10 Must-Have Catering Options for Birthday Parties, Weddings & More
Imagine this: a wedding with a glowing bride, a smirking groom, and a dinner so tough it doubles as an arm workout. The cake? Drier than a punchline that falls flat. Moral of the story: food can either make or break an event.
So, for your next big bash, avoid a culinary catastrophe. You want food that awes, not leaves guests scrambling to find an emergency snack. Enter Latin-inspired cuisine, the superhero of party food. And the MVP? Empanadas!
Empanadas are perfect for any party catering. These little pockets of joy are crispy, portable, and flavorful. Let’s now dig into the top 10 catering must-haves for your party.
Empanada Platters: A Bite-Sized Party Essential
Empanadas are the ultimate finger food- so easy to consume and full of flavor that they might be the only thing to bring feuding families together in a dispute over who gets to serve them first at a wedding.
For an intimate gathering or a celebration of massive proportions, empanada platters add variety, excitement, and zero risk of sad, leftover salad. And no one ever said, 'The coleslaw was the highlight’. They finish faster than a plate of cookies from a kindergarten party.
Why Empanadas are Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
No utensils required: Easy to eat on the go—because nobody wants to simultaneously balance a plate, a drink, and a fork.
Savory and sweet options: From Spicy Chicken, Cheeseburger, and Shredded Beef to Belgian & Banana or Guava & Cheese, there's something for everyone.
Great for any occasion: Whether it's a cocktail party, a wedding reception, or just another Tuesday that just needs some excitement, empanadas fit so nicely into the menu.
DIY Empanada Bar for Interactive Fun
Now, what about a DIY Empanada Bar? Guests can customize their empanadas.
Who doesn't love playing chef for a night, especially when the worst-case scenario is an extra-cheesy empanada?
How to Set Up a DIY Empanada Bar
Offer fillings such as shredded chicken, vegetables, and cheese.
Provide dips like guacamole, chimichurri, and spicy aioli.
Display a sign or insert with instructions or labels for guests to follow as they prepare the item.
Great for birthday parties or casual gatherings, this hands-on station keeps guests engaged and entertained.
Themed Dessert Stations
Think of a table loaded with warm, crispy empanadas full of gooey Nutella, sweet apple cinnamon, or decadent dulce de leche. These aren't just desserts, they're happiness wrapped in pastry!
And let's not forget, a dessert bar with empanadas is much more compelling than some sad tray of supermarket cookies.
Creative Dessert Ideas to Wow Guests
Dessert empanadas can be paired with whipped cream or caramel drizzle.
A dipping station for chocolate sauces and fruit toppings can be set up.
Flavors like Nutella & Banana or Apple Cinnamon can be offered for a sweet surprise.
Signature Cocktail & Mocktail Bars
Pair your empanada spread with Latin-inspired beverages that add a refreshing touch to your event—after all, nothing pairs better with a crispy, golden empanada than a drink that will give you the feeling that you are sitting on one of Havana's great beaches.
Must-Try Drink Ideas for Your Event
Mojitos and margaritas at weddings.
Fruity mocktails for birthday parties and baby showers.
Horchata or tamarind unique Latin twists for any occasion.
Grazing Tables with Latin Flare
Pair empanadas with some complementary items on a grazing table. A well-arranged mix of textures, colors, and flavors will work magic on turning casual snacking into a full-blown culinary experience.
Tips for Presentation
Pair empanadas with cured meats, cheeses, and tropical fruits.
Use elevated serving trays for a visually appealing spread.
Include colorful garnishes to enhance the aesthetic.
Elegant Sit-Down Dinner Options
Imagine a delicate empanada placed on the curl of artisan sauce, finished with micro greens and alongside Aperitifs for your next dinner party. This screams elegance and sophistication.
Empanadas can be a little further than casual catering; they may equally be an elaborately plated dish for formal occasions. If creative enough, they can become a gourmet and are plated with fancy sides and beautiful garnishes.
Plating Ideas for Formal Events
Use gourmet garnishes such as edible flowers, sliced avocado, or finely shaved truffle to elevate the dish's elegance and flavors.
Create visual appeal by blending colors and textures—golden empanadas can rest on a bed of greenery with delicate drizzles of aioli.
Serve this with fresh salads and signature sauces, such as a zesty chimichurri or rich, smoky chipotle crema, that will elevate your dining experience.
Mini Snack Platters for Kids' Birthday Parties
Kids love anything bite-sized; empanadas certainly fit that category. Easy to hold and fun to dip, they just vanish faster than a magician's rabbit. With a nice crunch and great flavor, little hands get occupied, and full bellies become full of happy tummies. Even picky eaters will not resist the golden and flaky taste.
Tips for Kid-Approved Catering Options
Keep portions small and manageable.
Include fun dipping sauces to keep kids engaged.
Add complementary snacks like fruit kebabs and colorful veggies.
Brunch Catering Ideas for Daytime Celebrations
Planning a brunch event? So empanadas are a great accompaniment to a morning meal because no one ever wakes up excited over plain toast and scrambled eggs. The golden, crispy pockets bring the perfect dose of comfort and deliciousness to the table to make it the meal everyone wakes up for!
Brunch Pairing Suggestions
Serve breakfast empanadas with fresh juices or mimosas.
Include pastries and yogurt parfaits to round out the meal.
Pair with coffee stations for an energizing brunch spread.
Late-Night Snacks for Wedding Receptions
After hours of dancing and celebration, wedding guests love a late-night snack station. Let's be honest: champagne isn't the most filling. The difference between your guests happily wandering out of there or slipping away to the nearest drive-thru can all be determined by well-timed snacking.
Tips for Late-Night Snack Stations
Serve savory and dessert empanadas for the mix—let's be honest, nothing feeds those late-night dance moves more than a quick handheld snack.
Serve with coffee and specialty teas to keep that energy up there; after all, hours spent on the dance floor require fueling.
Keep portions easy to grab and eat on the dance floor—because no one wants to wrestle with a fork while busting out their best moves.
Empanada Mama’s Catering Services: Your Hassle-Free Solution
An utterly stress-free catering experience comes through fully customizable menus offered at Empanada Mama so that any gathering, small or big, is seamlessly covered. What is emphasized is how to hold high standards for preparation, presentation, and excellent individualized service to make every dish as appealing to the eyes as to the palate.
There is a wedding, a birthday, or a corporate event, to mention a variety of others, which should be memorable and enjoyable for all. We handle the food so you can continue to create memories.
To feed the empanadas that'll get your guests dancing in their seats, consider Empanada Mama catering in East Village.
Why Choose Empanada Mama for Birthday & Wedding Catering
Flavors That Wow- Made with the freshest top-quality ingredients that keep your guests returning for more.
Picture-Perfect Presentation -Beautifully plated and delivered seamlessly so that your event looks as delicious as it will be.
Something for Everyone – Delicious options for gluten-free and vegetarian guests because no one should miss the feast!
Empanadas: The Party Highlight
Let's be honest—guests remember the delicious food. When the food is empanadas that are so golden and crispy and full of flavor, an event that was just another party becomes a legendary celebration. Little pockets of joy are not merely snacks but become conversation starters and memory makers as guests will text you the following day asking where you got those empanadas!
Empanada Mama can be a party of love, success, or just the enjoyment of bringing people together. Thus, every single bite is always a reason to smile. Do not settle for forgettable food when you could be serving an experience that would make everyone return. Discover Empanada Mama's catering options now and make the event one everybody will talk about long after the last crumb is gone.