20+ Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes Everyone Will Love! (2024)

Prepare for your next party with these easy summer appetizers. From dips to incredible bite-sized bread, there is something for everyone on this mouthwatering list.

When you are planning a party, the last thing you need is to spend all day in the kitchen cooking. I’m with you! That’s why I collected the quickest and easiest appetizers that are perfect for summer parties.

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love These Recipes

3 Handheld Bites

4 Simple Snacks

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 More Summer Recipe Ideas You Might Enjoy

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

Most of the recipes in this list don’t even need to be cooked or baked. Instead, you just mix them and chill them until they are ready to be served.

All of these appetizers make enough to feed a crowd. They look fancy, but you won’t break a sweat making them. Ready to find out what they are?

Delicious Dips

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Veggie Pizza Dip

This veggie pizza dip really does taste just like your favorite veggie pizza. It’s made with an irresistible combination of cream cheese and ranch dressing, then topped with healthy raw vegetables. This dip isn’t just delicious, it is good for you too.

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Cheesy Veggie Dip

Love dill? Embrace the flavor of this herb with this cheesy veggie dip. The Havarti dill cheese elevates this appetizer to unforgettable status. It’s creamy and zesty and the perfect thing to enjoy with raw veggies.

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Italian Hoagie Dip

Fill a bread bowl with colorful and healthy ingredients and you have a perfect Italian hoagie dip. This dip almost looks too good to eat. It’s even fun to munch on with a fork.

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Loaded Veggie Ranch Dip

Dips are the perfect appetizer because you can set them out and people can grab as much as they want. Plus, they are fun to serve in decorative bowls. Thisloaded veggie dipis filled with fresh flavors. Serve with veggies and chips.

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Out of this World Corn Dip

I’ve also been known to call this crack corn dip because it is pretty addicting. It has some serious bite, thanks to the jalapenos and green chilis. Trust me – you make this once, and people will be asking for you to make it again.

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Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Artichoke Dip

This thick and creamy sun-dried tomato dip is a fun twist on my favorite spinach artichoke dip. What really makes it incredible is the combination of smoked gouda and fontina cheese.

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Spicy Peach Salsa

If you like peaches and enjoy salsa, then you’re going to love this spicy peach salsa. Being fresh, sweet, and spicy, it’s delicious served with tortilla chips, on your favorite tacos, or on top of your favorite meat or fish. No matter how you enjoy it, you’ll be making this unique salsa again and again.

Handheld Bites

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Pizza Bread

This pizza bread is worth the effort it will take to heat up your oven and mess up your counters. Layers of flaky bread are wrapped around spicy pepperoni. Then, you can slice the bread thinly and serve them on a platter. Your guests will love it!

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Antipasto Kabobs

I love to serve kabobs at summer parties. They are already perfectly portioned so that people can grab their own skewers. These antipasto kabobs have layers of zesty meat, cheese, and olives with herbs and spices that enhance their flavors.

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Pasta Salad

When it comes to hosting a summer party, pasta salads are always a huge hit! You can make a huge bowl of it for next to nothing, and everyone loves it. These are my best pasta salad recipes – browse them and pick out a few to make for your party.

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Prosciutto and Melon Bites

An Italian favorite, theseProsciuttoand Melon Bites are an easy and delicious appetizer recipe perfect for summerentertainingor afternoon snack. This is a classic combination of salty and sweet that will never go out of style. In addition, a drizzle of balsamic glaze takes this prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe to whole new level.

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Snackle Box

A traveling charcuterie board… a grazing box on the go… a tackle box meets snacks? Call it what you want, but the Snackle Box might be my new favorite way to snack. Organize a box with your favorite goodies, open it up, sit back, and enjoy. You’re in for a treat!

Simple Snacks

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Summer Cheese Board

Make asummer cheese boardthe centerpiece of your party’s food table. Follow my tips, and you are sure to make one that impresses your guests and serves the best meat and cheese varieties too.

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Sweet Yellow Squash Pickles

Bright yellow squash and sweet red onions look absolutely perfect together! These yellow squash pickles have a deliciously sweet flavor that makes them hard to stop eating.

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Avocado BLT Bites

These little BLT bites are so much fun to eat. Juicy tomatoes are wrapped inside of bacon, lettuce, and avocado. The pesto has flavors that tie all these ingredients together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we all drool over these yummy recipes, here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making amazing summer appetizers.

What is the difference between appetizers and hors d’oeuvres?

The biggest difference between the two comes down to when you are serving them. You usually serve appetizers before a meal. Hors d’oeuvres are usually served a few hours before dinner and are a bit more filling than appetizers.

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What are some keto-friendly appetizers I can make?

It’s really easy to make keto-friendly appetizers. All you have to do is make sure you use sugar-free and low-carb ingredients. The easiest way to do this is to focus on meat, cheese, and vegetables. For a great example, my antipasto kababs are low-carb and well-loved by all (keto or not).

