DIY Cocktail Wedding: Top 20 Easy Appetizers + HACKS. Part 2 of 2. Sweet and Intimate! Small bite-sized wedding appetizers. Quick, easy, and affordable DIY recipes and ideas for your cocktail wedding. No budget for a full meal for your wedding? Here are great appetizer hacks for your wedding!
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1-10: “Appetizers“ // Read more here!
11-20: “Mains”
- Pulled Pork Sliders with Garlic Aioli
- Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
- Loaded Mashed Potato Scoops
- Easy Mini Tortilla Pizzas
- Mini Chicken & Waffle Sliders
- No Mess Prosciutto Sandwiches
- Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls
- Beef Tenderloin Crostini
- Smoked Salmon Crostini
- Savory Samosas
Looking for DIY wedding cocktail hour food? Wedding Cocktail food on a budget? Hot and cold appetizers for your wedding cocktail hour? Wedding cocktail hour food ideas? Wedding appetizers to make ahead? DIY wedding reception finger food? Easy appetizers for cocktail hour? In this guide, we’re sharing a list of wedding appetizer ideas that your guests will love!
Welcome to the world of DIY Appetizer Weddings, where culinary creativity and love unite to create a unique and unforgettable celebration.
In this guide, we will get on a journey of crafting delectable bite-sized delights that will not only delight your guests’ taste buds but also add a personal touch to your special day – also, save you money!
No time to prepare it? No worries! We’ve also included hacks (frozen version!) that might be a great option for you if you don’t have the time to prep! You will still need to bake and prep! But it’s still going to cut your prep time in half, if not longer!
DIY Cocktail Wedding: Top 20 Easy Appetizers + HACKS. Part 2 of 2.
11. Pulled Pork Sliders with Garlic Aioli
To make Pulled Pork Sliders with Garlic Aioli, slow-cook tender pulled pork seasoned with your favorite spices.
Serve the pulled pork on mini slider buns, topped with creamy and flavorful garlic aioli, and garnish with fresh lettuce or coleslaw for a delicious and satisfying appetizer that will leave your guests wanting more.
hack + dupe:
Start with LLOYD’S Pulled Pork with Pig Beach BBQ and complete with King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.
12. Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
To make Sweet and Tangy Meatballs, mix ground meat (such as beef or pork) with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and your choice of seasonings.
Form the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, then cook them in a sauce made from a blend of sweet and tangy ingredients like brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup for a delectable and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
hack + dupe:
Try Farm Rich Flame Broiled Italian Style Meatballs or Sam’s Choice Premium Angus Meatballs Frozen, and use Bamboo Skewers Toothpicks for Appetizer Picks when serving.
13. Loaded Mashed Potato (love this for a DIY cocktail wedding!)
Prepare creamy mashed potatoes with butter, milk, and your favorite seasonings.
Scoop the mashed potatoes into small bite-sized portions, then top them with shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, chives, and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious and indulgent appetizer that will be a hit at any gathering.
hack + dupe:
Start with Betty Crocker Homestyle Butter and Herb Potatoes, then add Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits and finish off with Great Value Finely Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese. Serve in a Balsa Circle Silver Glittered Clear 12 Pieces 7 Ounce Disposable Plastic Champagne Glasses with Crown Display Premium Gold Plastic Silverware – Heavy Duty Cutlery.
14. Easy Mini Tortilla Pizzas (this is one of our fave DIY cocktail wedding appetizers!)
To make Easy Mini Tortilla Pizzas, start by spreading pizza sauce on small tortillas or tortilla rounds.
Top each tortilla with shredded mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings (like pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, etc.), and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a quick and tasty appetizer that everyone will love.
hack + dupe:
Try Totino’s Party Pizza Pack or Totino’s Pizza Rolls! This one is a great alternative too: Great Value Five Cheese Texas Toast!
