20 Unique Purple Food Ideas For Your Next Gathering (2024)

Color parties are a delightful theme that’s easy for anyone interested in their first themed party to take on! You can choose your favorite color for a birthday celebration, make purple and orange the official colors of a Halloween party, or throw a potluck dinner party with purple dishes as the theme. Purple parties need more than just decorations and apparel of the right tone: you’ll need some purple food ideas to go along with it!

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of great purple food ideas to match your chosen theme. Thanks to us at Peerspace, that is, the nation’s leading online marketplace for special event ideas and spaces. From vegetables to sweets, you’ll find a purple dish that’s sure to put a smile on the faces of your guests (or hosts)!

1. Munch on pretty purple potato chips

Whether you buy them or make them yourself with an air fryer, purple potato chips are one purple food idea that’s guaranteed to be a hit with your guests. They are crunchy, quick to make, and you can season them any way you like. Salt and pepper is the classic approach, yet you can also use paprika, garlic powder, or ginger for unique flavors!

2. Get classy with red wine pasta

Elegant yet simple to make, red wine pasta is the perfect start to a lovely themed date night or potluck with friends. For a truly special dinner, think about booking a nice venue to go with the meal. That’s where Peerspace comes in; we have venues all over the world, including dining halls where you can enjoy a pasta dinner with your favorite people!

3. Get creative with mulberry ice cream

Mulberries aren’t as popular as blueberries or blackberries but they certainly should be! These flavorful berries ripen by the bucketful in the summer. So if you have any trees near you, you should be finding ways to use them in large amounts. Homemade mulberry ice cream is one purple food idea that everyone will love!

4. Go for a classic with blueberry pancakes

Blueberry pancakes have just the right amount of purple for a brunch party or purple-themed birthday party! You can follow any pancake recipe (this one is one of our favorites) and fold in blueberries right before they hit the griddle. Thawed frozen blueberries work best since they are already softened and leak juice into the batter for extra color.

5. Make mouths water with blackberry glazed pork 

Purple meat dishes are hard to come by but pork chops or tenderloin glazed with a blackberry sauce is a favorite of ours! You can make this in the oven or follow this grill-based recipe instead. The sweetness of the blackberry is the perfect complement to pork’s salty richness. It’s one purple food idea that guests will be talking about for months after the party!

Love the idea of hosting an event filled with brunch foods? Add a spin to yours using these creative themed brunch ideas for a meal to remember!

6. Go healthy and crunchy with purple cabbage

Purple cabbage slaw adds a tasty crunch and punchy purple hue to the vegetable section of your party table. You can also add purple cabbage to tacos, make cabbage soup by pureeing it, or add it to hummus for a purple hummus dip.

7. Satisfy sweet tooths with blackberry pie

Tart and hearty, a blackberry pie is one of the finest dessert-oriented purple food ideas! You can easily find one in the frozen section of your grocery store. Or you can make your own blackberry pie using this recipe, complete with a crispy pie crust and a side of vanilla ice cream! Blackberry cobbler and mixed berry pies also work well as a hot purple dessert!

8. Keep it simple with grape jelly mini sandwiches

Invoke childhood nostalgia in your guests with grape jelly mini sandwiches! We’ve all made a jelly sandwich before: use white bread for a contasty and iconic look. Or you can substitute it with wheat, whole grain, or potato bread for a different flavor. You’ll want to cut up the sandwiches into smaller squares to make snack-sized bites for a purple party.

9. Customize baked purple sweet potatoes

Baked purple sweet potatoes are a simple yet versatile dish that’s easy to prepare. The earthy, sweet flavor of these potatoes only needs a bit of butter but you can also add salt, chives, chili flakes, or pepper for added kick. You’ll need up to an hour to fully bake them to get this recipe started well in advance of your purple themed party!

10. DIY party-perfect purple hummus

There are many ways to make purple hummus. You can take the simple route: find store-bought hummus and use purple food coloring to get the right hue. Or you can make your own hummus and add purple mashed sweet potato, cauliflower, carrots, or cabbage to infuse with additional flavor and color! 

