Finger food ideas for summer picnics and parties

Quick overview: from picnics to parties

Finger food works best when it’s simple to make, easy to share and guaranteed to keep everyone coming back for “just one more.” Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Picnic food: Baguette crostini, summer toppings, and a colourful grilled veggie platter
• Easy entertaining: Twisted Delights with dips and other quick, crowd-pleasing nibbles
• Party food ideas: Salmon bruschetta, no-cook sweets, and tips for styling platters
• Healthy options: Wholegrain breads, lean protein toppers, veggie sticks and fruit skewers

Summer’s here, which means long afternoons, picnic blankets, and plenty of get-togethers. And nothing makes hosting easier than a spread of simple, tasty finger food. 

Whether you’re planning picnic food for the park, searching for party food ideas for a backyard bash, or just need easy finger food recipes to share with friends, we’ve got you covered. With fresh bread from Bakers Delight and a few quick recipes, you’ll have a spread that’s crust-worthy in no time.

How to plan your party snacks menu

The easiest way to plan a finger food menu is to balance your bites:

• Something savoury: Crostini with toppings, grilled veggies, or Twisted Delights with dip
• Something sweet: Teatime treats or fresh fruit skewers
• Something fresh: A platter of crudités, olives or nuts for colour and crunch
• Something filling: Rolls or Sourdough Baguette slices topped with protein like chicken, salmon or cheese

By mixing hot and cold, sweet and savoury, hearty and light, you’ll keep everyone nibbling happily. Bakers Delight breads make the perfect starting point for every category, so your only job is to add the toppings and enjoy the compliments.

How much finger food do you need per person?

When you’re planning a spread, it helps to have a ballpark idea of how much to make so nobody leaves hungry (and you’re not left with a mountain of leftovers). A good rule of thumb is:

• 6–8 pieces per person if finger food is just a light snack before a meal
• 10–12 pieces per person if it’s the main event

Bread-based options like our Twisted Delights, French Baguettes, or Hi-Protein Wholegrain Block Loaf sliced and toasted into crisps are perfect fillers because they’re hearty without being heavy, meaning you can stretch your spread further without blowing the budget. The best tip? Always make a little more than you think you’ll need. Guests may say “just one,” but we all know they’ll be back for seconds.

Picnic food that’s easy to pack and share

The best picnic food is fresh, fuss-free, and easy to eat with your hands. Our Baguettes are the real heroes here. Simply slice them into crunchy crostini or load them up with toppings that travel well.

Parmesan Crusted Crostini

Crisp, cheesy, and downright addictive. This crostini recipe is proof that sometimes simple is the tastiest. Perfect for popping in a basket and passing around the picnic rug, each slice of our White Breadstick is baked onto a golden layer of parmesan for extra crunch. Finished with creamy burrata, tangy sundried tomato and a fresh basil leaf, they’re elegant little bites that taste like they’ve come straight from an Italian kitchen (without the effort!).

Summer Crostini

Sunny days call for snacks that feel as fresh as the season. These crostini pair creamy goat cheese with juicy fruits, fragrant herbs, and a touch of something savoury for balance. From prosciutto and peach to strawberry with mint, every combination feels like a little taste of summer. Served on crisp slices of our White Breadstick, they bring colour and variety to any picnic or party spread.

Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Platter

Fresh, vibrant, and made for sharing, this colourful platter is proof that veggies can absolutely be the star of the show. Think smoky zucchini, sweet capsicum, and caramelised onion piled high, then finished with creamy burrata and a swirl of pesto for extra flair. Serve it alongside toasted slices of our Pane di Casa Vienna Loaf, and you’ve got a centrepiece that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier to pull together. It’s bright, wholesome, and guaranteed to have guests reaching back for “just one more forkful.”

Easy finger food for tasty entertaining

When friends pop over, you want easy nibblies that look good without stealing hours in the kitchen. Our Twisted Delights are made for this moment. Warm, soft, and the perfect partner for dips, they’re a fan-favourite for a reason! From the creamy tang of Spinach & Fetta, to the smoky richness of Cheese & Bacon, to the savoury hit of Chive & Garlic, our Twisted Delight range has a flavour to match every mood (and every mouthful).

