These easy party appetizers are the perfect marriage of classic BLT sandwiches with portion control. We've take the classic version and turned it into individual sandwiches with a bit of creamy avocado added in! Easy appetizers for a party or enjoy a couple for a light lunch too!
Move over cucumber sandwiches and serve these mini BLT appetizer sandwiches at your next gathering instead. The flavor is fantastic as well as the texture. We've taken out some of the calories for a guilt-free option for game day, a bridal shower or a baby shower!
This easy recipe is absolutely delicious. Great served with pinwheel sandwiches and some side dish salads!
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What makes this skinny?
Portion size. These mini appetizer sandwiches are a perfect one to two bites of classic Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches. You get all the satisfying flavor without the traditional calories of a full sandwich (which is usually between 400-500 calories).
Let's face it...the first couple bites are always the best too! You can portion out a few of these with a side salad for lunch or serve then for appetizer at a party and know how many calories you are consuming.
See the How to Make it Skinnier section below for more ideas to trim down even more calories!
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Sliced sourdough bread. You'll need 4 large slices or larger size bread. The sandwich portion is made of 1 ½-inch circles cut out from the bread. You'll need 24 total circles to make 12 sandwiches. See the 'how to make it skinnier' section below for more ideas.
Center-cut Bacon. Three slices of center cut bacon are used. Center cut bacon tends to be less fatty.
Cherry tomatoes. Six cherry tomatoes are used in the sandwich appetizers. Rinse, pat dry and cut in half.
Butter lettuce. One to two cups are added to the mini sandwiches. Butter lettuce is light, fresh flavored and more pliable than iceberg lettuce making it great for these tiny sandwiches. Tear into small pieces.
Reduced fat mayonnaise.
Avocado (optional). This is not a standard ingredient in classic BLT sandwiches but adds some nice healthy fat and texture if desired. It can also be left out. Cut into small pieces as shown in photo 4 below.
Toothpicks. If serving these at a party, having a toothpick to keep the sandwich together and for easier serving is a great addition.
How to make Mini BLT Appetizer Sandwiches
STEP 1. Cook the bacon
Cut each slice of bacon into 8 equal pieces. Cook them in a larger skillet over medium-high heat to render the fat and cook through.
Do not cook until super crisp so it's more pliable in the sandwiches. Remove from skillet and drain on two layers of paper towels (photo 1).
STEP 2. Toast and cut the bread
Lightly toast the slices of bread. Using a 1 small circle cookie cutter (1 ½-inches diameter) or a round 1 tablespoon measuring spoon as a guide cut out circles from the toasted sourdough bread (photos 2-3).
You'll need 24 circles (see Expert Tip below about bread slice size).
STEP 3. Assemble sandwiches
Spread a small amount of the mayonnaise onto one side of two bread circles (photo 7).
Add a small piece of avocado (if using), 2 pieces of bacon, half a cherry tomato and 2-3 pieces of the butter lettuce (photos 8-11).
Add the second bread circle with mayonnaise facing the inside of the sandwich (photo 12). Insert a toothpick to hold the sandwich together. Serve immediately.
Expert tips
Bread slice size. The amount of bread slices you'll need will depend on the size of the slices. We used large sourdough bread slices and could cut out the number of bread circles with four slices. If using smaller bread slices (any type) you may need additional slices).
Don't fully crisp the bacon. The mini appetizer sandwiches are held together with a toothpick so don't cook the bacon until it's so crisp it will break apart when the toothpick is inserted.
Don't over toast the bread. As with the bacon you don't want the bread to be so crispy is won't cut well or hold up when the sandwiches are assembled.
How to make it skinnier
Choose a lower calorie bread. A more neutral flavored sandwich bread (a great time for white bread) is best for this recipe so it doesn't overtake the flavor of the BLT ingredients. Any bread works so if you have a low calorie bread you love, use it!
Use turkey bacon. Slightly lower in both calories and fat, turkey bacon can be substituted. If serving these as appetizer we recommend sticking with pork bacon but it you are meal prepping to use these as a main dish turkey bacon may be worth it for fewer calories.
Leave off the avocado. Avocado is a great source of healthy fat and there is very little in the little sandwiches. BUT if you want to leave it off you'll have the classic flavors in these easy mini sandwich appetizers.
How to Store
These sandwiches are best when served freshly made. If stored in the refrigerator the bread and bacon will soften and avocado will brown.
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Recipe
Mini BLT Appetizer Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3 slices center-cup bacon
- 4 large slices sourdough sandwich bread
- ¼ cup light mayonnaise
- 6 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1-2 cups butter lettuce torn into small pieces
- ½ avocado Optional: cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Cut each slice of bacon into 8 equal pieces. Cook them in a large skillet over medium-high heat to render the fat and cook through. Do not cook until super crisp so it's more pliable in the sandwiches. Remove from skillet and drain on two layers of paper towels.3 slices center-cup bacon
- Lightly toast the slices of bread. Using a small circle cookie cutter (1 ½-inches diameter) or a round 1 tablespoon measuring spoon cut out circles from the toasted sourdough bread. You'll need 24 circles.4 large slices sourdough sandwich bread
- Spread a small amount of the mayonnaise onto one side of two bread circles. Add a small piece of avocado (if using), 2 pieces of bacon, half a cherry tomato and 2-3 pieces of the butter lettuce. Add the second bread circle with mayonnaise facing the inside of the sandwich. Insert a toothpick to hold the sandwich together.¼ cup light mayonnaise, 6 cherry tomatoes, ½ avocado, 1-2 cups butter lettuce
- Repeat for the remaining sandwiches and serve immediately.
Dannii says
These were super cute. They went down very well at an afternoon tea party.
Katherine says
These mini BLTs are such a cute party food! The perfect amount of flavor and a great calorie saving.
Tayler says
We had friends over this weekend and I've been looking for something fun and easy to serve. These mini sandwiches were perfect.
Teresa says
I made these for my book club and everyone gobbled them up. This is such a good idea for a get together or even to make meal time fun for the kids - they love mini food!
Gerry says
A really delicious go to recipe and a perfect lunch idea! Everything in this recipe is excellent and so tasty.