Most of us know the secret of a good fun book club. Rule #1 about book club; it isn't about reading a book. The best book clubs involve your favorite people, a cocktail or some wine, tasty food, & lots of fun. So the next time you are hosting, enjoy these Book Club Snack & Drink Recipes.
Like sharing a good book with friends & family, I am sharing my favorite recipe ideas to make any gathering even better. From small bites to bold cocktails, book club has never tasted better. With these recipes, the food will be the talk of the party - forget about that ole book will ya!
Whether you are a beginner or a gourmet cook, there is something for anyone to make here. Feel confident in serving these appetizers, small plates, snacks, drinks, & desserts. Whether you are hosting or it is a potluck, these recipes will be a hit.
I am including a wide range of tastes and diets so there is something for everyone. You will find gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, high-protein, low-carb/keto, dairy-free, & nut-free recipe ideas for your book club guests.
All of these recipes are easy to eat. Perfect for multitasking between nibbling, sipping, & talking. Here are the types of recipes shared here today:
- Appetizers/Small Plates
- Snacks & Dips
- Cocktails & Drinks
- Sweet Desserts
Appetizers/Small Plates
Here are the best appetizers & small plates to serve for the next book club party. There are cold & hot recipes. All are perfect for grazing on during any book discussion.
Fig and Brie Bruschetta
Toasted bread topped with fresh figs, creamy brie cheese, & spicy hot honey is the ultimate recipe. Fig & Brie Bruschetta is a gourmet-tasting appetizer that is quick & easy to make. The Italian-inspired small plate, snack, or lunch is sweet, savory, sticky, & sensational.
Fig & Brie Bruschetta
Easy Tomato Basil Bruschetta
This traditional bruschetta combines the perfect flavors of fresh Roma tomatoes, sweet basil, salty capers, and pungent garlic.
Easy Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
The best crunchy air fryer loaded potato skins is this quick & easy recipe. This 30-minute appetizer or side is great for game day, parties, or dinner. Use baked potatoes & stuff with crispy bacon & melted cheddar cheese. Don't forget all the best toppings like sour cream & chives, dips, & more. Including how to bake, scoop, & cook potato skins with time & temperature steps to cook these TGI Friday's copycat recipe to perfection.
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
Caprese Sliders
These oven-baked Caprese sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a yummy appetizer, small bite, snack, or meal. Fresh tomatoes, pesto, & mozzarella combine for an easy Italian sandwich recipe. The perfect vegetarian recipe for parties, holidays, & game day.
Caprese Sliders
Roast Beef, Cheddar, & Caramelized Onion Sliders
These oven-baked roast beef & cheddar sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a yummy appetizer, small bite, or meal. Sliced beef steak, cheddar cheese, & sweet caramelized onions combine for an easy slider sandwich recipe. Great for parties, game day, Super Bowl, birthdays, lunch, dinner, or snack.
Roast Beef & Cheddar Sliders
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy chicken wings in hot honey lemon pepper sauce are sticky, sweet, & spicy. This recipe for deep-fried wings in a hot flavorful sauce is easy to make. Perfect for appetizers, snacks, lunch, or dinner. These wings are gluten-free without breading bust still so crispy.
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Garlic Butter Wings
Crispy garlic butter wings are fantastic. Seasoned chicken wings are deep-fried and tossed in a garlic butter sauce that is rich & pungent. Loaded with garlic and crispy skin makes these wings an appetizer favorite. The best mild wings for game day, parties, or a crowd. Also low-carb, gluten-free, & keto-friendly.
Garlic Butter Wings
Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
Teriyaki chicken on a stick is an easy family favorite recipe. These tasty marinated chicken teriyaki kebabs are grilled to perfection for the ultimate sweet, salty, and savory bite. This is a gluten-free recipe with keto options as well.
Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
Here's an easy recipe for the ultimate air fryer frozen egg rolls. The combination of the flaky crispy egg roll wrapper and the soft savory center can be pretty addicting. Once you air fry frozen egg rolls, you will never cook them any other way. If you love egg rolls but prefer to eat a bit healthier and lighter, then air frying is the perfect cooking solution. No deep frying, heavy oils, or greasy exteriors.
Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen potstickers in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot on the inside and crispy on the outside. Air frying is an easy way to cook dumplings, gyoza, mandu, and any pork, shrimp, vegetarian, or chicken potsticker.
Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
Dill PIckle Deviled Eggs
Creamy and tangy deviled eggs are party-perfect food and a crowd-pleasing appetizer. This easy recipe is keto, low-carb, gluten-free, and diabetic too. Great for cookouts, BBQs, game day, Super Bowl, & buffets.
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
Ahi Tuna Poke Nachos with Wontons
The most amazing ahi tuna poke nachos with wontons are easier to make at home than you ever imagined. They are spicy, crunchy, salty, & irresistible. A copycat recipe similar to the ahi nachos at Yardhouse.
