When an email goes around my group asking friends to bring a plate to a gathering, my heart sinks. Mostly because I just know I won’t be the first to get in there and bags the super-easy-just-unwrap-the-cheese-and-whack-it-on-a-plate-with-some-crackers option. That honour always goes to my quick-off-the-mark pal, Ana. Damn her.
But, in the spirit of friendship and the futility of cheese-plate envy, I decided to find some other equally easy ways to fill the ‘bring a plate’ brief without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. Here are 30 of them. All simple, all delicious and all a darn sight more impressive than cheese. Take that, girlfriend.
Savoury nibbles
1. Chicken nuggets
Tender chunks of chicken breast in a crispy crumb coating, these are everyone’s favourite snack. Serve with a dipping bowl of ketchup, barbecue sauce or sweet chilli for extra yum.
- Take a plate of these Delicious chicken nuggets.
2. Snazzy sausage rolls
These moist sausage rolls have a buttery pastry casing and are full of veggies to offset any guilt factor as you eat your own body weight in them. Sorta.
- Bake a batch of these Sausage rolls.
3. Honey soy chicken wings
Make sure there are plenty of napkins to go around because you’ll need them with these sticky, sweet and decidedly more-ish chicken wings. Yummo!
- Try this easy recipe for Honey soy chicken wings.
4. Spring rolls
These crispy spring rolls are surprisingly simple to make and so good paired with soy sauce. Add some fresh chilli to the soy for a really punchy dipping sauce.
- Up the game in ‘bring a plate’ ideas with these Homemade spring rolls.
5. Ham and pineapple pizza muffins
These tasty mini pizzas are the work of minutes thanks to their muffin bases. No need for kneading here (see what I did there?). Add ham and pineapple for a teeny-tiny version of your favourite Hawaiian take-out.
- Find the recipe for these Ham and pineapple pizza muffins.
6. Cheese puffs
Gloriously buttery bites of cheese – need I say more? This divine recipe is perfect for a drinks party and only has four ingredients so it’s great for last-minute bring-a-plate panics.
- Whip up a batch of these Cheese puffs.
7. Mini lamb burgers
Succulent lamb burgers topped with mozzarella and salad in a soft bun. Their miniature status means that one is never enough.
- Watch these Mini lamb burgers go in seconds.
8. Mini chicken and cheese quiches
What’s a ‘bring a plate’ invitation without someone bringing quiches? Make these the star of the show thanks to their melt-in-the-mouth pastry and tempting chicken and cheese filling.
- Try baking a tray of these Mini chicken and cheese quiches.
9. Mini pasties
What’s better than a pastie? Why, a mini pastie, of course! Then there’s every excuse to pop one, two or even three in your mouth (not all at once though – decorum, please). It would be a crime not to.
- Be a welcome guest with a plate of these tasty mini pasties.
Sweet treats
10. Marshmallow bubble slice
These homemade versions of LCM bars make a perfect party plate treat for big kids and small. A chewy, crispy slice that’s a winner every time.
- Find the recipe for this Marshmallow bubble slice here.
11. Lolly slice
Milo, Maltesers and mini marshmallows? There’s only one way to describe this mix and that’s magnificent!
- Watch this Yummy lolly slice disappear as soon as you set the plate down.
12. Chocolate star biscuits
For biscuits with a bit of wow factor, these biscuits have a white chocolate trim. Splendid!
- Make and take these Chocolate star biscuits for a picture-perfect party platter.
13. Homemade doughnuts
At the risk of sounding like Homer Simpson, “Mmm … doughnuts”. Crisp on the outside, fluffy in the middle and all-round delicious.
- Get the recipe for Homemade doughnuts.
14. Mini pavlovas
It’s practically un-Kiwi to not make a pav at least once a year. Fly the flag with a batch of these melt-in-the-mouth mini meringues topped with cream and fruit. Good onya!
- Find this true-blue recipe for Mini pavlovas.
15. Snow balls
These sweet little balls of bliss are incredibly simple to make and so popular at a party. Coconut-ty, crispy and chewy all at the same time – heaven!
- Make these Snow balls for the next gathering you’re invited to.
16. Choc cherry fudge
Homemade fudge is to-die-for. This chocolate version studded with sweet cherries is enough to make you think you have indeed died and gone to heaven.
- Try this easy-peasy Choc cherry fudge recipe.
17. Mini cheesecakes
Mini mouthfuls of cheesecake topped with fresh berries. Gorgeous!
