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  4. Toothpick Appetizers Are the Perfect Party Food for Mingling

Toothpick Appetizers Are the Perfect Party Food for Mingling

headshot of kristy alpert
By Kristy Alpert Updated December 03, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Pickle Poppers
Credit: Hannah Bigot
Keep one hand free for a drink and don't worry about utensils when you choose toothpick appetizers for your gathering. Toothpick appetizers may be small, but they can satisfy the cravings of an entire crowd. We're sharing our favorite toothpick appetizer recipes (and some make-ahead toothpick appetizers), including zesty fajita bites, saucy meatballs, and bacon-wrapped smokies. Just add toothpicks!
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Sugared Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
Credit: Blaine Moats
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The best things in life are bite-size and bacon-wrapped. Toothpicks work to both keep the bacon in place while cooking and provide the perfect handle for popping bite after bite into the mouths of your party guests. Please your crew with these sweet and smoky bites.

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Pickle Poppers

Pickle Poppers
Credit: Hannah Bigot
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This toothpick appetizer idea is like a jalapeño popper without the spice. Simply stuff a halved pickle with a cheese mixture, wrap it in ham, and bake. Pop in a toothpick to hold the poppers together and to make it easy for social snacking.

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Seared Scallop Tequila Shooters

Seared Scallop-Tequila Shooters
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If starting the party with a shot is wrong, we don't want to be right. These little toothpick scallop shooters are the perfect Mexican-inspired starters. Perch a spicy scallop pick over tequila and mango for an instant fiesta.

Buy It: Bormioli Rocco Shot Glasses ($9, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Chicken-Chorizo Meatballs

Chicken-Chorizo Meatballs
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Give classic chicken meatballs a South-of-the-Border makeover with chorizo, salsa verde, and poblano peppers. These meatballs on a stick are tender, spicy, and easily come together in a slow cooker. Serve them hot for the perfect mini bite.

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Roasted Dates with Bacon

Roasted Dates with Bacon
Credit: Blaine Moats
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This recipe had us at “bacon.” There are only three ingredients for these delicious toothpick appetizers, and it only takes 35 minutes from start to finish for a batch of 16. Guests will love the hidden almonds inside each bacon-wrapped bite.

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Scallops make an elegant yet easy appetizer for your party. Wrap them in a bit of prosciutto and a fresh basil leaf before threading onto a skewer and serving.

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Cheesy Mexican Fondue

Cheesy Mexican Fondue
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Is there anything better than melty cheese? We don’t think so, either. That’s why this spicy Mexican-inspired appetizer is at the top of our list. Cornbread on toothpicks is the perfect dipper for this spicy fondue.

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Zesty Fajita Bites

Zesty Fajita Bites
Credit: Andy Lyons
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For a fun and fiery start to your next fiesta, roll up sizzling fajitas for a crowd. Simply assemble, slice, and skewer. Yes, these rolled-up toothpick appetizers are that easy.

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Bourbon-Glazed Cocktail Sausages

Bourbon-Glazed Cocktail Sausages
Credit: Scott Little
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Party tonight? Simply toss four ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and go! Serve the bourbon-spiked toothpick sausages with plenty of sauce.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 2-Quart Slow Cooker ($15, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Molasses-Lime Meatballs

Molasses-Lime Meatballs recipe with stickers on white pan
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Give basic barbecue meatballs the night off. These tangy turkey bites boast good-for-you oats and a sticky-sweet sauce. Just toss in a few toothpicks and these party meatballs are ready to go.

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Parmesan-Stuffed Dates

Parmesan-Stuffed Dates
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Who knew three simple ingredients could create something so delicious? This toothpick appetizer is seriously addicting. Each bite is salty, sweet, and smoky perfection.

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Marinated Cheese

Marinated Cheese
Credit: James Carriere
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It’s hard to beat the simplicity of these no cook toothpick appetizers. Simply cut up cubes of Monterey Jack cheese and let the chunks marinate in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, spices, and garlic in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. You’ll be amazed how quickly these cheese appetizers on a toothpick will disappear.