Poke Nachos
Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp
The best hot and crispy air fryer frozen coconut shrimp, try this easy recipe. In just a few minutes your favorite appetizer or seafood meal will be cooked to perfection. Great for parties, game day, or dinner.
Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp
Snacks & Dips
Offering munchies at a book club is ideal. The grab-and-chat option, whether sweet or savory, is a party must. Along with these tasty dip recipes, your guests will be happy. Offering up a variety of store-bought crackers, chips, & salted nuts too.
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Air fryer shishito peppers char up with crunchy blistered skins for so much flavor. In minutes you have one of the best appetizers. For a sweet, spicy, and smoky bite there is nothing more simple yet delicious as these peppers.
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Shishito PepperS Dipping Sauce
For a tasty shishito pepper dipping sauce, this easy recipe is the best. It's thick, creamy and a combo of sweet, salty, umami, and nutty flavors.
Shishito Pepper Dipping Sauce
Roasted Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Crispy roasted marinated artichoke hearts are the easiest recipe ever. It is so simple to cook marinated, canned, or frozen artichoke hearts in the oven on high heat to get a crispy outside and a tender inside. They're best as an appetizer, healthy snack, salad pizza topping, or side dish. They are gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian and keto. For a Spanish twist (alcachofa) or Italian take (carciofo) artichoke hearts are so versatile.
Crispy Baked Artichoke Hearts
How to Make a Butter Board
For the best sweet & spicy butter board try this easy recipe. This trending appetizer or first course takes bread and butter to a new gourmet level. It's creamy, salty, & irresistible.
Sweet & Spicy Butter Board
Honey-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are an easy recipe for perfectly roasted pumpkin seeds. They are oven-baked for a crispy, sweet, and salty snack. These bite-sized roasted pumpkin seeds are a bit addicting with a brittle-like crunch, syrupy coating, and a salted finish.
Honey-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Furikake Snack Mix
The perfect sweet, savory, salty, and crunchy snack mix. The umami flavors of the furikake seasoning make this way better than your ordinary party or Chex mix.
Furikake Snack Mix
Taralli Pugliesi - Italian Black Pepper Cookies
Taralli are wonderful baked wheat flour rings that are a classic snack in Italy. Taralli are savory bites that are crispy on the outside and have flaky inside. The taste is a wonderful combination of floral olive oil and spicy black pepper with every nibble.
Italian Black Pepper Cookies
Old-Fashioned Southern Pimento Cheese
Pimento (pimiento) Cheese is a true Southern staple for any get-together. This classic old-fashioned recipe is a crowd-pleaser and my version has only a bit of mayo but all the creaminess. This easy appetizer is wonderful for keto, low-carb, and gluten-free diets.
Southern Pimento Cheese
Dipping Sauces for Sweet Potato Fries
The best dipping sauces for eating with sweet potato fries are these two quick and easy recipes. Not just one but two terrific dips. Each is a wonderful combination of 3 simple ingredients to make a yummy dip in just 1 minute. Enjoy a cool, creamy, & spicy ranch version or a sweet & tangy maple mustard recipe.
Dipping Sauces for Fries
Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
Muddy buddies (puppy chow) meet the classic snickerdoodle cookie flavors of cinnamon and sugar.
Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
Cocktails & Drinks
Whatever the guests are sipping can make or break a book club party. I suggest offering 3 options minimum, with one being a mocktail or non-alcoholic. You know your guests best so choose from these refreshing, fun, & potent potables.
Classic Mojitos by the Pitcher
Making mojitos by the pitcher with limes and mint is the perfect easy recipe for a crowd.
Classic Mojitos by the Pitcher
Pina Colada on the Rocks
This tropical cocktail is a shaken, not blended, pina colada on the rocks. With creamy coconut and pineapple that classic pina colada taste over ice is just the recipe for a taste of summer.
Pina Colada on the Rocks
Watermelon Mint Martini
Refreshing and easy vodka cocktail with fresh watermelon, mint, and lemon juice. This delicious recipe is the ultimate summer martini.
Watermelon Mint Martini
Creamy Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Salted caramel espresso martinis are a perfectly rich, sweet, and creamy vodka cocktail recipe. Like a combination of a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato and a Kahlua White Russian.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule
A refreshing and spicy twist on a Moscow Mule that includes jalapenos and basil. A wonderful vodka cocktail that is an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser.
Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule
Best Pomegranate Moscow Mule
The best pomegranate Moscow mule recipe is easy, pretty, refreshing, and tastes yummy. A perfect combo of vodka, ginger beer, and juices.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule
Pomegranate Mimosa
Bubbly Prosecco & sweet pomegranate juice make for a refreshing & sophisticated twist on the classic mimosa. This easy recipe is pretty & fun. The combination of grapefruit & pomegranate is tart, sweet, fruity, & delicious. Tips for using Champagne or a mocktail with lemon-lime soda. Only 3 ingredients for this mimosa recipe - great for Mother's Day, New Year's Day, Christmas, parties, birthdays, brunch, showers, or anniversaries.
