9 Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night

9 Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night

The most glamorous night in Hollywood is just a few days away, and we’ve got your Oscar viewing party covered. While we can’t join the stars on the red carpet, these delicious appetizers are sure to make an A-list spread. Haven’t caught up on all of this year’s best motion pictures? Our menu is a special nod to all of the Academy Award-nominated films. From the electrifying energy of Calcutta’s markets in Lion to the romantic date nights in La La Land, treat your taste buds as you feast your eyes on the year’s most celebrated movies. Our statuette-winning recipes are sure to get a standing ovation from your guests.

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9 Delicious Appetizers to Serve on Oscar Night

Appetizers for Oscar Night: Baked Herb and Garlic Tater Tots Recipe

1. La La Land

Samba Tapas? Gosling will pass. But classic American finger foods are still very much on the menu in this romantic musical comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Set in — you guessed it — Los Angeles, Gosling plays a struggling jazz pianist and Stone, an aspiring actress. On one of their dates, Gosling takes Stone to the Lighthouse Café, an iconic jazz club in Hermosa Beach. The menu: complete with all-American comfort food favorites like French fries and tater tots. But instead of frying, we’re baking up these Herb & Garlic Tater Tots, made with mashed potatoes, tapioca flour, chives and an herb and garlic cream cheese. To cut back on dairy (so LA), opt for cashew cream cheese or a pea-based cream cheese. Photo and recipe: Christal Sczebel / Nutritionist in the Kitch

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night : Sausage, Potato and Green Bean Foil Packet Recipes

2. Arrival

In this futuristic film based on the novel, Story of Your Life, Amy Adams plays a linguist who is enlisted to work with a team of scientists to decipher the language of twelve extraterrestrial spacecrafts that have landed on earth. If you’re rooting for this Oscar nom, these space-age Sausage, Potato and Green Bean Foil Packets are revolutionarily easy to make (in any language!). Simply prep the vegetables, thinly slice the sausage and season them before wrapping them in foil and popping them in the oven. The packets are ready in about 12 to 15 minutes — things don’t get more advanced than that. Photo and recipe: Chungah Rhee / Damn Delicious

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Chicken Pot Mug Pie Recipe

3. Fences

Now rewind the clock to 1950s Pittsburgh, the backdrop to this poignant drama starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Washington is a working-class father with a turbulent past who struggles to accept his son’s dreams of playing college football. It’s all about family, and there’s no better way to celebrate the classic homestyle dishes of the time than with our Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Mug Recipe. Brimming with corn, carrots, broccoli, asparagus and chicken, this hearty mug pie is perfect for entertaining a crowd. You can serve them in individual ramekins for a festive touch, and bake them in batches to save time. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Quinoa Sushi Recipe

4. Hacksaw Ridge

Get a taste of Japanese cuisine as the Battle of Okinawa unfolds in this World War II biopic. Desmond Doss is a combat medic who refuses to carry and use weapons because it’s against his religion. This Healthy Quinoa Sushi Recipe is made with shrimp, protein-rich quinoa, creamy avocado, refreshing cucumber, sweet potatoes and steamed asparagus. Prepare mini rolls for a healthy appetizer and serve them in a party platter. Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn

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Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Barbecue Chicken Sweet Potato Pizza

5. Hell or High Water

Two brothers carry out a series of bank robberies in West Texas to help save their family ranch in this neo-Western film. Time is of the essence as they scheme to prevent the ranch from being foreclosed. Thankfully, this Barbecue Chicken Sweet Potato Pizza won’t rob you of your time at all. You can make ahead the sweet potato crust. Just combine one medium sweet potato with one egg and 2/3-cup rolled oats in a food processor to form the dough, and then bake it in the oven at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Once the crust is ready, top with homemade barbecue sauce (here’s a recipe), shredded chicken, red onion, mozzarella and cilantro. This finger-licking meal is sure to be a hit. Photo and recipe: Lindsay Ostrom / Pinch of Yum

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night : Paleo Swedish Meatballs Recipe

6. Hidden Figures

Three female African-American mathematicians at NASA work to overcome racial obstacles and gain respect in a male-dominated field in this 1961-based film. But revenge is sweet when they prove their male superiors wrong by providing them with important data they need to launch the program’s first space missions. Speaking of sweet, grape jelly Swedish meatballs were a popular party dish of the 60s. But these Paleo Swedish Meatballs (or space balls) are strictly savory, with the meatballs dressed in garlicky coconut milk gravy. Photo and recipe: Sharon / Plated With Style

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Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Crispy Baked Samosas With Potatoes and Peas Recipe

7. Lion

In this coming-of-age story, Dev Patel plays Saroo Brierley, a young man who sets out to find his lost family back in India after suddenly separating from them as a child. This tearjerker will not only captivate you heart, but perhaps also your stomach for some comforting Indian cuisine. Filled with spicy potatoes, peas and onions, these Crispy Baked Samosas with Potatoes and Peas are a healthy twist on the traditional Indian appetizer. Photo and recipe: Emma Christensen / The Kitchn

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

8. Moonlight

From childhood to adulthood, we follow Chiron, a timid young black man living in a rough neighborhood of Miami, who struggles to embrace his identity and find his own path in life. One of the scenes takes place in an Atlanta diner, where Chiron’s friend, Kevin, now a chef, prepares him arroz con pollo. You can make your own Healthy Arroz Con Pollo for your guests, using chicken thighs, diced tomatoes, brown rice, saffron threads and Spanish olives. This recipe serves at least four. Photo and recipe: Tessa Arias / Handle the Heat

Movie-Inspired Appetizers for Oscar Night: Lobster Roll Lettuce Wraps With Brioche Crumbles Recipe

9. Manchester by the Sea

Set in a coastal Massachusetts town, Lee Chandler learns his late brother has named him the guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick. Eager to get back to Boston, a delayed funeral forces Lee to stay in Manchester and revisit dark memories from his past. While it’s impossible not to be instantly transported to this small New England town — these lobster rolls are the quintessential pairing dish. This healthy version calls for Bibb lettuce leaves as the “bun,” and substitutes Greek yogurt for mayo. Photo and recipe: Robin Terry / Cali Cooking Girl

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