Blog posts by Rosanna ETC

Here are the Best Caviar Canapés Recipes that I love to rely on when hosting at home. Serving caviar canapes always delights guests at a dinner party and shows off this decadent gourmet food to its best potential!

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What is Caviar?

Caviar is a gourmet food crafted from the eggs, or roe, of sturgeon fish, but it can also refer to the eggs of other fish like salmon or lumpfish. These tiny, glossy spheres come in various shades, from light gold to deep black, each with its distinct flavor profile. Revered for centuries, caviar is renowned for its exquisite taste, which can range from buttery and mild to intensely rich and briny, depending on the type and origin of the fish.

Often associated with elegance, extravagance, and indulgence, caviar has a time-honored place in gastronomy and is savored on its own or as a luxurious accent to enhance various dishes. Want to learn more? Read my guide on salmon roe vs. caviar.

Top Caviar Canapés Recipes

1. Caviar and Crème Fraîche Vol Au Vents

The classic pairing of caviar and crème fraîche gets an even more luxurious upgrade inside these easy vol au vents cases. Flaky but light and airy puff pastry is the perfect texture to match with cool creme fraiche and salty caviar garnish. Your guests won't be able to stop eating just one!

2. Salmon Roe Canapes

Delicious smoked salmon mousse is the perfect accompaniment for a crisp canape base and pearls of salmon caviar on top! It's rich and salty, crunchy and smooth, and a dream for seafood lovers.

3. Seared Scallops with Avocado, Salmon and Caviar

Canapes and starter in the form of beautifully fresh scallops dressed up with caviar. A delicious combo of flavors and textures, seared scallops, sweet and salty smoked salmon, and creamy mashed avocado topped with more salty and crunchy caviar.

4. Caviar Waffle Sticks

Here's a classy appetizer that's all about making an entrance – roe and caviar on a waffle stick, with crème fraîche and chives. This is the ultimate fancy finger food, perfect for any occasion.

5. Mini Latkes with Caviar Canapes

These golden-brown latkes are crispy on the outside and oh-so-soft on the inside, just like your favorite hash browns. Now, here comes the magic – a generous dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of caviar, and a dash of chives. These little wonders are like mini latke champs, ensuring you get the perfect crunch-to-fluff balance in every bite.

6. Mini Salmon Rissoles with Sour Cream & Attilus Caviar

Mini salmon rissoles that are simply heavenly when you team them up with some sour cream and Attilus Caviar. They're not just appetizers; they're the best way to start off a meal. And guess what? These classy salmon rissole canapes are like the secret weapon for all your special occasions – birthdays, parties, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas; you get the drift. They're your go-to recipe for turning any gathering into a gourmet feast!

7. Sweet Potato Chips With Whipped Goat Cheese and Caviar

Imagine this: Sweet Potato Chips paired with velvety Whipped Goat Cheese and a sprinkle of Caviar – it's like effortless elegance that deserves a round of applause. This appetizer is your secret weapon for making any celebration pop! Oh, and here's a little hack: grab some ready-made chips from the store, and boom, you've got the speediest, most impressive appetizer ever.

8. Salmon Uramaki with Lumpfish Caviar

This reverse-style smoked salmon uramaki sushi recipe that's got that fancy black lumpfish caviar on top is a total mind-blowing canape. Wondering what Lumpfish caviar taste like? It's got that salty kick – these little eggs are like mini flavor bombs with an awesome crunch. They're like the superstars for dressing up your canapes, sushi, or even tartlets.

9. Red Caviar Toasts

Wow, these cute Red Caviar toasts topped with salmon roe are not only elegant-looking canapes but also unbelievably delicious! You won't believe how simple they are to put together - only three ingredients, that's it. They're perfect as appetizers for those special occasions. Honestly, the baguette here is just like a fancy taxi for those tiny bursts of salty caviar goodness straight to your taste buds. And that creamy butter? It's like the best friend of the crunchy baguette and the savory caviar - they all get along so well!

10. Devilled Eggs With Caviar

You know, those fancy deviled eggs topped with caviar? They're like the posh rock stars of appetizers and party bites. Making them is a breeze, and when you add that caviar, bam! It's like a party in your mouth - it looks cool and gives this old-school dish a totally new vibe with that fancy feel and extra flavor. It's like putting a touch of luxury on an already well-loved party treat.

11. Smoked Salmon & Caviar on Crispy Potatoes

These elegant Smoked Salmon Canapés might look fancy, but trust me, putting them together is a no-brainer! And here's the magic – they're like instant crowd-pleasers. Just remember, assemble these beauties right before serving for the best taste. Your guests will be seriously impressed! This is also a gluten-free recipe for anyone who has an intolerance or dietary preference.

