65 Easy Cold Appetizers for Summer Cookouts & Pool Parties
Summertime entertaining season has arrived. Cookouts in the backyard with friends, family reunions, graduation parties and Fourth of Julyāthe season gives us so many reasons to get outside and enjoy some great times with some tasty food.
Backyard barbecues and dinners on the deck make me ready to fill my plate with meat hot off the grill, pasta salad, baked beans and all the American summertime classics. This year when you plan your menu, you can guarantee it's filled with some of the absolute best appetizers for hot sunny days with these 65 easy cold appetizers for summer parties, cookouts and BBQs.
Related: 100 Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
Best Cold Appetizer Recipes
When you browse this collection of easy apps, you'll find some of my favorite appetizers of all time. Cheese balls might be retro, but they are always a hit, so I found some great versions like BLT cheeseballs, pineapple cheese balls, pimento cheese balls, taco cheese balls and even a mini version that doesn't require a plate. The Italian sub skewers are so fun, hands-friendly and perfect for mingling.
Charcuterie boards are very trendy right now, so I included one that's overflowing with tasty things. Now you can learn how to make the best grazing board on the block! Classics like deviled eggs and shrimp cocktails never go out of style, so there are great recipes for those too.
Related: 50 Best Grilled Shrimp Recipes
Best Cold Dip Recipes
Let's talk dips! This collection has so many tasty versions your guests will be coming back to the bowl again and again for Million Dollar Dip, Irresistible Veggie Dip, Green Goddess Hummus and more!
Are you as obsessed with Everything Bagel Seasoning as I am? Grab the biggest jar you can find because we are using it for a cheese log, stuffed mini peppers and more deviled eggs.
Related: 60 Summer Salads For Backyard Barbecues
This year our summer can definitely be one of the most delicious to date. I bet your calendar is already filling up with fun outdoor plans that you need a great take-along dish for too. But even if it's just your family hanging out in your backyard waiting for the burgers and dogs to cook, you can still set out a few of these amazing cold appetizers to keep everyone at bay until supper is done. Be sure to pin your favorites to enjoy all summer long.
Best Summer Appetizers
Deanna Samaan
Easy to whip up and the first thing to disappear.
Get the recipe: BLT Cheese Ball
Related: 10 Flavorful Cheese Ball Recipes
Krista Marshall
This refreshing snack is perfect poolside.
Get the recipe: Fruit Salsa
Shea Goldstein
Pair this crab-filled dip with crackers, pita chips or even fresh veggies.
Get the recipe: Creamy Crab Dip
Krista Marshall
You can never go wrong with a great veggie tray with a tasty dip.
Get the recipe: Irresistible Veggie Dip
Krista Marshall
A cheese ball you can pop into your mouth in one bite.
Get the recipe: Olive Cheese Ball Bites
Krista Marshall
Perfect with crackers or pita chips, this creamy cool salad brings the ocean to your backyard.
Get the recipe: Seafood Salad
Joy of Cooking
Something this perfect is always a favorite.
Get the recipe: Cheddar Cheese Ball
Jon Ashton
This dip always gets rave reviews and is perfect with those margaritas you're serving.
Get the recipe: Sour Cream and Salsa Dip
Jon Ashton
No party is complete without a great deviled egg tray.
Get the recipe: Easy Deviled Eggs
Shea Goldstein
To get the most flavor, be sure to use high-quality sharp cheddar cheese.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Blue Pimento Cheese
Related: 30 Best Buffalo Sauce Recipes
Krista Marshall
No party is complete without chips and salsa and this recipe comes together in almost no time at all.
Get the recipe: Restaurant Style Salsa
iStock
300K views on TikTok can't be wrong!
Get the recipe: Million Dollar Dip
Krista Marshall
The food processor does all the work for this tasty spread perfect for a crusty baguette.
Get the recipe: Olive Caper Spread
Melissa Sperkaf
Even a small bite packs a flavor punch.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Dip
Tina Whatcott-Echeverria
This old-school app is both easy and lavish.
Get the recipe: Stuffed Celery with Roquefort
Pam Beth
Pro tip: Double the recipe. Your guests will thank you.
Get the recipe: Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Krista Marshall
Bring the restaurant favorite home with this simple recipe.
Get the recipe: Copycat Chili's Salsa
Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
Up your guac game with some luscious lobster.
Get the recipe: Maine Lobster Guacamole
Lisa Waddle
Coat tiny balls of cheese in everything from parsley to nuts to cranberries.
Get the recipe: Cheese Ball Bites
Parade
Ranch is everyone's favorite, but this one is made a little lighter thanks to Greek yogurt.
Get the recipe: Low-Fat Ranch Dip
Related: 27 DIY Dressings, Dips and Seasonings to Make At Home
Krista Marshall
Filled with green chile flavor but just enough heat.
Get the recipe: Green Chile Pinwheels
Shea Goldstein
Cheesy goodness with a kick and a hint of sweetness too.
Get the recipe: Pomegranate Jeweled Jalapen?o Cheese Ball
Pam Beth
This is what everyone wants to dig into on a hot, sunny day.
