15 Retro Party Foods from the ’80s That Disappeared
Step into the time machine and revisit the finger foods and funky dishes that made every 1980s party unforgettable.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The 1980s were all about excess — and that included party snacks. Bright colors, processed flavors, and over-the-top presentation ruled the appetizer table. These 15 retro party foods once stole the spotlight but have since faded from the buffet line.
1. Jell-O Molds with Everything Inside
Science History Institute on Wikimedia Commons
Sweet or savory, Jell-O molds were the centerpiece of many gatherings. Veggies, fruits, and even tuna floated in brightly colored gelatin. They were more visual than appetizing.
2. French Onion Dip in a Bread Bowl
Finbar.concaig on Wikimedia Commons
No ’80s spread was complete without a hollowed-out loaf filled with creamy dip. The dip came from a packet — just add sour cream.
3. Cocktail Wieners in Grape Jelly Sauce
Allen Lee on Flickr
These mini hot dogs were simmered in a shocking mix of grape jelly and mustard. The result was sweet, tangy, and oddly delicious.
4. Deviled Eggs with Paprika Overload
Daniel on Unsplash
Classic and creamy, these little guys were everywhere. They were topped with a dusting of bright red paprika, whether it added flavor or not.
5. Ritz Cracker Mock Pizzas
Obi Onyeador on Pexels
This needed a dab of tomato sauce, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, and a zap in the microwave. These bite-sized “pizzas” were easy to make and fun to eat.
6. Cheese Balls Covered in Nuts
Nonik Yench on Pexels
These giant spheres of spreadable cheese rolled in crushed pecans or almonds were a go-to appetizer. Served with crackers, they looked fancy but were usually store-bought.
7. Taco Salad in a Doritos Bag
Benny Mazur on Wikimedia Commons
Party hosts dumped meat, cheese, and lettuce right into single-serve Doritos bags. Shake it up and eat with a fork — no plates needed.
8. Frozen Shrimp Rings with Cocktail Sauce
jeffreyw on Flickr
These pre-arranged shrimp circles were a high-class touch at suburban soirées. Just thaw and serve with spicy red sauce in the middle.
9. Pigs in a Blanket with Canned Dough
Johnson524 on Wikimedia Commons
Mini sausages wrapped in buttery crescent rolls and baked golden. They were comforting, easy, and always the first to vanish.
10. Pineapple and Cheese Toothpick Towers
Harsha K R on Flickr
Cheddar cubes and pineapple chunks were stabbed onto toothpicks and stuck into a foil-covered foam base. Sometimes, there were cocktail onions, too.
11. Tuna-Stuffed Tomatoes
Rebecca T. Caro on Flickr
These were hollowed-out tomatoes filled with creamy tuna salad, often served cold. They were fresh, light, and just odd enough to be trendy.
12. Velveeta Cheese Dip with Rotel
Adam Kuban on Flickr
There are just two ingredients: Velveeta and canned tomatoes with chilies. Microwave until gooey, then serve with tortilla chips. It is spicy and salty, perfect for parties.
13. Fruit Punch with Floating Sherbet
SenseiAlan on Flickr
This was a giant bowl of neon-colored punch with melting scoops of rainbow sherbet on top. It was sweet, creamy, and totally over the top.
14. Bagel Bites Before They Went Mainstream
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Before they hit grocery shelves nationwide, Bagel Bites were more of a novelty. Mini bagels were topped with sauce and cheese and microwaved in seconds.
15. Ambrosia Salad
Marshall Astor on Wikimedia Commons
Marshmallows, canned fruit, shredded coconut, and whipped topping were mixed into one pastel dish. It was more of a dessert than salad.