12. Crostini with Salmon and Caviar canapes

Here's a super simple and absolutely top-notch Crostini recipe starring sour cream, smoked salmon, caviar, and dill. You'll just need to slice up some Italian bread, give it a nice toasting, and then pile on these fantastic Crostini toppings for some seriously awesome appetizers. These little bites are like a crispy, airy delight that's as satisfying as those yummy blinis. Trust me, they're a total win!

13. Cucumber & Caviar bites

These Cucumber and Caviar Bites are a breeze to put together, and they're also a total winner as starters or nibbles and will help you out if you have vegan guests coming. Imagine golden puff pastry squares, all warm and crispy, then loaded up with vegan dill cream cheese, cool cucumber slices, a dash of vegan caviar, and fresh dill.

14. Sweet Potato Crostini with Caviar Canapes

Sweet potato crostini! Imagine these baked sweet potato slices, all cozy and warm, topped with creamy avocado, zesty Caviar lime, and juicy pomegranate caviar. These bites are like edible holiday decorations! Make these your VIPs of holiday entertaining for all your guests, even those who are plant-based.

15. Swedish Toast Skagen on Pumpernickel Bread

Ever tried Swedish Toast Skagen? It's the fancier way of saying prawns, toast, and caviar, teaming up to make a classy appetizer or a mouthwatering Swedish brunch. Sometimes, simple is stunning, and this twist on your regular prawns on toast proves just that. It's like a lesson in tasteful elegance!

16. Caviar Cucumber Boats with Creme Fraiche

Caviar and cucumber appetizers: this easy-peasy starter is a breeze to whip up and hits the mark with its mix of awesome tastes and crunch. Now, caviar isn't exactly a budget buy, so think of this recipe as your ace in the hole for those one-of-a-kind times! And guess what? You just need four things: some crispy cucumber, a dollop of crème fraiche, that precious caviar, and a sprinkle of fresh chives. Plus, it's a win for the low-carb, keto, and gluten-free guests you have coming to your cocktail party.

Caviar Canapes FAQ

Recipe Card

More elegant canape recipes

Do you host often? Check out some of my other easy canape recipes to make the most of your home entertaining.

Caviar And Crème Fraîche Vol Au Vents are an easy and elegant canape to serve at cocktail parties. Flaky and crisp puff pastry vol au vents are filled with cool crème fraîche and garnished with decadent caviar. If you want to impress your guests and provide a luxury culinary experience, look no further.

Fancy canapes can be enjoyed at any time of year, and I love how easy it is to make the vol au vents, and then you can quickly assemble the creme fraiche and caviar at the last minute. These impressive appetizers are perfect for serving with drinks before a holiday dinner

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Why is caviar served with crème fraîche?

The classic pairing of caviar and crème fraîche is one of the best ways to show off this luxury ingredient. Crème fraîche is smooth and silky in texture, which allows the caviar texture to be the main event. Caviar is salty in taste, which works perfectly with the slight acidity of creme fraiche, which is plain and neutral in taste, also letting the caviar shine. It's the perfect complement!

Ingredients

The ingredients for these easy caviar and creme fraiche canape vol au vents are very easy to get hold of, and we rely on the natural flavors of the caviar, so there aren't many of them!

For the vol au vent cases

1. Puff pastry - I use a storebought puff pastry sheet to make these vol au vent cases; it saves so much time if you're a busy host preparing for a special occasion.
2. Egg - Brushing an egg wash over puff pastry gives a rich, glossy sheen and also provides a barrier between the vol au vent and the creamy filling to prevent them from going soggy.

For the caviar and crème fraîche filling

1. Crème Fraîche - Crème Fraîche is a common French dairy ingredient used frequently in French cuisine. It's a soured cream but always has at least 30% fat content, which is higher than normal sour cream and around the same fat content as American heavy cream.
2. Caviar - You can choose your favorite type of caviar for this caviar canape recipe, and if caviar is out of your price range, then go for another type of fish roe caviar, like salmon roe. To find out more about salmon roe vs caviar, check out my guide.
3. Chives - Fresh chives have a mild onion flavor that subtly compliments the caviar without overpowering it.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full quantities and step-by-step instructions on how to make caviar and crème fraîche vol au vents.

Instructions

Chef's notes

I sometimes finish these canapes off with a sprinkle of salt and a little squeeze of lemon just before serving. But caviar can be very salty, so go easy, or you'll ruin the delicate flavor. I normally allow a quarter spoon of caviar per canape.

