Here’s a list of 21 mouthwatering Oktoberfest party food ideas, including drinks, dinner, and dessert ideas to help you throw an authentic and enjoyable celebration!
Hosting a backyard Oktoberfest party is the perfect way to celebrate the rich Bavarian culture and indulge in some mouthwatering German cuisine.
When planning your Oktoberfest party food menu, remember to include classic favorites.
Enjoying new German foods you may not typically eat is not only delicious but also makes a great conversation starter, setting the mood for a unique evening of fun and festivities.
Lass die Party beginning. 🙂
Embrace the Bavarian spirit and indulge in your favorite German drinks and flavorful cuisine. Let’s get started with beverages.
Oktoberfest Beverages
Providing a variety of drinks will keep everyone in good spirits and guarantee a successful Oktoberfest party.
Consider offering refreshing beverages like traditional German sodas, sparkling waters, regular water, and any of your old favorites, including coffee.
Napkins affiliate links
German Beers
To wash down all the delicious Oktoberfest delicacies, ensure you have an ample supply of German beer.
Choose from authentic German brews, including Lager, Pilsner, and wheat beers.
Popular German brands that are available in the United States, according to Total Wine, I’ve listed below.
- Paulaner Pils Munich
- Carlsberg
- Beck’s
- St Pauli Girl
- Warsteiner Premium Pilsener
- Spaten Optimator
- Bohemia
- Bitburger Premium Pilsner
- Wurzburger Hofbrau Premium Pilsner
- Hacker Pschorr Weisse
- Radeberger Pilsner
If this is going to be an annual event, consider investing in these affordable plastic 20 oz beer mugs. (affiliate link)
Oktoberfest Drink Coasters
German Wine
Elevate Your Oktoberfest Party with German wines! Beer often takes center stage, but consider the wide selection of wines that can add drink diversity to your celebration.
Consider offering a range of wines, such as crisp Rieslings, that pair well with sausages and pretzels.
Also consider a full-bodied red like Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) with fruitiness and a hint of spice for hardier food like roasted meats.
Note: Remember to offer a variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Vegetable Tray
Bring a healthy twist to the indulgent buffet table with a vegetable tray. This is always a welcome and refreshing addition that adds color and crunch to the table.
Include crisp carrot sticks, bright peppers, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, the crunch of celery, broccoli, and string beans arranged invitingly on a platter.
This colorful ensemble complements the flavors of your Oktoberfest menu.
It also provides a guilt-free option for guests who want to maintain their wellness goals.
Potato Salad
The iconic German potato salad is another idea for your Oktoberfest party food menu.
This savory and tangy dish perfectly complements the grilled sausages and pretzels.
The traditional German potato salad is made with boiled potatoes, bacon, onions, and a flavorful vinaigrette dressing.
You can also incorporate fresh herbs like chives or parsley to add taste and color.
No worries, though. Your guests will appreciate the American version of Potato Salad if you prefer that recipe!
Homemade German Spaetzle
Amongst the sausages and pretzels, one dish stands out for its simplicity and comfort – Homemade German Spaetzle.
These delicate egg noodles are a pillar of German cuisine. They offer a taste of tradition that transcends generations.
Picture tender, irregularly shaped dumplings boiled to perfection, each bringing the coziness of home-cooked goodness.
Boiled to perfection and topped with a drizzle of melted butter, herbs, or gravy, they find their place alongside hearty sausages and steins of beer.
Spaetzle always brings an authentic touch to your Oktoberfest table.
Grilled German Sausages
No Oktoberfest party is complete without hearty sausages sizzling on your grill!
Serve a variety of German delicacies like bratwurst, knackwurst, weisswurst, or hot dogs. Then, let your guests grab their favorites.
Set up a condiment station with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and an assortment of mustards for guests to create their perfect sausage sandwiches.
Pair the sausages with warm, soft rolls, allowing guests to make their own tasty bratwurst sandwiches. With each bite, your guests will be transported to the vibrant streets of Bavaria.
Cheese Tray or Charcuterie Board
Amid the merriment, consider including a Cheese Tray that complements all the hearty fare.
