43 Graduation Party Food Ideas

From the Recipe Creator: The surface of this graduation sheet cake is perfect for decorating in any way you like. We use it year-round for special events. —Patsy Dean, Sealy, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: Simple ground beef is turned up a notch by party sliders that are sure to please your crowd. I love how easy they are! Be sure not to skip the glaze. It's what takes these sliders over the top.—Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: No down-home meal is complete without Southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this graduation party food idea something special! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: These whoopie pies are soft, cakey cookies studded with tart, juicy blueberries and filled with tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re my go-to graduation party food idea. Be sure to continually scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula while making the batter and frosting. —Kathy Martino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: Low and slow is the best way to go when cooking pork butt, and it happens perfectly in a smoker. This has very little hands-on time, but you will need to plan for a long cook time. The fantastic thing is the meat freezes very well so you can make it ahead of time and have it ready to go. —James Schend, Pleasane Prairie, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This ranch-style beans recipe is served at all of our graduation parties. It seems most people who live here like spicy, flavorful food, and this fits the bill just right. —Wilma Ruth James, Ranger, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: This cheese ball will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It's delicious! I've found it's especially popular at a party or get-together.

From the Recipe Creator: This graduation party food idea combines spices from my Indian roots with a modern twist. If you want to add some extra heat to your sandwiches, add half a serrano pepper to the slaw. —Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: It's hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends, everyone will scarf down these cream cheese pinwheels. Now I bake a double batch whenever we have a get-together. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: In our area of Indiana, we love sweet coney sauce on our hot dogs! Our town still has an old drive-in that is famous for its sauce. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: The first time I tasted this delicious salad was at my wedding, and I recall, even in the blur of that day, the recipe was in high demand. That was years ago and I'm still asked to bring it to cookouts and parties! —Sarah Ryan, Geneva, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: While growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Chuck roast makes delicious shredded beef sandwiches after simmering in a rich, homemade sauce all day. The meat is tender and juicy and takes minutes to prepare for a graduation party food option. —Tatina Smith, San Angelo, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: This honey chicken wings recipe was given to me by a special lady who was like a grandmother to me. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario

From the Recipe Creator: I was coming up with graduation party food ideas and thought it might be fun to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: A frozen orange or lemon slice in the glass looks pretty and helps keep this refreshing punch nice and cold. Using honey instead of sugar adds a sweet touch. —Sheila Bradshaw, Columbus, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: My mom, a former home economics teacher, sent me this recipe. We love it, and so does company I serve it to. —Kea Fisher, Bridger, Montana

From the Recipe Creator: I love having appetizers on hand in the freezer, especially when the holiday season is fast approaching. This easy spanakopita recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Everyone loves them, they’re easy to prep and they bake up in about 20 minutes. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: This fabulous graduation party food idea uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: I love this beef barbacoa because the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is smoky, slightly spicy and so flavorful. It’s an amazing alternative graduation party food idea. It’s also versatile. You can have a soft taco bar and let people make their own—or offer mouthwatering Mexican pizzas or rice bowls. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: If you’re trying to think of graduation party food ideas, this shrimp salad is perfect. It’s quick to put together, too, leaving you more time to spend with your guests. — Karen Moore, Jacksonville, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I met at a cooking class. We have loved creating menus and entertaining ever since. These make-ahead antipasto skewers are always a hit. —Denise Hazen, Cincinnati, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: "Ooey, gooey, great!" is how friends and family describe this chocolate-peanut butter dessert. I appreciate the make-ahead convenience. —Marilee Evenson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I revamped my mother's potato salad to taste more like baked potatoes with all the fixin's, which I love. This loaded baked potato salad is now the most requested dish at family gatherings. Even my mother asked for the recipe! —Jackie Deckard, Solsberry, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: My mother passed this graduation party food idea on to me because she knew I’d want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario

From the Recipe Creator: Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: This cucumber corn salad was one of my mother’s recipes and I think of her whenever I make it. It’s a nice change from a regular cucumber salad. —Jean Moore, Pliny, West Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: Filled with sausage, sweet pepper and cream cheese, these roll-ups are excellent for unexpected visitors, a cocktail party or a halftime snack. Besides being easy to make, they can be done way ahead and kept in the freezer. All you have to do is pop them into a hot oven! —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Hawaiian nuts and melty morsels make a fantastic combination in these buttery white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. —Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon

From the Recipe Creator: These spicy pretzels were a huge hit at my daughter's graduation party. The longer they sit, the spicier they get! —Gayle Zebo, Warren, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: I like to share this dish at potlucks because it can be made ahead, which I especially appreciate during the busy holiday season. The sweet-and-spicy sauce is always a hit. —Martha Anne Carpenter, Mesa, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: A friend had success with this graduation party food idea, so I tried it. When my husband told me how much he loved it, I knew I’d be making it often.—Vivian Warner, Elkhart, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: This creamy, comforting slow-cooked side tastes marvelous with almost any main dish and is a snap to assemble with frozen hash browns. It's a good way to make potatoes when your oven is busy with other dishes. —Lucinda Wolker, Somerset, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: My family thinks this sandwich is pure heaven thanks to the cranberry-pecan mayo. It's so good that they ask me to make it all year long. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: I first tasted this rich, old-fashioned fruit salad at my wedding reception many years ago. The ladies who did the cooking wouldn’t share the recipe at the time, but I eventually got it. I’ve made it for many meals, and our daughters copied the recipe when they married. —Eileen Duffeck, Lena, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Brainstorming for graduation party food ideas inspired this BBQ chicken salad sandwich. An instant summertime favorite, these dressed-up sandwiches have become a mainstay at our house. —Linda Orme, Battleground, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: These cheesecake bars layer a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich and creamy filling and sweet-tart strawberry rhubarb jam. For larger squares, cut into nine bars instead of 16. —Amanda Scarlati, Sandy, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: Salty pretzels pair nicely with the sweet fruit in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that is a slam-dunk at graduation parties. —Peggy Boyd, Northport, Alabama