- Whip up a platter of these oh-so-simple Mini cheescakes.
Delicious dips
18. Spinach cobb dip
A ’70s favourite that should be revived at every opportunity, this dip comes in its own handy bread container so it’s easy to transport and serve. Win!
- Make this retro Spinach cobb dip with this easy recipe.
19. White bean dip
This creamy, garlicky bean dip is delicious with crudités and crackers. Blitz it up in your blender and you’re good to go.
- Click here for this simple White bean dip recipe.
20. Pumpkin chilli dip
A great way to use up leftover pumpkin from a baked dinner, this colourful dip has a punchy chilli kick.
- Try this Pumpkin chilli dip.
21. Tomato and basil hummus
Tomato and basil are a marriage made in heaven. Make the most of this celestial pairing with this delectable hummus.
- Try the recipe for this Tomato and basil hummus.
22. Beetroot dip
Vibrant in colour and vibrant in taste, this homemade beetroot dip is so much nicer than its shop-bought cousin. Make it and see.
- Enjoy dipping into this yummy Beetroot dip.
23. Basil pesto dip
Wonderful on pasta and just as good as a party dip, you’ll be hard-pressed not to double dip!
- Make this Basil pesto dip once and you’ll never go back.
Fun food ideas for the kids
24. Cake pops
Kids love to eat anything on a stick and these cake pops are no exception. Try them and see.
- Find food fun on a stick with this Banana bread cake pop recipe.
25. Mini hotdogs
These kid-sized hotdogs are so good the adults will be eyeing them up too!
- This Mini hotdogs recipe is simple to put together.
26. Tiny Teddy pool party
Is there anything cuter than a Tiny Teddy chilling by the pool with a beach ball jaffa, lifesaver ring and stripy sour strap “towel”? I think not.
- Make these uber-cute Tiny Teddy pool party cupcakes.
27. Ballerina marshmallow pops
So simple, so pretty, so girlie, so make them.
- Make these gorgeous Ballerina marshmallow pops.
28. Jelly boats
Easier to make than you might think. These fun jelly boats will make you smile just to look at them.
- Set sail to make these Jelly boats with this simple recipe.
29. Apple race cars
Kids love to play with their food and now there’s no reason for them not to with these healthy apple and grape race cars.
- Enjoy making these little Apple race cars.
30. Strawberry mice
Mice made out of strawberries? Oh, these are divine to look at, a cinch to make and even easier to eat.
- Make these Strawberry mice?
Written by Kidspot Australia
Thank you for this list of options for finger style bring a plate food. Sometimes we can all get stuck in bringing the same boring thing each time but to know there are alternatives that look really yummy is great.
I love the snow balls and the tiny teddy pool party idea. Such a fun idea. This could not have come at a better time, i never know what to bring to these things and I have to bring something tomorrow. Id better get to the shop to get my tiny teddies and be the office hit
Spring rolls are usually my go to. But it does get soggy if left for too long. So it’s good to pop it in the over or toaster before serving them. Would love to try the rest of the things listed here. Even not for a plate idea, but for birthdays or celebrations at home. The variety would be amazing.
I always get stuck for ideas when there is a bring a plate event! I usually just go to the supermarket and buy a packet of something or get a salad. There are some great ideas here and they even look like my super fussy kids would eat them, I might try them at home as well as taking them out!
That is a lot of excellent ideas! I usually go with something sweet. That marshmallow slice is a winner and so easy. Lolly cake is also excellent. Turning up with chicken nuggets would make you popular too. Though just baking a bunch of chicken nibbles with honey soy sauce also sounds so simple!
Lots of yummy options. I will have to try and make the ham and pineapple muffins. I love making lolly cake too – delicious and easy.
Wow these sound so good just what I need a bit of inspiration with some new recipes and ideas. I love the kids ideas as well will definitely be doing these.
Ooh yummy what a fantastic range of delicious and simple recipes! I especially like the savoury options but there are some great sweet options too. This is the season for potluck, BYO and BBQs so it is cool to have a bit of a mix up 🙂
OOo yum did someone say snow balls. My favourite. Great ideas. One I love to make is cheese rolls. They are always a big hit with children and adults. And it’s always a plate that is empty at the end of a gathering so no food wasted.
Great ideas! I actually have a working lunch with my boss next week and we are each going to bring something to share 🙂 I’m going to use some of the ideas above! Maybe some dip with crackers and something sweet 🙂