We grownups know that the best part of holiday parties are holiday party appetizers. This year, I’m letting the kids in on our fun with seven appetizers that they’ll love, too.
These kid-friendly apps are grown-up enough for the adults, but with high kid appeal. Putting these babies out is a surefire way to spoil the kids’ appetite for dinner but, hey, it beats having them fill up on tortilla chips all night.
My favorite appetizers of all time are crostini because of how highly adaptable they are. You just toast thin slices of bread that have been brushed with olive oil (1/4″-thick slices of baguette works great) and top with anything. Anything. I’ve found that kids like toppings that are flavorful but simple, like with these Caprese Crostini with Pesto (above) from Pinch and Swirl.
If you have a more adventurous — or at least veggie-accepting — kid, then these Butternut Squash, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Crostini from Spoon Fork Bacon look delicious. And you can always swap out the goat cheese for a more mild variety or even cream cheese for little ones.
These pretty Pears with Goat Cheese and Cranberries from Sweet Potato Chronicles are kind of like crostini, but without the toasted bread. I’ll never complain about quicker prep! And, again, if you think your kid will turn his nose up at goat cheese, just swap it out for ricotta, cream cheese, or another mild, spreadable cheese.
Speaking of cheese, let’s talk cheese plates, the anchor of any good appetizer spread. If you’re anything like me, the stinkier the cheese the better. However, my kids aren’t of the same mind. Check out this great post on Dinner A Love Story for thoughts on composing a cheese plate for kids that the grownups will love, too.
Tired of cheese yet? I hope not, because I’ve got a simple recipe for a classic cheese appetizer from one of my favorite family food sites, Simple Bites: Classic Gruyere Gougeres. These are easy enough to whip up before folks come over. They also freeze well, so you can have them on hand for when people drop in. Or when you need a midnight snack!
If your kid likes egg salad, or even just hardboiled eggs, you can easily sell them on deviled eggs. My kids — even the picky one — gobbles these up like crazy. In fact, they love them so much that I can get way more adventurous with the recipe than I might otherwise (adding oil-packed tuna, even a dash of Sriracha sauce!). I’m dying to try these Tarragon Deviled Eggs with Capers and Crispy Ham from Food For My Family. If you like the sound of these except for the ham, just leave the meat out. Easy peasy.
This Turkey, Broccoli and Cheddar Panini from Shutterbean might seem a little unconventional as an appetizer suggestion, but here’s the deal: It can be cut into small, very delicious bites, and it can stand in as a healthy dinner for little ones. Because I wasn’t kidding when I said that putting out these kid-friendly appetizers would spoil dinner. This recipe beats them at their own game. Heh.
I think all these apps look beautiful and would taste great. But I don’t think you have children if you think any kid would like these recipes. I have a picky eater but I also have two more who will try things. But kids like simple foods. One or two flavor combinations at a time is all they can handle. Their palettes just can’t take this many flavor hits at once.
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences, Nikole. Stacie publishes recipes based on trial and error with her own children (yes, she’s a mom). All children have different palates–feel free to adapt these to your own kids’ tastes or stick with what works for you. You know your kids best.