The dance routines have been perfected, the lyrics learnt and outfits selected, which can only mean one thing: the Eurovision Song Contest is happening. As the UK prepares to host Eurovision for the first time in 25 years this weekend, why not host a Eurovision-themed watch party and join in on the fun? From appetisers to sharing boards, indulgent desserts to bite-sized delights, these ideas will add a little joy to your weekend, even if the country you’re cheering on scores ‘nul points’.

Sweden is being tipped as a hot favourite for this year’s Eurovision, and with this meatball recipe you can be sure you’re onto a winner. For the big night (and to make eating easier) serve the flavourful meatballs on cocktail skewers rather than with the pasta and peas suggested (although you will want to try that version another day).

Get the recipe for Swedish meatballs here

Smoked salmon isn’t just for Christmas – it’s perfect for a Eurovision party, too. Take your celebrations in a decidedly classy direction with these Finnish-style canapes. Here dark, chewy shards of rye bread are topped with herby butter and layers of silky gravadlax, with briny capers providing the perfect finishing touch.

Get the recipe for gravadlax on rye bread here

For those feeling patriotic and cheering on Mae Muller, only a suitably British snack will do – and these mini Yorkshire puddings with sausages hit the spot. Just the thing for picking up with one hand (while executing a dance move or two with the other), this recipe sees party-sized Yorkies filled with chipolatas and broccoli, with gravy served on the side (of course).

Get the recipe for mini Yorkshire puddings with sausages and roast shallot gravy here

Baklava’s origins may be as hotly contested as the scoring on Eurovision night, but that certainly doesn’t take away from the deliciousness of this dessert. Here we see delicate, butter-brushed filo pastry layered with nuts and spices before being baked until golden brown and drenched in a sweet honey-lemon syrup. For the purpose of this round-up, we’ll let the ancient Greeks take the credit for inventing this irresistible dessert. 

Get the recipe for baklava here

You can never go wrong with a classic guacamole, and nothing beats homemade. The trick is finding perfectly ripe avocados and seasoning them generously. For best results, look for Hass avocados that feel soft but not mushy and have a dark purple, almost black, colour. For an extra touch, top your guac with some crispy bacon or chopped grilled pineapple.

Get the recipe for classic guacamole here

It doesn’t get much simpler than this classic dip. Take four of the ripest plum tomatoes you can find, peel and dice. Do the same with a quarter of a red onion and combine with a crushed clove of garlic, adding lime juice to taste and topping with chopped coriander. Season with salt and pepper and serve with tortilla chips.

This Tex-Mex dip is well worth turning the oven on for. Take 225g (8oz) grated Cheddar or other good melting cheese and combine it with a 375g  (12oz) can of evaporated milk and a tablespoon of corn starch. Whisk together in a saucepan until combined and bring up to medium heat, whisking and seasoning as you go. For a spicier version, try adding salsa (as much as you like), chopped green jalapeños for heat, and a teaspoon of cumin.

It might be an American classic, but this burrito-inspired seven-layer dip works perfectly for Eurovision, too. To make it, simply start layering enough refried beans to cover the bottom of a large glass serving bowl, followed by equal quantities of guacamole and salsa – you can use our recipes above – add a layer of sour cream mixed with taco seasoning, and top with grated Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Add some shredded iceberg lettuce for crunch, a handful of chopped fresh tomatoes and sliced black olives. Serve with tortilla chips.

Keep it nice and simple with some beer nuts that will be ready in minutes but pack a punch. You can easily customise this recipe with your favourite seasonings – spicy, smoky, or sweet – or change it up using other nuts, chickpeas or toasted corn nuts.

Get the recipe for beer nuts here

This retro canapé is ready for a well-deserved comeback, as this modern take proves. Creamy tahini and zingy za’atar add creative flair to a timeless classic that everyone will love. 

Get the recipe for devilled eggs with creamy tahini and za’atar here

These Parma Ham sausage rolls are an elevated take on the quintessential British party snack, and they're also the perfect finger food: indulgent, filling and ridiculously easy to make, plus they taste great even at room temperature.

