53 Graduation Party Food Ideas​ Worthy of the Occasion in 2025

Food is an essential part of a good celebration and thinking of good graduation party food ideas​ often takes time. Whether it’s high school, college or a post-secondary degree, finishing school is a major accomplishment. Luckily, there are so many ways to celebrate this momentous occasion. You can have a casual backyard barbecue where you make the food yourself. Or host a more formal dinner with professional graduation party food done by a caterer.

However, no matter how formal the event, it’s important to think about a graduation party menu in advance. If you’re hiring a professional caterer, it’s recommended to hire them 8 to 12 weeks before the date of your event, according to Soundcore. 

Even if you’re handling the food yourself, you’ll want to start early so you can purchase everything you need and have a plan for executing the menu.

So, what are some good appetizers for a graduation party? Finger foods that are easy to eat, like sliders, wings and charcuterie, work well for most occasion styles. There are so many graduation party food ideas​ , from sliders that satisfy a bunch of high school grads to budget-friendly options that are still delicious. Get inspired by these 53 graduation party food ideas​ for your celebration.

Jump to Section

• Simple Food for a Graduation Party
• Graduation Party Food Ideas for a Large Crowd
• College Graduation Party Food Ideas
• High School Graduation Party Food Ideas
• Cheap Graduation Party Food Ideas
• Graduation Party Food Ideas​ FAQs

Simple Food for a Graduation Party

1. Mac and Cheese

Wondering what foods to make for a graduation party? Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd pleaser. It’s a simple food for a graduation party that’s easy to make and serve. It’s especially good for a crowd of mixed ages because everyone from little kids to college grads will enjoy.

2. Dill Pickle Dip

This is one of the best graduation party food ideas​ for pickle lovers. It’s a rich and creamy dip filled with dill pickles and fresh dill. Set it out with vegetable sticks and chips for an easy appetizer.

3. Bacon Cheese Pinwheel

Bacon and cheese are a combination that will always delight. It’s a comforting party food idea that uses flaky crescent roll dough with melty cheese and savory bacon rolled in between. It’s great served hot and with a side of ranch.

4. Avocado Salad

Looking for fresh and green graduation party food ideas​? Look no further than an avocado salad. Along with creamy avocado, there are cucumbers, red onions and tomatoes all drizzled with a fresh herb dressing. It’s ideal for adding a healthy and delicious option to the celebration.

5. Citrus Iced Tea

Something delicious to quench your thirst is essential to pair alongside all your graduation party food ideas​. A citrus iced tea is the perfect refreshing drink thanks to orange, lemon and lime juices. It’ll be great for warmer weather days.

6. Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches

Having something sweet is always a great idea to complement your graduation party food ideas​. You can make classic ice cream sandwiches with your favorite ice cream flavors and cookies. The perfect treat to end a celebration.

7. Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy caviar is a simple food for a graduation party that can serve as a dip or a topper for other foods. It comes together in just 15 minutes and is made with diced tomatoes and red onions, black-eyed peas, black beans and corn all mixed together with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

8. Grilled Ribs

A backyard cookout is one of the best casual graduation party ideas. And grilled ribs should definitely be on the menu. Marinate them, throw them on the grill to get them and finish with your favorite sauce.

9. Southern Potato Salad

If you’re looking for graduation party food ideas​ for sides, you can’t go wrong with Southern potato salad. A classic for a cookout, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will pair well with a variety of main courses.

10. Confetti Snack Cake

Need to satisfy a sweet tooth? A confetti snack cake is going to be one of the best graduation party food ideas​ to end the meal. Make a confetti sheet cake and use cookie cutters to cut out snack cakes. Add icing in between and candy melts on top to make a homemade snack cake.

11. Mac and Cheeseburger Sliders

Considering graduation party food ideas​ that will fly off the plate? Mac and cheeseburger sliders are exactly that. Savory cheeseburger sliders with creamy mac and cheese on top are sure to be a hit with guests.

