The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
The 10 best party food
New Year's Eve is just around the corner, so make sure you celebrate in style with a selection of tasty treats
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
1. Donald Russell Mini Artisan Sausage Rolls
It might not seem the most imaginative thing to serve up at a party, but these sausage rolls are a cliché worth buying into. No word of a lie, they are the best ever and you can easily get away with pretending you made them. Best of all, you can keep them frozen until you need them.
£4.75 for 8, www.donaldrussell.com
2. Partridges Spiced Clementine & Chocolate Tart
Rich Belgian chocolate ganache is topped with spiced clementine cream in a sweet tart and each mouthful is to die for. It also looks incredible. It’s not cheap, but it does come from a very posh bakery and it’s rich, so you easily get away with serving it in thin slices.
£25, www.partridges.co.uk
3. Booths Crostini with Red Onion Marmalade and Goats Cheese
You simply bung these in the oven for 25 minutes and hey presto, you have gorgeous, warm and tasty canapés that will go down equally well as a pre-dinner nibble or at a drinks party as part of a wider selection of small eats. You get plenty per pack, which always helps.
£5.49 for 10 (in store only), www.booths.co.uk
4. Fairfield Farm Crisps Turkey, Sage and Onion Flavour
Just because Christmas Day is out of the way doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy the taste of turkey. New for this season, these Turkey, sage and onion crisps are made from high-quality potatoes, fragrant herbs, punchy onion and the unmistakable taste of our favourite festive bird.
£1.29 for 40g, www.fairfieldsfarmcrisps.co.uk
5. M&S British Pork Belly Squares
These little bites of heaven are so moreish that the only problem you’ll have is wishing you’d bought more. The tender applewood and chestnut wood smoked pork belly is seasoned with smoked sea salt and pepper, then cut into squares. For the last five minutes of cooking, you pour over the sticky barbecue glaze.
£6 for 395g (in store only), www.marksandspencers.com
6. Mr Filberts Peruvian Pink Peppercorn Cashews & Peanuts
This award-winning company’s five new nut recipes having proved a huge hit this year. Flavours include French Rosemary Almonds, Moroccan Spiced Almonds, Mexican Sweet Chilli Mixed Nuts, Italian Herb Peanuts & Hazelnuts and our favourite - Peruvian Pink Peppercorn Cashews & Peanuts.
£2.79 for 120g, www.mrfilberts.com
7. Loch Duart Somerset Cure Smoked Salmon
Fresh from the most northerly loch in Scotland, these salmon are dry-cured in salt and dark brown sugar, then smoked in the Somerset Levels over oak. It melts in the mouth, yet is firm enough to be the perfect party food. Simply roll some up with some lemon juice or make mini sandwiches.
£16.50 for 200g, www.fortnumandmason.com
8. Heston from Waitrose Prawn Cocktail Mousse Shots
You can always count on Heston to come up trumps with something a bit different for the buffet table and his Heston from Waitrose range this year is, frankly, genius. These are the best though - prawns in mini pots are topped with Marie Rose sauce and a dusting of tomato powder.
£5.99 for 8, www.waitrose.com
9. Fudge’s Miniature Mince Pies
Most of us love a mince pie at Christmas, but they can be too big to serve up at a party. These bite-sized morsels of festive fare are just the job for after a dinner party or served with a glass of mulled wine at a drinks party. The pastry is buttery and the centre fabulously rich.
£5.99 for 12, www.lakeland.co.uk
10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Meat Pate Selection
You get two outstanding pâtés for less than a fiver in this box, both of which go a long way, particularly if you use them to make some crostinis. The first, chicken liver and pork pâté is made with mushrooms and chardonnay, while the second, pork liver and pork pâté is made with Madeira wine.