What Are Hors d'Oeuvres?
Hors d'oeuvres are small, usually one- or two-bite foods served before a meal or during a cocktail party. Common examples include crostini, canapés, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, mini meatballs, skewers, bite-size pastries, and small savory tartlets. They are designed to be easy to eat while guests mingle.
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Choose Your Hors d'Oeuvres by Party Need
| What you need | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Cold | Canapés, crostini, skewers, deviled eggs |
| Hot | Stuffed mushrooms, mini meatballs, pastry bites |
| Make-ahead | Cold canapés, skewers, crostini toppings, chilled bites |
| Elegant | Seafood bites, tartlets, crostini, beautifully garnished skewers |
| Heavy hors d'oeuvres | Meatballs, mini sandwiches, hearty crostini, filled pastries |
| Easy to pass | One-bite foods that do not need a plate, fork, or knife |
From simple favorites like bruschetta and pigs in a blanket to fun, modern options like mini sliders and stuffed mushrooms, hors d'oeuvres bring flavor and style to any party.
Whether they’re passed around on trays at a fancy event or laid out on a table at a laid-back get-together, these little bites are all about making your guests feel welcomed and setting the tone for a great time.
Catering your party? Here is a list of appetizers perfect for catering!
What's the difference between hors d'oeuvres and appetizers?
"Hors d'oeuvres" and "appetizers" are both terms used to describe small dishes or snacks served before a meal, but there are subtle differences in their meanings and usage.
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Hors d'oeuvres: This term is of French origin, and it literally translates to "outside the work." Hors d'oeuvres are typically small, bite-sized items served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. They can include a variety of foods such as finger sandwiches, canapés, bruschetta, cheese platters, deviled eggs, mini quiches, and other similar items. Hors d'oeuvres are often served at cocktail parties or formal events and are meant to be eaten while standing.
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Appetizers: The term "appetizer" is more general and refers to a small dish served at the beginning of a meal to whet the appetite. Appetizers can include a wider range of options, such as soups, salads, small portions of pasta, seafood, or other dishes that are meant to be a precursor to the main course. Unlike hors d'oeuvres, which are often served separately at social gatherings, appetizers are more integrated into the structure of a sit-down meal.
More Hors D'oeuvres Ideas
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon wrapped shrimp coated in a sweet and savory glaze. These are my favorite hors d'oeuvres to serve at any party. Plus, they're easy!
Lamb Meatballs
These meatballs are a delicious skewered hors d'oeuvres idea that people will love. They are fun served on mini toothpick skewers and drizzled with a Greek yogurt sauce.
Maple Bacon Wrapped Pork Bites with Dipping Sauce
Bacon wrapped pork skewers make a deliciously hearty but easy hors d'oeuvres. Everyone loves dipping so serve these with some mini toothpicks and you will have people going for thirds.
Grilled Cheese Sticks Appetizer
If you want to wow your guests, this is it. Everyone loves grilled cheese, even kids, so this one never lasts when it comes out. Serve with a quality brand of canned tomato soup and you have an easy but impressive hors d'oeuvre that people will remember.
Reverse Stuffed Shells
Have you ever served stuffed shells as an APPETIZER? Well here is how to do it. It's easy, less messy and SO fun to eat!
Mini Cheeseburger Skewers
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These cheeseburger skewers are a fun way to enjoy the classic American burger but made a bit more classy. They can easily be assembled in advance and kept warm. Serve with a delicious burger sauce on the side! We like using these 6 inch bamboo skewers to hold everything together.
Italian Clam Stuffed Mushrooms (No Cream Cheese)
Stuffed mushrooms are a classic appetizer that has been served for decades. They are the perfect finger food and super versatile. This version is Italian inspired made with clam sauce and herbs.
Steak and Crab Crostini Appetizer (Filet Oscar)
If you want to serve heavy hors d'oeuvres, this crostini has to be on your menu. It is fancy, impressive and best of all, can be made in advance and kept warm in the oven before serving.
Stuffed Greek Cucumber Cups Appetizer (Keto)
These cucumber cups are a refreshing finger food inspired by a traditional Greek salad. Fill them shortly before serving for the freshest texture. Find more ideas in our traditional Greek appetizers guide.
Roquefort Cheese and Pear Bites
These mock pear bruschetta are a great cold appetizer for a party! They are ideal for the colder months made with craisins, pecans and Roquefort cheese.
Mini Chicken Pot Pies (w/ Pie Crust)
An adorable but comforting hors d'oeuvre that people will go crazy over! These mini chicken pot pies are perfectly bite-sized and can be served with minimal prep. Just reheat and pass!
Maple Sweet Potato Rounds with Président® Brie and Walnuts
These sweet potato rounds are a delicious appetizer that only looks super fancy. Made with a few ingredients, they take minimal time to prepare and are ideal for serving around the holidays.
Make sure to serve one of these classy drinks with your appetizers!
Mini Cubano Sandwich Skewers
If done right, these cubano skewers could be the easiest hors d'oeuvre in the world. They are just made with 3 ingredients but with a few fancy folds and precise cutting, guests will think they were transformed to a posh party. I suggest passing around with a small bowl of the Dijon sauce for dipping.
Hormel Chili Puff Pastry Appetizer Squares
I love how easy but delicious this hors d'oeuvre type appetizer is. Made with store-bought puff pastry and a can of chili, they can be assembled in less than 10 minutes!
Mini Canapé Toasts
These mini toasts are absolutely gorgeous but simple to put together. The flavors are sweet, savory and the texture is creamy but crunchy. It is everything you want in a one bite appetizer!
Avocado Cream Cheese Filled Wontons
These wontons are a delicious hors d'oeuvre that people will love dipping into soy sauce! The inside is creamy, savory but lightly sweetened with honey. They reheat well and are always a party favorite!
Tips For Serving Hors D'oeuvres
Serving hors d'oeuvres can be done one of two ways.
You can set up a buffet-style table with all of your hors d'oeuvres set up for guests to help themselves. This allows people to choose what they like and does not require servers.
For passed hors d’oeuvres, carry trays around so guests can take a bite while mingling. At a home gathering, you, a friend or a family member can pass the trays. Hiring servers is another option for a larger event.
You could also do a combination of both if you wish. Have a few caterers passing around hors d'oeuvres while some are also on a table for easy grabbing. Either way, your guests are sure to be happy!
Whichever method you choose, having the right serving pieces makes it easier. These serving trays are great for a buffet-style spread, and a set of cocktail picks makes passed hors d'oeuvres much easier for guests to grab and enjoy.
Catering your party? Here is a list of appetizers perfect for catering!
Hors d'Oeuvres FAQs
The French expression hors d’œuvre literally means “apart from the main work,” referring to food served outside the main course of a meal. Hors d’oeuvres are often offered before dinner or during a cocktail party.
Common examples include canapés, crostini, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, small meatballs and bite-size pastries. Most are easy to eat with your fingers or a cocktail pick.
I think it's safe to say that all canapes are considered hors d'oeuvres but not all hors d'oeuvres are canapes. A canape is typically served on a small cracker, toasted piece of bread or an edible base.
Many people do not pronounce it correctly. The 'H' and the 'S' in hors are both silent. Here is how to pronounce it.
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