How Many Appetizers Do I Need?
Party food planning can be tricky. Use this guide to estimate how many appetizers you'll need per guest.
Oct 1, 2006
Anyone who's ever thrown a party has dealt with the problem of figuring out how much food to prepare or have on hand. While having lots of food left over isn't exactly ideal, it would be much worse to run out and have your guests leave hungry for more Cranberry Baked Brie.
Appetizers can be especially tricky, because you're dealing with a wide variety of food. On one hand you've got hearty foods like thick slabs of crusty bread with Blue Cheese and Port Spread, while on the other hand there's lighter fare like crudites with dip. And, of course, everything in between.
The first thing to consider is your overall menu. You'll need far fewer appetizers if you're planning to serve a meal during the party. As a rough guide, estimate five appetizers per person per hour before the meal is served.
For a party without a meal being served, the number of appetizers needed will increase. But here's where it can get complicated. The time of day factors in here, because holding a party during the dinner hour will require much more food than having a reception later in the evening. Also, people tend to eat less earlier in the day, so a morning or afternoon gathering will cut down on the number of appetizers you'll need.
- For dinner hour parties which don't include a meal, estimate about 14 appetizers per guest per hour.
- Over the lunch hour, about ten appetizers per person per hour is about right.
- Afternoon or later-evening parties require about 6-8 appetizers per person per hour.
Heartier appetizers such as Fiesta Chicken Nachos and Deviled Eggs should be favored when holding a party that will span over a mealtime. For parties that are held in the afternoon or evening after the dinner hour, you can offer more of the lighter options, like Guacamole Stuffed Tomatoes.
If you're overwhelmed with the number of appetizers you'll need to have on hand for your party, consider changing the menu up a bit. Picking up a deli platter or two, an assortment of cheese, and some fresh rolls will reduce the amount of appetizers needed. Or add a dessert buffet, with an assortment of cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. Make some yourself and purchase the rest from your local bakery.
One other thing to consider is the age of your guests. Older people tend to eat less than younger ones. A party for teens will need more food than a retirement party, in general.
As a rule of thumb, always have extra appetizers on hand, just in case you need them. This will reduce your stress a great deal! Stock your refrigerator with cut veggies and the ingredients needed to whip up a quick batch of dip. In case of a dip emergency, creamy salad dressings work well. Pop some cook-from-frozen pre-made appetizers, such as sausage rolls or meatballs, in the freezer. If you need them you can cook them quickly, and if you don't they will make a nice addition to a meal for you and your family when the party is long over.
If you end up with a lot of food left over, it's always a nice gesture to send your guests home with a plate of appetizers that they can reheat and enjoy the next day!
Planning your party food can seem overwhelming, but once you start making lists and counting appetizers, you'll quickly realize that it's not as difficult as it seems. Relax and enjoy all the aspects of your party, from the planning to the event itself.
