How many nibbles should I prepare?
As a general rule allow, 4 to 5 pieces of food per person per hour. Then add 10 to 25 per cent on top to cover for any unexpected arrivals or extra-hungry guests.
What's the right balance between vegetarian and non-veggie nibbles?
Think of a ratio of 2 thirds veggie food and 1 third meat and fish. The meat eaters won't notice and your veggie friends won't go hungry!
How do I cater for people with food allergies?
Wheat and nuts are 2 of the most common food allergies. So serve oatcakes with the cheese board, swap the bread sticks for corn tortillas and replace bowls of peanuts with olives or hand-baked vegetable crisps.
What are some of the more popular nibbles?
Anything mini always works well. Think hot mini sausages, juicy king prawns, crispy crudités and guacamole. And mini brownies or strawberries and chocolate dip, to round things off.
See Delia Smith's recipes for great nibbles
What are some simple party nibble recipes?
You don't have to do a great deal of cooking to create tasty party nibbles. Try falafel on sticks with olives and sun-dried tomatoes, or Greek feta cheese on crostini with tomatoes and basil. Quails eggs are easy to eat and look incredibly elegant and a good selection of olives will please most guests.
If you're feeling more ambitious, try satay chicken or make your own home-made vegetable crisps by deep-frying slivers of veg.
Get some great party food recipes from the BBC
See our top 10 starter recipes for more ideas
Top 10s
See the full range of top tips from around the site


