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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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More Easy Appetizers
Summer Appetizers
Ingredients
Dips and Spreads
- Baked Burrata Recipe
- Addicting Creamy Jalapeño Dip
- Mozzarella Bruschetta
- Basil Pesto Hummus
- Black Bean Hummus
- Homemade French Onion Dip
- Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
- Quick And Easy Pesto Cheese Dip
- Watermelon Salsa
- Easy Dill Dip Recipe
- Queso Blanco
- Easy Pimento Cheese Recipe
- Chilled Queso
- Mango Guacamole Recipe
- Crazy Good Corn Dip
Handheld Hors D’oeuvres
Instructions
- Select your favorite printable summer appetizer recipe and click through.
- Organize, shop and prep all the ingredients.
- Combine, bake or create in under 30 minutes. Many of these summer appetizers can even be made ahead!
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.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.