Our 23 Favorite Fourth of July Appetizers
You'll love these tasty party-starters for your patriotic celebration.
Celebrate the red, white, and blue with bold dishes like jalape?o firecrackers, chicken satay, taco dip, guacamole, and much more. Summertime favorites are even better when shared with friends and family. These 4th of July appetizers are top-rated crowdpleasers — don't expect leftovers. Find your favorite celebratory snack or starter right here.
Stuffed Jalape?o Firecrackers
Here's a great appetizer for 4th of July parties! But watch out, with jalape?os, spicy bacon, and a Cajun seasoning, these yummy apps are spicy times three. "Bring your tissues because these are HOT!" says templina71. "Goes well with Summer Beer I."
Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta
This recipe brings the red (strawberries) and the white (goat cheese) -- add some blueberries, if you like, to complete the American flag theme. "The way the tangy, slightly salty goat cheese works with the syrupy, balsamic-coated strawberries and crispy, charred bread is a thing of beauty," says Chef John.
Chicken and Bacon Shish Kabobs
Thread marinated mushrooms, pineapple, and bacon-wrapped chunks of chicken onto skewers and hit the grill -- so easy! "Excellent for entertaining," says Angie. "These are a must-try! They can also be broiled instead of grilled."
Seven Layer Taco Dip
Seven layers of flavor -- this amazing taco dip is an appetizer must for any party. "I am continuously asked to bring this dip for parties and family get-togethers," says Sue Case. "People gather around the platter until it's gone."
Red, White, and Blue Flag Toast
This recipe makes a quick and easy 4th of July snack with cream cheese, strawberry jam, blueberries, and banana slices. If you like, use ricotta, mascarpone, or goat cheese in place of the cream cheese. And if you can't find brioche, replace it with challah or Texas toast.
Hot Raspberry Spread
Here's a super-easy, spicy-sweet spread with raspberry preserves, picante sauce, and cream cheese. Serve this with your favorite crackers.
LuvAnn's Guacamole
"This great dip is always the first to go at our barbeques," says Luv-Ann Betson. "It's a simple guacamole, perfect for dipping tortilla chips or serving with tacos. To prevent browning, leave an avocado seed in it until serving."
Fried Peach and Pancetta Pizza
Here's a savory fruit pizza appetizer featuring creamy ricotta cheese, pancetta, and fresh peaches. Use prepared pizza dough, and it's super easy. It's a wonderful sweet and savory combination!
Spicy Watermelon
Toss juicy cubes of watermelon with cumin, coriander, and chili powder for a spicy and refreshing summer snack. "A surprising combination of flavors!" raves feverdream.
Bacon Jalape?o Popper Puffs
"You'll love these shockingly light puffs," says Chef John. All the hot poppin' flavors of jalape?o poppers are there, but the prep is much easier. Enjoy with the easy cream cheese dip.
Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
There is no wrong occasion for deviled eggs, as this variety shows. Crisp bacon and savory cheddar cheese combine for an exceptional upgrade to the basic creamy yolk. Keep them chilled inside or in a cooler until ready to serve.
Best Spinach Dip Ever
Cool and creamy, spinach dip is a crowd favorite. And this one has five stars with more than 1,400 ratings. Now that's a winning appetizer idea!
Mango, Peach and Pineapple Salsa
Speed up prep for this fresh and fruit salsa by chopping everything in a food processor. If you have time, let it sit for a few hours before serving so the flavors can meld beautifully.
Tomato and Mozzarella Bites
This finger food is a perfect summer party appetizer because it highlights juicy tomatoes and fresh-from-the-plant basil with creamy, chilled mozzarella. "I served these at an appetizer party and everyone thought they were really cute and tasty. Instead of using the balsamic vinegar as a dip I drizzled it on top of the bites with some zesty Italian dressing and dried herbs. Turned out great," wrote reviewer Kristina.
Zucchini Corn Fritters
"My family and I loved these fritters! I had no fresh corn on hand and used a can of sweet corn which came out fine. Would have been unbelievable had I used fresh!" wrote reviewer Plumtickled. Instead of frying each batch, make them a head of time and keep them heated in a warm oven.
Prosciutto e Melone (Italian Ham and Melon)
Surround ripe, juicy melon with a layer of salty prosciutto, an ultra-thin ham that provides a burst of salt to accentuate the melon's sweetness. "A very easy and elegant appetizer - perfect for entertaining guests. You can get creative with the presentation if you like and it's always a hit," writes Jillian.
Cream Cheese Pickles
Both creamy and tangy, these irresistible pickle bites are sure to disappear at the beginning of your 4th of July party. Swap in ham or salami for the beef if you prefer.
Slider-Style Mini Burgers
Sliders can make a great heartier option for appetizers. Easily make up a big batch at once with this handy recipe. Plate these with a few topping options on the side so everyone can DIY their own slider.
BBQ Meatballs
No one will guess that you only used three ingredients to create these delectable meatballs. Frozen meatballs are simmered in both barbeque sauce and ketchup to create a smoky and tangy dish.
Jalape?o-Bacon-Stuffed Pretzel Dippers
Combine two appetizer favorites—bacon jalape?o poppers and soft bread rolls—into one mouth-watering dish. As a bonus, the dough can easily be whipped up in a bread machine, making your baking prep even easier.
Two-Ingredient Dough Pigs in a Blanket
"What a fun and easy snack," says one Allrecipes member. "This would be perfect to make with kids too. I'm no baker, and even I found this dough to be super easy to work with. We could not stop eating these, and the whole batch was gone in no time!"
Southern Pimento Cheese
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This decadently cheesy dip will be gone in no time. "This is so easy and tastes way better than any store brand. I love to make this and use any gameday leftovers for pimento cheese stuffed burgers.
Maryland Crab Cakes
These crab cakes are made simply — crabmeat and a few pantry ingredients truly shine in this Maryland-inspired recipe. Make your Independence Day one full of sumptuous seafood with this winning dish from our Allrecipes community.
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