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Homebody Eats » Cooking Guides

Types of Hot & Cold Hors D'oeuvres (Complete List)

Published: Apr 6, 2021 · Modified: Apr 5, 2022 by Jessica Mode · This content may include affiliate links.

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Learn the basic types of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. Have you ever wondered 'what are hors d'oeuvres?' This post covers the basics about hors d'oeuvres and how they differ from appetizers. Plus, you'll learn about the types of cold and hot hors d'oeuvres, and how to serve them up at your next party.

tray full of grilled peach crostini.

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Jump to:
  • What Are Hors D'oeuvres?
  • Types of Cold Hors D'oeuvres
  • Types of Hot Hors D'oeuvres
  • How Should I Serve Hors D'oeuvres?
  • Source

Today, I'm teaching you all about hors d'oeuvres! Whether you're planning a cocktail party, wedding, or formal dinner, hors d'oeuvres are the perfect answer!

We'll talk about the definition of hors d'oeuvres and how to properly pronounce the word. Then, I'll share the five types of cold hors d'oeuvres and four types of hot hors d'oeuvres, along with some of my favorite recipes.

If you'd prefer to learn about this information with a video, check this out:

Hors D'oeuvres 101 | WHAT ARE Hors D'oeuvres (Everything You NEED to Know) - Homebody Eats


What Are Hors D'oeuvres?

The term 'hors d'oeuvres' (pronounced "or-DERVS"), is a French word that translates to "outside the work." Meaning, back in the day, the restaurant service staff used to prepare these small bits of food for guests to enjoy while the kitchen staff prepared the hot meal.

While that's not really the case in today's world, we still use the term hors d'oeuvres to refer to small, bite appetizers.

There are no hard and fast rules about hors d'oeuvres - feel free to use your imagination. However, there are some general guidelines for preparing hors d'oeuvres:

  • Think small, bite-sized food
  • Always make sure they're visually appealing
  • Flavor is key, but the hors d'oeuvres shouldn't be overpowering
  • The flavor should complement whatever foods will follow, but try not to repeat flavors

You might be wondering what's the difference between hors d'oeuvres vs appetizers. While there is very little difference nowadays, technically appetizers are served as the first course (introduction to a meal), while hors d'oeuvres are served to whet an appetite (before the meal).

grilled peach crostini with ricotta cheese.

Types of Cold Hors D'oeuvres

There are five types of cold hors d'oeuvres that are generally known:

1. Canapés: Mini, open-faced sandwiches. Typically, they are constructed from a base (bread, cucumber, endive, mussel, etc.), a spread (flavored butter, cream cheese, etc.), and garnishes. Check out this smoked salmon canapé recipe.

canape with smoked salmon and cucumber.

2. Crudités: A raw or slightly blanched vegetable served as an hors d'oeuvre. Some commonly used vegetables include broccoli, carrots, celery, cauliflower, and radishes.

cropped-hummus-platter-scaled-2.jpeg

3. Dips: Whether hot or cold, dips are typically served with crudités, crackers, toasts, or chips. Check out this caramelized onion & bacon dip recipe.

white dip topped with caramelized onions next to crackers.

4. Caviar: The salted roe (eggs) of the sturgeon fish. Often considered a very premium hors d'oeuvre, the most common types include beluga (most expensive), osetra, sevruga, and pressed caviar.

tin of caviar next to crackers with salmon.
Image via Unsplash by Tyler Nix

5. Sushi & Sashimi: Sushi is raw or cooked fish/shellfish rolled on seasoned rice. Sashimi is raw fish eaten without rice. And just so you know, in Japan, sushi (zushi) refers only to flavored rice. Check out this homemade sushi recipe.

sushi rolls next to chopsticks and sesame seeds.

Types of Hot Hors D'oeuvres

Hot hors d'oeuvres are not as easy to define as cold ones. However, here are some common examples:

1. Small Skewers (brochettes): Meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or veggies on a skewer. Typically they are marinated, then baked, grilled, or broiled, and served with a side sauce for dipping. Check out this Asian-style brochette recipe.

cropped-beef-brochettes-scaled-1.jpeg

2. Meatballs: Made from ground beef, veal, pork, or poultry and served with a sauce.

meatballs next to sauce and toothpicks.
Image via Unsplash by Ric Matkowski

3. Wrapped Hors d'oeuvres: A piece of savory meat or roasted veggies wrapped around a complementary or contrasting slice of fruit or vegetable.

jalapenos wrapped with bacon.
Image via Unsplash by Jack Harner

5. Filled Dough: This category encompasses phyllo dough, savory pie crust, or puff pastry dough. Typically they are stuffed with a variety of fillings, both meat and veggie based.

baked pinwheels on serving platter.
Image via Unsplash by Sheri Silver

How Should I Serve Hors D'oeuvres?

The first thing you'll need to do when you plan on serving hors d'oeuvres is to create a menu. Make sure to plan an assortment of hors d'oeuvres that have contrasting flavors, textures, and styles. You'll want a mix of both cold and hot bites.

When it comes to plating and serving hors d'oeuvres, you have a few options.

Passed Hors D'oeuvres

For a fancy cocktail party or a wedding, you may prefer passed hors d'oeuvres. These are hors d'oeuvres presented on trays and passed by a waiter or waitress. Remember to make passed hors d'oeuvres bite-sized and in a utensil or dish that is easy to eat from.

long Greek appetizer platter next to wine glasses.

Buffet Style

Another way to serve hors d'oeuvres is in a buffet style. You could have one large buffet table or several smaller buffet tables.

Presentation is everything with a buffet. It's important to think through the colors, flavors, and textures that are placed next to each other.

With buffets, hot hors d'oeuvres can be served in equipment to keep them warm. Cold hors d'oeuvres, on the other hand, can be displayed on platters, in baskets, or on trays.

Whatever you do, just remember to make your display visually pleasing. That's part of the fun of eating hors d'oeuvres!

Source

To learn more about hors d'oeuvres, check out On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals.

Love this guide? Please leave a comment below. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for more recipes.

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  1. Juan

    November 26, 2022 at 2:31 am

    Very good and useful article. I’m just getting into the catering business and decided to start by offering hors d’oeuvres and party food. This article has given some great ideas and valuable information. Thanks! Awesome website you’ve built here!

    Reply
    • Jessica Mode

      November 26, 2022 at 11:30 am

      Hi Juan! Thanks so much for giving the article a read! I'm glad it was helpful! Good luck with your catering business!! I'd love to follow along on your Instagram once it's up and running 🙂

      Reply
  2. KG

    March 18, 2023 at 7:57 am

    Great article Jessica. Trying to plan a date night meal for a special lady and this helped tremendously. Also, I didn't know that caviar came from Sturgeons... Which
    was cool to learn. Thank you for writing this!

    Reply

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