The Best Food Ideas for a Party of 20 + Tips for Feeding Groups

If you have around 20 people coming to your event, you’ll need some fun and easy party food ideas that everyone will enjoy. Take a look at these tips, and you’ll be ready to plan your next party like a pro!

How to feed 20 people: figuring out how much food you need

A good party host never wants to run out of food! While there’s no magic formula, you can follow some rules of thumb to help you figure out how to feed 20 people. Here are a few simple guidelines:

• Finger foods – if you’re serving only finger foods or appetizers with no main meal, plan to serve about five to eight pieces per person, per hour.
• Buffet meals – if you’re going to serve buffet-style meals, make sure you have enough so everyone can try everything. While this is tricky, about four ounces of each side dish per person should be enough.
• Desserts – when you can, it’s a good idea to portion desserts into single-serving sizes. This way, you can easily plan on serving one dessert per person.

Remember, these are just guidelines. Some of your guests will eat more than expected, and some will eat less. There’s also a chance that some people may not show up, or others may bring additional guests. So it’s always a good idea to get a bit more food than you think you need. This way, you won’t have to worry about running short.

The best finger foods for a party

If you’re looking for party food ideas, look no further than the frozen food aisle of your favorite grocery store. Even better, order your items through Instacart, and you can have them delivered right to your front door. This way, you can focus on getting everything ready for your party instead of spending time shopping.

Need some inspiration? Here are some of the most popular types of finger foods for a party.

1. Meatballs

While you could make your own meatballs, there are plenty of frozen options that are delicious and easy! You can choose either classic Italian-style meatballs with pasta sauce or Swedish meatballs (or both!). Served with toothpicks, they’re the perfect finger food for parties.

2. Mozzarella Sticks

Everyone loves hot, gooey cheese breaded and served with marinara sauce. Mozzarella sticks are always popular and are sure to please guests of all ages.

3. Corn dogs

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a good corn dog! Take your guests back in time by serving up a delicious piece of their childhood.

4. Popcorn chicken

You can’t go wrong with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! Popcorn chicken always seems to disappear within the first few minutes of a party.

5. Jalapeno poppers

Crispy on the outside and filled with savory cream cheese, spicy jalapeno poppers are always a party hit! You can make your own, but premade options are so much easier.

6. Egg rolls

Egg rolls are easy to eat during a party and are always popular. Choose a couple of different flavors — like chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp, to give your guests plenty of options.

7. Pretzel bites

Want to make an impression on your guests? Serve up a big bowl of soft pretzel bites with gooey, creamy cheese sauce. This is always a hit!

8. Pizza bites

When looking for party food ideas, you can’t go wrong with pizza. Frozen pizza bites bring all the flavors people love without the mess.

9. Onion rings

Crispy, breaded onion rings are another great party food. Sprinkle them with some sea salt and toss them in the oven. They’re easy and super tasty!

10. Bacon-wrapped pineapple

The perfect combination of sweet, smoky, and savory, bacon-wrapped pineapple is an exciting choice when preparing finger foods for a party. You may not be able to find them pre-made, but they’re super easy to put together. Just wrap the pineapple in bacon and bake them in the oven.

Chips and dip

If you’re looking for the easiest party food ideas, you can’t go wrong with bowls of chips and different types of dip. They make a great appetizer and can cut down on the number of other finger foods you need. Here are a few options to consider.

11. Jalapeno popper dip

Fresh from the deli, jalapeno popper dip is a favorite among those who like a bit of kick. Best of all, it tastes good served either hot or cold.

12. Cheddar cheese dip

Everyone loves cheese! A hot cheese dip goes great with tortilla chips and is always a party hit.

13. Guacamole

Fresh-made guacamole is delicious! You can order it premade, and your guests will never know you didn’t spend hours making it by hand.

14. French Onion Dip

French onion dip is classic party food. Serve it with plain potato chips or tortilla chips, and your guests are sure to be happy.

15. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Served hot or cold, spinach artichoke dip is always a popular snack. It’s great with tortilla chips, sliced pita bread, or served inside a giant bread bowl.

Delicious desserts for your next party

There’s a good chance at least a few of your party guests will have a sweet tooth. That’s why it’s a great idea to add some desserts to your list of party food ideas. Here are a few simple options.

16. Cupcakes

Cupcakes make great finger foods for a party. Choose mini-cupcakes, and you’ll be able to offer a wide variety of flavors for your guests.

17. Mini cheesecakes

Cheesecakes are a classic dessert that almost everyone loves. Mini cheesecakes come in assorted flavors and make great finger foods for parties.

18. Cookies

Another super-easy dessert for parties is a large tray of cookies. Choose several different flavors to give your guests plenty of options.

19. Cream puffs

Want to impress your guests with a classy dessert? Pick up a few trays of cream puffs! This is a tasty treat that isn’t super common, so it’s sure to be one your guests will remember.

20. Candy buffet

To really “wow’ your guests, get creative and make a beautiful display using different types of candy. The best part about this is that it can also double as an Instagram-worthy centerpiece.

Planning a party for a crowd

When planning a party for a crowd, you have more to think about than how to feed 20 people. Once you’ve created your list of party food ideas, don’t waste your valuable time at the grocery store. Instead, let our experienced Instacart shoppers do it for you. Download the app today to get started!

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