The days are getting long, and the temperatures are starting to rise… time to fire up the grill and find something refreshing to eat!
This collection of easy Summer Appetizers has plenty of great dishes to bring to all of those cookouts, potlucks and pool parties.
From skewers to salads, dips to finger foods, and more, this list of appetizers will keep you covered all summer long.
Go through all of these amazing starters, and have fun this summer!
The Best Summer Appetizers:
1. Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
This Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce recipe is light, fresh tasting, juicy and brimming with so many great textures.
From the crisp lettuce to the flavorful chicken and the zingy peanut sauce, they’re a delicious appetizer which will definitely be a crowd pleaser.
2. Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken Souvlaki is one of the popular street foods in Greece. Deliciously marinated chicken skewers are grilled to perfection.
They’re great on their own, and absolutely divine dipped in tzatziki sauce!
3. Caprese Salad
The perfect Caprese Salad recipe! Once you try this way you will never need any other recipe.
This salad is unbelievably easy to make and only requires a handful of basic fresh ingredients. You can serve this delicious Caprese Salad as an appetizer or side dish.
Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons
4. Shrimp Remoulade
Shrimp Remoulade recipe easy to make, and a fantastic way to enjoy spicy Louisiana style remoulade sauce!
Toss cooked shrimps with this creamy, spicy and tangy sauce and pile it on delicately crisp butter lettuce leaves. This is a very popular appetizer in New Orleans.
5. Cherry Tomato Confit
Bunches of cherry tomatoes, heavy glugs of olive oil, a handful of garlic cloves, a few herbs… That’s all you need for this beauty coming out of your oven… Cherry Tomato Confit!!
Luxuriously soft, melt-in-your mouth, juicy and bright flavor bombs. Welcome this summer delight into your life.
6. Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican street corn salad is a great way to get the classic flavors of elote served salad-style.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and filled with corn, red onions, cilantro, mayonnaise, and more.
7. Fruit Skewers
Look at these gorgeous fruit skewers, don’t they look so refreshing for a hot summer day?
Take a tray of these to your next cookout and watch them disappear fast!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
8. Pico de Gallo
Easy, fresh and delicious. This Pico de Gallo whips up in 10 minutes and is great with tortillas chips as an appetizer for endless dipping and scooping.
9. Mediterranean Mezze Platter
This marvelous Mediterranean mezze platter is sure to impress!
The mezze platter contains a variety of snack options including salads, cheeses, olives, hummus, pita bread, and vegetables, all arranged beautifully on this appetizer plate.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
10. Steak and Arugula Salad Bites with Parmesan
These steak and arugula salad bites with parmesan cheese are fantastic! They’re served on mini pitas, and covered in a tasty honey dijon sauce.
They’re easy to make, and even easier to enjoy! Go ahead and start making them!
Get the Recipe @ thegirlonbloor
11. Guasacaca
Guasacaca! Meet guacamole’s tangier, herbier cousin. Venezuelans love this avocado based condiment and now you can too!
12. Chicken Tikkas
Chicken Tikka kebabs are a popular Indian appetizer, where marinated chicken is grilled to golden perfection.
This authentic recipe is great to make for parties. You can make them in the oven or on the grill and serve with mint chutney for extra deliciousness. This easy, healthy recipe is always a crowd pleaser at parties.
13. Nectarine Strawberry Tomato Bruschetta
Nectarine Strawberry Tomato Bruschetta not only delivers on flavor and freshness, but is the perfect healthy summer appetizer.
These Bruschetta are so pretty and cute to look at, and the flavor combinations are amazing and delicious.
Get the Recipe @ aberdeenskitchen
14. Easy Steak Gorgonzola Flatbread
This easy steak gorgonzola flatbread is a wonderful light dinner that’s packed with unique flavors and ingredients.
It has steak, gorgonzola cheese, arugula and mushrooms. It’s a great finger food appetizer.
15. Tzatziki
Fresh and flavorful, this easy Tzatziki is so good you will want to dip, dunk and drizzle every meal.
A creamy cucumber yogurt sauce with olive oil, herbs, garlic and lemon juice. It’s a refreshing chilled sauce typically served with a meze, gyros or as a side dish to grilled meats.
16. Pineapple Cheese Ball
This Pineapple Cheese Ball is one of our favorite summer appetizers. It might seem like a strange combination of flavors, but it really works great together.
You get a slightly sweet and slightly salty combination that satisfies everyone’s taste buds. Serve it with your favorite assortment of crackers. This Pineapple Cheese Ball is always a hit at parties.
Get the Recipe @ carlbadcravings
17. Chicken Feta Bruschetta
Chicken Feta Bruschetta is extremely delicious and easy to make. It is basically made of feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil, balsamic glaze and chicken.
It makes a tasty appetizer for any party or get together, and will definitely vanish in no time.
18. Fried Calamari
Fried calamari is one of the most popular restaurant appetizers. Don’t be intimidated, it’s so easy to cook in your own kitchen!
This recipe will teach you how to cook it perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
19. Guacamole Shrimp Wonton Cups
Guacamole Shrimp Wonton Cups are a great summer appetizer that’s easy to make and easy to eat. This dish looks fancy but it is so simple to make.