15. Mini Chicken & Waffle Sliders (DIY cocktail wedding must-have!)
To make Mini Chicken & Waffle Sliders, start by preparing mini waffles (store-bought or homemade) and cooking chicken tenders until they’re golden and crispy.
Assemble the sliders by placing a warm chicken tender between two mini waffles, securing them with toothpicks, and serving with a drizzle of maple syrup for a delicious and adorable appetizer that will be a hit at any party or brunch gathering.
hack + dupe:
Start with Eggo Mini Frozen Waffles. Then layer with Banquet 100% Natural White Meat Popcorn Chicken or John Soules Foods 12oz Breaded Chicken Nuggets then stick Bamboo Skewers Toothpicks for Appetizer Picks. Serve with a drizzle of Butternut Mountain Farm Maple Syrup.
16. No Mess Prosciutto Sandwiches (this is a little tricky DIY Cocktail Wedding appetizer but always yummy!)
Layer thin slices of prosciutto on your choice of bread or baguette.
Add fresh arugula or spinach, slices of ripe pear or fig, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a delicious and elegant sandwich that balances the flavors of salty prosciutto with sweet and tangy elements.
hack + dupe:
Order from Subway Catering and cut the sandwiches into smaller pieces; include a sandwich wrapper or wrap with a diner napkin.
PRO TIP: If you are using “hard” bread, put the mayo (or any dressing) on it before serving so that the bread can stay “soft”. Especially if you are stacking them on the serving table.
17. Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls
To make Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls, combine ground pork or shrimp with finely chopped vegetables, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli noodles. Roll the mixt
re in rice paper, then deep-fry until crispy and golden brown for a delicious and traditional Vietnamese appetizer.
hack + dupe:
Here are two of our fave and also highly reviewed: Van’s Kitchen Premium Pork Egg Rolls and Pagoda Snacks, Pork Egg Rolls.
18. Beef Tenderloin Crostini
Sear thinly sliced beef tenderloin in a hot skillet with olive oil, salt, and pepper until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
Arrange the tenderloin slices on toasted baguette slices, top with horseradish cream, and garnish with fresh herbs for an elegant and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for any special occasion or gathering.
hack + dupe:
Put this together easily using HORMEL SQUARE TABLE Slow Simmered Beef Roast Au Jus & Savory Sauce Refrigerated Entrée, Marketside French Baguette, and J.L. Kraft Garlic Aioli with Roasted Garlic.
19. Smoked Salmon Crostini
To make Smoked Salmon Crostini, spread cream cheese or herbed cream cheese on toasted baguette slices.
Top each crostini with thin slices of smoked salmon, a sprinkle of fresh dill, a squeeze of lemon juice, and capers for a delicious and elegant appetizer that’s perfect for brunch or any festive occasion.
hack + dupe:
This is a crowd fave! Assemble using Ducktrap Cold Smoked Salmon, Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese Spread, Marketside French Baguette, Great Value Organic No Salt Added Petite Diced Tomatoes, and Great Value Non-Pareil Capers.
20. Savory Samosas
Prepare a flavorful potato and pea filling spiced with cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
Wrap the filling in triangular samosa pastry, then deep-fry until crispy and golden brown for a delicious and classic Indian appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion.
hack + dupe:
Ordering from your local restaurant is the easiest way to get these samosas in bulk! If you want a close alternative, try Pagoda Snacks, Chicken Potstickers, and Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls Frozen Asian Appetizers.
Plan where you will purchase these products. Having extra is better than coming up short.
Consider the space you have if you are DIY-ing. Do you have enough space to store, prep, and serve these options?
You will most likely need to purchase serving platters and dishes as these are larger portions than usual. Tongs? Chafing dishes?
Are you using real china? Or paper plates? Or perhaps high-quality recyclable plastic or wooden plates and utensils? Napkins?
Also, consider hiring day-of servers to help you circulate food, and essentially serve as bussers as well to avoid any garbage or pile up of dishes.
Lastly, plan for garbage and cleaning as there will be a lot at the end of the event.