What should I bring to a summer party?

The best things to take to a summer party are a pitcher of drinks or some delicious appetizers or desserts. Take something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can be shared with a crowd. Even if your host already has dinner prepared, a dessert can be a welcome addition.

What are some summer appetizers to make ahead?

Looking for a great make-ahead option? The easiest things to make ahead for your summer party are cold appetizers you can refrigerate. Any of my dips are fantastic choices because they can chill the night before in the refrigerator and be served chilled. In fact, some dips taste even better the day after you make them!

More Summer Recipe Ideas You Might Enjoy

  • Perfect Summer Dessert Recipes
  • My Favorite Cold Appetizer Recipes
  • 11+ Fabulous Sangria Recipes
  • The Ultimate Collection of Summer Drink Recipes
  • 8+ Go-To Hors D’Oeuvres Ideas
  • Picture Perfect Summer Picnic Ideas

I hope you’ll try a few of these easy summer appetizer recipes. I know you’re going to love them. If you do, please leave a comment and tell me your favorite!

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along onInstagramandTikTokfor daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration onFacebookandPinterest!

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20+ Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes Everyone Will Love! (2024)

FAQs

How many types of appetizers for 20 guests? ›

A good rule of thumb for a dinner party, allow for 6 appetizers per person. For a co*cktail party consider making 12 appetizers per person.

How many appetizers do I need for 12 guests? ›

A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.

How do you calculate appetizers for a party? ›

Generally, you will need enough for each guest to eat 2 of each type of appetizer you serve. For very large parties, you can lower this to 1.5 servings per person per appetizer. However, for high-protein appetizers such as mini sliders, deviled eggs, or bacon-wrapped shrimp, you can plan for 1.5 servings per person.

What were the appetizers in the Roaring 20s? ›

Here's some other ideas.
  • Ribbon sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, cream cheese)
  • Oysters.
  • Deviled eggs.
  • Stuffed mushrooms.
  • Crudites with dips.
  • Salmon Mousse on sliced rye bread.
  • Roasted nuts.
  • Olives.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  • Sheet Pan Nachos. ...
  • Cheese Puffs. ...
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread. ...
  • Vegetarian Quesadillas. ...
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. ...
  • Slow-Cooker Jelly Meatballs. ...
  • Loaded Cheese Ball Bites. ...
  • Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts. Treat your guests to a sweet and savory appetizer with bacon-wrapped water chestnuts.
Jan 10, 2024

How much finger food for 25 people? ›

How many bites per person? If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

How much finger food do I need for 20 guests? ›

Appetizers - For parties where you're only serving appetizers and finger foods, base your estimate on five to eight appetizer bites per person, per hour. If there's a meal included, cut back to four or five per person per hour before the meal.

How many appetizers do I need for a party of 20? ›

Here's a general guideline: Number of Appetizers: Plan for 4-6 different types of appetizers. Quantity per Person: Estimate around 5-6 pieces per person per hour. So for a 4-5 hour party, you'd aim for around 20-30 pieces per person in total.

What is the standard rule of serving appetizers? ›

Prepare enough for your guests.

The standard rule is to serve four to six pieces for each person. Note, however, that if you are planning an evening event that does not provide a main course and only has an appetizer, you should prepare 10 to 15 pieces per person. The amount of time can also change this figure.

What is the difference between appetizer and hors d oeuvres? ›

You're supposed to eat hors d'oeuvres before a meal begins, versus appetizers, which are considered part of the meal. Then there is the quantity served, with appetizers being served once to a table, versus hors d'oeuvres being served several at a time.

What food to serve at a speakeasy party? ›

A growing number of finger foods have become popular due to the rise of these intimate events. Among the culinary delights served were lobster canapés, caviar rolls, crabmeat co*cktails, shrimp patties, oyster toast, anchovy molds, radish roses, devilled eggs, and savory cheese balls.

What food do you serve at a Roaring 20s party? ›

For a co*cktail party, hors d'oeuvres like shrimp co*cktail, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms as well as cheese trays and finger sandwiches were popular 20s fare. When planning a sit-down dinner, salad or soup along with a main course of smoked ham or roasted turkey will please your guests while staying on theme.

How many hors d'oeuvres for 20? ›

For an average-size party, with 8 to 20 guests, plan on 2 hot and 2 cold passed items and 1 or 2 buffet itemsa total of 5 or 6 selections.

How many types of appetizers per person? ›

If you only have an hour in between, it's safe to only have a couple different options available, totaling about six pieces per guest. If you will be longer than an hour, more is always better. Consider having four to five different options during your co*cktail hour, totaling eight to ten pieces per guest.

How many canapés do I need for 20 guests? ›

How many canapés should I order? For a one-hour drinks reception, order four to six canapés per person. If it's before a grand dinner, four should be plenty. For longer events, add another two to four pieces per hour.

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