Party Snack Idea with Salmon

Looking for a quick and tasty party snack idea? I put together a mix that’s simple but full of flavour. It’s a great way to offer your guests variety without spending hours in the kitchen.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclaimer.

You’ll need small cornichons or baby gherkins, slices of ham, a bowl of green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, salmon pate, and some crunchy crackers. These ingredients work well together and create a nice balance of salty, tangy, and rich tastes.

If you want to switch things up, try swapping ham for prosciutto or turkey, use cream cheese instead of pate, or add pickles instead of cornichons. You can easily adjust based on what you have or what your guests like.

Essential Ingredients for the Ultimate Party Snack

I always look for snacks that mix different tastes and textures. It’s the blend of sharp, salty, and sweet that makes a snack stand out. These ingredients each add something special to the plate.

Cornichons and Their Tangy Flavour

Cornichons are tiny pickles that pack a sharp, sour punch. They’re crisp and slightly bitter, which cuts through richer flavours like ham and pate. I like them because their tangy taste wakes up your palate between bites.

They’re also small, so they fit nicely on crackers without being overpowering. Cornichons add a nice crunch, making the snack feel fresh and lively. If you find them too sour, rinsing in cold water can tone that down a little. Another option is gherkins, as these are bigger you could slice them so it’s easier to blend with the other ingredients say on crackers.

Savoury Ham Choices

Ham is a classic choice for a party snack because it’s salty and meaty. I prefer ham that’s sliced thin so it folds easily on a cracker. Prosciutto or honey-baked ham works well for me.

These hams bring a bit of richness without being heavy. If you want something less salty, try cooked ham or turkey slices instead. Either way, the ham adds protein, which keeps things a bit more filling.

Another option is if you like spicy food is chorizo or salami.

Green Olives for a Briny Kick

Green olives add a strong, salty flavour to the mix. I like all kinds of olives, olives stuffed with pimentos are a nice addition because they have a little sweetness inside the salty bite. Their brininess contrasts nicely with the creamy pate.

Chopping olives into small pieces helps spread their flavour over the cracker. You can also swap them for black olives or capers if you prefer a milder taste.

Sundried Tomatoes for Extra Zing

Sundried tomatoes bring a sweet and tangy boost. They’re chewy, so they add a different texture from the crunchy crackers and smooth pate. I usually chop them up so the intense flavour is evenly spread.

The tomatoes slight sweetness balances the saltiness of the ham and olives. If you don’t have sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers work well as a substitute. They add a similar punch of flavour without being too overwhelming.

For convenience look for sundried tomatoes or roasted red peppers that are already sliced.

Salman Pate on Crackers

You can spread a thin layer but I like to put a large dollop on each cracker. It works best with plain or lightly salted crackers to balance the rich flavour. If you use a thin layer, you can then add some of the other toppings on top like the sundried tomatoes.

Below is the salmon pate I used but go for any that you like, check some will have more salmon than others.

Go for any types of crackers you like, a great thing to do with any left over crackers is to store them in a tub so they don’t go stale.

Simple Ingredient Swap Ideas

If you want to swap things up, try these:

Cornichons: Replace with pickled onions or gherkins.
Ham: Use turkey slices or chorizo for a spicier kick.
Green olives: Swap for black olives or capers.
Sundried tomatoes: Replace with roasted red peppers or fresh cherry tomatoes.

These swaps mix up the flavours while keeping the same salty and tangy vibe.