Imagine a spread of artisanal cheeses with unique flavors and textures – from creamy bries to tangy blues, aged cheddar, creamy camemberts, and goat or aromatic goudas.
Serve alongside an assortment of crackers, charcuterie, and accompaniments like fig jam and honey.
Tuck in some crusty bread, nuts, or seasonal fruits, too. This cheese tray is a journey through the world of Bavarian flavors.
Soft Pretzels
Start the celebration with everyone’s favorite, the traditional soft pretzel, golden brown, and sprinkled with coarse salt. Yum!
Serve them alongside tangy mustard or dip in cheese sauce for an authentic touch. Warm, doughy delights bring a sense of comfort to the festivities.
Sink your teeth into a freshly baked pretzel, soft and chewy on the inside, with just the right amount of salty goodness on the outside.
These pretzels are a marriage of simplicity and satisfaction. Soft Pretzels offer a taste of tradition that’s as irresistible as the spirit of Oktoberfest itself.
Beer Cheese Dip
Elevate your appetizer with a creamy and rich beer cheese dip.
This velvety blend of sharp cheddar and creamy Gouda is melted and infused with the richness of beer.
With every scoop, your taste buds journey through the nutty cheese flavors to meet the malty undertones of your favorite brew.
This dip pairs perfectly with pretzels or crunchy bread sticks, or enjoy it with pretzel bites and crispy potato wedges.
Beer Cheese Dip adds a touch of delicious indulgence to your Oktoberfest spread.
Blue and White 9 inch Paper Plates with Napkins
Wooden Serving Platter 13-inch or 18-inch
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Packaged Snacks for Kids
While the savory delights usually get all the attention at an Oktoberfest party, remember to offer treats to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Especially the kids!
Bags of chips, Haribo gummy bears (which started in Kessenich, Bonn, Germany), and Bohme fruit candies are a great place to start.
Sliced Apples and Caramel Dip
As the crisp air of fall ushers in your party, it’s time to welcome the season’s flavors. This simple yet satisfying combination steals the show – sliced apples and caramel dip.
Enjoy the satisfying crunch of freshly sliced apples and the sweetness of rich caramel dip.
Crock-Pot 3 quart or 7 Quart Slow Cooker, affiliate links
This pairing is a tribute to autumn’s bounty, where the tartness of the apples is balanced by the luscious caramel. It’s a taste of comfort that everyone loves.
Try this simple crockpot carmel dip version or zhuzh it up with this homemade salted caramel recipe.
Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) Pastries or Bars
Don’t forget to leave room for dessert – specifically, the iconic Apple Strudel.
This popular German apple treat is known for its flaky pastry filled with spiced apple, raisins (if you like them!), cinnamon, and topped with powdered sugar.
Serve it warm or at room temperature, accompanied by a vanilla sauce or a scoop of ice cream. It’s a comforting taste of fall in every delightful bite.
Make it in any form you prefer, from individual apple strudel pastries, apple crisp pies, or apple streusel in bar form.
Your Oktoberfest celebration wouldn’t be complete without the taste of Apfelstrudel.
Note It’s common to confuse the two names, but streusel and strudel are two different types of desserts. A strudel has thin sheets of pastry wrapped around a filling. In contrast, a streusel has a crumbly topping of sugar, flour, and butter often used to top a fruit filling. Either will be gratefully welcomed by your hungry party guests!
German Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) or Cupcakes
Finally, indulge your guests in the rich decadence of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, also known as Black Forest Cake.
Layers of moist chocolate cake are mixed with whipped cream and cherries, creating a mouthwatering blend of flavors and textures. Top it with chocolate shavings and a cherry.
This classic cake is a visual delight that complements the spirit of the day.
Serve it in the form of black forest cake, black forest cupcakes, or fudgy black forest bars. Or try a different German chocolate variety with these German chocolate cupcakes.
Note Commonly confused, Black Forest cake and German chocolate cake are very different. Black Forest cake is a 3-layer sponge cake topped with whipped cream and fresh cherries. The German chocolate variety is a layer cake with coconut and pecan. Both are equally delicious!
Enjoy your Oktoberfest celebration. Prost!
xo,
Cindy
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