Entertaining
March 25, 2022
20 Crowd-Pleasing Dishes To Serve This Awards Season
Hosting a viewing party this awards season? We’ve rounded up some of our most-popular recipes to curate the perfect selection of eats at your next get-together. From cocktail-friendly finger foods to decadent desserts and comforting classics, these crowd-pleasing dishes will keep your guests satisfied while they huddle around the TV for a night of entertainment.
Scroll down to check out our favorite recipes for hosting your next party!
Loaded Butternut Squash Queso
This vegan take on the party platter classic replaces neon, too-fake type cheese with a flavorful and creamy butternut squash base. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings.
Get the full recipe here.
The Drake Devonshire’s Oyster Po’ Boy
A soft white bun, spicy jalapeño mayo, crunchy and slightly sweet slaw, and crispy breaded oysters are the components that make this dish so irresistible.
Get the full recipe here.
Jamon Croquetas
This tiny finger food sure does pack a flavorful punch; and the crunchy shell makes them easy to handle. Pro tip: Add trimmings from the ham to the milk mixture to infuse and amplify the flavor.
Get the full recipe here.
Kimchi Mandu
This perfect-for-sharing recipe balances the powerful flavor of kimchi with a veggie and glass noodle medley.
Get the full recipe here.
Marrakech-Style Green Olives
And the award for Best Cocktail Companion goes to this sweet and spicy Picholine olive recipe! It makes a simple but memorable addition to dining spreads.
Get the full recipe here.
Drumsticks With Peanut & Lime
Moist, crispy and nearly impossible to screw up, these drumsticks are a dinner party staple for cookbook author and Food Network Canada personality Devin Connell. “There was a time when I served these at every dinner party over the course of one summer,” she says.
Get the full recipe here!
Moroccan Sfinge
These sweet and florally mini-doughnuts are a Moroccan treasure and easy to make; topped with saffron honey syrup and pistachio.
Get the full recipe here.
Crispy Crabless Cakes
Wow your guests with this savory and fluffy vegan version of a crab cake. You can never have too much of the horseradish-dill aioli.
Get the full recipe here.
Burrata With Salty Things
Depending on the size of your viewing party, you may want to make more than one of these tasty dishes — they will go fast. Best served with a fresh baguette.
Get the full recipe here.
Simple Toasts
“These toasts are easy to make (perfect for using up day-old bread) and are the foundation for the recipe variations that follow,” says food personality Trish Magwood. Try Whipped Ricotta With Figs, Pistachio & Honey Toasts, Lemon Goat Cheese Toasts and Creamy Forest Mushroom Toasts.
Turkish Manti
Served with garlic yogurt, this popular Turkish dumpling makes a crowd-pleasing shared plate or side dish.
Get the full recipe here.
Seared Scallops & Artichokes
Does your viewing party have a dress code? Match that level of elegance with this well-dressed seared scallop skewer. It’s zesty, satisfying in texture and offers conversation-worthy presentation.
Get the full recipe here.
Pulled Jackfruit Tacos
This party-favorite is an easy-to-assemble recipe that you an your guests can snack on throughout the night. Don’t let the credits roll on the lime juice, though, it’s the final touch that brings all of the flavors together.
Get the full recipe here.
Charred Cauliflower & Shishito Peppers
Shishito peppers are sweet, slightly smokey and an incredible pairing with toasty cauliflower. This recipe is easy to whip up for any host expecting last-minute guests.
Get the full recipe here.
Rodney’s Wings
For meat lovers, this is a smokey take on classic fried BBQ wings you’ll want to try. And once you experience how delicious they are, you’ll want to share them with everyone you know.
Get the full recipe here.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Colorful, rustic and family-friendly, this gnocchi recipe will quickly become your new favorite comfort food. Make it party-friendly by serving it in mini bowls or parmesan cups.
Get the full recipe here.
Zesty Whipped Feta Dip
Perfectly salty and creamy yet light, this whipped dip recipe can amp up just about any chicken or seafood dish with added flavor and moisture.
Get the full recipe here.
Roman-Style Pizza
What’s a party without pizza? Grape tomatoes and ricotta cream give credit to the details of this recipe from Perfect Pan Pizza by Peter Reinhart.
Get the full recipe here.
Meyer Lemon Tart
This velvety, moist and zesty tart recipe is a summery alternative to ultra-decadent dessert options. If you can’t get Meyer lemons, use the zest of regular lemons and substitute a three-quarter cup of fresh lemon juice mixed with a quarter cup of fresh orange juice.
Get the full recipe here.
Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies
For those who don’t shy away from rich and decadent, serving a batch of these fudge-like chocolate cookies is the ultimate party trick.
Get the full recipe here.