These easy summer appetizers will be a hit at your next cookout or BBQ! They include creative crudité platters, delicious dips, and more.
When I sat down to write this summer appetizers post, I glanced over at the calendar I have hanging on my wall. September already? How did that happen?! We might be nearing the end of the season, but I hope you still have a BBQ, cookout, or casual get-together left in store. In my book, at least, there’s not much that beats catching up with family or friends on a warm afternoon or evening. And if it just so happens that there’s a plate of summer appetizers nearby, well, that’s even better.
These easy summer appetizers include crudité platters, dips, crostini, one-bite nibbles, and more. They’re some of my favorite recipes for summer entertaining, partly because they’re all so easy to make (and often make ahead!), and partly because they’re delicious. They cater to a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences, and, as much as possible, they showcase fresh produce. Have fun checking them out! I hope you find something you love.
Summer Appetizer Platters
If you love serving summer appetizers that make guests ooh and aah, these platters and boards are for you. Piled high with summer produce, they look great, and they taste great, too.
Ultimate Crudité Platter
This colorful board offers a little something for everyone: crunchy vegetables, a creamy dip, marinated feta, and tart cherry compound butter. Round it out with crackers and thinly sliced baguette.
Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes
When peaches and tomatoes are in peak season, you’ll have a hard time finding a tastier (or prettier!) summer appetizer than this one. I love how the rich, creamy burrata contrasts with the juicy tomatoes and sweet summer fruit.
Antipasto Platter
Make this stunning snack platter for an Italian-inspired summer gathering! It boasts marinated mozzarella balls and gigante beans, a few cheeses, fresh veggies, olives, and nuts. Complete the spread with your favorite white wine or an Aperol spritz.
Sheet Pan Nachos
This mouthwatering nacho platter will get any summer gathering off to a great start! Piled with gooey vegan cheese, pico de gallo, pickled red onion, and avocado, it’s totally plant-based. Still, even the biggest meat and cheese lovers will keep coming back for more.
Mezze Platter
This Mediterranean mezze platter is a delicious summer appetizer…or even dinner. Loaded with tabbouleh, whipped feta, muhammara, and more, it offers plenty for guests to fill up on.
One-Bite Summer Appetizers
At a BBQ or cookout, there’s nothing more convenient (or more fun) than finger food! With utensils out of the picture, it’ll be easy for you and your guests to mix and mingle while you eat.
Caprese Skewers
A bite-sized version of a classic Caprese salad, these adorable skewers are a summer party essential. Before serving, drizzle them with balsamic glaze for a pop of tangy flavor.
Jalapeño Poppers
Psst! These lightened-up jalapeño poppers are made with Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese, but you’d never guess it from the taste. They’re crispy on top, creamy in the middle, and filled with savory, spicy flavor.
Deviled Eggs
What summer get-together is complete without deviled eggs?! I like to sprinkle mine with chives, dill, and/or smoked paprika for a super cute and flavorful finishing touch.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
These peppers cook up in under 10 minutes, so they’re the easiest summer appetizer around. Peanut sauce for dipping is optional, but highly recommended.
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
If you have a surplus of zucchini that you need to use up, make these zucchini chips! Coated in crispy breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, they disappear QUICK. All that zucchini will be gone before you know it.
Salsa and Guac
Pass the tortilla chips! These tried-and-true summer appetizers are always a hit.
Homemade Salsa
Show off your summer tomatoes in this bright and zesty homemade salsa! Made with under 10 ingredients, it whizzes up in minutes.
Best Guacamole
Fun fact: Jack doesn’t like guacamole. I’m pretty sure everyone else does, though, so you can’t go wrong by making it for your next cookout or BBQ!
Corn Dip
If you like elote, you’ll love this corn dip! A creamy combo of mayo and Greek yogurt coats sweet and smoky grilled corn. Garnishes like cilantro, jalapeños, and Cotija cheese take it over the top.
Peach Salsa
This 8-ingredient salsa is sweet, spicy, and bright with lime juice. It’s one of the best appetizers for late summer, when peaches are in peak season.
Cowboy Caviar
Feel free to prepare this zesty bean and corn dip up to a day in advance. The flavor just gets better the longer it chills in the fridge!
Vegan Seven Layer Dip
A plant-based ode to my mom’s famous seven layer dip, this recipe features refried beans, guacamole, spiced-up quinoa, cashew cream, and all sorts of fresh veggies. You and your guests will love it!
Easy Mango Salsa
Love sweet and spicy flavors together? Then this fruity salsa is for you! Light and bright, it’s so refreshing on hot summer days.
More Easy Spreads and Dips
All of these summer appetizers can be made well in advance, which I always think is a win. Whether you’re hosting or attending a summer shindig, it’s so convenient to have something prepped and ready to share ahead of time.
Baba Ganoush
It’s eggplant season! What better way to show it off than in this silky, smoky Middle Eastern dip? Set out a bowl with pita chips and veggies, and it’ll be gone in minutes.
Best Hummus
If you’re looking for summer appetizers that are easy to put together at the last minute, then this smooth and creamy hummus is exactly what you need. Made with 7 basic ingredients, it comes together quickly in the food processor or blender.
Herb Compound Butter
These compound butters look simple, but their rich flavors will wow you and your guests. Serve one or more with toasted baguette for a memorable summer appetizer.
French Onion Dip
A plant-based riff on the store bought French onion dip I loved as a kid! I mix my rich, tangy vegan sour cream with umami caramelized onions to make this irresistible party dip.
White Bean Dip
The perfect partner for fresh summer veggies! It’s bright, creamy, and made with just 5 ingredients.
Wrap and Roll Summer Appetizers
These easy summer appetizers are a fantastic way to use summer herbs. Tucked into these rolls and wraps, they’ll delight guests with their fresh, unexpected flavors.
Avocado Summer Rolls
These sweet and savory summer rolls are filled with basil, mint, peaches, avocado, noodles, tofu, and more. I love to serve them with a creamy coconut-basil dipping sauce, but soy sauce or tamari is yummy too.
Nori Wraps
These cute little wraps taste like veggie sushi, but they’re far easier to make.
Fresh Spring Rolls
Filled with crisp veggies and gooey noodles, these rolls pair perfectly with peanut sauce for dipping.
Bruschetta and Crostini Summer Appetizers
These classy summer appetizers are bound to impress, but they’re not at all tricky to make. Fresh, seasonal ingredients give them their vibrant flavors.
Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta is one of my favorite appetizers for summer. It’s a simple showcase for some of the season’s best produce: sweet, juicy tomatoes.
Eggplant Caponata
Caponata is a sweet and sour Sicilian eggplant stew. I like it best a day after it’s made, after the flavors have had a chance to develop, so it’s a great summer appetizer to make ahead.
Grilled Ratatouille Tartines
These ratatouille-inspired tartines are topped with grilled summer veggies, fresh herbs, and goat cheese. Serve them with your favorite rosé!
Easy Summer Appetizers: Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- 24 cherry tomatoes
- 12 mini mozzarella balls
- 24 fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Balsamic reduction, for drizzling
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Thread the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil onto mini skewers.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