Get the recipe: Cucumber Dill Dip
Spend With Pennies
Got people coming over last minute? All you need is five to have a great app to share.
Get the recipe: Five-Minute Taco Dip
South Your Mouth
Can't find the guys at the cookout? They will all be huddled around this!
Get the recipe: Beer Cheese
Spend With Pennies
This retro dip never seems to go out of style.
Get the recipe: Seven-Layer Dip
South Your Mouth
Lump crabmeat with a good amount of kick from Cajun seasoning.
Get the recipe: Cajun Crab Dip
Spend With Pennies
The ultimate Italian spread, use this as a starting point and add your favorites.
Get the recipe: Antipasto Platter
Spend With Pennies
All the flavors of a refreshing caprese salad, on a stick!
Get the recipe: Caprese Skewers
Running In A Skirt
Made with only five ingredients that lead to some big flavors.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Hummus
Related: 42 Best Hummus Recipes
Spend With Pennies
These mini appetizers are great for an outdoor party or picnic too.
Get the recipe: Antipasto Skewers
Spend With Pennies
Perfect when those fresh garden tomatoes come into season.
Get the recipe: Bruschetta
The Country Cook
You have to love appetizers that are both simple and budget-friendly.
Get the recipe: Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Spend With Pennies
Grazing at a party only adds to the fun.
Get the recipe: Charcuterie Board
Spend With Pennies
Summer sweet corn is the start of this creamy dip perfect for scooping.
Get the recipe: Confetti Corn Dip
The Country Cook
Chicken, bacon, ranch and cheese all wrapped in crescent dough makes for an irresistible appetizer.
Get the recipe: Crack Chicken Ball
Spend With Pennies
This five-minute dip is great when you need something totally last minute.
Get the recipe: Creamy Artichoke Dip
Plain Chicken
Pinwheels are always one of the first things to fly off the appetizer table.
Get the recipe: Crack Chicken Pinwheels
Spend With Pennies
A fresh summer twist on a classic.
Get the recipe: Cucumber Bruschetta
Spend With Pennies
A light appetizer packed with citrus flavor.
Get the recipe: Easy Shrimp Ceviche
Related: 100 Greatest Hits Seafood Recipes
Spend With Pennies
This dip has a secret ingredient for extra flavor and crunch: water chestnuts!
Get the recipe: Easy Spinach Dip
The Country Cook
Nobody can ever get enough of this classic appetizer.
Get the recipe: Easy Veggie Pizza
Julia's Simply Southern
This is just asking to be spread on some crispy bagel chips.
Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Cheese Log
Running In A Skirt
Perfect use for that bag of mini peppers on sale this week.
Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
The Country Cook
Grab some pita chips and dig in!
Get the recipe: Greek Layer Dip
Running In A Skirt
What a genius use for everything but the bagel seasoning.
Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs
South Your Mouth
A super smooth hummus dip made with green peas and spinach.
Get the recipe: Green Goddess Hummus
Julie's Eats and Treats
Here is a fun new way to enjoy the flavor of honey mustard pretzels.
Get the recipe: Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip
The Country Cook
Your cookout guests that are watching their carbs will love these.
Get the recipe: BLT Bites
Spend With Pennies
Pick the tomatoes fresh from the garden for the most flavor in this dish.
Get the recipe: Marinated Tomatoes
Related: 25 Tasty Tomato Recipes For Summer
The Country Cook
These tiny bites are as delicious as they are adorable.
Get the recipe: Mini Cheese Balls
Spend With Pennies
Fresh fruit is always so perfect for a pool party on a hot day.
Get the recipe: Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
The Country Cook
The perfect mix of sweet, salty and cheesy!
Get the recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Spend With Pennies
An easy pickle recipe you can make over and over.
Get the recipe: Refrigerator Pickles
South Your Mouth
So unique, you will be the only one who brings these to your next cookout.
Get the recipe: Seafood Salad Stuffed Shells
Spend With Pennies
A classic appetizer that never gets old.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Cocktail
Spend With Pennies
Smoky, creamy and full of fresh herbs.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip
Spend With Pennies
The familiar flavors from the warm dip, but in a new, cold way.
Get the recipe: Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels
Spend With Pennies
Grab an extra packet of taco seasoning so you can make this any time you want.
Get the recipe: Taco Cheese Ball
Julie's Eats and Treats
These pinwheels are full of Mexican flavor.
Get the recipe: Tortilla Pinwheels
Related: 32 Cheap and Easy Black Bean Recipes
The Black Peppercorn
Save the leftovers (if there are any) for lunch the next day!
Get the recipe: Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls
Julie's Eats and Treats
Pinto and black beans, corn, green chiles, and more come together for this dip just waiting for a tortilla chip.
Get the recipe: Texas Caviar
Julie's Eats and Treats
Easiest. Appetizer. Ever
Get the recipe: Ham Pickle Roll-Ups
Related: 18 Killer Kebabs For Summer
Plain Chicken
A Southern classic gets new life.
Get the recipe: Pimento Cheese Ball
The Country Cook
All the meat, cheese, veggies and dressing from a big Italian sub, but on a stick so it's easier to party with.
Get the recipe: Italian Sub Skewers
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