50 Easy Appetizers For A Festive And Fabulous Fourth of July
Who needs fireworks when you have fun food?
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
The Fourth of July is a day for friends, family, fireworks, and of course, food. Whether you're serving burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, or creating a new holiday tradition with something completely different, these Fourth of July appetizers will work with whatever is on your menu. Pick your favorites from our list below and start planning your perfect cookout!
Blooming Quesadilla Ring
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Who needs fireworks when you have this festive, cheese-and-bacon-filled quesadilla ring?
Tomato Sandwich Toasts
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
Buttery-sweet brioche and a swipe of mayo are the perfect partners for fresh summer tomatoes.
Grilled Corn Ribs
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Great as a side or a starter, these smoky, spicy corn ribs are the perfect addition to your summer cookout menu.
Pimiento Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
Jarred pickled peppers and store-bought pimiento cheese...summer appetizers don't get much easier than this!
Beef Sliders With Bacon Jam
Sure, burgers are the star of the show but that doesn't mean you can't switch things up and surprise guests with mini burgers as an appetizer instead. One bite into this bacon jam, and they'll be thanking you before dinner is even served.
Charred Onion and Chile Guacamole
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Chunks of smoky grilled veggies amp up the flavor of this classic avocado-based dip.
Salmagundi
This antipasto meets salad is what summer dinner party dreams are made of. With a healthy spread of meats, eggs, fresh veggies, and skewered shrimp, guests can pick and choose what they want to snack on.
Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad
Nothing says summer like fresh peaches, tomatoes, and corn. Throw all three together for a salsa that is sweet, savory, and flavorful.
Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
Sweet and spicy, this fresh take on salted watermelon is just as easy and will be the star of your next cookout.
Jalape?o Popper Dip
Kick off your menu with a spicy dip recipe that is rich, creamy, and delicious. Pair it with nacho chips or swap in pickled jalape?os for a fresh take minus (some of) the carbs.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The adorable cucumber finger sandwiches make a light and refreshing addition to your summer table.
Sweet & Fiery Pepper Bruschetta
Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning
Summer peppers team up with goat cheese and capers in this crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Pimiento Cheese Flatbread
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Combine pizza dough from the deli and pimiento cheese for a delicious, fast-fix appetizer.
Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts? Yes, please! We love this simple dish on a road trip, as an appetizer, and on the menu at any summer party.
Peppered Melon Salad
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Serve this sweet-and-spicy salad with your favorite cute cocktail picks for a fresh-and-fun summer appetizer.
Charcuterie Board Snack Mix
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This surprising mix of cripsy prosciutto, Parmesan wafers, figs, and nuts will be a hit at your next party.
Pepper Jelly-Glazed Chicken Wings
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Sweet and spicy pepper jelly makes these fast-fix wings extra delicious.
Cucumber-And-Onion Dip
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray
A cross between onion dip and cucumber-onion salad, this make-ahead dip will be a refreshing addition to your summer cookout menu.
Asparagus Ribbon Crostini
For a simple yet seemingly fancy snack, serve these crostinis. Your guests will be as impressed at the presentation as they are the flavor.
Hot Brown Party Rolls
These pull-apart party rolls are easy to put together, meaning they travel well. Transport these next time you're a party guest to be the sure favorite.
Greek Deviled Eggs
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason
All your favorite ingredients from a summery Greek salad make for a tasty tray of deviled eggs for your next cookout.
Fig Flatbread
Everyone loves a flatbread, and we especially love this one that's covered with in-season figs, balsamic, goat cheese, and arugula. Yum!
Creamy Avocado Dip
Forget your favorite guacamole recipe for the day and make up this smooth, tangier version. It pairs well with tortilla chips, freshly cut peppers, and celery stalks.
Grilled Watermelon
What's the 4th of July without watermelon? Fire up the grill for this recipe that's as delicious as a fresh, cold slice of the summertime classic.
Southwest Black Eyed Pea Dip
This recipe takes the ingredients of Texas caviar (a forever favorite) and turns them into a gooey, cheesy dip. Need we say more?!