Graduation Party Food Ideas for a Large Crowd

12. Herb Cheese Ball and Crackers

Cheese and crackers are one of the best graduation party food ideas​ to feed a large crowd. You can elevate it by making a herbed cheese ball with cream cheese or goat cheese, plus your favorite herb combination. Serve with crackers as an appetizer.

13. Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are delicious graduation party food ideas​ to serve a crowd. A selection of meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers is a great finger food appetizer that guests can serve themselves from. It’s good to have at the beginning of the party while the main meal is being prepared.

14. Sausage Pinwheels

Pinwheels are quick and easy to make, which makes them a great option for graduation party food ideas for a large crowd. Ground sausage, onion and celery spread out over the dough and baked until golden and flaky will be a decadent and savory finger food.

15. Sheet Cake

For a dessert that will serve a large party, you should get a sheet cake. For this sweet graduation party food idea, you can get one or two sheet cakes, which can easily serve a hundred guests. Make it yourself or order it from your local bakery.

16. Shrimp Pasta Salad

Pasta salads can serve a lot of people, which makes them one of the best graduation party food ideas​. Mix in shrimp for a filling protein. It’s great for a self-serve meal along with other appetizers and finger foods.

17. Crudité

Fresh and crisp vegetables are great graduation party food ideas​. It’s a budget-friendly option that can feed a large crowd with ease. Cut sticks of carrots, celery and peppers along with broccoli and cauliflower and serve with ranch, blue cheese or hummus.

17. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip is a favorite during game day and will always be one of the best graduation party food ideas​. A mix of creamy and spicy, buffalo chicken dip can be served with tortilla chips, crackers or vegetable sticks.

18. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are both one of the best graduation party food ideas for a large crowd and a crowd-pleaser. A flavorful garlic parmesan sauce is always a good option, especially served with ranch or blue cheese. 

A chicken wing bar, which features wings with different rubs and flavors, can be a fun graduation party food idea.

20. Popcorn Chicken

Small pieces of chicken, seasoned, coated and fried, are a great option to feed a crowd. You can easily make a large portion of popcorn chicken and serve it with a variety of sauces. A couple of pieces can fill up a person, especially with other dishes, so they can go a long way.

21. Greek Salad

A salad that will take you to Greece is one of the best graduation party food ideas​. It has crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, fresh olives and creamy feta cheese all mixed together with tangy red wine vinegar-based dressing.

22. Fruit Platter with Yogurt Dip

Fruit platters are one of the best healthy and sweet graduation party food ideas​. Opt for pineapple, bananas, apples, melons, strawberries, blueberries and other fruits. 

For the yogurt dip, add a little bit of honey and lemon juice to Greek yogurt for a dip that has a little tang and sweetness to complement the fruit.

College Graduation Party Food Ideas

23. Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

What better way to celebrate a milestone and beautiful weather than with lemon blueberry whoopie pies? These sweet graduation party food ideas​ are tangy and sweet, soft and decadent, the perfect way to end a graduation meal.

24. Tandoori Masala Chicken Sandwiches

Aromatic and smoky tandoori masala chicken turned into a sandwich might be one of the best college graduation party food ideas. These tender sandwiches can either be full or sliders. No matter the size, they’ll add plenty of flavor to the party.

25. Spanakopita

Need savory and herby graduation party food ideas​ that will wow your guests? Spanakopita is a great idea. The earthy spinach, creamy cheese and aromatic nutmeg complement each other well. Guests will surely be coming back for seconds.

26. Italian Pasta Salad

Italian pasta salad is one of the classic graduation party food ideas, especially for cookouts or buffet-style parties. It’s zesty and fresh and a great option for a summer side dish. It’s also easy to make a lot to serve a crowd.

27. Fried Ravioli

Fried ravioli is another version of many people’s favorite Italian dish. They’re breaded and fried until golden brown, creating a finger food that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s one of the unique graduation party food ideas​, especially if you serve different types of ravioli and dipping sauces to pair with it.

28. Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers are one of the best graduation party food ideas​, especially if you’re grilling them yourself. You can make a variety of marinades, including zesty lemon and herb and honey garlic, and grill them until tender.

29. Cheeseburger Sliders

Cheeseburger sliders are a classic crowd pleaser. They’re great graduation party food ideas because you can make a variety of flavors from classic cheeseburger to French onion. You can also serve them with different sauces.

30. Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Pizza rolls are a fun graduation party food idea because they’re often a go-to snack in college. You can make homemade pepperoni pizza rolls with pizza dough, cheese, pepperoni and pizza sauce. Plus, you can recreate your other favorite pizza flavors.

31. Bacon-Shrimp Skewers

Elevate the flavor of shrimp with savory slices of bacon. Bacon-wrapped shrimp grilled on a skewer will surely be one of the favorite graduation party food ideas​. It’s juicy, crispy and will easily fill up a crowd.

32. DIY Cheesesteak Station

Allow your guests to build their own cheesesteaks. Have platters of thinly sliced steaks, sautéed onions, peppers, cheese and a variety of condiments. 

DIY food stations make fun and interactive graduation and birthday party activities and also ensure guests have food made to their preferences.

33. Pulled Pork Sliders

Savory and tender pulled pork sliders will be a college graduation party food idea that people will want seconds of. You can easily prepare them in advance and warm them up on the day of the party.

High School Graduation Party Food Ideas

34. Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Sandwiches

These are one of the sweetest graduation party food ideas​ and the perfect way to end a party. You can make them easily with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream and an easy-to-make shortcake dough. Kids of all ages will love this treat.

35. Loaded Baked Potato Salad

The only thing better than a baked potato is a loaded baked potato salad. It’s one of the easiest high school graduation party food ideas and will easily serve a crowd. Cheese, green onions and bacon all mixed together with cubed potatoes and sour cream. What could be better?

36. Slow-Cooked Barbecued Beef Sliders

Start some slow-cooked barbecued beef a few days before the party. Then, allow guests to pile the meat onto slider buns and top with cheese, onions, jalapeños and more for delicious DIY graduation party food ideas​.

37. Chilli Cheese Hot Dogs

High schoolers getting older doesn’t mean they stop loving chilli cheese dogs. Grill up some hot dogs and allow guests to load on chilli, melted cheese, onions, peppers and more. It’ll be one of the most memorable graduation party food ideas​.

38. Honey Chili Chicken Wings

Sweet and spicy chicken wings will be one of the graduation party food ideas​ that high school grads won’t be able to get enough of. Toss crispy chicken wings in this sticky sauce for an easy dish that comes together in minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds to finish it all off.

39. Lemon-White Chocolate Truffles

Lemon and white chocolate are a combination that goes well together because the tartness of the lemon balances the richness of the white chocolate. Bite-sized truffles make great graduation party food ideas​ to end the meal with a dessert or for guests to take home as an edible favor.

40. BLT Sliders

BLT sliders will be one of the easiest party appetizers to assemble. Add slices of lettuce, tomato, bacon and Swiss cheese to each slider bun. You can add more flavor with a creamy ranch dressing or rich mayonnaise for a sauce.

41. Mini Pizza Bagels

If there’s one food high schoolers love to snack on, it’s pizza bagels. For a fun graduation party food idea, you can make homemade mini pizza bagels. Spread pizza sauce on mini bagels, then add cheese, pepperoni and other toppings before baking until crispy.

42. Frozen Lemonade

A sweet drink that pairs well with all your graduation party food ideas​ is essential. Make a frozen lemonade, which will be a great way to beat the late spring and summer early heat. You can even make unique lemonade flavors like blueberry, peach and strawberry.

43. Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

A classic Nashville hot chicken sandwich turned into a slider will be one of the graduation party food ideas​ that will run out first. Top with cheese and pickles and serve with comeback sauce for dipping.

44. Strombolis

If you don’t want to serve pizza, consider stromboli for high school graduation party food ideas. Fill a pastry dough with pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese and your other favorite pizza toppings. Bake until golden brown and serve in pieces with marinara sauce.