11. Elevate your plate with roasted purple cauliflower

Purple cauliflower florets are easy to find, make, and prepare! Unlike some vegetables, purple cauliflower doesn’t lose its vibrant purple color when cooked, either. You can roast them in the oven and season them with salt and pepper or add grated parmesan near the end for a nice, umami kick! Simply follow this recipe for roasted purple cauliflower florets.

12. Kick up the spice with stir fry eggplant

The spicy, savory flavors of an eggplant stir fry are hard to beat as a hearty vegetarian side dish. You may need a few seasonings and sauces that aren’t already in your kitchen, but the end result is worth the effort! Chinese or Japanese eggplants are traditionally used, which are long, thin, and bright purple!

13. Tempt palates with purple rice pudding

Looking for a purple food idea that’s sure to turn some heads? Purple rice pudding is a tasty Southeast Asian dessert that’s easy to make with a little time! You’ll need some purple sticky rice, which many Asian markets keep in stock. The end result is  sweet, chewy porridge that’s even better with a rich dab of coconut cream!

14. Mix it up with purple cocktails

Spice up your next purple party with a nice, dark cocktail or three! Purple drinks like this Maleficent Halloween Cocktail have a vibrant color that’s as eye-catching as it is tasty. Since purple food coloring is the base for the hue, you can make non-alcoholic versions by replacing the vodka with Sprite and grenadine in place of the raspberry liquor. You’ll need a cocktail party venue to go along with your purple cocktails. Fortunately, Peerspace has hundreds of elegant cocktail party spaces near you to choose from!

15. Dazzle your guests with black rice sushi rolls

Level up your sushi game with purple rice sushi rolls! Rather than traditional sushi rice, you’ll be using black rice, also known as “forbidden rice.” This variety of rice is rich in antioxidants, has a distinctly nutty flavor, and has a beautiful purple hue. You can make it with fish or make vegan sushi rolls using brightly colored vegetables instead! 

Now that you’re close to nailing down the menu, you need these fun purple-themed party ideas to plan the rest of your gathering!

16. Go for a classic: grape juice

Grape juice is the next best beverage to bring to a purple themed party if you don’t care to bring alcohol. It’s easy to find and heart-healthy, in the bargain! Buy the brands that are not from concentrate whenever possible for the best flavor!

17. Go chic with Tuscan purple asparagus

Experience the taste of Italy with a classic Tuscan asparagus salad…Using purple asparagus stalks rather than the classic green ones. You’ll find that they taste just as good and are just as easy to prepare. Add some bright red tomatoes and bold white shredded cheese for a beautiful vegetarian dish with rich color and contrast! The longer you cook it, the more the purple color fades, so be gentle with the heat. 

18. Make it wholesome with purple kale salad

Purple kale is a beautiful vegetable that can find a place at almost any table. You can eat the young leaves fresh, or toast or sautee them first, or use the purple leaves as a base for a fruit or veggie salad heaped on top! Kale tends to lose its vibrant purple color if overcooked, so prepare with care!

19. Go for a crowd-pleaser with purple corn chips

Purple corn chips are one of the easiest purple food ideas to show up to a party with! You’ll find them at many grocery stores as the antioxidants in blue and purple corn chips make them better for your health. Add queso, salsa, or another dip of your choice for an instant snack table favorite!

20. Go sweet and tangy with cherry pineapple popsicles

Looking for tasty purple popsicles that aren’t the usual grape flavor? Try making some of these cherry pineapple popsicles! You’ll need fresh or frozen pitted cherries, which are naturally a dark purple color. Place them in a blender along with some simple syrup to sweeten them further and create a cherry puree that you’ll add to popsicle molds. Next, layer on pineapple (or a different fruit) puree, add your popsicle sticks, and allow them to freeze before serving!

Purple food ideas: conclusion

Purple food ideas can be woven into any birthday, brunch, or Halloween celebration! You can glaze meats, create crispy vegetables, and satisfy everyone with sweet treats from this list. Peerspace has more than just foodie ideas, however. It’s also the best place to find a venue for your next special event. Whether that’s a wedding reception, bachelor party, or something else, we’re here to help you find the right space for it! 

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