The first plate of a party sets the tone for everything after it. It also has to wait on a table, hold up at room temperature and be easy to eat with one hand. Those are different demands from a main course, which is why an appetizer book is worth owning separately.
This guide covers eight party food books from named authors and established publishers. They run from a full hosting plan to a compact book of skewers. Two have a Publishers Weekly review that we read, and the rest rest on the publisher and listing, which we say on each one.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for in a book, publisher and listing information, and the published reviews we name. We have not cooked from these books ourselves.
Quick verdict: the best appetizer cookbook for most hosts
For most hosts, start with I’ll Bring the Apps by Marissa Mullen: Publishers Weekly calls it casual and practical, and it gives you a plan and sample menus as well as recipes. For a wide classic reference, choose Martha Stewart’s Appetizers. If you are carrying food to someone else’s table, choose Taste of Home What Can I Bring?.
Five party food books side by side
Five of the eight, one for each kind of host. All eight are described below.
| Book | Best for | Focus | Evidence | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
I’ll Bring the Apps, Marissa MullenBest overall
|
A full party plan | Bites, bowls, boards, drinks | Publishers Weekly | View on Amazon |
Martha Stewart’s Appetizers, Martha StewartBest classic reference
|
A classic reference | Hors d’oeuvres, small plates | Publisher description | View on Amazon |
Party Tricks, Anna HezelBest for stylish hosting
|
Stylish hosting | Snacks and hosting | Publishers Weekly | View on Amazon |
| The most ideas | Canapés, finger food | Publisher description | View on Amazon | |
Taste of Home What Can I Bring?Best for potlucks
|
Potlucks | Food that travels | Publisher description | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best appetizer cookbook
1. I’ll Bring the Apps, Marissa Mullen – A Whole Plan for Party Food
Publishers Weekly reviewed this book in February 2026 and described it as an appealing, casual and practical guide to appetizers. The review lays out Marissa Mullen’s APPS framework, which stands for ambience, pairings, presentation and space. Recipe chapters follow on bites, bowls, boards and beverages, with sample menus for seasonal parties.
We put it first because it treats appetizers as a plan for an evening and not as a pile of separate recipes. In a working kitchen, timing and layout decide whether a spread feels easy, and this is the one book here where a named review says that thinking is built in. The review closes by saying that hosts who want to streamline their prep will find the recipes appealing.
Why we like it
- Reviewed by Publishers Weekly as casual and practical
- Sample menus for seasonal parties, per the review
- Chapters on bites, bowls, boards and beverages
Key specifications
| Author | Marissa Mullen |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Union Square & Co. |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2026 |
| Pages | 240 |
| Recipes | Not stated |
| Focus | Bites, bowls, boards, drinks |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who wants a full plan for the spread, including what to pour and how to set the table.
Skip it if you want a huge recipe count. The Party Food Bible and Martha Stewart’s Appetizers both list far more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named trade review
- Hosting plan as well as recipes
- Drinks included
Cons
- Newer book with a shorter reader record
- Recipe count not stated in what we read
2. Martha Stewart’s Appetizers, Martha Stewart – Hors d’Oeuvres Plus 30 Cocktails
The title promises 200 recipes for dips, spreads, snacks, small plates and other hors d’oeuvres, plus 30 cocktails. The publisher’s description covers pre-dinner bites, more substantial small plates, finger foods for special occasions and quick snacks to serve with drinks.
This is the broad reference on the list: a single book that moves from a snack with drinks to a small plate that could almost be dinner. It dates from 2015. We read no trade review of it, and the Publishers Weekly page we checked shows none, so this pick rests on the publisher description and the listing.
Why we like it
- 200 recipes and 30 cocktails, per the title
- Runs from quick snacks to small plates
- Clarkson Potter hardcover
Key specifications
| Author | Martha Stewart |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Clarkson Potter |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2015 |
| Pages | 256 |
| Recipes | 200, plus 30 cocktails (title) |
| Focus | Hors d’oeuvres and small plates |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who entertains often and wants one reference to return to for many years.
Skip it if you prefer casual food for a crowd. Taste of Home What Can I Bring? is plainer and built for carrying to a gathering.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide range of party food
- Cocktails included
- Well-known author
Cons
- No named review read
- Recipes may lean formal for some hosts, judging by the hors d’oeuvres focus
3. Party Tricks, Anna Hezel – Easy Bites to Elaborate Bakes
Publishers Weekly reviewed this book in February 2026 and calls it an accessibly extravagant, eclectic handbook. It reports hosting advice, pantry suggestions and recipes that range from simple bites to more elaborate baked dishes and desserts. The reviewer also praises the practical tips and the festive photography.
