Looking for easy bite-size snacks to serve at your graduation party? Here are all the best graduation party appetizers your guests will love.
Whether you are hosting a graduation party for a large crowd or just a small group, you need the perfect starters that will take your party up the notch.
The easiest way to go about that is with bite-sized foods that everyone can snack on as they arrive. Lucky for you, this list of recipes has it all!
These graduation party appetizers are super easy and quick to whip up. And the best part? Some of these can even be prepped in advance, giving you plenty of time to hang out with your guests!
Keep scrolling for all sorts of delicious graduation party finger foods, party dips, and appetizers that will keep everyone full and are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
GRADUATION PARTY APPETIZERS
1. Mini Taco Bar
Mini tacos are such a fun and festive graduation party food, so you really can’t go wrong with serving them. They’re easy to make and perfect to feed a big crowd.
You can easily get flour or corn tortillas, cut them into mini taco shells, and fill them up with toppings for guests to help themself with this mouthful appetizer!
2. Sweet & Tangy Meatballs
These sweet and tangy meatballs make a quick and easy party appetizer. You only need 3 ingredients and a crockpot to make them. Can it get any better than this?
Set them out in a large tray with forks for guests to grab and enjoy without getting messy. Super easy and I can guarantee there won’t be any leftovers!
3. Mini Burger Appetizers
How cute are these mini burgers? Honestly, burgers are the ultimate graduation party food so turning them into bite-sized snacks for your party is a genius idea!
This recipe is super simple to follow and you can customize it however you like!
You can go with the good ol’ mini beef or cheeseburgers or spice things up with a Mexican twist. I just know these would be a major hit at your graduation party.
4. Parmesan Bites
Holy cow. These parmesan bread bites look SOO good. If you are looking for something for guests to snack on until the main course, this is it!
You can have these laid out with a side of marinara sauce or pizza sauce for a fun dip to go with it. Either way, it makes for one of the best appetizers for graduation party to serve.
5. Homemade Pizza Rolls
Who doesn’t love pizza? These homemade pizza rolls are so delicious and bound to be everyone’s favorite graduation party appetizers just because of how easy they are to eat!
You can prep these ahead of time and pop them in the oven just 10 minutes before guests arrive.
6. Chicken Quesadillas
These easy, cheesy chicken quesadillas are a crowd favorite. And the best part is that they take almost zero effort!
Seriously, once you take a look at how to make these chicken quesadillas, you’ll want to try and make them for your graduation party as well.
Cut them into little bite-size triangles and I promise you, they will be devoured in minutes!
7. Buffalo Chicken Dip
I mean… what’s not to love about buffalo chicken dip? It’s yummy, easy to whip up, and perfect to have at your graduation party for people to snack on!
This recipe is one of my all-time favorite dips to serve because it’s that good and usually is the first to go at ANY party.
8. Mini Chicken & Waffles
Okay, these mini chicken and waffles on sticks are soo cute if you’re hosting a graduation party earlier in the day!
Serve them with different toppings and syrups so guests can enjoy however they prefer. You can even pre-make the waffles to save you time!
9. 7-Layer Dip
7-layer dip is definitely one of the most popular graduation party food ideas for years, but this idea of serving them in individual cups is amazing!
It’s super easy and convenient, especially for an outdoor graduation party since it’s all assembled in one cup.
This way, guests don’t have to take the time to make their own food and can simply enjoy while walking around!
10. Flatbread Appetizers
This flatbread recipe just takes minutes to throw together and is definitely a WOW-worthy snack to have at your party.
Cut them into slices and they’ll not only make for a cheap and healthy graduation party appetizer but will also be a crowd-pleasing recipe.
11. Buffalo Chicken Sticks
I don’t know a single person who isn’t a major fan of buffalo chicken. It’s that one thing you can always count on your guests to eat!
These buffalo chicken sticks served with a spicy ranch sauce are the perfect appetizer to take your party to the next level.
Make it easier by serving on skewers so everyone can easily pick up and eat at your party!
12. Air Fryer Nachos
Is there anything better than loaded nachos? It’s finger-licking good and just as easy to make!
The good thing about these is that you can prepare all this in an air fryer, which makes your graduation party food preparation soo much easier.
Just throw in all your favorite toppings on top of the chips, give it a whirl in the air fryer, and you’ll have a wonderfully tasty snack in no time!
13. Cucumber Bites
Looking for healthy graduation party appetizers? These dilly cucumber bites are just as delicious as they look pretty.
All you need is cucumbers, cream cheese, and tomatoes and they’d be ready in about a few minutes. Easy, peasy right?
14. Fruit Skewers
I love the idea of fruit kabobs for a refreshing treat, especially if you are planning an outdoor graduation party.
