How to Make Snacks for a Karaoke Party

When guests sing their hearts out, the hunger pangs usually follow. Hosting a karaoke party is a fun way to spend an evening, but be prepared for the feeding frenzy that will occur in between performances.

Instructions

1. Keep your snacks simple. Karaoke involves a great deal of movement and usually a large group of guests. Sit-down dinners and fork-and-knife foods will not be appreciated. Stick with finger foods or cuisine that can be stabbed with a fork or tooth pick.

2. Create themes for each food or an overall party theme. Naming each snack after an artist, song or music genre is a fun way to spice things up. For example, you might consider serving Elvis-inspired "Jailhouse Rock Jelly Beans" or Frank Sinatra-inspired "Ole Blue Eyes' Bowl of Nuts."

3. Prepare foods that can be kept at room temperature for several hours and avoid snacks that will create bad breath among your guests. While they are certainly delicious, garlic dip and dill pickle chips are not the best idea for a group of people belting out melodies at the top of their lungs. Stick with starches, salts and sweets, such as pretzels, mixed nuts, bite-sized brownies and cookies.

4. Compose snacks that are dry and grease-free. You want to avoid sticky, crumbly, gooey, moist and powdery foods. Guests will appreciate food that they can pop in their mouths in between songs. Popcorn, trail mix and M&Ms are always popular treats.

5. Think about the guest list and offer foods according to individual interests. Be considerate of vegetarians, vegans and those on a diet. Low-fat, low-grease cheese cubes served with baked chips are great for dieters. Vegetarians and vegans may appreciate a veggie tray with a light dip.

6. Measure snack amounts that can easily fit in medium-sized bowls. Situate the bowls in random places throughout the house or room where guests will be gathering. Guests will then have the opportunity to eat the snacks as they move about.

Tips & Warnings

• Many karaoke party hosts set up a separate bar area for drinks. Guests flock to the bar (which can be something as simple as a card table) for water, soda and alcohol. Always provide water at karaoke parties; singing makes people thirsty.

• Beverages tend to get spilled more frequently during karaoke parties. Consider serving bottled water, bottled beer and canned soda. Smaller openings may reduce stains to your carpet.

• Avoid individually wrapped foods. Although they are easier to prepare, they are more expensive and will leave you constantly cleaning up after your guests.