Wine pairing for caviar

The classic drink pairing for caviar is either vodka or champagne. If serving vodka, ensure it is ice-cold vodka and of the highest quality. If serving champagne, choose an aged champagne with toasty notes.

Serving suggestions

Serve these caviar creme fraiche canapes on a serving platter, and if you have any leftover caviar, place it in the center with a pearled spoon for guests to help themselves to more if they are feeling decadent.

I love plating up a mixture of these canapes with salmon roe canapes and truffle and porcini mushroom puff pastry pinwheels.

Equipment

You will need two cookie cutters (pastry cutters) to make your vol au vents. One larger one for the base layer and one smaller one to cut out the inner circle.

Bake the cases on a lined oven tray with low sides to prevent steam build-up around the puff pastry.

I like to use a piping bag to pipe the creme fraiche into each vol au vent. But you can use a teaspoon and a teaspoon for a dollop of caviar, too!

Cutting chives with scissors saves much time!

Storage

Vol au vent cases can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Alternatively, they freeze well, layered in Tupperware, separated by sheets of parchment paper.

Once assembled, consume these canapes immediately. You can store leftovers in the fridge, but they are best enjoyed fresh.

FAQ

Recipe Card

Other elegant canape recipes

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

An easy canapé base recipe that you can make ahead, freeze, and use for a variety of toppings. It's perfect for a busy host who is used to entertaining at home! What's more, you only need two simple ingredients and 20 minutes, and you can top them however you like.

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Why this easy recipe is a party host essential

1. It's so fast: You can make this easy canapé base recipe in under 15 minutes, and then they are ready to use or freeze for future use. Simply defrost and finish with a variety of toppings! Anything you can freeze is a great way to save time.
2. It's so simple: There are just two ingredients and two simple bits of equipment in this easy canape base recipe - what's not to love?
3. It freezes well: I have made hundreds of these canape bases, and I freeze them in layers. You can take out however many you need, defrost quickly, and then you're ready to go. Honestly, my freezer is full of them and other easy yet elegant canapé recipes and finger foods like these mini vol au vent cases.

Ingredients

1. Bread: I buy ready-sliced bread, and crustless bread is handy if available. You can use white bread or brown bread; I normally make a mix of the two and freeze them separately.
2. Neutral cooking oil: You can use olive oil, but as it can taste quite strong, I normally keep it for salad dressings and use a neutral oil like rapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil, which will let the canape toppings be the main character.
3. Salt and black pepper: Seasoning the canape bases is optional, as often canape toppings will have strong and highly seasoned flavors. I normally leave mine plain.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full quantities and step-by-step instructions on how to make this simple homemade crispy canapé base recipe.

How to make canapé bases

Chef's notes

1. This recipe works better with fresh bread. Once bread slices have been frozen and defrosted, they can dry out, and I find that the results are better when using fresh bread.
2. Make sure that the bread is fully compressed when you roll it out. Pushing out all of the air and condensing it down to a dense layer is essential to keep these easy homemade canape bases from going stale and keeping them crisp.
3. Size matters, so make sure you don't cut the canape base too small or too big! Each canape base must be the right size for 1 or 2 small bites.
4. Ensure that each crisp canape base is covered in oil before baking, as this will help prevent them from soaking up whatever topping you put on at a later date. The oil forms a protective layer and keeps them crisp for longer. The perfect base!
5. Allow 8-10 canapes per guest per hour of a cocktail party. For a pre-dinner reception, allow 4-6 per person.

Wine pairing for canapes

Canapes are hard to wine pair, as they are often varied and salty! I find that a crisp and acidic Sauvignon Blanc will cut through most things, which makes it a useful aperitif to serve with a canape spread at cocktail parties. Alternatively, serve a sparkling wine like prosecco or champagne.

Read more of my food and wine pairing tips here.

Serving suggestions

There are so many ways you can use an easy canape base. In summer, I will often top them with this green pea dip and perhaps a crispy shard of fried prosciutto for fresh bite-sized treats.

On special occasions, I'll use them to make some salmon roe canapes with smoked salmon dip for a touch of luxury.

You could top it with herbed cream cheese and fresh chives or sour cream and caviar.

Try my porcini mushroom puff pastry pinwheels for more canapes to serve at a party or special occasion.

Equipment

You will need a rolling pin and a low-sided oven tray to make this easy canape base recipe. If you want fancier shapes, you can use a cookie cutter (or pastry cutter), but it is easy to cut small squares, triangles, or smaller pieces with a knife, and you'll have less waste.