Pomegranate Mimosa
Texas Ranch Water
Texas ranch water is a refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail recipe. Ranch water is simply the easiest tequila cocktail you can make at home.
Texas Ranch Water
TEQUILA SUNRISE COCKTAIL: TWO UNIQUE TWISTS ON A CLASSIC
A gorgeous colorful cocktail with tequila, citrus juices, and grenadine.
Tequila Sunrise
Vodka Sunrise
For a gorgeous colorful cocktail with vodka & orange juice, make this easy recipe. The colorful layers make you feel you are on vacation in a tropical location enjoying a peaceful sunrise.
Vodka Sunrise
Hawaiian Rum Punch
Just 3 ingredients for this pretty, fruity, & easy Hawaiian Rum Punch. One sip & you will be transported to the islands. Mix up a pitcher & enjoy on the rocks for a cold, refreshing, & sweet cocktail with island flavors. Great for parties all summer long.
Hawaiian Rum Punch
Purple Passion Cocktail
The 80s classic Purple Passion is back with vodka and all the grape goodness from the past.
Purple Passion Cocktail
Pink Mocktail
This pretty Pink Mocktail is a fun non-alcoholic recipe for kids and adults. This yummy 3-ingredient mocktini is sweet, fruity, & sparkling. The sherbet punch is served in martini glasses for a fancy zero-proof party beverage. Great for birthdays, baby & wedding showers, Valentine's day, or any holiday. Great drink for 4 or more, great for a crowd or big events.
Pink Mocktail
Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
The perfect glass of lemonade can be enjoyed all summer thanks to making homemade concentrate when lemons are at there peak each year.
Lemonade from Homemade Concentrate
Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
This matcha iced tea latte with vanilla is a copycat recipe for the delicious drink from Starbucks. It is easy to make a cool refreshing green tea drink using matcha powder. Enjoy it iced or blended for a frozen matcha latte frappe.
Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte
Mint Mojito Iced Coffee (Philz copycat)
The easiest copycat recipe for your favorite Philz coffee, the mint mojito ice coffee. It is all things cool, minty, creamy, and sweet in one perfect sip.
Mint Mojito Iced Coffee
Best Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
The best hot chocolate made by melting chocolate chips is this easy recipe. The decadent and rich hot beverage is a winter favorite. It is quick & simple to make on the stove in minutes. Grab some marshmallows or whipped cream for the perfect cup of homemade hot chocolate. Great for holidays & camping.
Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
Sweet Desserts
Before your guests go, they need to have something sweet. These desserts are perfect for any book club party. There are many dessert recipes on my site, but for book clubs, I find these smaller ones are best. Perfect for holding in one hand while the other hand has a cocktail or glass of wine.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
This fun & easy recipe for sugar cookies with sprinkles is a colorful dessert everyone loves. The soft & chewy cookies are loaded with nonpareils for a crunchy rainbow treat. The simple sprinkle cookie recipe is the best for birthday parties, Christmas, Easter, holidays, pride month, & celebrations.
Spinkle Sugar Cookies
Twix Cookie Cups
The classic candy is now a delicious & easy to make cookie cup. These sugar cookies are filled with gooey chewy caramel & drenches in rich chocolate. All you need is 3 ingredients & a muffin tin to make these bite-sized desserts.
Twix Cookie Cups
Rolo Stuffed Ritz Crackers
Only 2 ingredients for this sweet & salty easy 10-minute recipe. The dessert or snack is crunchy, gooey, & chocolatey all in one yummy bite. Great for parties, holidays, & potlucks.
Rolo Stuffed Ritz Crackers
Banana Cream Pie Cookie Cups
These fun banana cream pie cookie cups are sweet & tasty little dessert bites. Ready-prepared sugar cookie dough filled with thick Jell-O banana cream pudding, lightly whipped cream, & fresh bananas are seriously amazing. This quick & easy recipe is one of the best desserts for using fresh bananas or your mini muffin pan. Only 5 ingredients & ready in less than 30 minutes.
Banana Cream Pie Cookie Cups
Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
The best fresh-baked chocolate chip marshmallow cookies are everything: crispy edges, melty chocolate, gooey toasted marshmallows, and a chewy center. The homemade cookies loaded with chocolate chips & mini marshmallows are a favorite recipe. Use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chopped chocolate or chunks too.
Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
Small-Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
This small-batch peanut butter cookie recipe makes only one dozen delicious cookies. They are amazing right out of the oven and make just enough for a small household. Great for those living alone, in a dorm, or a family that just wants to enjoy all the cookies warm and straight out of the oven with no leftovers. So when you have a craving, make this easy cookie recipe.
Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
Biscoff Butter Cookies
Gooey Biscoff butter cookies are the gooey, spiced, & sweet treat you won't be able to resist. These homemade cookies are loaded with cookie butter spread with that classic speculoos flavor.
Biscoff Cookie Butter Cookies
Homemade Snickers Bars
Snickers candy with chewy nougat, rich caramel, crunchy peanuts, and chocolate are a classic. Making your Snickers bars at home is an easy no-bake recipe to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Homemade Snickers Bars
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
This quick and easy chocolate peanut clusters recipe is a delicious holiday treat. The sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy homemade candy is great for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, or Halloween. A simple recipe with 3 ingredients and takes just 10 minutes!
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Strawberry Brownies
Strawberry brownies made from cake mix are a fun & colorful dessert that is so simple to make. Just 3 ingredients for chewy pink brownies. A great recipe for Easter, Spring, pink-themed parties, birthdays, showers, & Mother's Day.
Strawberry Brownies
Red Velvet Brownies with Cake Mix
For an easy recipe for red velvet brownies, uses a store-bought cake mix. These yummy moist, fudgy, & rich brownies are packed with white chocolate chips. They look & taste gourmet but only take 5 minutes & 5 ingredients to mix up. Great for Valentine's Day, Christmas, parties, & potlucks.
Red Velvet Brownies from Cake Mix
Raspberry Lemon Loaf
This moist & sweet raspberry lemon loaf is the ultimate spring cake recipe. It's great for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Bursting with fresh berries & amazing citrus flavor the combination is hard to resist. An easy one-bowl recipe that tastes better than a slice from Starbucks.
Raspberry Lemon Loaf
Southern Peach Pound Cake
Homemade sweet & fresh southern peach pound cake is a wonderful summer dessert. A classic loaf pound cake recipe with loads of fresh diced peaches puts this over the top.
Southern Peach Pound Cake
Lemon Icebox Cake
The best summer no-bake dessert. Creamy & cool Lemon IceBox Cake is a great sweet treat. It takes just 10 minutes to prep & feeds a crowd.
Lemon Icebox Cake
S’mores Icebox Cake
The best no-bake dessert is this creamy, chocolatey, & toasty S'mores Icebox Cake. The layers of graham crackers, pudding, & marshmallows scream summer. This cool summer recipe is great for feeding a crowd or party. Make it for 4th of July, BBQs, potlucks, parties, & birthdays. Only 6 -ingredients and 20 minutes to assemble.
S'Mores Icebox Cake
M&M Rice Krispies Treats
For gooey and chewy Rice Krispies treats with M&M candies, this easy recipe is the best. This recipe has colorful chocolate candies and extra marshmallow for a sweet snack or dessert everyone loves.
M&M Rice Krispies Treats
Fresh Strawberry Mousse Parfait
Fresh strawberry mousse is an easy parfait dessert. It’s light and healthy with mounds of yummy berry whipped cream and puree layer making for a great no-bake recipe.
Fresh Strawberry Mousse Parfait
Keto Chocolate Mousse with Sugar-Free Pudding
For an easy low-carb chocolate mousse that is thick, rich, and decadent, this recipe is the best. With just 2 ingredients and ready in minutes, this is the quickest keto dessert recipe.
Easy Low-Carb Chocolate Mousse
Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Keto & Vegan)
These easy no-bake healthy peanut butter cups are so delicious. They are easy to make & great for those on a keto, vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb diet. Less sugar than Reese's peanut butter cups & all of the same amazing taste.
Healthy (keto & vegan) Peanut Butter Cups
How to Make Tanghulu (Chinese Candied Fruit)
This easy recipe for beloved Chinese street food, tanghulu, couldn't be more fun or tasty. Skewered fresh fruit on bamboo sticks coated in simple sugar syrup and then set to harden. The candied outer shell is great crunchy and cracks open when you bit into it. The sweet shell is paired with tart or sweet fruits like strawberries, oranges, pineapple, and more.
Tanghulu
Final Notes
For a successful book club party, follow these tips & tricks:
- Know your guests so you can offer dietary & allergy-sensitive items if needed.
- Create a menu & shopping list at least a week ahead of time.
- Choose both hot & cold items.
- By a few store-bought items like crackers, sliced cheeses, fruits, nuts, & canned cocktails or beers.
- Calculate 3-4 drink offerings & 5-6 food choices per 10 people. For Example for a party of 12 people offer 4 drinks (wine, cocktail, sparking water, & a soda) & 6 snacks (wings, sliders, chips/dip, deviled eggs, cookies, & brownies)
- Make at least one recipe that can be prepped or cooked ahead of time, such as the sliders or most of the desserts.
- Set out everything buffet style & enjoy your guests!
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