If you’re planning a warm weather soirée, these easy summer appetizers are for you! You’ll find all the best seasonal flavors and ingredients in this round-up of simple recipe inspiration.

With minimal ingredients and very little hands-on time, each of these summer appetizer ideas is both delicious and simple to throw together.

No matter which options you choose, they’re sure to be the hit of any gathering! Find all the inspiration you need right here in one spot.

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When I think of summer, I immediately think of all the delicious produce we can find at our local farmer’s market! From fresh veggies to the ripest berries and fresh fruits, I want our summer meals to capture the essence of those ingredients.

That’s what this round-up of summer appetizers is all about. I’m sharing 20 of the best appetizers for summer today – there’s a recipe for every occasion!

From decadent dips to fruits, veggies, salads and hand held options, you’re sure to create something as beautiful as it is delicious.

Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this post with ease, and don’t forget to pin and save for later.

Summer Appetizers

Bringing an appetizer to a friend’s summer barbeque, or planning a potluck or picnic with friends and family? No matter the occasion, these summer appetizers are sure to please!

I’ve shared a lot of appetizer recipes over the years. The love runs deep, friends! In fact, I often think I could live on my favorite dips and apps alone.

Check out these guides to 35 Of The BEST Easy Dip Recipes For Parties, Bacon Appetizers, Easy Appetizers for a Crowd and even The Best Super Bowl Recipes if you’re looking for more favorites to enjoy year round!

Tips

  • If you’re hosting a group of friends or family, be sure to include several appetizers to accommodate any allergies or restrictions.
  • Looking for a chilled make-ahead option that can be an appetizer or a filling side dish? Don’t skip my best pasta salad recipes in this complete guide.
  • Get more inspiration for summer entertaining here.
  • Don’t forget dessert! Find all my favorite dessert recipes here.

Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes

Think of fresh produce like watermelon, mango, corn, basil and tomatoes. We’re diving right in!

Find the recipes organized into three categories: Dips, Handhelds and Fruits. Click through to the printable recipe card for each recipe.

Dips and Spreads

A summer appetizer display isn’t complete without these incredible dips and spreads! They capture the vibrancy of the season with fresh ingredients that will really shine through this summer.

Baked Burrata Recipe

This Baked Burrata Recipe is an easy, decadent appetizer that will appeal to the masses. Garnished with roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and topped with fresh basil, it is fragrant and savory… perfect for creamy Burrata Bruschetta or as a summer salad topper.

Baked burrata recipe surrounded by roasted cherry tomatoes in a white oval platter.

Addicting Creamy Jalapeño Dip

This Creamy Jalapeño Dip is a quick and easy dip recipe you can make in minutes! It’s a stand out crowd pleasing dip that’s perfect for parties, tailgates and more. It’s made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, jalapeños and monterey jack cheese for the creamiest, spiciest dip ever!

jalapeno dip surrounded by cauliflower carrots and broccoli

Mozzarella Bruschetta

Start your dinner off in style by serving Mozzarella Bruschetta for an incredible appetizer. In just a few minutes, you’ll have the cutest little toasted bruschetta with mozzarella… topped with arguably the best combination of flavors ever invented!

This is an easy bruschetta recipe with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and garlic. It’s a combination that totally speaks to summer flavors.

Bruschetta Mozzarella on a white platter

Basil Pesto Hummus

Basil pesto hummus is the best combination of all the flavors you love in pesto and the creamy texture of hummus. You’ll love this fresh and flavorful basil hummus recipe!

The best bonus? It’s low carb, too! Hummus is the best way to add a creamy, craveable dip into your diet, bursting with clean healthy flavor.

A bowl full of basil hummus on a marble surface, hand reaching in with a pita triangle.

Black Bean Hummus

This easy black bean hummus is deliciously creamy and full of healthy flavor! With minimal ingredients and packed with only the good stuff, this black bean hummus recipe is such a deliciously clean way to dip.

