I need budget party food ideas in a hurry
@Jackalyn (7559)
Oxford, England
September 19, 2017 4:28am CST
I need cheap, filling party food ideas for a kids party that will probably end up in an adult one as well. Any ideas for really cheap finger foods? We already plan popcorn, pizza, crisps, jelly and traycake together with sandwich pinwheels (I have no idea what these are.)
I suppose the pinwheels are made by putting the jam mentioned in another post onto bread and then rolling is up into a kind of sausage and cutting it up into wheels. I hope that works!
Anyhow, any favourites? It has to be cheap and fairly easy to make.
We are saying bring and share for the grown ups so they won't be left with the jam sandwiches. It is the kids party I want to add to.
I want to take a few ready made things that keep so I add to what is there because I always panic and think there will not be enough food!
8 people like this
8 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
19 Sep 17
Fish fingers are always popular with children. They are not expensive and always seem to go down well, though I did have to explain once to a young daughter who said she didn't like fish that fish don't have fingers, so they were OK to eat.
Chicken gougons and cocktail sausages are also very easy. If I make chicken gougons from scratch, I make sure to season the breadcrumbs well in the 'Southern Fried Chicken' style. They are much tastier than the pre-crumbed ones you buy frozen. I also make cocktail sausages from Lincolnshire chipolata sausages because they are much nicer than the cocktail sausages one buys in large packs. I give each chipolata a pinch and three twists in the middle (or even divide each into three like that) and then separate with scissors.
Most children like carrot sticks and these can also be served to adults (along with celery) with a selection of dips.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
19 Sep 17
@Jackalyn It really is worth doing the three dip method with chicken gougons - flour, egg, breadcrumbs. The flour helps the egg to coat the chicken better and the egg, of course, is to stick the breadcrumbs to the chicken. Also, I've found that the breadcrumbs need about twice as much seasoning as I think is necessary, especially if they are going to be served cold (if in doubt, do a test of one or two pieces first).
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
19 Sep 17
Hmmm..I guess you had almost everything good but maybe you can add up some grilled hotdogs with marshmallows 
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
19 Sep 17
Together? that would be novel. I think I might get those small marshmallows and do a chocolate dip.
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
20 Sep 17
Grilled hot dogs on a stick with marshmallows is always a hit with kids and adults alike. chicken lollipops are good as well.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
23 Sep 17
@Jackalyn yup. It is actually the wing part of the chicken but the skin and meat has been 'pulled up' so it looks like a lollipop.
Here is a link, .
A fun chicken wing appetizer, the secret is a red-tinged marinade of garlic, chile and soy.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Sep 17
Sounds like that is enough. How many kids are coming? An assortment of sandwiches cut in bite size with the crusts cut off might be nice. You could make them of nearly anything. Peanut butter, Nut spreads, chicken salad, tuna salad, and don't forget mac and cheese.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Sep 17
@Jackalyn .....Oh, dear! Sounds like a lot. Mac and cheese is an American favorite. Macaroni noodles with cheese.
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
22 Sep 17
@celticeagle We call that macaroni cheese
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
20 Sep 17
We don't know How many kids are coming anymore because so many parents have decided the sibling are coming too! We are really scratching our heads and I think peanut butter sandwiches cut into very small bits is going to be one of the things that I will do.
What is mac and cheese? I've never understood.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18984)
• Indonesia
19 Sep 17
Have no idea with that. I guess Owlwings has since he lives there as well.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48263)
• Canada
19 Sep 17
What about a nice pumpernickel bread hollowed out and filled with a bread dip? You can use the bread cubes from hollowing out the bread to dip or you can use nachos along with it. It usually feeds a large group.
And of course there is always a fruit and veggie dip tray.
1 person likes this
