Are you throwing an awesome luau but need to figure out what to serve your guests? Or, maybe you were invited to a luau and need to bring a stellar finger food appetizer! Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered! We compiled a list of the best 15 luau finger food ideas for inspiration so you can totally rock your next luau!
Luau Finger Food Ideas
1. Hawaiian Coconut Butter Mochi Cake
Escape to the Hawaiin islands with this Hawaiin Coconut Butter Mochi Cake, which is a staple for islanders! This dessert is sticky and chewy, with delicious coconut custard and topped with yummy coconut shreds and sesame seeds! It may sound a little odd, but once all of the party guests try it, they will be coming back for more! Even though most of the ingredients are not something you have stowed away in your pantry, you can likely find everything in the international aisle of your supermarket. The only thing you may have a hard time finding is the glutinous sweet rice flour. Don’t worry! You can get it here!
2. Hawaiian Pizza Skewers
These Hawaiian pizza skewers are sure to be a huge hit at your next luau! They consist of a marinated mozzarella cheese ball, bacon back ham, a juicy pineapple chunk, and a cube of tasty provolone cheese layered on a skewer! These delicious pizza skewers are best served with a side of yummy marinara sauce! But feel free to get creative and try your favorite sauce or even create a new sauce! Note that the mozzarella cheese balls need to be marinated unless you buy them already marinated, so plan accordingly!
Related: 20 Delicious Vegan Brunch Recipes That Are Easy to Make
3. Hawaiin Sliders
What Luau would be complete without Hawaiian slides? These Hawaiian sliders are super delicious and incredibly simple to make! You could even have your kiddos make them while you are whipping up something else. They feature a sweet Hawaiian roll topped with ham and whatever cheese you prefer, then a fresh, juicy pineapple on top! Then, you pour a super delicious buttery mixture over the top and bake them until they are ready to go! You may want to make an extra batch because these babies will go fast!
4. Pineapple Macarons
Macarons are always a fan favorite, so these pineapple macarons are definitely going to have everyone asking you for the recipe! They are deliciously moist with an incredibly creamy pineapple center. However, we know that making macarons can seem a little intimidating! If you want to try these yummy macarons but feel like you need a bit of help, here is a video showing you how to make macarons step-by-step so you can achieve macaron perfection! Once you get it down, you will be wanting to whip up macarons for every party!
5. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
These bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are perfect for a luau-themed party! They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and you make them with just two ingredients!! Seriously, just wrap chunks of fresh pineapple in bacon, insert a toothpick in the top, and bake them until the bacon is cooked through! You can also dip them in brown sugar if you want a little something extra. If you are feeling creative, you can try smoking these on a smoker instead or experimenting with different sauces to dip them in before cooking.
6. Crock-Pot Hawaiian Meatballs
We just love these crock pot meatballs because they are super easy to put together, and they are definitely the ultimate crowd-pleaser! The best part is you can use frozen meatballs for this recipe if you need something last minute or are short on time! Just throw all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3! Just make sure you are close while they are cooking. If you cook them on high, make sure they don’t overcook and scorch! When they are done, you can leave them on warm until you are ready to put toothpicks in them and move them to a serving tray.
Related: 21 Best Finger Food Ideas to Serve at Your Next Party
7. Aloha BBQ Sliders
These delicious aloha BBQ sliders are the perfect luau finger food! These juicy burgers are loaded down with melty Swiss cheese and fresh pineapple, topped with mouthwatering BBQ sauce, and wrapped in a sweet Hawaiian roll! What’s not to love? The recipe calls for these burgers to be grilled, but you can totally fry them in a nonstick skillet if you don’t have a grill. We also recommend trying them smoked if you have a smoker! It’s a total game-changer.
8. Authentic SPAM Musubi
Ok, hear us out! I’m sure when you think of a great luau finger food, SPAM does not come to mind! Like at all! We don’t blame you; we were a little suspicious as well. However, SPAM is actually very popular in Hawaii and is used quite often in traditional Hawaiian dishes. This SPAM musubi is not only an authentic Hawaiian food, but it’s also quite yummy! But wait, what is musubi? Musubi is similar to sushi but with just a few differences! Musubi is not in a roll like sushi; instead, it’s a rectangular mold of rice topped with ingredients and wrapped in a seaweed wrap.
For this recipe, you will need a musubi mold! Don’t worry; you can find it here!
9. Hawaiian Chicken Bites
Hawaiin chicken is a household favorite for many, so turning this delicious dish into a luau finger food is just brilliant! These Hawaiian chicken bites layer deliciously seasoned chicken with pineapple on a skewer, then are coated down with savory BBQ sauce and cooked to perfection. These are sure to be the most favored appetizer at the luau! They are also ridiculously easy to make and low cal, making them the perfect option for those looking for appetizers on the lighter side. The recipe does call for the skewers to be grilled, but you can also cook them in the oven if you need to; they just won’t have that grilled flavor.
10. Hawaiian Pizza Bites
These Hawaiian pizza bites may spark some controversy! However, we think these are totally worth it. Who knows, these Hawaiian pizza bites could even convince those who say pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza to change their minds! They are also super easy to put together, thanks to the biscuit dough crust! Just roll out your biscuit dough with a rolling pin and assemble them in a muffin pan. Then add your ingredients and bake until the cheese is melty and the biscuits are golden brown.
11. Glazed Kielbasa Bites
We dare to say Kielbasa will make any dish 5 stars, but pair it with pineapple on a skewer with a mouthwatering glaze, and you have what may just be perfection! These glazed kielbasa bites will definitely not disappoint, and they are so quick and easy to prepare. You can put them together even if it’s a last-minute invite! They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, making them a great option to pair with many other appetizers. If you want these bites to really stand out, we recommend using these super festive luau skewers!
12. Spicy Tuna Poke and Avocado Wonton Cups
Poke is a traditional Hawaiian food that makes these spicy tuna poke and avocado wonton cups perfect for your next luau! The creamy avocado pairs amazingly with fresh poke, and the crispy wonton shell adds a delicious texture. They are also light and refreshing, making them the best luau finger food to help battle the heat of summer. The sriracha mayo is the star of the show with these wonton cups, so you definitely don’t want to leave it out! Trust us, these wonton cups will definitely be the talk of the luau!
13. Hawaiian Pineapple Tarts
These Hawaiian pineapple tarts are a perfect sweet treat for your next luau, and they are sure to have all of your guests asking you for the recipe! They are also super easy to make and only require a few ingredients to assemble! The recipe calls for frozen mini pie shells, but if you can’t find them anywhere, you can also use these phyllo shells! You just need to adjust the baking time since the shells are pre-cooked.
Related: 27+ Fancy Dinner Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make
14. Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups
We love these crab rangoon wonton cups for a luau finger food! Everyone loves crab rangoon, but these are not only easier to eat because they are in a small bite, but they are also a bit lighter, making them a healthier option! They are also ridiculously easy to make! Just place the wonton wrappers in a muffin pan, mix all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl, then scoop the mixture into each wonton cup and bake them. We recommend making two batches of these in case the guests gobble them up before you get to them.
15. Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes
These pineapple upside-down cupcakes will surely be a huge hit at your luau! It’s a super unique take on a traditional upside-down cake, and they come in individual portions, ready to go! The best part of this recipe is it uses prepackaged ingredients so that you can pull it together super quick! Simply pour melted butter into a muffin tin like this one from Amazon, add a cherry and crushed pineapples, then pour the cake batter over the top and bake! Viola!
