Regardless of the New York event, you’re planning, what’s on the menu matters. And as you carve out dazzling experiences with regard to entertainment, venue aesthetics, seating, and decors, don’t forget to spend some quality time deciding the menu. More specifically, hors d’oeuvres are mission-critical for keeping guests satisfied before main courses or dinners are served. And trending are some of these mouth-watering, delectable morsels to consider adding to your snacks and hors d’oeuvres menu that will have your attendees raving. Find some of these recipes from Martha Stewart and Southern Living. But your catering partners probably already know how to whip up some of these incredible additions to your upcoming event or conference.
1. Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Hors d’oeuvres are typically savory snack variations, and cheese is always a signature go-to ingredient. Aside from the lactose intolerant, most people enjoy cheesy delights no matter how you present them. But the puff pastry version of cheese straws is all the rage. Easy to grab with your fingers, easy to eat, and easy to enjoy, the puffed cheese straws are great event snacks. You can even level up for the more upscale palates with anchovy flavors, olive garnishments, or gruyere.
2. Bite-Sized Potato Skins
Don’t presume that loaded potato skins are only great additions to Super Bowl parties. Another catering event trend to note is the onset of incredible variations to the traditional potato. Using smaller spud varieties, those stuffed with brie, bacon, or portabella flavors will have your guests chasing down the server trays. They are convenient and tasty snacks that can be customized with a variety of ingredients based on the needs of your guests.
3. Lobster Rolls
Lobster rolls are another top hors d’oeuvres option for New York event planners to consider. These can also be changed up for gluten-free snacking when you substitute fried tostones. Infuse a host of flavors from coastal Maine to the Caribbean with fun chiles, lime, cilantro, and avocado toppings.
4. Cheesy, Sweet Potato Chorizo Sausage Balls
Picture this. A traditional meaty sausage ball forming a toothpick-able meatball event snack. But instead of the tired or boring barbeque flavors or Swedish meatball recipes, change it up to include some extra-sharp cheddar, some cinnamon, and, of course, spicy chorizo sausage. This throwback to Louisiana’s incredible boudin ball, these chorizo balls are making a big splash on the hors d’oeuvres menus of today’s events.
5. Tomato Burrata Bites
If you need a crowd-pleasing snack for your New York event, you can’t go wrong with an iteration of Caprese. And when you want convenient, mess-free options your guests will find appetizing, try tomato burrata bites! Scale down the best flavors of cherry tomatoes, rich mozzarella, and Italian blended drizzles into one-bite versions that are perfect for summer events and conferences. Stuff the tiny maters or just pick them together, and everyone will appreciate this light, healthier snacking option.
6. Dressed Up Red Potatoes
Another potato hors d’oeuvres you can dress up for more upscale conferences or galas are the twice-baked baby reds. Martha Stewart does them up with sour cream and caviar. But you can explore other ingredients, as well. Perfect for champagne toasts, these delectable morsels are trending as a great way to posh up the traditional red spud.
7. Shishitos Stuffed with Feta
Shishitos are a growing event trend, in part because they’re easy to prepare and freeze ahead of time and tasty additions to almost any conference hors d’oeuvres lineup. Tiny golden bundles of pastry stuffed with crumbly feta, peppers, and sesame bring flavor diversity to your snacking agenda in a big way. And because they can go right in the oven frozen, you’ll have a great backup hors d’oeuvres should you run low on other menu items.
8. Fried Mac-n-Cheese Bites
If your event calls for a little touch of home-cooked goodness and wholesome favorites, the fried mac-n-cheese bites are still an event trend addition to consider. Comfort food is a great complement to social events and corporate events alike. Creamy and cheesy homemade recipes, cut into tiny squares and deep-fried, will go over huge with guests.
9. Polenta Squares
Savory squares of crunchy crusts and creamy insides are wonderful options to keep your guests satisfied until dinner. Mix in mushrooms and Italian fontina for roasted perfection. Polenta squares are filling and can be addicting, so make sure you have plenty on hand!
10. Walking Snack Mixes
If you’re looking for a lighter, simpler, and more casual addition to the hors d’oeuvres selection, consider the walking variety of traditional snack mixes. Instead of hands rummaging through community bowls of pretzels, nuts, and Chex, create portions already partitioned in edible waffle cones or miniature petit fours cups. Add in peanut butter, brown sugar, honey, or marshmallows to change it up. And you have a great go-to snack that’s easy to prepare, without the communal bowl concerns to manage.
11. Deviled Eggs Variations
Because the deviled egg can take on a variety of flavors and personalities, they’re trending as a staple among event planners as appetizers. They have the ability to compliment the most casual of backyard events and still tee up for the swankiest of gala affairs. Add thinly sliced smoked salmon or radish slices. Whip in some cheddar and bacon. Or go with the traditional relish recipes to offer something familiar and fun.
12. Gouda or Brie-Stuffed Pastries
Back in the 70s and 80s, brie en croute was all the rage. Inspired by its popularity, today’s event planners are exploring hors d’oeuvres options in the form of gouda or brie stuffed pastries. These snacks are gooey, flakey, and downright irresistible, making them the perfect addition to your appetizer lineup.
13. Fresh Takes on Bruschetta and Crostini
Another event trend taking over the event appetizer menu is the customization and exploration of new flavors for the traditional bruschetta or crostini. Your guests will love the trusted baguette and will be inspired to taste something new at the same time. Draping ribbons of asparagus, incorporating fresh mint, or reinventing the tomato and basil blends can be just the spot of color flare your hors d’oeuvres menu needs.
Is your mouth watering yet? Event trends come and go, but when it comes to hors d’oeuvres, these flavors can serve as inspiration for appetizer success at your next event or conference. To stay at the forefront of the very latest in event planning trends, including backyard birthday parties to executive-level conferences, keep up with our ongoing New York event planner blog series. And to rub elbows with the events industry’s biggest influencers, get to The Event Planner Expo 2022 this October! Contact our team to inquire about the remaining opening for sponsorships and showroom floor exhibitor space!