A white platter with a bowl of black bean hummus and pita triangles, celery and carrots.

Homemade French Onion Dip

French Onion Dip is an easy crowd pleasing appetizer you can make in ahead in minutes! Caramelized onions are folded into a creamy dip for amazing flavor in every bite. This dip will make you want to ditch the mix forever.

french onion dip in bowl on platter with ruffle chips

Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe

This Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe is delightfully sweet with a little heat! This easy dip or topping for tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more is full of fresh flavor! Add Chipotle Corn Salsa to your burrito bowls, nachos and salads for the ultimate Chipotle copycat.

Chipotle Corn Salsa, Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe

Quick And Easy Pesto Cheese Dip

This pesto cheese dip is so easy and quick to make, it’s the perfect appetizer and the pesto just screams summer flavor! You need just three ingredients for this simple recipe that’s perfect for a crowd. You can serve this as a hot dip or make it ahead of time.

Marble surface, single slice of crostini topped with pesto cheese dip and a cherry tomato.

Watermelon Salsa

Mix it up with Watermelon Salsa! This fruit salsa recipe is bright and colorful. It embraces the fresh flavors of summer blending watermelon with bell peppers, jalapeño, cilantro and lime. It’s perfect for dipping or for topping tacos, salads and more!

vegetable and fruit salsa in a bowl

Easy Dill Dip Recipe

Classic and flavorful, this easy dill dip recipe is always a crowd-pleaser for holidays, game days and summer gatherings. The flavors really pop in this dill veggie dip with the help of dried herbs and spices (hello, Beau Monde dip!).

This creamy dip recipe is an easy make-ahead appetizer you can serve with vegetables, chips, crackers, and bread!

A white bowl full of a dill dip recipe surrounded by vegetables.

Queso Blanco

Queso Blanco, a recipe for a restaurant-style white queso dip without a lot of effort. This creamy, cheesy Queso Blanco is made on the stovetop (or in a CrockPot) with just four ingredients; white cheese, heavy cream, jalapeño and tomato!

queso blanco in a white bowl with tortilla chips

Easy Pimento Cheese Recipe

An easy Pimento Cheese recipe with cream cheese is an incredible topping for burgers, hot dogs or the gooiest grilled cheese. You can also enjoy it as a Pimento Cheese Dip to slather onto crackers, crostini, or vegetables.

cracker being dipped into pimento cheese recipe in a white bowl

Chilled Queso

This Whole Foods copycat queso recipe is served chilled, making it easy for entertaining and the best creamy queso dip recipe for summer and beyond.

best cheese dip recipe for entertaining and tailgate

Mango Guacamole Recipe

Of course my classic guacamole is amazing, but the addition of sweet juicy mango turns this into a summertime flavor explosion! This easy mango guacamole is an incredible appetizer and a delicious topping for tacos, salads and more!

It’s fresh, vibrant, sweet and spicy and ready to serve in just 10 minutes.

A white bowl on a marble surface full of mango guacamole, chips to the side.

Crazy Good Corn Dip

This heavenly corn dip is perfect for picnics, parties, game day, holidays and more. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this crack corn dip in minutes!

It’s a cold corn dip with jalapeños, green onions, cheese and amazing flavor!

Easy crack corn dip recipe

Handheld Hors D’oeuvres

These summer appetizers are great for serving and make a beautiful display.

Jarcuterie

Jarcuterie is the cutest spin on the ever-popular charcuterie boards that are forever loved by families and party-goers across the world! Instead of a board or platter, charcuterie elements are served in individual containers or jars.

2 jars filled with charcuterie

Cheese And Crackers

Cheese and crackers are a classic snack with so many fun variations! This timeless combination is so easy to customize. It’s fast, easy and nutritious, and makes an effortless appetizer.

You can make this classic snack a beautiful, stand out appetizer with just a few easy tricks! The options are endless. 

Cheese and crackers displayed on a white platter with slices of apples on top.