Cheap Graduation Party Food Ideas

45. Raspberry Iced Tea

This budget-friendly graduation party food idea uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Using only black tea bags, raspberries and sugar, you can make a refreshing raspberry iced tea for guests to sip on.

46. Antipasto Skewers

Since the ingredients are pretty inexpensive, you can make a lot of antipasto skewers without breaking the budget. These are also graduation party food ideas​ that are easy to make by layering cured meats, like salami and prosciutto, along with mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and cheese tortellini. Finish it with a drizzle of Italian dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.

47. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

An easy and inexpensive dessert, strawberry pretzel salad uses simple ingredients like cream cheese, Jello-O, strawberries and crushed pretzels. You can make it the night before, refrigerate it and have it ready to serve for the party. 

48. Sloppy Joe Sliders

Sloppy Joes are beloved for being delicious on a budget. You can make a large portion with a single batch. And you can stretch it even further by making sloppy Joe sliders. It’ll be a crowd-pleasing finger food that you can make for a crowd.

49. Deviled Eggs

Many people like making deviled eggs for gatherings because they’re inexpensive. They’re cheap graduation party food ideas that are still delicious and can easily serve a lot of people. All you need are pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard and eggs with a sprinkle of curry powder.

50. Oreo Cheesecake Bites

Oreo cheesecake bites only require two ingredients: Oreos and cream cheese. Mix crushed Oreos with cream cheese, form them into balls and refrigerate. They’re so good, guests won’t be able to eat just one.

51. Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ham, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard on a Hawaiian slider roll is one of the best graduation party food ideas​. You can easily make dozens of these sliders with a pound or two of sliced ham and Swiss cheese.

52. Sheet Pan Italian Sandwiches

Sheet pan sandwiches are one of the best cheap graduation party food ideas because you can make a bunch at one time with a few ingredients. These sheet pan Italian sandwiches have ham, salami, pepperoncini, provolone, mozzarella and spinach on super crispy toasted bread.

53. Pigs in a Blanket

If you’re looking for graduation party food ideas​ to make quickly and cheaply, you can make pigs in a blanket. Wrap cocktail wieners in pastry dough and bake until golden brown. Served with a variety of dipping sauces, they’ll easily feed a crowd.

Graduation Party Food Ideas​ FAQs

Should You Serve Food at a Graduation Party?

Yes, serving food at a graduation party is typically expected. A graduation is a celebration like any other, and when you host a celebration, it’s expected to feed your guests. Since guests spend time considering graduation gift ideas for the grad and spend the day celebrating, the host should serve food. However, there isn’t a customary list of food you have to serve at a graduation party. That means you can make a graduation party menu as casual or formal as you wish.

If you’re wondering what foods to make for a graduation party, consider the formality of the event. A casual occasion can have an array of appetizers and finger foods that guests can choose from throughout the party. 

Have a backyard barbecue with finger foods as well as burgers and hot dogs as the main course. Or, have a more formal gathering with appetizers and a main course. With plenty of graduation party food ideas​, you can choose a few that work best for your palate, budget and party style.

What Is a Good Budget for a Graduation Party?

In general, a good estimate for a graduation party budget is about $30 per person, which can typically cover drinks, food, rentals and decorations. However, this is just an estimate and can vary depending on the style of event. 

For example, hosting a graduation party at home tends to cost less than one at a venue. Hiring professionals, such as having graduation party food catering or a DJ, can also increase the cost. What kind of graduation party food ideas​ you have can also have an effect. Ultimately, if you invite about 60 people, you’ll spend about $1,800, not including the venue.

With the right graduation party food ideas​, your celebration can be the most delicious event of the year. Graduating is a momentous milestone — whether it’s high school or college — and deserves to have great food to mark the occasion.

Savory or sweet, finger foods or plated, there are plenty of options for a delicious day. If you serve these graduation party food ideas​, your guests and the grad are sure to be asking for more.

For even more ways to celebrate, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!