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80 Summer Appetizers Perfect For Warm Weather Parties

The days are longer, so you've gotta keep those apps comin'!

By and Kelly Vaughan
skewers with cantaloupe balls, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Whether you're hosting a cookout or attending a potluck, no summer dinner party is complete without a few good appetizers. Sure, you could just put out store-bought chips and dip, but trust us, homemade really is better. Plus, appetizers are the perfect way to keep the crowd occupied while you put the finishing touches on the main course. Check out our list of 80 summer appetizers—they’ll keep your loved ones happy from Memorial Day 'til Labor Day.

Since we wait so long for summer produce, we can't wait to take advantage of it once it peaks. That means using an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies in everything from salsa and dips to fritters and flatbreads, like this Mexican-inspired street corn flatbread or our Parmesan zucchini fritters.

Even when it comes to basic snacks, you can do better than the store-bought stuff. We love the convenience of a glass jar of salsa, but one thing you can’t get at the store are fresh and flavorful dips that feature in-season produce. Try our recipe for baba ghanoush, our colorful Greek feta dip, or our jammy blueberry salsa. They're all easy enough to execute so make a few so that there's something for everyone to dig into.

Looking for other dishes that show off the very best of summer's bounty? Try our peach bruschetta, our watermelon feta skewers, and our hearty cowboy caviar.

Want more summertime inspiration? Check out our favorite summer dinners, summer cocktails, healthy summer recipes, and summer dessert recipes too.

1

Best-Ever Guacamole

guacamole with diced red onion, cilantro, and with chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

When in doubt, serve guacamole. Whether you serve it as a simple dip, load it on top of tacos, or smear it on a bun as a burger topping, this recipe is sure to go fast.

Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.

2

Grilled Tomato Feta Pizzettes

grilled tomato feta pizzettes with scallions and mozzaraella
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The undying love for tomato and feta continues, and we can’t get enough. These little pizzettes are excellent for a lazy summer backyard hangout. The combination of grilled pizza dough, charred sweet tomatoes, and briny salty feta is easy to love.

Get the Grilled Tomato Feta Pizzettes recipe.

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3

Loaded Cheesy Corn Bites

loaded cheesy corn bites topped with sour cream, sliced scallions, and bacon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Packed with cheese, bacon, and three types of corn, these loaded cheesy corn bites will be the first app gone at your summer cookout.

Get the Loaded Cheesy Corn Bites recipe.

4

Melon Prosciutto Skewers

skewers with cantaloupe balls, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

An iconic summer appetizer, these melon prosciutto skewers get a flavorful upgrade with the addition of creamy mozzarella, basil, and rich balsamic. It's the ultimate combination of sweet and salty flavors.

Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.

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5

Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta

sliced strawberries on top of ricotta spread on crostini drizzled with balsamic
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Bruschetta is one of our favorite summer appetizers because it's quick to throw together and is guaranteed to please. This one takes it over the top with the addition of fresh summer strawberries, sweet ricotta, basil, and balsamic.

Get the Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta recipe.

6

Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Nachos

elote mexican street corn nachos
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TYNA HOANG

Elote, otherwise known as Mexican street corn, pairs corn with mayo, chili powder, and cotjia cheese. Our favorite app solution? Turning it into skillet nachos, which can be enjoyed by a crowd all summer long.

Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Nachos recipe.

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7

Hummus

hummus
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Hummus is one of our favorite dips because it's delicious and so simple to make. All you need to do is blend chickpeas, tahini, and a few other simple ingredients in a food processor until creamy. Serve with pita and seasonal crudité for easy snacking.

Get the Hummus recipe.

8

Pinwheel Sandwiches

pinwheel sandwiches
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Pinwheel sandwiches are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for any summer party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice.

Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.

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9

Whipped Feta With Balsamic Roasted Strawberries

whipped feta with balsamic roasted strawberries served with crackers
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Sweet meets savory in this summer appetizer. Fresh feta is combined with mascarpone, whipped until super smooth, then topped with balsamic-roasted strawberries and fresh basil. The result is an easy, irresistible dip that everyone will love.

