Appetizer Party Cheat Sheet

Planning an Appetizer Party

Continuum
LIGHT - MEDIUM - HEAVY

Time of Day
LIGHT- In between meal times - MEDIUM - During meal time - HEAVY

Length of Event

LIGHT- One to two hours - MEDIUM - Over three hours - HEAVY

Type of Guests

LIGHT

Seniors, women, children

MEDIUM

Men, highschool students, college students, church events

HEAVY


Bites per Person per Hour

Light Appetizers
4-7

Medium Appetizers
8-10

Heavy Appetizers
11-12

Example of Appetizers

Light Apps 1 bite - Vegetable trays, chips and dip, nuts, snack mixes
Medium Apps 2 bites - Dips with bread, cheese trays with crackers, sushi
Heavy Apps 2-3 bites - Chicken skewers, beef empanadas, mini quiche, Asian chicken wraps


Party Example

Time – 5-7 p.m.

Length – 2 Hours

Guests – Adults, men and women

Medium Appetizers = 8-10 bites per person per hour
8 – 10 bites x 20 guests x 2 hours = 320-400 bites total

4 dozen asian chicken wraps = 144 bites
4 dozen tortilla pinwheels = 96 bites
4 dozen bacon wrapped asparagus = 96 bites
1 dip in bread bowl = 30 bites
26 ounce veggie tray = 24 bites
Total = 390 bites