought pizza dough to create quick and easy garlic breadsticks. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
4 Affordable Snack Ideas for Large Crowd
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – Transform cauliflower into a spicy snack by tossing florets in buffalo sauce and baking them until crispy. Serve with a cooling ranch or blue cheese dip for a flavorful twist on classic buffalo wings.
Antipasto Skewers – Combine bite-sized pieces of salami, olives, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls on skewers for a savory snack that’s easy to eat. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian herbs for extra flavor.
Zucchini Pizza Bites – Slice zucchini into thick rounds, top them with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, then bake until bubbly. These low-carb bites are both satisfying and delicious!
Sweet Potato Nachos – Slice sweet potatoes into thin rounds, bake them until crispy, and top with melted cheese, black beans, jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream. These nachos offer a healthier twist on a beloved snack while still being crowd-pleasers.
Stuffed Mini Peppers – Fill mini bell peppers with cream cheese, herbs, or a mix of meats for a tasty and colorful appetizer that packs a punch.
Cheese and Crackers Platter – Create a simple yet elegant cheese board with assorted cheeses, crackers, and some fruit. It’s easy to assemble and always looks impressive.
Fruit Skewers – Thread pieces of pineapple, strawberries, and grapes onto skewers for a refreshing snack. You can even serve them with a yogurt dip for added flavor!
Final Thoughts: Feeding Your Crowd for Less
With these 25+ affordable snack and appetizer ideas, you’re all set to host an incredible gathering without straining your budget. Remember, the key to successful entertaining is planning and preparation. By making these snacks ahead of time, you can focus on enjoying the company of your friends and family.
So next time you’re throwing a party, keep this list handy! Not only will you impress your guests with delicious flavors, but you’ll also show that entertaining on a budget can be both fun and fulfilling.
Happy hosting, and don’t forget to pin your favorites for later!