Get the recipe for Parma Ham sausage rolls here

This miso, chilli and lime corn on the cob recipe adds a funky twist to a classic, and is perfect for those who love bold flavours. This recipe is great for parties as it works exquisitely on the grill or griddle, and will leave everyone wanting more.

Get the recipe for miso, chilli and lime corn on the cob here

Another brilliant recipe that makes the best out of charred flavours and will be a guaranteed hit at any party. Overly ripe plantains are great on the barbeque or griddle; the sugars caramelise when charring, bringing all the complex flavour notes out and turning the flesh of the plantain soft and buttery. Coat them with honey butter, chilli and lime and you’ve scored yourself a win.

Get the recipe for barbecued plantains with honey butter, chilli and lime here

You can't go wrong with potato wedges, especially if you cook them to perfection, so they're fluffy on the inside and crispy outside. Whether you make these with standard or sweet potatoes (or a combination of the two), wedges are the ideal vessel for a yummy dip; try pairing them with this golden turmeric dipping sauce.

Get the recipe for golden oven fries here 

Everything you love about loaded fries, but healthier and veggie-friendly. Whether you're trying to eat more plant-based meals or have vegetarian or vegan guests over, this is one of those dishes that will appeal to everyone. Jackfruit is a flavour sponge, so season to your heart's content and you can always add some more toppings for extra flair.

Get the recipe for jackfruit loaded sweet potato fries here

Skewers are easy to prep and even easier to eat, especially when your attention is divided between the bites and what's on the screen. Best of all? No cutlery needed. For a healthy and filling nibble, why not give this recipe for sweet potato and chicken skewers a try? They can easily be done in a griddle pan if you're indoors.

Get the recipe for orange and honey glazed sweet potato and chicken skewers here

Sticking with the skewer theme and this time offering a spicy nod to Spain, these tapas-style bites might just be the perfect party food: full of flavour, easy to make and even easier to eat. Serve with xamfaina chutney as the recipe suggests, or knock up a quick tomato salsa instead.

Get the recipe for chicken with pinchito spices here

If you're looking for a good vegan nacho recipe, try this spicy tofu take. The tofu is seasoned with Cajun spices and pan-fried to perfection, and the crispy tortilla chips are topped with the usual nacho suspects. Your friends may come for the contest, but they’ll stay for this.

Get the recipe for spicy tofu nachos here

Party plan: make authentic tacos and win everyone over with your skills. Perfect for sharing, this recipe for tacos al pastor is made with marinated pork, sweet pineapple and zesty salsa, and pairs great with a beer. It’s what we like to call a victory snack.

Get the recipe for tacos al pastor with pineapple and salsa taquera here

This jalapeño grilled cheese is already a champion, but beware: once you try it, you may never go back to traditional toasties. Filled with gooey Cheddar, the buttered bread is coated with spicy jalapeños and crispy, salty Parmesan.

Get the recipe for jalapeño, Cheddar and Parmesan cheese toasties here

Sliders are another must-have at a Eurovision party, and this recipe here has all the components to be a winning entry. Preparing the pulled chicken in a slow cooker means a hands-off approach, so you can do other prep while it's simmering away. The chicken is served with creamy avocado and a chipotle lime mayonnaise that’s so good, you may want to prep some extra just for dipping.

Get the recipe for slow cooker pulled barbecue chicken sliders here

Get the barbecue or the cast iron pan out and smash your Eurovision menu with this recipe. These Cheddar and corn chilli smash burgers are full of crunchy edges and the juicy patties are packed with a delicious combination of gooey Cheddar cheese, sweetcorn, and a kick of chilli. The result is nothing short of an epic burger eating experience.

Get the recipe for Cheddar corn and chilli smash burgers here

Meatball subs are a combination of the ultimate comfort food turned into a party show-stopper. The tender, juicy meatballs are nestled in a bed of melty mozzarella cheese and served in a toasted, buttery sub roll. Top with some Parmesan, because – why not?