Dips to round it all out

• Lemon Spinach Hummus: This deliciously simple dip is tangy, creamy and full of good-for-you greens. Tear off a chunk of Twisted Delight, dunk it, and you’re done.
• Whipped Feta & Crudites: Light, fluffy feta dip surrounded by crunchy seasonal veggies. It’s the kind of finger food that makes guests think you’ve gone gourmet (spoiler: it’s super simple).

Party food ideas that impress without stress

Throwing a party? Keep your guests nibbling and mingling with finger food that’s as easy as it is impressive. Here’s a few tips (and a recipe to match) that’ll make it stress-free.

Keep the platters flowing

Food at a party works best in encores, so one round just won’t do. Instead of putting everything out in one go, bring out finger food in waves. Start with lighter bites like crostini or veggie skewers, then follow up with heartier options like Twisted Delight with dips or bruschetta. Rotating platters keeps guests curious and stops everything from being picked over at once. 

Bonus: it makes your hosting look effortless, even if you’ve just been sneaking back to the kitchen to refill.

Balance bold and simple

Picnics are laid-back; parties deserve a little polish. The trick? It doesn’t take much. Serve bruschetta on wooden boards, stack breadsticks in tall glasses, or use tiered trays to give your finger food height and drama. Garnish platters with sprigs of fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or even edible flowers to make them pop. Even simple bites look party-ready when they’re styled with care. Guests eat with their eyes first, and with a little presentation magic, they’ll be reaching for seconds (and thirds!).

Hosting tip: prep the toppings ahead of time, then assemble just before serving so everything stays fresh.

Savoury bites and sweet finger food to round out your spread

A great party table balances both sweet and savoury to keep everyone happy. Before we hit dessert, here’s one of our favourite savoury recipes to get you inspired.

Salmon & Fennel Bruschetta

Smoky salmon, fresh fennel, and a creamy base all piled onto crusty slices of our White Breadstick. This bruschetta looks like something from a wine bar but is ready in just 25 minutes. It’s light, elegant, and full of flavour, making it the perfect option for passing around at parties where you want to impress without fuss.

Add extras like marinated olives, prosciutto and shaved ham, or even a gooey wedge of brie, and you’ve got a savoury spread that keeps guests circling back for more.

Then there’s the sweet side, because no party platter is complete without it. Better yet, there are plenty of sweet sides that you can dish up, without any work in the kitchen. 

Sweet treats that don’t require cooking

Favourites like our Berry & Custard or Blueberry Teatime work beautifully here. Dish them up with a dollop of ice cream or cream to keep things indulgent, or stack them high on a platter for an instant wow factor.

You can also mix in fresh fruit skewers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or a plate of mini brownies for variety. Even a simple bowl of berries or some yoghurt-topped cups can add a refreshing, lighter touch. 

The mix of savoury bites and sweet finger food means everyone finds their flavour,  and nobody leaves nibble-less.

What are some healthy finger food options?

Healthy finger food doesn’t have to be bland or boring. It can be colourful, crunchy and downright craveable. Here are some tasty ideas to mix and match:

• Hi-Fibre Lo-GI Round Rolls: Soft, kid-friendly, and perfect for open-faced sliders with fillings like turkey, avocado, or roasted veggies. For something fun, hollow them slightly and add dip for a poppable snack.
• Hi-Protein Wholegrain Block Loaf: Slice and toast into crostini crisps, then top with smoked salmon and cucumber ribbons, roasted capsicum with feta, or smashed chickpeas with herbs.
• Fresh extras: Round out your platter with veggie crudités, fruit skewers, nuts, and olives for colour and crunch.

With the right mix of wholesome breads, lean proteins, and produce, your healthy finger food spread will taste as good as it looks, and feel just as fun to eat.

Make it easy with Bakers Delight

The secret to finger food that’s fast, fun and fabulous? Starting with fresh bread. From Baguettes for crostini, to Twisted Delights that were made for dipping, to Teatime loaves that become sweet show-stoppers, Bakers Delight makes entertaining easy. 

Pop into your local bakery and pick up your favourites, then get ready to delight your guests, one bite at a time.