10 Easy Graduation Party Food Ideas

Perfect Graduation Party Finger Food Ideas

Whether you’re going to a graduation potluck party, you’re hosting a small get-together yourself, or you’re just celebrating graduation with the family, food makes any party better. With the graduation party food ideas below, you can create a fun themed dish, a downright delicious dish, or both!

We’ve gathered 10 of our favorite graduation party finger food ideas, and they’re perfect for a high school graduation party, college grad party, or even just to celebrate the ending of a school year. Hope you find something you love!

1. Grad Cap Cupcakes

Let’s start with something easy but oh so suitable for a graduation party. These sweet grad caps are super easy to make (no baking required) and, well, just look at them! They’re so cute!

They’re really a crowd pleaser for anyone with a sweet tooth too. You’ve got a brownie, chocolate square, an M&M, sour candy, and chocolate chips in each and every cap!

2. Peanut Butter Grad Caps

These are very similar to the grad cap cupcakes above looks-wise, but flavor-wise they’re a bit different. Each cap is filled with a melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter fudge filling and topped with a white chocolate chip.

These ones are also a bit more complicated to make but they look so professional the extra work is worth it!

3. Mexican Bites

Here’s a no-bake, super easy appetizer recipe that packs a punch! These Mexican bites may look small but they’ve got big flavor, and you can customize them with your favorite salsa for that perfect touch.

Just a tip: if there are a lot of people at your grad party, double this recipe! These bad boys go quick!

4. Veggie Tray with Homemade Ranch

Is it really a party without a veggie tray? It may not be the most flashy or exciting side dish, but it’s definitely a necessity! To make your veggie tray really pop, try this easy jalapeno cilantro dip to go alongside the homemade ranch.

If you want to go the extra mile and include a fruit tray with your veggie tray, you’ve got to try this easy cream cheese fruit dip OR this Cool Whip fruit dip. Both are great!

5. Sub Sandwich

This pesto and roast beef sub sandwich recipe was originally written with the intention of being a picnic meal idea, but it’s a great party pleaser too! It’s quick and easy to put together, and then once you cut it you’ve got several mini sandwiches that are flavorful, refreshing, and healthy.

Needless to say, if you’re not planning on bringing a dessert to your grad party, this is a fantastic savory option!

6. Diploma Sandwiches

Ok, how awesome are these? They may be a bit less flavorful than the pesto roast beef sub sandwich above, but the presentation here is the main attraction! Who wouldn’t want to eat little sandwiches that look like diplomas?

These are super easy to make and totally customizable too. Create your very own filling or follow the recipe just how it’s written and you’ll have an awesome appetizer either way.

7. Puff Pastry Diplomas

If you’re on dessert duty, you can still capitalize on the diploma idea with these puff pastries! After cooking these little beauties they puff up nicely and the little ribbon pulls the entire look together.

Also, they’re filled with Nutella and lightly toasted sliced almonds which is extremely simple but also out-of-this-world delicious. This recipe should go over well at any graduation party.

8. Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins

These might not seem like a traditional graduation party food (or just a party food in general) but I think it’s kind of suiting, especially for a high school graduation party! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are such a classic cold lunch idea and these PB&J muffins might just give the kids that bit of high school nostalgia that makes a grad party so special.

Oh, and they have a couple of secret ingredients: shredded zucchini and carrots. You won’t even notice them in there though! They add a boost of healthiness.

9. Mini Cheesecake Tarts

Bite-sized cheesecake tarts? Talk about yum! This is another grad dessert recipe that you can’t really go wrong with. They’re easy to eat, taste incredible, and they look quite elegant too.

PS: If you like these, you might also want to check out our Raspberry Brie Bites recipe. They’re another super delicious bite-sized dessert!

10. Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Nachos are always a popular party food, especially around a bunch of high school or college grads! And these aren’t just your regular old nachos either. These buffalo chicken nachos have a bit of spice to them, layers of cheese and chicken, and to really make it special, we recommend making homemade tortilla chips (don’t worry, it’s easy).

Bonus: Graduation Tassel Cake

Ok, if you REALLY want to go all out for your graduation party, nothing really tops this sweet graduation cap cake. Just be warned: this will take some time and dedication!

The end result is well worth it though. I mean, just think about the reactions this type of cake will receive. It’s the ultimate grad cake!

Final Thoughts

With these graduation party food ideas and dessert recipes, you should have no problem finding the perfect dish to bring to your party! In fact, if we’re being honest, you’re probably going to have the best dish of the night 😉

If you have any other graduation party foods to share, let us know in the comments! What are you going to make this year?