Simple starter recipes for your dinner party repertoire
While three-course meals might have fallen out of fashion in favour of 'small plates' in restaurants, the art of providing ample nibbles, snacks and starters for a dinner party at home is still very much our bag. Whether you're looking for something more substantial or a few thoughtfully-topped crostini, our selection of dinner party starter recipes will have something delicious and easy to make for your next gathering.
Looking for pudding inspiration? Try one of our dinner party dessert recipes.
The best dinner party starter recipes
Aguachile
Zesty aguachile is the perfect way to start off a Mexican-inspired feast. It also involves zero cooking and takes just 30 minutes to put together.
Spinach and feta samosas with spicy potatoes
Planning a curry night? Our spinach and feta samosas are a brilliant way to kick things off. Serve with spicy potatoes and plenty of fresh coriander.
Lamb koftas
These juicy koftas are super easy to make, and can even be prepared ahead of time for breezy hosting. They're delicious with tahini sauce and pomegranate seeds.
Mushroom and leek cabbage dumplings
Who knew cabbage leaves could look so gorgeous? Our mushroom and leek dumplings with a spicy sesame and soy dipping sauce are the most delicious way to start any dinner party.
Carbonara arancini
What do you get when you cross two of our favourite Italian dishes? Cheesy carbonara arancini. This simple recipe is also a great way to use up leftover risotto.
Parma-ham-wrapped broccoli
This gluten-free starter idea is full of flavour, and makes the most of delicious British tenderstem broccoli.
Three-cheese custard dip with pesto
If you're catering for cheese obsessives, this three-cheese custard dip recipe is exactly what you need. Made with comté, parmesan, cheddar and fresh pesto, this rich dip pairs perfectly with crunchy crudités.
Bombay potato croquettes
Fusion cooking creations can be hit or miss. But this recipe manages to marry Spanish and Indian classics for a crunchy, unique tasting dish that works perfectly.
Chilli bean dip
Served either as a starter or part of a Tex Mex spread, this chilli baked bean dip is an easy way to amp up the heat level for your dinner party.
Buffalo asparagus
When asparagus is in season, there's nothing better to serve your dinner party guests. Here, we've used buffalo sauce and a blue cheese dip to liven up the British summertime ingredient.
Prawn cocktail
Prawn cocktail is a classic starter for a reason - the tangy sauce, creamy avocado and fresh prawns are a winning combination that'll start any meal off right.
Labneh with confit tomatoes and garlic
If you've never made labneh before, this is your sign to start. Our recipe is super easy, and comes with deliciously squidgy confit tomatoes and garlic.
Onion bhajis
Onion bhajis are far easier to make than you'd think, and you don't need a vat of oil, either. Our recipe takes just 20 minutes, making it a great quick nibble while guests wait for the main event.
Fennel, burrata and crispy Parma ham bruschetta
This five ingredient recipe is one for the last-minute host. Simply throw together roasted fennel, crispy Parma ham and creamy burrata on baguette toasts and you've got a delicious little nibble.
Lamb shami kebabs
Kebabs, but not as you know them. Our lamb shami kebabs are silky smooth and completely gorgeous served alongside cooling raita and spicy chutney.
Chicken curry bao
Soft and fluffy on the outside, fragrantly spicy on the inside, these chicken curry bao are surprisingly easy to make, and the perfect starter for a Chinese-inspired feast.
Whipped feta with glazed leeks
Whipped feta is the dreamiest way to start off a dinner party, and you can serve it with everything from fresh raw veggies to toasted pittas.
Pani Puri
Pani puri, also known as gol guppay/golgappa, are crunchy little spheres of deep fried semolina dough that are filled with a vegetarian stuffing and dipped in tart, spicy and sweet tamarind water. They're a fun way to start an Indian-inspired feast, and are actually quite easy to put together.
Cheese and onion pierogi
Planning a cosy night in with friends? The absolute best way to start things off is with a plate of these comforting cheese and onion pierogi.
Queso fundido
This indulgent dip has three types of cheese and bags of spicy, smoky flavour. It's best served warm with salted tortilla chips, but strips of pepper and cucumber would work well too.
Burrata with cherries and basil oil
Sometimes, simplicity works best, and there's nothing more delicious than in-season cherries, homemade basil oil and rich burrata cheese. Serve with garlic-rubbed toasted sourdough for a tasty summer starter.
Lebanese aubergine fatteh
The pitta chips in this recipe are so delicious that you'll give up running to M&S for a bag forever. Served with a molasses-spiked aubergine stew, this platter makes the perfect meat-free starter.
Chana chaat
Chana chaat is a tangy, sweet, and spicy South Asian chickpea salad that's a welcome addition to any curry night. It's particularly brilliant for dinner parties as its completely customisable with cooling yoghurt, herby mint chutney, crunchy fried crackers, or tart tamarind.
Whipped ricotta with roasted Jerusalem artichokes and radishes
Whipped ricotta is one of the easiest and most impressive-looking starters, especially when served with our recipe for roasted artichokes and radishes with chilli, fennel and lemon.
Mackerel pate
Mackerel pate is one of the simplest starters you can make. All you need to do is blitz five ingredients in a food processor, and serve with your chosen dipper.
Jamaican pepper prawns
If you're after a speedy starter, you won't get much quicker than these 10-minute Jamaican pepper prawns. Flavoured with garlic, paprika and plenty of chillies, they'll get any gathering off to a spicy start.
Chicken spring rolls
This recipe makes a great starter and we love using chicken spiced with Chinese five-spice powder to give it a rich, deep flavour. Together with crunchy vegetables, this is a moreish, indulgent starter suitable for sharing and making for larger crowds as the rolls can be made ahead and frozen and then fried from frozen.
Fig and hot honey ricotta toast
One of our favourite evergreen trends is ricotta toast, slathering creamy ricotta on fancy bread and topping with anything your heart desires. For this recipe, we've used hot honey, prosciutto and fresh figs, but you could omit the meat for a vegetarian version.
Chicken samosa
Who can resist a spicy samosa to nibble on before the main event? Our juicy chicken-filled samosas are made with ready-made filo pastry for ease, and pair perfectly with sweet mango chutney.
Chorizo in red wine
Bring chorizo to the next level by glazing it in red wine, garlic and plenty of fresh parsley. Serve with slices of manchego and bowlfuls of olives for a tapas-worthy spread.
Coronation chicken potato skins
Take a British summertime classic and make it into the sweetest bite-sized starter. Scooping out the potato skins can be fiddly, but the finished result is very much worth it.
Saltfish fritters
These salty, spicy fritters are a staple of Jamaican fast food, and they make the most moreish quick starter to throw together just 30 minutes before guests arrive.
Peach, mascarpone and spinach salad
When fresh peaches are in season, there's no better way to use them than in this light yet flavoursome salad. Combined with creamy mascarpone, fresh spinach, mint and toasted pine nuts, this salad is a total winner.
Vegetable spring rolls
Spring rolls are a must for any Chinese-inspired feast. These veggie crispy spring rolls are packed with crunchy colourful veg, ready in just under an hour. The perfect canapé for your next dinner party.
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