Easy ideas for a buffet?

Francl27 · February 2016

I'm doing a party next week end for my kids' birthday. It's going to be 10 people, including 3 kids (8,8, and 3).

I was thinking of making it buffet-style to make it easier. I'm planning on making fresh bread that day, which will probably take the oven for at least one hour in the morning, so things that don't need to be baked would be easier (we do have a toaster oven, if needed, but that would only work for small dishes) - or something that can be made a day before and reheated works too.

Any suggestions of easy-to-make things? I was thinking crackers and cheese, some kind of soup (not sure what.. but I can keep it warm in the crockpot), some kind(s) of salad (suggestions?), maybe mini 'kebabs' on toothpicks (suggestions?), maybe slices of cold cuts so people can make sandwiches, a fruit tray... Obviously some cake for dessert (but I have no idea what, I'm already making a chocolate and a confetti cake for their party tomorrow, so would like something new but that kids will still eat), and one of the guest is bringing another dessert.

There's no restriction apart from my mom who is diabetic but still eats carbs anyway (but she'll be fine with some soup and ham or something, so I'm not too worried about it).

So I would love some ideas!

jemhh · February 2016

When we have family over for our daughter's birthday, I always make fruit kebabs and people go crazy over them. It kind of makes me scratch my head but they are the first thing that runs out. I usually use longer kebab sticks and add pineapple, strawberries, and orange slices.

I also pre-make sandwiches. I buy a couple of packages of white/wheat King's Hawaiian rolls and cut the entire rectangle horizontally so I have one giant top and one giant bottom. Add layers of meat and cheese to the bottom. Set the top back on and then cut them all into little sandwiches. They are a good size for the kids.

Other than that, I always have a veggie tray and chips and salsa. Sometimes we have sloppy joes, too. Kind of depends on who is coming.

fishshark · February 2016

i aways do the build you own sandwhiches when we have parties. They are so filling and people love sandwhiches.

williams969 · February 2016

Pulled pork or chicken (I use a crock pot recipe for this, make ahead of time, tastes better when reheated, imo). Various breads, tortillas, or rolls with condiments to make sandwiches with the meat. Veggie tray, fruit tray or fruit kebabs, chips with dip or salsa, and cake. Easy, classic, and crowd pleasing party food.

fishshark · February 2016

williams969 wrote: »

Pulled pork or chicken (I use a crock pot recipe for this, make ahead of time, tastes better when reheated, imo). Various breads, tortillas, or rolls with condiments to make sandwiches with the meat. Veggie tray, fruit tray or fruit kebabs, chips with dip or salsa, and cake. Easy, classic, and crowd pleasing party food.

+1 on the pulled chicked/pork

Steve_ApexNC · February 2016

If you serve either Hummus or Tabboulleh, I'll be happy to come supervise the buffet table for you.

For parties, my wife always makes meatballs in the crockpot...she uses frozen meatballs, bottled bbq and grape or raspberry jelly and perhaps a squirt of Worcestershire sauce. I know that sounds really odd, but the pot gets emptied every time. Kids always love the frozen pigs in a blanket - only need the oven for a couple of minutes.

You can always go with any kind of premade slaw, potato salad, green bean salad, seven bean salad, etc. Those you can serve chilled. Deviled eggs.

Friend of mine always brings Buffalo chicken dip: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/buffalo-chicken-dip. That is a hit.

A favorite of mine is sliced tomato's with fresh basil and mozzerella slice. You can also hit that with a bit of olive oil. Very classic flavor which also leads to the idea of bruschetta which is basically the same thing on crusty bread.

Google Tapas - lots of ideas for appetizers there.

Afura · February 2016

Little mini meatballs, baked chicken fingers, sandwiches are always tasty.

Lizzy622 · February 2016

This is a real Polish one but sauerkraut and kielbasa. I boil the kielbasa first with holes poked in. It takes quite a bit of fat out especially if it isn't the greatest quality. Then I cut it up and put it in the crock pot with sauerkraut. Very yummy on fresh baked bread.

Chaagy · February 2016

You can make a large baked Quiche/Fritata thingy in a baking pan.

You could probably do 12 eggs in a 9 X 9 container (24 eggs for a lasagna tray - makes 24 single serves or 12 larger servings)
- Mix in stuff like ham or bacon - but you can keep it veggie
- Mushrooms, Onion, Spinach
All mix-ins need to be pre-sauteed/cooked so there is no liquid

- Add in cheese like cheddar or feta
- And add in frozen potatoes (ie. frozen hash brown potatoes or tater tots) - right from frozen! Otherwise, if they are raw potato, you will need to pre-bake those.

Bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld · February 2016

I'm not sure I'd do cocktail sticks for a 3 year old. When mine were that age they would have stabbed themselves in the eye ball with them lol

Mini sausages, sausage rolls & mini crustless quiches are yummy cold and can made the day before.

Bowl of pickles, crisps and dips.

Go for the least hassle things so that you can enjoy the day and spend time with people.

Francl27 · February 2016

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd do cocktail sticks for a 3 year old. When mine were that age they would have stabbed themselves in the eye ball with them lol

Mini sausages, sausage rolls & mini crustless quiches are yummy cold and can made the day before.

Bowl of pickles, crisps and dips.

Go for the least hassle things so that you can enjoy the day and spend time with people.

LOL good point about the sticks.

I wanted to get mini sausages, just couldn't find any in the store today but I'll keep looking.

Thanks for all the ideas!

zdyb23456 · February 2016

For several years I did a deli tray (ham, Turkey, pastrami, cheeses) and mini rolls (homemade). I always had another platter with fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and onion. I also set out various condiments - mayo, mustard, etc. I'd serve that along with a veggie tray, fruit tray, cheese/pepperoni/crackers. A bowl of chex mix, sometimes artichoke dip. I also do bacon wrapped lil' smokies. Doesn't matter how many I make, they are always the first to go. The trick is sprinkling them with brown sugar before baking. Brie en croute is always popular too (for the adults anyway).

I've also done a crock pot full of chili and a slew of toppings - cheese, sour cream, scallions, fritos, jalapenos... People can help themselves to whatever they like.

I went to a party once that did a baked potato bar. Baked potato with tons of different topping choices.

Salad bars are fun too. A lettuce base, then lots of different vegetable and topping and dressing choices.

ASKyle · February 2016

I went to a wedding last weekend that had little tomato basil soups, and mini grilled cheeses as an app. You could do something like that in the crockpot, make a few grilled cheeses with your yummy homemade bread, and quarter them up!

Cynsonya · February 2016

My favorite thing to make for any party is
Cold Kitchen Pizza / aka / Fresh Veggie Pizza

Flatten out a roll of Pillsbury Garlic Crescent Rolls on a 13/9in pan and bake until golden brown.

Mix 16oz plain low fat Greek yogurt with one pack Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix. Spread a layer over baked crescent rolls.

Chop 3-4 cups of fresh veggies (any will work) and spread over dressed crust.

We use:
Cucumber
Grape tomatoes
Radishes
Red and yellow bell pepper
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Red onion

It's sooooooo good. Everyone loves it. You can place a small bowl of shredded sharp cheddar cheese beside it for those who would like to add it. I'll admit, it's better with cheese.
But isn't everything.....

Queenmunchy · February 2016

Taco bar is always a hit - we even did it at our wedding (so many dietary restrictions and worked for all of them)!

Easy ideas for a buffet?

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