How Many Canapes Should You Serve Per Person?

Canapés are absolutely essential for setting the tone of your event, ensuring guests remain satisfied whilst allowing them to mingle with a drink in hand. That being said, it’s important to get the quantity of canapes just right to keep tummy rumbling at bay, but still keeping costs down. 

In this article, we explore the different event types, and how many nibbles you should be serving at each, as well as tips on presentation, pace, and the balance between sweet and savoury. So, let’s jump in – how many canapes should you serve per person?

As a general rule of thumb, here’s how many canapes you should serve, per guest, based on the length of your event:

• 4-6 canapes per person for an hour.
• 6-8 canapes per person for 2 hours.
• 10-12 canapes per person for 3+ hours.

Read on to find out how many canapes you should serve based on your event type, how many different varieties of canape you need, plus tips on presenting/serving your canapes to guests.

 

How Many Canapes Should You Serve Per Guest?

We’d recommend at least 4 to 6 canapes during the first hour of your event, and 2 to 3 additional canapes for each hour thereafter. Ensure you have a steady stream of canapes leaving your kitchen throughout your event, rather than hundreds of them coming out all at once!

If you’re hosting an event that is more than 3 hours long, you should really consider incorporating a main meal somewhere into your timeline to save guests going hungry, and only serving smaller canapes before the main dinner. Trust us, your guests will thank you for it!

Canapes By Event Type

Whilst 4-6 canapes per hour, per guest, is a great rule of thumb, the amount of canapes you should serve really does depend on the event itself. Here’s some more information:

Weddings / Cocktail Hours

On a wedding day, a cocktail hour usually takes place between 4pm and 5pm (or sometimes 5pm to 6pm), typically held after the main ceremony ends. It is a great chance for guests to mingle and enjoy a drink, whilst you sneak away for photos. 

Because the cocktail hour is typically right before the main meal, you should keep the number of canapes light, but you also need to consider that some people may not have had lunch! Because of this, we’d recommend around 3-4 canapes per person per hour.

Before a Dinner Party

If you’re about to enjoy a 3-course meal with friends and family, going heavy on the canapes really isn’t necessary. Especially since the time between everyone arriving (and mingling, enjoying drinks, canapes etc), and the time you sit down for the first course will likely be less than an hour (we hope, anyway!). 

Because of this, keep your dinner party canapes to 1-2 per person, so that nobody fills up before the main event. Keep them on theme with your party, seasonal, and easy to prepare ahead of time to maximise time spent with your guests. 

Looking for more dinner party tips and tricks? Check out our helpful guide: How To Host a Dinner Party

During a Canapes & Drinks Party

AKA… our favourite sort of event! A drinks and canapes party is our go-to over the festive season. It takes the pressure off cooking an impressive multi-course meal, but guests can still enjoy great food, drinks, and conversation. 

Because the canapes are the star of the show at this party, we’d recommend serving at least 6-8 in the first hour, and 3-4 every hour thereafter (alongside some fabulous cocktails, of course!). This will keep guests full throughout the evening (as you won’t be having a sit-down dinner), and will allow guests to taste a range of delicious bites whilst chatting and dancing with others.

How Many Different Types Of Canapes Do You Need?

Serving exactly the same canape over the course of your event is a no-no. They are a great talking point for guests, so ensure you keep them interesting, varied, and on-theme with your get-together. Plus, if guests have allergies or dislikes for certain foods, offering a range means there will be something for everyone. 

Ideally, each canape will be different from the last. But, at a minimum, you should choose at least 3-4 varieties to serve during the course of your event, even if that means doubling up on a few varieties.

Should You Serve Sweet or Savoury Canapes, Or a Mix?

For an event where canapes are the only types of food being served, opt for a 70% – 30% split between savoury and sweet canapes. If you’re serving canapes before a main meal, stick with savoury canapes only – it’s a little more traditional.

 

How Should You Serve Canapes?

When it comes to serving canapés, presentation and timing is key. Here are some tips to make sure your guests enjoy every bite:

• Use Trays and Waitstaff (If Possible) – Having waitstaff circulate with trays not only makes serving easier but adds a touch of elegance to your event if budget allows. It also ensures that canapés reach all guests, even those engaged in conversation or further from the food table.
• Keep Flavors Separate – Avoid mixing meat and vegetarian options on the same tray to cater to dietary preferences and reduce cross-contamination. You can also label your trays to ensure allergens are made clear.
• Arrange for Visual Appeal – Presentation matters! Arrange canapés in neat rows or creative patterns, and make sure you garnish each one for extra elegance.
• Provide Cocktail Sticks and Napkins – Canapés that might be messy, like skewers or stuffed items, should be served with cocktail sticks and small napkins to avoid any messy fingers.
• Serve in Waves – Instead of bringing out all the canapés at once, serve them in small waves throughout the event (ideally every 15 minutes or so). This keeps guests satisfied throughout the events, and takes the pressure off of you or the chef to have every canape ready all at once.

Homemade Canape Ideas With Savery Grazing

Looking for a range of delicious, easy-to-make canape ideas? Check out the abundance of recipes available on our website. Or, for more foodie inspiration and tips, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Try these delicious recipes:

• Caviar Crisp Canapes 
• Manchego & Quince Canapes
• Honey-Mustard Cocktail Sausages
• Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
• Blackberry & Goats Cheese Tartlets
• Courgette Rolls With Ricotta & Passion Fruit
• Smoked Salmon Pate Crostinis
• Stuffed Dates With Goats Cheese
• Fig & Goats Cheese Tartlets
• Sausage Roll Bites
  • Brie & Cranberry
  • Black Pudding
  • Sweet Chilli
  • Chorizo & Red Pepper

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Manapes?

This was a new term we discovered when writing this blog actually! Think of them as “mini-meals” – manapés are slightly larger, more substantial canapés often served during longer events to help guests stay full. Think of them as  about 1.5 canapes! 

Are ‘Nibbles’ the Same as Canapes?

No. Nibbles and canapés differ in style and formality. Nibbles are casual snacks often served in bowls for guests to help themselves. Canapés, however, are more refined, with a base, topping, and garnish, designed for formal events like weddings or cocktail parties. Crisps and dip, for example, wouldn’t be classed as a ‘canape’, but would be classed as a ‘nibble’

How Many Canapes For 50 People?

For a one-hour event for 50 people: Plan for 200–300 canapés (that’s 4-6 per person). For longer events, add 100 to 150 additional canapes per hour afterwards.

Looking for more cost-effective ways to cater for 50 guests? Check out our helpful blog: How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost?

Do You Actually Need Canapes at an Event?

Canapés might not be necessary for every gathering, but they’re invaluable for formal events, weddings, and parties where mingling is the focus. We’d always serve at least one light bite (even if it’s a simple blini with salmon) when you’re waiting for all the guests to arrive – the last thing you want is a room full of hangry people!

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