Black Bean Corn Salsa
With fresh corn, black beans, onions, and peppers, you can whip up this fresh salsa in just 20 minutes.
Classic Deviled Eggs
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
No summer cookout is complete without this classic side. This season, try sprinkling paprika on top for added flavor.
Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise
Make sure to use the ripest tomatoes you can find for peak flavor.
Mini Potato Skins
Use a piping bag or cut the corner on a zip-top bag to easily create a neat dollop of sour cream.
Baked BLT Dip
This creamy dip is everything you love about summer's best sandwich.
Alabama Fire Cracker Saltines
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This addictive appetizer doesn't even require you to turn on the oven, making it ideal for hot summer days.
Texas Caviar
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Filled with black-eyed peas and tomatoes, this hearty dip will disappear quickly at your summer cookout.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Toss tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese together in a simple vinaigrette for an easy in-season appetizer.
Corn and Jalape?o Dip
Stir together sweet summer corn and the rest of the ingredients and let your slow cooker warm up this easy dip while you finish grilling for your cookout guests.
Cheese Dreams
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Make these cheesy bites the day before and refrigerate until serving, or you can freeze up to 3 weeks.
Bacon Bites
If you need an easy portable appetizer, you can't go wrong with bacon.
Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches
Summer is the best time of year to make this decadent baked cheese appetizer, when Southern peaches are in their prime. If you can't find Brie packed in a wooden box, bake the cheese in a small pie plate or baking dish.
Creamy Crab Dip
Crab dip is a summertime favorite, as well as a welcome seafood to any BBQ menu. Pair it with crostini and celery for a light bite before the main meal.
Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings
Bringing your smoker to the party? Try these incredible dry-rubbed chicken wings from our barbecue cookbook, South's Best Butts. Coated with a Memphis-style dry rub and cooked low and slow for tender results, these ribs are finger lickin' good—and your guests will agree.
Party Poppers
This spicy bite-sized snack is always a recipe for success at any summer party. Stuffed with chicken-cream cheese filling and wrapped in some hickory-smoked bacon, these poppers are begging to make an appearance this Fourth of July.
Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
These tasty little bites made with puff pastry and colorful cherry tomatoes will be the hit of any summer party.
Deviled Potatoes
We combined two Fourth of July favorites—Deviled eggs and potato salad—into one crowd-pleasing recipe. Make them a day before your get-together, and chill until you head out. When you arrive, they'll be the right serving temperature.
Mini Muffulettas
Recipe: Mini Muffulettas
These sandwiches might be small, but they pack a flavorful punch. Stuffed with layers of cheese, cold cut, and pickled vegetables, these are sure to please the crowd this summer. Test Kitchen Tip: You can prepare the muffulettas the day before, store in zip-top plastic freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight.
Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers
Juicy melon, salty prosciutto, and creamy mozzarella come together for a perfect skewer-sized snack. Take this summer salad on the road with this easy and portable recipe.
Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip
Give your classic spinach dip a delicious new twist. The secret to this crowd-pleasing dip is the flavorful addition of sweet Vidalia onions. Serve with fresh vegetables for a dippable, light appetizer.
Picnic Egg Salad
This summer salad offers a classic, no-fuss snack that you can serve as a spread with toasted baguette slices or as tea-sized sandwiches. Especially if you're in a pinch, this egg salad is a quick, delicious fix.
Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason
These deviled eggs are perfect for any Fourth of July party that doesn't mind a little heat. Add some Tex-Mex flair with avocado, cilantro, and spicy chorizo.
Open-Faced Tomato Sandwiches with Creamy Cucumber Spread
These open-faced sandwiches with a refreshing cucumber spread are a cool and creamy addition to your Fourth of July spread. Make use of your seasonal tomatoes, and serve open-faced as a filling, yet snackable party appetizer.
Honey-Soy Appetizer Ribs
These pork spareribs are a great party starter because they can be eaten out of hand and served at room temperature. You can even prep them a day in advance, through step three. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Herbed Tomato Tart
This fresh tomato pie will look so pretty at your summer party.
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