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A colorful platter of fun and healthy Kids Party Appetizers arranged for easy grabbing by little hands.

Ultimate Kids Party Appetizers Collection

A collection of easy, playful, and secretly nutritious bite-sized appetizers perfect for any children's party. This spread includes savory options like Mini Pizza Swirls and Hidden Veggie Turkey Meatballs, sweet treats like Banana Sushi Rolls, and fresh Rainbow Veggie Cups with a flavorful dip. Designed for smart make-ahead prep to ensure a stress-free and fun celebration for kids and parents alike.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 24 slices pepperoni optional
  • 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup finely grated zucchini, squeezed dry
  • 1/4 cup finely grated carrot
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp ketchup, plus more for serving
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Cooking spray or olive oil
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped dill optional
  • Assorted cut vegetables: cherry tomatoes, cucumber rounds, bell pepper strips, steamed broccoli florets
  • 2-3 large apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
  • Assorted toppings: mini chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, shredded coconut, crushed berries
  • 3-4 long celery stalks
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1-2 tbsp honey
  • 1 cup green grapes
  • Candy eyes optional
  • 2 large tortillas whole wheat or sun-dried tomato
  • 2 tbsp Nutella or cream cheese
  • 1 banana, peeled
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds or rainbow sprinkles for rolling
  • Fine grain salt
  • Small bamboo skewers or fun cocktail picks
  • Lemon juice for preventing apple browning

Equipment

  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Small cookie scoop
  • Sharp serrated knife
  • Cutting board
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small cups or mason jars for serving
  • Skewers or cocktail picks
  • Rolling pin
  • Clean kitchen towel
  • Airtight storage containers

Method
 

  1. Two Days Before: Wash and chop all vegetables for the Rainbow Veggie Cups; store in airtight containers with a damp paper towel. Mix Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, and dill to make the 'Magic' Dip; cover and refrigerate. Grate zucchini and carrot for meatballs; squeeze zucchini dry and store.
  2. The Day Before: Assemble Fruit Caterpillars: fill celery stalks with cream cheese-honey mixture, top with grapes and candy eyes; store in a long container. Make Banana Sushi: spread tortillas with Nutella or cream cheese, place a banana on each, roll tightly, slice into rounds, and roll in sprinkles; store. Prepare turkey meatball mixture, roll into tablespoon-sized balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate. Slice apples for 'pizzas' and soak in lemon water to prevent browning; store.
  3. Party Day - One Hour Before: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) for Pizza Swirls and 375°F (190°C) for Meatballs. Bake Meatballs: place chilled meatballs on a parchment-lined, oil-sprayed sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through. Bake Pizza Swirls: roll puff pastry into a rectangle, spread with sauce, top with cheese and pepperoni, roll into a log, slice into rounds, place on parchment, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Let both cool slightly.
  4. Set Up Stations: Fill small cups with 'Magic' Yogurt Dip and stand prepared veggies upright in them. Arrange Apple 'Pizza' slices and toppings for a DIY station. Arrange all hot and cold items artfully on platters with skewers and picks. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Presentation is key: use cookie cutters, arrange by color, and give dishes playful names. Always check for allergies; keep common allergens like nuts separate. For picky eaters, deconstruct foods and offer components separately. Most items can be prepped ahead: unbaked meatballs and pizza swirls can be frozen on a sheet pan, then stored in a bag; bake from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.