The range is the reason to look at it. A host can start with something easy, then try a baked dish once the simple ones feel safe. It covers more than appetizers alone, since the review mentions desserts, so a buyer who only wants small savory bites may use just part of it.
Why we like it
- Named Publishers Weekly review
- Hosting advice and pantry suggestions, per the review
- Recipes from simple to elaborate
Key specifications
| Author | Anna Hezel |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Chronicle Books |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2026 |
| Pages | 192 |
| Recipes | Not stated |
| Focus | Snacks and hosting |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who likes a stylish party and enjoys a little reading about how to run one.
Skip it if you want strictly quick food, because some recipes are more elaborate baked dishes, per the review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Trade review read
- Practical hosting tips
- Strong photography, per the review
Cons
- Goes beyond appetizers
- Newer book with a shorter reader record
4. The Party Food Bible, Lisa Eisenman Frisk and Monica Eisenman – 565 Bite-Size Recipes
The title lists 565 recipes for amuse-bouches, canapés and festive finger food. The publisher describes bite-size food, drinks and desserts for cocktail parties, showers, weddings and birthdays, served on items such as skewers and spoons.
No other book here comes close on sheer count, which is the main case for it. A book this size is useful when you have a theme or an ingredient and want many ideas fast. We read no review, the Publishers Weekly page shows none, and we cannot tell you how the recipes hold up, so judge it as a large idea book.
Why we like it
- 565 recipes, per the title
- Built for showers, weddings and birthdays, per the publisher
- Bites, drinks and desserts
Key specifications
| Author | Lisa Eisenman Frisk, Monica Eisenman |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Skyhorse |
| Format | Paperback |
| Published | 2016 |
| Pages | 320 |
| Recipes | 565 (title) |
| Focus | Canapés and finger food |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who plans events and wants the largest possible stack of ideas.
Skip it if you want a guiding voice or a plan. A collection this large asks you to do your own choosing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest count on this page
- Event-minded
- Paperback
Cons
- Rests on the publisher and listing
- So many recipes that choosing takes time
5. Taste of Home What Can I Bring? – Food That Travels Well
This is the book for the person bringing a dish to someone else’s house. The publisher’s overview describes more than 360 recipes for parties, picnics and potlucks, with packing and serving tips. It lists appetizers, big-batch mains, salads, sides, slow-cooker favorites and desserts, and says every recipe is designed to travel well.
Appetizers are only one section, so it is not a pure appetizer book. We include it because the transport question matters at real gatherings and no other book here is organized around it. The publisher calls the recipes kitchen-tested. That is its statement, and we have not cooked from it.
Why we like it
- More than 360 recipes, per the listing
- Packing and serving tips, per the publisher
- Recipes chosen to travel, per the publisher
Key specifications
| Author | Taste of Home (editors) |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Trusted Media Brands |
| Format | Paperback |
| Published | 2023 |
| Pages | 320 |
| Recipes | 360+ (listing) |
| Focus | Potlucks and parties |
Why we recommend it
It suits a regular potluck guest or anyone asked to bring something to a family gathering.
Skip it if you want appetizers only, because mains, salads and desserts share the book.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Focused on food that travels
- Big-batch options
- Paperback
Cons
- Not only appetizers
- No single author’s voice
6. Small Bites, Eliza Cross – Skewers and Sliders for Hosts
The publisher describes more than 60 savory recipes grouped into finger foods, skewers and picks, and sandwiches and sliders. Examples named include mini Asian lettuce wraps, Beef Oscar tartlets and Greek salad on a stick. The recipes are pitched at both formal gatherings and casual game-day get-togethers.
A short book has its own appeal for a home cook, since you can read all of it and pick a few favorites. It is also the most tightly focused title here, with nothing but savory bites described. It rests on the publisher’s description and the listing, because we read no review.
Why we like it
- More than 60 savory recipes, per the publisher
- Three clear groups of recipes
- Works for formal and casual parties, per the publisher
Key specifications
| Author | Eliza Cross |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Gibbs Smith |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2017 |
| Pages | 128 |
| Recipes | 60+ (publisher) |
| Focus | Skewers, sliders, finger food |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a compact book of savory party food and a few dependable ideas.