Crunchy wonton shells stuffed with guacamole and seasoned shrimp makes a light appetizer, so you won’t feel guilty.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
20. Spanish Summer Salad (Pipirrana)
Here to celebrate tomato season this summer is a tribute to all those luscious summer tomatoes, ripening on the vines in warm sunshine.
Mixed with just a few more cool crunchies, and you have yet another colorful popular traditional dish, pipirrana, all the way from the south of Spain.
21. Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)
Crispy, juicy and absolutely delicious! Give this traditional Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) recipe a try and add a Mediterranean twist to your plate!
Keftedes is a famous Greek appetizer, commonly served as part of a meze platter with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita bread.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
22. Zaalouk
This zaalouk is an amazingly flavorful Moroccan eggplant and tomato dip. It has hints of smokiness and plenty of olive oil.
Perfect for scooping with pita bread, veggies or chips, this unique dip will draw a crowd!
23. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
If you are planning a cookout, these Grilled Shrimp Skewers need to make an appearance! Marinated in a simple garlic, lemon and herb dressing, they take minutes to prep and are super quick to cook.
These skewers are wonderfully juicy, full of flavor and can be fancy enough to serve at your next party.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
24. Garlic Parmesan Wings
Some garlic, some parm and loads of butter is all you need is to make these finger licking wings, which everyone can’t get enough of.
They’re oven roasted, or cooked in an air fryer, to golden crispy perfection outside and juicy and tender when you bite into them.
25. Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon and feta make a wonderful summer combo, and this salad takes it up another notch with fresh mint.
This cool and refreshing salad is perfect for those cookouts and potlucks.
26. Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs
Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs are made with pineapple, red onion, bell pepper and perfectly seasoned and marinated chicken.
Grill them to perfection for a great summer appetizer to serve at potlucks and get togethers.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
27. Banh Mi Meatball Lettuce Cups
Banh Mi Meatball Lettuce Cups are a healthy low carb version of the famous Banh Mi sandwich.
These Asian inspired pork meatballs are served on a lettuce wrap with pickled vegetables and sriracha mayo. What a neat appetizer idea!
Get the Recipe @ marionskitchen
28. Marinated Olives
Marinate your favorite olives in garlic and lemon infused olive oil with a hint of red pepper flakes. They have the company of some almonds too.
Make this super simple, tasty addictive and healthy tapa and get that tapas party going with ease.
Get the Recipe @ theendlessmeal
29. Chunky Shrimp Guacamole
Need an appetizer for a last minute summer dinner party? This easy Shrimp Guacamole recipe is made with chunky bits of avocados and shrimp tossed in lemony zesty dressing.
This dish is decadent, tangy and super refreshing. It makes an impressive appetizer for any special occasion.
30. Layered Hummus Dip
If you want a quick and delicious appetizer, this Greek Layered Hummus Dip is perfect! With the help of premade hummus, this snack comes together quickly and is full of flavor.
This unstoppable tasty Greek Dip served with pita bread or chips, and veggies is a fresh, colorful addition to your party spread. This dip will disappear fast!
31. Thai Pineapple Peanut Satay Chicken
Food on a stick equals guaranteed cheers, and this Thai Pineapple Peanut Satay Chicken is no exception. It’s easy, it’s fast and it tastes delicious.
They are tasty and look fantastic. This flavorful dish is something which will be loved by all.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
32. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Looking for an easy wrap that you’re sure to love? Look no further than these chicken bacon ranch pinwheels!
They work as an appetizer, lunch, dinner, or an after school/work snack. They’re also a great choice if you need to bring food to a potluck.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
33. Avocado Corn Salad
Corn salads are a summertime classic.
This avocado corn salad beautifully combines the crispness of corn, the creaminess of avocado, and the freshness of juicy cherry tomatoes.
Get the Recipe at natashaskitchen
34. Tostones (AKA Patacones)
Tostones are simply twice fried unripe plantains, and they make the most delicious crunchy snack.
Imagine biting into a warm, crispy, slightly sweet, fried disc of deliciousness. That’s what eating Tostones is like!
35. Antipasto Skewers
Last but certainly not least are these antipasto skewers. They’re sure to become one of your new favorite snacks, and they can easily be made in advance.
You’ll fall in love with these mini appetizer skewers!
Get the Recipe @ spendwithpennies
We hope you enjoy these delicious Summer Appetizers as much as we do. There’s such a big variety, which will you make for your next cookout?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Summer Dinner Ideas
Summer Desserts
Grilling Recipes
Cherry Tomato Recipes
Pineapple Recipes
Hamburger Recipes
Potluck Ideas
BBQ Side Dishes
The 35 BEST Summer Appetizers
This collection of Summer Appetizers has plenty of great dishes to bring to all of those cookouts, potlucks and pool parties. We love this easy pico de gallo:
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe red tomatoes
- 1 small white onion
- 1 medium jalapeño or serrano, seeds and fibers removed.
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Chop onions, tomatoes, cilantro and jalepeño. (The jalepeño should be finely chopped).Mix all ingredients in bowl.
- Let rest for 30 minutes (optional).
- Taste and adjust.
Never miss a recipe!
Join the GypsyPlate mailing list and get easy dinner recipes right in your mailbox. From homestyle comfort food to exotic dishes from around the world.