Storage

Store in an airtight container lined with greaseproof paper for up to 3 days before using.

Alternatively, freeze and use within one month. Lay out on a tray and defrost thoroughly when you are ready to use. They can be enjoyed either hot or cold.

To reheat, simply place on an oven sheet and warm up for 5-10 minutes in the oven at 180C/355F.

FAQ

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Other easy canape recipes

Looking for other recipes like these easy bases for canapes? Try these:

Easy yet Elegant Salmon Roe Canapés bring the wow factor to parties without the high price tag to match. Tasty briny nibbles of smoked salmon mousse canape topping on crispy bases garnished with glossy pearls of salmon caviar.

Smoked salmon canapés with caviar are a seafood appetizer with a luxurious edge and appearance. If you're looking for fancy finger foods to serve at parties, look no further.

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Is salmon roe caviar?

Salmon roe can be called caviar if it is prefixed by the fact it is from a Salmon fish and not the Sturgeon fish. Salmon caviar are beautiful orange/red pearls that pop in the mouth and have a delicious salty taste. Read my guide to salmon roe vs caviar to find out more about this luxury ingredient that makes a decadent addition to special occasions.

Ingredients

The main ingredients for this canape recipe are actually very simple and easy to come by, which makes it a very easy recipe for a busy host holding a party!

For the canape bases

1. Bread: I use brown bread (wholemeal bread) as I personally prefer it with salmon, and there is more of a visual contrast between the smoked salmon mousse topping and the salmon roe. You can use white bread if you prefer for the easy canape base.
2. Cooking oil: Use a neutral oil to avoid mixing up flavor profiles; I like to use canola, rapeseed, or vegetable oil. Avoid using olive oil; it can be bitter and overpowering.

Alternatively, you can use store-bought crostini, blinis, or homemade vol au vent cases for these salmon caviar canapes. Some people even use crispy potato slices!

For the smoked salmon mousse canape topping

1. Smoked salmon - Buy a good quality smoked salmon to blend up into a mousse for the salmon caviar canape topping.
2. Cream cheese - Tangy, silky cream cheese makes this easy canape taste rich and decadent. Use full-fat, high-quality cream cheese, or it can be watery.
3. Crème Fraiche - If you cannot find this traditional French ingredient, you can use sour cream or even Greek yogurt for that vital bit of acidity.
4. Fresh lemon - Lemon juice and zest lift the flavors and help to cut through the fattiness of the salmon.
5. Chives - Fresh chives give some onion flavor that adds depth to the mousse.
6. Salt and freshly ground black pepper: You will not need much salt in this recipe as salmon roe and smoked salmon are both naturally salty.

For the garnish

1. Salmon roe - Our beautiful salmon roe perches on top of the smoked salmon mousse. It is usually stocked in larger supermarkets in the seafood section, especially around the festive party season, or it is easily available to buy online.
2. Dill - A sprig of fresh dill is the ultimate herb pairing for salmon recipes, like my easy salmon en croute with dill cream sauce.

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full quantities and step-by-step instructions on how to make this delicious salmon roe canapés recipe.

Instructions

Chef's notes and serving suggestions

I like to use a couple of teaspoons to quenelle the smoked salmon mousse canape topping. It just makes it look fancier and more professional in appearance. Because who doesn't love serving restaurant quality food at home?

Allow around a ¼ teaspoon of caviar per canape. You can also use trout roe if salmon roe is not available.

I like to allow for 10 canapes per person per hour of an event.

Wine pairing for salmon roe canapés

I'd pair an Oak-aged Chardonnay or Viognier with this canape recipe. The smoky, salty, and rich taste of these salty salmon roe canapes makes them more of a challenge to wine pair, but we just need a white wine to cut through it all.

Read more food and wine pairing tips here to elevate all your parties and special occasions.

Equipment

You will need a baking tray (baking sheet) to make the bread base, a mixing bowl, or a food processor for the smoked salmon mousse.

I use teaspoons to assemble my canapes, but you could also pipe the topping on using piping bags and then garnish with the roe.

To perfectly garnish your canapes every time with a sprig of dill or other fresh herbs, use a pair of kitchen tweezers.

How to store

Store all of the ingredients separately and assemble before serving.

The canape bases can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or they freeze really well. You can also freeze salmon roe, and it will keep for 6 months in an airtight container.

Do not freeze the smoked salmon mousse topping.

FAQ

Recipe Card

Other elegant dinner party recipes

Looking for other easy salmon roe canape recipes like this? Try these: