Top Book Club Snack Ideas

March 26, 2022 On Book Street

Hosting book club meetings is always fun.

You gather with a couple of friends or colleagues and discuss great literature. The only issue with hosting is having to choose the best snacks for the event! No worries, this post will give you some great inspiration for your next book club meeting’s menu.

This article dives into some inspiration, tips, snack ideas, and drink ideas to make the best book club meeting. Be careful though, the snacks may be so delicious that everyone will forget to talk about the book!

BOOK CLUB MENU INSPIRATION

Unsure where to begin? Here are some things to consider when planning your book club menu.

Connect to the theme

Find recipes that connect to the book’s theme. For instance, if you are reading a horror novel, then some spooky or Halloween-like snacks would work well.

Think about the setting

Is the book in a unique setting? Match the menu to the setting of the book! You can make anything from Mediterranean food to Indian food. It’s a great way to try new foods, too.

Match the drinks

Don’t forget about the drinks! Literature is full of different drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Find the recipe for your character’s favorite drink and make it for the book club.

Copy the book

Sometimes the characters in the book will give you all the inspiration you need. In “Moby Dick,” they eat quite a bit of clam chowder. So, a good dish for this book would be clam chowder or something with clams.

Decorate your table to match the book’s theme

This is a nice addition to really capture the meeting’s vibe. One way you could do this is simply with decorated napkins. Let’s say you are reading a book that is set at the beach. Grab some summer-themed disposable napkins for your guests to use.

BOOK CLUB HOSTING TIPS

Now that you have your theme ready, here are some tips to consider before diving into cooking.

Finger foods are best for book club meetings. Most of the guests will be holding their book or Kindle, so they aren’t going to be able to carry a full plate of food at the same time. Try to keep the food small and easy to hold.
Make sure to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Do you need to make some of the snacks gluten-free? Vegan? Does anyone have allergies? These are important questions to ask before you start cooking.
The snacks should be quick and easy for you to make. There will be a variety of foods to snack on, so make your life easy with simple recipes.
Have some disposable containers on hand, so guests can take home any leftovers.
It is best to have a mix of sweet and savory snacks for your book club friends.
Provide snacks that aren’t too saucy or messy. Everyone will be holding the book or Kindle, and won’t want to get their things dirty.
Try and choose drinks that fit the food you are serving. Hot chocolate probably won’t taste great with cool cucumber sandwiches.

BOOK CLUB SNACK IDEAS

Here are a few snack ideas you can make for your next book club meetings depending on location, season, etc.

Summer Season Book: Chicken Avocado Pinwheels

These pinwheels are nutritious and refreshing, and fit right into those summer vibes. They are colorful and easy to eat, making them the perfect snack for a book club meeting.

Italian or Italian-American Setting: Pizza Crostini

Add a little tomato sauce to slices of baguette, top with cheese, and bake! Mini pizza bites everyone will love without too much effort needed.

Mediterranean Setting: Fresh Hummus and Pita Bread

Hummus is a delicious and versatile snack that can pair well with many sides like pita bread and vegetables. You can make hummus at home or buy it in the store, whichever is easier for you.

California Setting: California Rolls

As the name suggests, California rolls are perfect for any book set in California. They are easier to make than you think.

French or Cafe Setting: Croissants

What is more French than a plate of fresh, warm croissants? You can easily buy ready-made rolls at the store, so no need for all the work of a typical croissant.

BOOK CLUB DRINK IDEAS

Snacks are a must, but what about special drinks from literature? These can be either specific drinks mentioned in the book, or can simply fit the theme of the book.

Vampire’s Kiss cocktail, inspired by Dracula

There is no drink from literature more famous than butterbeer! Despite being a made-up drink, there are countless recipes for it online. It is easy to make, and a wonderful choice if you are trying to stay alcohol-free. With milk, butter, brown sugar, butterscotch topping, and cream soda, you can make your own butterbeer at home!

Butterbeer, Harry Potter

A Cup of Tea

With all the different snacks you have to make, you may not want to make a fancy drink. There is an easy solution for this. Make everyone a nice cup of tea! You will find most books have characters that enjoy a cup of tea. It will help keep the book club members focused on the book and snacks as well. Tea is a great, quick drink option that will almost always relate to the book.

Black Cherry Water, inspired by The Lost Apothecary

This book follows the tale of a female Apothecary that makes and sells poisons for women. To make a poison-inspired mocktail, a cold glass of black cherry water is perfect. With its dark color and slight bitter taste, it fits the theme perfectly. Even if you don’t read this book, it is an awesome drink to make for the hot summer months. Or even a summer-themed book!

There are so many ways to create a menu for your next book club meeting that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Hopefully with the inspiration and tips in this article you feel a bit more at ease. Be warned, your book club meetings will likely become the talk of the town. So, you may have to start hosting a lot more often! Good luck in your next book club get-together, and enjoy!