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Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer

Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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Dried cranberries are mixed right into a meaty combination of ground turkey and breadcrumbs for these make-ahead meatball appetizers. Once the meatballs are baked through in the oven, they go right into a slow cooker filled with cranberry sauce and barbeque sauce where they’ll soak in the tangy-sweet fusion for up to three hours. Serve directly from the crock or on a plate with toothpicks.

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Hot Ham and Cheese Bites

Hot Ham and Cheese Bites
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Think ham and cheese is a boring sandwich? Not when you layer it on garlic Texas toast. Load up your plate with slices of the irresistible melty toothpick sandwich appetizer.

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Wrap and Roll Basil Pinwheels

Wrap & Roll Basil Pinwheels
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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It doesn’t get easier than make-ahead toothpick appetizers. Simply spread a tortilla with semi-soft cheese, top with basil and ham, then roll. Secure the rolls with a toothpick for easy serving and mess-free eating.

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Cheddar-Beer Weenies

Cheddar-Beer Weenies
Credit: Karla Conrad
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The only thing better than cheddar-beer weenies? Bacon-wrapped cheddar-beer weenies on a toothpick. You're welcome.

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Caprese Surprise Meatballs

Caprese Surprise Meatballs
Credit: Scott Little
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There’s a delicious surprise inside each of these Italian appetizers on a toothpick. A single strip of prosciutto wraps around either an olive, bocconcini, or a fresh piece of mozzarella cheese to add a fun filling to these saucy meatballs. A trio of sauces—pesto, Alfredo sauce, and marinara sauce—finish these toothpick meatballs off with a salute to the Italian flag.

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Watermelon-Prosciutto Bites

Watermelon-Prosciutto Bites
Credit: Andy Lyons
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It doesn’t get much easier than no-cook toothpick appetizers. Sweet meets salty in these crave-worthy bites. This easy appetizer trio features juicy watermelon, goat cheese, and prosciutto.

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Curried Pork Bites

Curried Pork Bites
Credit: Mike Dieter
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Toothpick food never looked and tasted so good. These curried pork bites can be made up to 24 hours in advance so it’s easy to simply take them out of the refrigerator and throw them on the grill. Top them with a tangy yogurt sauce or skewer each bite with a toothpick and arrange them around a bowl of the sauce for a fun dipping appetizer.

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Smoked Salmon Zucchini Bites

Smoked Salmon Zucchini Bites
Credit: Karla Conrad
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We’re bringing our favorite brunch flavors to the party. Thanks to the trusty toothpick, a simple roll of zucchini, smoked salmon, and cream cheese becomes an elegant appetizer. Better yet, these no-bake toothpick appetizers keep things cool without heating up your kitchen.

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Olive and Pepperoni Kabobs

Olive-Pepperoni Kabobs
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Making showstopping appetizers in less than 20 minutes is a cinch with this appetizer. Rosemary serves as a fragrant skewer for these antipasti-style, cinched-up meat and cheese appetizers. Of course, toothpicks would work, too.

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    1 of 21 Sugared Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
    2 of 21 Pickle Poppers
    3 of 21 Seared Scallop Tequila Shooters
    4 of 21 Chicken-Chorizo Meatballs
    5 of 21 Roasted Dates with Bacon
    6 of 21 Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
    7 of 21 Cheesy Mexican Fondue
    8 of 21 Zesty Fajita Bites
    9 of 21 Bourbon-Glazed Cocktail Sausages
    10 of 21 Molasses-Lime Meatballs
    11 of 21 Parmesan-Stuffed Dates
    12 of 21 Marinated Cheese
    13 of 21 Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs Appetizer
    14 of 21 Hot Ham and Cheese Bites
    15 of 21 Wrap and Roll Basil Pinwheels
    16 of 21 Cheddar-Beer Weenies
    17 of 21 Caprese Surprise Meatballs
    18 of 21 Watermelon-Prosciutto Bites
    19 of 21 Curried Pork Bites
    20 of 21 Smoked Salmon Zucchini Bites
    21 of 21 Olive and Pepperoni Kabobs

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