Easy Gnocco Fritto

Gnocco Fritto is an easy 10-minute appetizer when made with the ultimate shortcut: puff pastry! These light and fluffy puff pillows are topped with olive oil, prosciutto and sea salt for heavenly bites.

Fried to golden brown perfection in a matter of seconds, this classic Italian dish is always a favorite.

Gnocco fritto on a white plate with bowls of olive oil and sea salt to the side

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

If you love a classic shrimp cocktail for a party appetizer, you’re going to be so excited about this roasted shrimp cocktail recipe! This is an appetizer that is truly timeless, and loved by so many – but now you can make your own in the simplest possible way.

An oval platter of roasted shrimp cocktail with a homemade cocktail sauce in a white bowl.

Mini Tacos

Mini tacos are such a fun and festive party food! They are easy to customize and easy to eat in multiples – because who doesn’t love a miniature version of their favorite food? Make these mini chicken tacos or mini beef tacos and put some serious fun back into your next gathering!

A white platter of mini tacos and toppings.

Guacamole Bites

Looking for an easy appetizer that can be made in a flash? These Guacamole Bites are just the ticket. Gluten free and FULL of zesty flavor, these Guacamole Cups are cute to serve and a total crowd-pleaser.

A platter filled with chips, served as guacamole bites, topped with a slice of cherry tomato.

Endive Salad

This easy endive appetizer is everything you crave for entertaining! It’s healthy, gorgeous, and simply bursting with fresh flavor. Bonus? Endive lettuce is naturally so easy to hold… your guests will keep coming back for more!

This is an easy and delicious hors d’oeuvre you can feel good about serving!

A white platter with individual endive lettuce leaves, filled with nuts, cheese and more for an endive salad appetizer.

Amazing Avocado Deviled Eggs

Sure you can make these classic deviled eggs, but if you love avocado, these Avocado Deviled Eggs are going to blow you away! This avocado egg combination is rich, creamy and satisfying.

avocado deviled eggs on a platter

Peach Crostinis

These peach crostini are a great summer appetizer that are easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. They are perfect for entertaining and best served with a glass of chilled prosecco in the garden! Learn how to make homemade crostini here.

Peach Crostinis with honey ricotta | summer appetizer / snack

Fruits and Sweet Summer Appetizers

Fruits and berries are perfect for summer and they make great appetizers or desserts!

Funfetti Flag 4th Of July Cheese Ball

This dessert cheese ball is the cutest way to add a little patriotic flair to your Fourth of July dessert display! It’s perfect for dipping and spreading with an array of fruits, cookies and crackers.

A dessert cheeseball in the shape of a flag

Fresh Fruit Skewers

These darling fruit skewers are the ultimate EASY way to serve festive fruit for every occasion! Perfectly bite-sized and oh-so-charming, you’ll have guests oohing and aahing over your clever display of fruit kabobs.

Marble surface with a white canister filled with fresh fruit skewers.

Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

This is a delightfully easy and creamy peanut butter fruit dip recipe. It’s a three ingredient peanut butter dip that is excellent for an after school snack and so much more!

Update your fruit tray with this fresh take on a traditional dip that will have everyone asking for the recipe. This dip is an incredible crowd pleaser for tailgates, holiday parties, summer cookouts and so much more!

A white platter, with peanut butter dip in the center, surrounded by fruit and pretzels.

Fruit Dip With Mascarpone

This is an easy three ingredient, five minute mascarpone dip recipe that can be whipped up in no time. Rich and creamy with decadent ingredients, this mascarpone dip is going to be a recipe family and friends beg you to share!

A white plate full of strawberries and a bowl of mascarpone fruit dip in the center.

Fruit Plate served with Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

How to create a beautiful fruit plate that everyone will love! The ultimate appetizer, dessert and side dish. Get unique fruit platter ideas for every occasion.

cream cheese fruit dip on a platter of fruit

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