Cut up watermelons, berries, grapes, and other fruits and put them on a stick for easy-grab finger food.
This is such a fun and unique way to serve fruits at your graduation party that you can guarantee almost everyone will want to try!
15. Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno poppers are to die for. No party is ever complete without this classic appetizer. If you’ve never had these, I’d definitely recommend making them for your graduation party!
You could even just leave them out in the air fryer so they stay warm throughout your party.
16. Taco Shells
If you love the idea of serving tacos at your graduation party but want something light and easy handheld, this recipe is the best of both worlds.
These mini taco cups are the perfect appetizers that are crunchy, filled with flavor, and have everything you need in one perfect bite! I’ll take two. 😉
17. Ham & Cheese Sliders
You can’t go wrong with ham and cheese sliders because it’s everyone’s favorite thing to eat! I’d definitely recommend making a double batch since they always run out quickly.
One way to take this popular snack to the next level is by assembling them together in a single baking dish. This way guests can just tear off a slider and enjoy!
18. Corn Dip
Here’s another dip recipe that is sure to be a hit at your graduation party!
Chips and dips are always a great option when it comes to easy graduation party appetizers because it makes a ton and feeds a large crowd.
19. Caprese Skewers
If you’re planning a fun backyard graduation party this summer, these cute caprese skewers will be your best friend.
It takes only 4 ingredients but will definitely impress your guests, so consider having these at your graduation party if you are looking for something simple but appetizing!
20. Popcorn Bar
How freaking cute is this popcorn bar? It’s one of the easiest graduation party snacks to put together and only takes minutes to lay out!
You can serve different flavors and have a variety of toppings to go with. I’m sure this is a graduation party food idea that everyone will absolutely love.
21. Cranberry Brie Bites
If you want something sweet and savory as an appetizer, here is just the recipe you need to make!
These cranberry brie bites are a crowd-pleasing finger food snack and will wow the guests every single time you make them.
22. Graduation Diploma Rolls
You gotta love the ease of roll-ups, but if you want to spice it up a bit and take them to the next level, these graduation-themed rolls are the perfect way to do so!
Wrap a ribbon around them and they look exactly like diplomas. How fun and creative is that?
23. Mexican Pinwheels Appetizers
Anyone that wants to take their graduation party up the notch needs to make this Mexican-style pinwheels recipe.
When I tell you this is the easiest appetizer that is a party favorite every single time, I mean it! You’ve got to try and make this for your graduation party.
24. Cheese Balls With Bacon
Who could ever resist cheese balls? Even better when they are topped with bacon!
I honestly love the idea of skewing each one of them with pretzel sticks. I think it makes for a fun and easy-to-eat appetizer that your guests will surely be impressed with.
25. Veggie & Hummus Cup
One of my friends served veggies and dips in a cup like this at her graduation party and everyone was SO impressed!
I find that individual serving cups like these are perfect for a party since everyone can just pick up a cup and snack while socializing with others.
26. Mac And Cheese Balls
Mac and cheese are another great graduation party appetizers to serve but these mac and cheese balls are 10x better!
It’s a fun and easy recipe that you can even make ahead of time. Make and freeze them overnight and fry just in time for your big day.
27. Loaded Tater Tots
YUM! These loaded tater tot appetizers are everythinggg. I have never seen them at a graduation party, but I can 100% guarantee they would be the first to go!
If you want to make it easy for your guests when having snacks, consider serving handheld bites like these that are something everyone can enjoy.
28. Pigs In A Blanket
These pigs in a blanket are the most popular appetizer seen at every graduation party and are always a huge hit!
They’re an extremely easy meal to make for a big crowd and there’s hardly ever leftovers. If you are looking for graduation party food on a budget, this is it.
29. Cold Pasta Salad
I’ve always been a huge pasta salad girl, and I know I’m not the only one. It’s one of my favorite things to bring to any gathering and people always ask me for the recipe.
Serve this cold pasta salad at your outdoor graduation party to delight your guests with some fun flavors!
30. Salmon And Cucumber Bites
For those obsessed with everything seafood will absolutely love this bite-size snack at your graduation party!
It’s light and refreshing and makes for perfect last-minute finger food that will have your guests going for seconds or even thirds.
31. Pretzel Bites
I have never thought of this but pretzel bites (with a fun dipping sauce) can be such a great option for graduation party snacks!
They’re super soft and the best thing is that you can make a dozen of these in a short amount of time.
32. Easy Bruschetta
If you are looking for a fast, budget-friendly appetizer, this bruschetta recipe is delicious and insanely easy to make.
You can pre-make the dressing and all you’ll need to do is set them in the oven a few minutes before the party begins. It’s super simple but oh so good!
These are all the graduation party appetizers that your guests will absolutely love.
