Bruno Pugh
Party food in the 1980s pushed creative boundaries with its signature mix of convenience and showmanship. Every hostess had her special appetizer recipe involving cream cheese, processed meat, or gelatinâsometimes all three. These forgotten favorites tell a unique story about entertaining guests during this colorful decade. Let’s revisit these once-popular party classics.
Hostess Choco-Bliss
Introduced in the 1980s, this mini chocolate cake offered a moist devilâs food sponge layered with creamy filling and rich ganache frosting. It became a cult favorite among chocoholics before being discontinued in the 1990s. Devotees still reminisce about its unique triple-chocolate indulgence.
McDLT
McDLTâshort for âMcDonaldâs Lettuce and Tomatoââlaunched around 1985 and featured unique dual-compartment polystyrene packaging to keep cooked and chilled ingredients separate for customers to assemble. Environmental concerns over foam and logistical issues led to its phase-out by the early 1990s.
Planters Cheese Balls
These bright orange, perfectly round snacks from Planters were party favorites throughout the 1980s. The resealable blue containers made them a convenient choice for hosts. While they vanished from stores for years, these beloved cheese-flavored treats returned briefly in 2018 before being discontinued again in 2025, though nostalgia persists.
Bread Bowl Dip
During the 1980s, no party spread was complete without a bread bowl centerpiece. These edible containers added bucolic charm while serving practical purposes. Hosts would fill them with hot dips ranging from spicy queso to rich spinach-artichoke combinations. The bowl itself became part of the snack.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad blended canned fruit, marshmallows, shredded coconut, and whipped topping into a pastel-colored dessert. Beloved in the 1970s and 1980s for potlucks and holiday spreads, it symbolized indulgent simplicity. Today, its ultra-sweet, processed ingredients feel dated, though many families still prepare it as a nostalgic nod to earlier generations.
Fuzzy Navel Cocktail
A sweet sensation that defined 1980s parties, the Fuzzy Navel combined peach schnapps with orange juice for an irresistibly smooth drink. The clever name played on its fruity components: fuzzy peaches and navel oranges. Though once a party essential, this beloved cocktail has faded into memory.
Vienna Sausage Skewers
Vienna Sausage Skewers were quick appetizers made by pairing canned sausages with pineapple chunks, cheese cubes, or pickles on toothpicks. Their salty-sweet contrast suited cocktail parties of the 1980s. Over time, changing tastes and the decline of canned meats at gatherings caused these once-ubiquitous finger foods to disappear.
Wine Coolers
Sweet and fruity wine coolers dominated 1980s party scenes with their colorful bottles and refreshing taste. These convenient mixed drinks combined wine with fruit flavors, making them perfect for casual entertaining. Today’s hosts have moved on to craft cocktails and hard seltzers instead.
Tequila Sunrise Pitchers
During the 1980s, party hosts would mix large batches of Tequila Sunrise in decorative glass pitchers. The cocktail shared counter space with Fuzzy Navels and California Coolers at casual get-togethers. Many hosts now opt for different signature drinks at their social gatherings.
Little Smokies
Little Smokies brought savory satisfaction to every 1980s party spread. These miniature smoked sausages simmered in slow cookers, typically swimming in a sweet-savory mix of grape jelly and barbecue sauce. While they still make appearances at retro-themed gatherings, modern hosts typically opt for fresher appetizer choices.