Get the recipe for baked meatball sub here

Classics become classics for a reason, and no watch party is complete without a bowl of Buffalo wings. This recipe has been designed to help you master the art of making the perfect wings, think crispy skin, smooth and buttery hot sauce and a rich yet cooling blue cheese dip.

Get the recipe for Buffalo wings here

Add some flair to your feast with this recipe for mouth-watering, Southern-style chicken wings. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they're one of our go-to recipes for when you want to impress your guests with minimum effort. The succulent, sticky chicken wings are cooked in sweet and spicy Creole seasoning and pair perfectly with good friends and ice-cold beer.

Get the recipe for Southern-style chicken wings here

Every shortcut helps when you're cooking for a crowd, so this recipe is a no-brainer. These crispy, sticky wings are cooked in the oven, which makes it easy to whip up a big batch. The addition of bicarbonate of soda means you don’t have to sacrifice the crunch.

Get the recipe for crispy, sticky chicken wings here

Gochujang has become increasingly popular over the past year, and with good reason. The sweet, spicy, and savoury Korean paste is made from fermented chillies and has a complex yet balanced taste that, when mixed with butter, transforms chicken wings for this recipe.

Get the recipe for chicken wings with gochujang, lime and herb butter here

No chicken? No problem! These on-trend cauliflower wings are so good, you'll forget what they're made with. Breaded and coated with a delicious sticky and spicy sauce, they're also perfect to lay out at your watch party as a vegetarian-friendly snack.

Get the recipe for sweet chilli cauliflower 'wings' with a creamy Boursin drizzle here

Give Italy’s uplifting Eurovision entry a shout out with this one-pan pizza made with simple store-cupboard ingredients you probably already have at home. Feel free to customise with extra toppings and add as little or as much cheese as you want.

Get the recipe for one-pan pizza here

Elevate your pizza offering with this roast mushroom and truffle pizza. The perfect combination of sophisticated and downright delicious party food, this pizza is likely to impress your friends and score you extra points as the party host with the most. Plus once you try the Neapolitan dough, it'll become your go-to for homemade pizza making.

Get the recipe for roast mushroom and truffle pizza here

You can't go wrong with pepperoni, so you might as well make it a double. You'll want to make an extra batch of spicy honey, too; once you've tasted it, pizza will never be the same without it.

Get the recipe for double pepperoni and spicy honey pizza here

This homemade popcorn ice cream is sure to spark memories of childhood and trips to the movies. Top it with some extra toffee popcorn for a proper cinematic experience.

Get the recipe for popcorn ice cream here

Whoever first combined brownies and cheesecake deserves an award. Throw in raspberries and you're really onto a winner. This is a perfect dessert for a party as it can be made ahead of time and easily portioned. Customise the cheesecake with food dye to reflect your country's flag.

Get the recipe for chocolate and raspberry cheesecake brownies here

A pinch of salt is all that's needed to take fudge to the next level. These decadent squares will be a favourite at your gathering and the saltiness of the fudge, combined with the richness of the chocolate, goes fantastically well with craft beer. The recipe makes 30 squares, but a word of warning: they'll disappear quicker than you think.

Get the recipe for salted peanut chocolate fudge here

The best hosts are those who consider everyone’s food requirements, which is why this recipe can also be made dairy-free or vegan. The churros are also very easy to prepare and require no frying. Beware of double-dippers, because everyone will be wanting an extra dose of the rich chocolate sauce.

Get the recipe for gluten-free waffle churro dippers here

Crunchy and chewy are two words that describe a perfect rocky road. We love how balanced this recipe is: savoury pretzels mixed with sweet Dutch stroopwafels, crunchy wafers and chewy marshmallows. Add toffee apple and indulgent chocolate and you have the perfect end to a party menu.

Get the recipe for toffee apple and salted pretzel rocky road here