Skip it if you need sweets or drinks as well, since the publisher describes savory recipes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tight focus
- Short enough to read through
- Clear organization
Cons
- Smaller recipe count
- No named review read
7. Brilliant Bites, Maegan Brown – Miniature Versions of Favorite Foods
Maegan Brown, known as The BakerMama, is the author of Beautiful Boards. Here she offers 75 small bites, which the publisher describes as miniature versions of favorite foods that are simple to shop for and make, and suitable for gatherings with children.
The publisher names five areas: parties and special occasions, breakfast and brunch, everyday snacks and meals, desserts, and holiday-themed bites. That range makes it the most family-minded book here. Bear in mind that this comes from the publisher’s own description, and the overview we read was cut off, so we cannot speak for every chapter.
Why we like it
- 75 recipes, per the title
- Kid-friendly gatherings named by the publisher
- Holiday and brunch bites included
Key specifications
| Author | Maegan Brown |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Rock Point |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2023 |
| Pages | 200 |
| Recipes | 75 (title) |
| Focus | Miniature family favorites |
Why we recommend it
It suits a parent or family host who wants fun, familiar food in a small size.
Skip it if you want sophisticated canapés. Party-Perfect Bites sounds closer to that from its description.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Family focus
- Simple shopping, per the publisher
- Author with a prior entertaining book
Cons
- Rests on the publisher and listing
- Less suited to formal parties, by its own description
8. Party-Perfect Bites, Milli Taylor – Cocktail-Party Flavors
The publisher calls this a collection of recipes for small bites and finger food for parties of any size. Named examples include smoked eggplant purée with feta and pomegranate in chicory boats, ceviche of seabass with avocado and chipotle dressing, and grilled peach, mozzarella and Parma ham bites.
Those examples put it at the more polished end of this list. Some ingredients, such as seabass and mooli, may take more shopping for a US home cook. We read no review, and the listing does not give a recipe count.
Why we like it
- Canapés and finger food are the whole subject
- Season-minded examples, per the publisher
- Works for any size of party, per the publisher
Key specifications
| Author | Milli Taylor |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ryland Peters & Small |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Published | 2014 |
| Pages | 144 |
| Recipes | Not stated |
| Focus | Canapés |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who wants a more refined tray and enjoys looking for ingredients.
Skip it if you need easy supermarket food, because the named examples ask for more than that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Polished flavor ideas
- Tight focus on canapés
- Short book
Cons
- Some ingredients may need extra shopping
- No named review read
How to choose an appetizer book for your parties
Think about the kind of party you actually throw. A game-day crowd and a sit-down dinner need different openers. Small Bites names both, while Party-Perfect Bites sounds more formal.
Look for make-ahead thinking. The cook at a party wants to be out of the kitchen when people arrive. A book that talks about planning and prep will serve you better than one that only lists dishes.
Decide if you want drinks in the book. Mullen and Stewart both include them. If you already have a cocktail book, that may not matter to you.
Check the shopping. Read the named recipes in a publisher’s description. Simple supermarket food and specialty ingredients both make good parties, but only one of them works on a busy Friday.
Plan the serving pieces too. Small food needs the right surface. Our serving platters guide and charcuterie board guide cover what to set it on.
How we picked these eight appetizer books
We searched Amazon’s Books index for appetizer, party food and small bites titles, then kept those in stock as new copies from named authors or an identifiable recipe brand at established publishers. We left out self-published and anonymous-looking titles, and we left out books centered only on boards, because those belong with board guides.
We have not cooked from these books. We checked Publishers Weekly by ISBN for four of them and read the two reviews that exist. A search for other reviews returned mostly blogs, library catalogs and retail pages, so we did not lean on them. Recipe counts come from titles, publisher descriptions or the listing, and we write “not stated” where we saw none.
Appetizer cookbook questions, answered
Which party food recipes book has the most recipes?
The Party Food Bible, with 565 in its title. Taste of Home What Can I Bring? lists more than 360, though these cover far more than appetizers.
Which book is best for a potluck?
Taste of Home What Can I Bring?, because the publisher says every recipe is designed to travel well.
Do these books include drinks?
Martha Stewart’s Appetizers lists 30 cocktails, and I’ll Bring the Apps has a beverages chapter, per Publishers Weekly. The Party Food Bible also mentions drinks.
Which is best for parties with children?
Brilliant Bites, whose publisher names kid-friendly gatherings.
Our final pick for your next party
Choose I’ll Bring the Apps for a plan and a reviewed recipe set, or Martha Stewart’s Appetizers for a long-term reference. For a party with a Mexican lean, our salsa cookbook guide covers dips and salsas in more depth.
If the party is tonight and you would rather not cook, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston. Call to order at (346) 546-8283.