Get the Whipped Feta With Balsamic Roasted Strawberries recipe.

10

Greek Feta Dip

feta dip topped with tomatoes and cucumber
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Our Greek feta dip starts with a whipped feta, yogurt, and cream cheese base. However, we don't stop there. We top the whole thing off with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs, and olive oil. It's tangy, creamy, and irresistible.

Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.

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11

Watermelon Feta Skewers

skewers with watermelon, feta, cucumber, basil, and red onion drizzled with a balsamic glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Watermelon + feta is one of our favorite combinations of all time, especially during summertime. Create skewers with crunchy cucumber and balsamic glaze and you've got an easy, impressive appetizer that everyone will love.

Get the Watermelon Feta Skewers recipe.

12

Esquites Fritters

esquites fritters
Erik Bernstein

Esquites were the inspiration for these bite-sized corn fritters. Paired with a lime and garlic-spiked sour cream, these crisp patties are guaranteed to disappear in minutes.

Get the Esquites Fritters recipe.

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13

Jalapeño Popper Dip

creamy cheese dip topped with bacon and diced jalapeno
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: LESLIE RANEY

This creamy, smoky jalapeño popper dip takes all the best parts of the classic bar snack and transforms them into a bubbling party dip that's incredibly crowd-friendly. It's topped with crispy bacon for a salty bite and crunchy texture.

Get the Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe.

14

Parmesan Zucchini Fritters

a tray of fried zucchini fritters with a bowl of marinara sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Think outside of the box with these shatteringly crispy and super cheesy zucchini fritters. Pro tip: salt the zucchini to draw out some of the moisture before you form the batter, which will prevent them from becoming soggy.

Get the Parmesan Zucchini Fritters recipe.

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15

Copycat TJ's Peach Salsa

finely chopped peaches and tomatoes in a bowl with tortilla chips
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Everything Trader Joe’s touches turns into gold, which is why we were so disappointed when they discontinued their smoky peach salsa. Luckily, a copycat recipe is our forte, and this one's just as good as the real thing.

Get the Copycat TJ’s Peach Salsa recipe.

16

Pimento Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

mini red and yellow peppers stuffed with pimento cheese and baked
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Stuffed mini peppers (especially cheesy ones) are such an easy appetizer to throw together and are always a crowd-pleaser. These are a really good vegetarian alternative to a jalapeño poppers, so everyone can enjoy them at your cookout.

Get the Pimento Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe.

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17

Mexican Street Corn Flatbread

flatbread topped with corn, cheese, and cilantro
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here, we’re taking the creamy tangy sauce that usually goes on Elote (Mexican street corn) and spreading it over pre-made pizza dough. Then, we top it with fresh corn kernels, more chile peppers, and lots of cheese for the ultimate summer appetizer.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Flatbread recipe.

18

Antipasto Bites

antipasto bites with green olives, cheese balls, tortellini, and salami on skewers
Erik bernstein

Inspired by a traditional antipasto platter but so much more fun to eat, these adorable skewers will be the star of the show. They feature layers of fresh cheese tortellini, salami, artichoke hearts, marinated mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers.

Get the Antipasto Bites recipe.

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19

Baked Feta & Blueberries

baked feta and blueberries
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We took the beloved baked feta pasta and turned it into a sweet dip. When baked, fresh plump blueberries and feta turn into a creamy, jam-like dip, making it a fun alternative to a traditional fruit and cheese plate.

Get the Baked Feta & Blueberries recipe.

20

Caprese Bites

tomato, mozzarella, and basil on little skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Assemble these adorable skewers in lieu of a traditional Caprese salad. They save you the hassle of having to cut perfectly even slices of heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, but more importantly, they're so fun to eat. Win-win!

Get the Caprese Bites recipe.

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