Dinner parties have their place, but they also have their down sides. That’s why a finger food party can be a great alternative. It keeps guests moving around and lets everyone talk to each other. You get to eat a variety of foods without feeling stuffed, and there’s always something for everyone.

Problem is, preparing so many appetizers can be time consuming and expensive. That’s why I’ve come up with five super easy apps that cost a total of $25 (with help from a few basic pantry items I had around the house).

Here are some tricks to help you save time and stretch your app dollar:

• Crostini/Bruschetta makes for an affordable appetizer, especially when you offer several different toppings. Buy a baguette, slice and toast it , then pick two or three different toppings to make different finger foods.

• Another tip: Use a few ingredients in multiple dishes. In the recipes listed below, I used the same mixture of diced Fresno chilies, cucumbers and scallions on the Thai toast as on the smoked oysters. I used my roasted garlic spread on crostini, and then also added it to hummus.

• Mixing and matching creates different flavor combinations that allow you to prepare a variety of apps with minimal ingredients. The consistency of certain flavors will make the dishes complement each other without being repetitive.

Quick tip: To remove the garlic from the skin, use your thumb to squeeze from the bottom of the clove upwards.

Quick tip: If you only have regular (untoasted) sesame oil, that’s fine too, although the stronger, nutty, charred aroma of the toasted variety alone is worth a trip to the store.

Like you, Dan Pashman loves to eat. He's the creator and host of The Sporkful, a website and podcast about discussing, debating and obsessing over food in ridiculous detail. The Sporkful's motto is, "It's not for foodies, it's for eaters." Whether he's covering proper sandwich construction, ideal ice cube size, or buffet strategy, Dan's always seeking new and better ways to eat. He lives with his wife and daughter.