From mini trifles to sausage rolls, from cheese and chive scones to pigs in blankets, here are the best buffet food recipes and ideas to serve at a party.
Our selection of delicious, easy buffet food ideas includes both sweet and savoury options. The recipes we've carefully selected cater from 6 to 75 portions so it doesn't matter if it's just you and a couple of friends and family, or you've invited the whole street - you're sure to find a selection of recipes to suit your buffet spread.
We've got you covered for an array of seasons too - be it street party food for the summer months, or Christmas buffet ideas for when winter rolls around. There are also easy canapes like vol-au-vents and cheese puffs, with quick cheats so you can knock them up in no time. We've also included a collection of afternoon tea ideas, for themed parties and some kids party food ideas too.
"When it comes to hosting a buffet it's best to include a number of dishes that can be prepared in advance and replenished throughout the day," says Senior Food Writer, Jessica Ransom. "Salads with dressings will wilt quite drastically so where possible serve with the dressing in a small jug or bowl to the side and allow your guests to help themselves. It's nice to include dishes that cater to all dietary requirements as it makes it less stressful and more inclusive. Dips such as hummus are a great option and can be served with a selection of vegetables, bread, or cured meat on the side so people can choose what is best for them."
Buffet food ideas: Easy party food
Bring some 70s nostalgia to your buffet with this retro classic
1. Vol-au-vent fillings
Serves: 6 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
Make these buffet staples look and taste their retro best with this selection of the most classic fillings. Try the ultimate mushroom vol au vent made with buttery 'shrooms and Greek yogurt (adding garlic and herbs will make it even more delicious) or a chicken version is a great way to use up leftover roast meat.
Our prawn variety is in a simple cocktail-type sauce, while the ham, cheese, and pineapple filling is gloriously nostalgic.
Get the recipe: Vol-au-vent fillings
Simple, no-cook and cutely festive – a great one for kids and grown ups alike
2. Tomato and cream cheese Santa hat
Serves: 16 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 10 mins
A simple and effective canapé – basically a fancied-up cheese and tomato on crackers, cutely resembling the big guy's jolly hat. Whip the cream cheese up with pepper, olive oil, and basil, spread on your cracker of choice, add a mini plum tomato, and top with a bobble of extra cream cheese. A great one for kid's lunches too.
Get the recipe: Tomato and cream cheese Santa hat
These classy sweet canapés look tres sophisticated but are pleasingly easy to put together
3. Mini clementine pavlovas
Serves: 12| Skill level: Easy | Total time: 10 mins
Using cheat's ready-made meringue, these mini fruit pavlovas make great use of the most festive of fruits and can be put together in two easy steps. Whisk mascarpone, icing sugar, and clementine zest together, spoon into meringues, and drizzle over melted dark chocolate. Divine.
Get the recipe: Mini clementine pavlovas
Ooof, yes please, don't mind if we do
4. Mini roast potatoes with cheese fondue
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 30 mins
A proper authentic three-cheese fondue made from Comté, Gruyère, and Emmental, along with white wine, brandy, and garlic, will have you transported up a Swiss mountain in your salopettes.
A Christmas comfort food, pop our thyme-roasted mini potatoes on a skewer and dip in – though you could also use small chunks of crusty bread. Ciabatta or rosemary focaccia would work wonderfully, we feel.
Get the recipe: Mini roast potatoes with cheese fondue
Light, zingy flavours are a tonic to all those heavy Christmas foods
5. Hot and spicy chicken skewers
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins plus marinating
Perfect low-effort, flavour-packed skewers for when you've got a thousand other things to get done. Marinate sliced chicken breast in teriyaki sauce, add a sweet and sour taste from the maple syrup and lime, then grill and serve with a zesty dip made with spring onions, sweet chilli, and lime.
Get the recipe: Hot and spicy chicken skewers
For life, not just for Christmas dinner
6. Pigs in blankets
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
Pigs in blankets are an iconic part of Christmas dinner, but they also make wonderful winter buffet food. Roast, stick them on cocktail sticks, and serve them with a mustard dip and some chutney, or even serve in mini rolls for a more substantial hot dog style canapé.
Get the recipe: Pigs in blankets
7. Goat's cheese and cranberry tartlets
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
A super quick cheat's tart and a very clever use for leftovers. That pickle or chutney and the cheeseboard remnants – both goat's and blue cheese work wonderfully – can find a new home in this simple buffet canapé. Just pop it in the oven until the cheese bubbles. Yum.
Get the recipe: Goat's cheese and cranberry tartlets
A Middle Eastern-inspired lamb skewer with a refreshing tzatziki dip
8. Mini lamb kebabs
Serves: 24 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
Flavoured with ground cumin, coriander, garlic, and mint, mould onto skewers and grill, before serving with cooling tzatziki and perhaps some hummus on the side.
Perfect with a tabbouleh salad, or a bowl of couscous flavoured with mint and pomegranate. A refreshing change from the overload of traditional Christmas flavours.
Get the recipe: Mini lamb kebabs
9. Spicy salmon and guacamole cones
Serves: 16 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 30 mins, plus marinating
A taste sensation, if ever there was. The juicy, flaky roasted salmon pairs perfectly with the zesty lime, chilli, and onion mix, complemented perfectly by a generous dollop of creamy guacamole – all the better if it's homemade. A smudge of sour cream would work well too.
Get the recipe: Spicy salmon and guacamole cones
Didn't think you could better a millionaire's shortbread? You're welcome…
10. Peanut butter caramel slice
Serves: 48 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 1 hr
Giving posh Snickers vibes, these irresistible sweet treats will be hoovered up in record time – almost as quickly as they take their place on the buffet table, there'll be nothing but crumbs. A nutty twist on a millionaire's shortbread, they're simply delicious. We'd hold a bit back to have a restorative cuppa the next day if we were you…
Get the recipe: Peanut butter caramel slice
Next-level halloumi treats with courgette and harissa dips
11. Halloumi dippers
Serves: 40 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
An absolute smash hit on any buffet, halloumi is pretty darn tasty just as it is when grilled, but it's taken to the next level when coated in a crispy mix of breadcrumbs and spices like paprika and sumac, before frying…
And to elevate things even further, these dippers are served with a harissa yogurt dip, to really pack a flavour punch.
Get the recipe: Halloumi dippers
12. Espresso Martini chocolate pots
Makes: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 10 mins plus setting time
For adults only, these boozy Espresso Martini chocolate pots are a great choice if you're looking for something fancy to serve come buffet dessert time. Dark chocolate, double cream, and Kahlúa liqueur made up the mousse - topped with coffee-infused cream cheese.
If you're having a party outside and want to be extra safe, make these pots in plastic glasses so you can still get the impressive finish without the worry of smashing glasses.
Get the recipe: Espresso Martini chocolate pots
13. Sticky chicken skewers with coconut and mango
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
Perfect for sharing, you can make eight of these tasty, flavor-packed chicken skewers in just one go. This recipe consists of five ingredients to ensure the chicken is tender and tasty including mango chutney, coconut cream, garlic, coriander seeds, and red chili.
Serve with fresh coriander leaves and a slice or two of lime for drizzling. A great buffet, party food, BBQ, or even summer picnic choice.
Get the recipe: Sticky chicken skewers with coconut and mango
14. Lancashire cheese and chive scones
Makes: 16 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
These savory scones are infused with Lancashire cheese and freshly snipped chives. Perfect served with shop-bought (or homemade!) tomato chutney, or simply spread thick with butter. A great make-ahead buffet choice that will take 40 minutes of your time, making a batch of 16 scones in one go.
Get the recipe: Lancashire cheese and chive scones