67 Summer Appetizers to Whip Up for Every BBQ and Picnic This Season
When it comes to hosting an unforgettable cookout, steaks and burgers are definitely important. But let’s face it: Everyone gets most excited for the starters. Whether you’re hosting an annual block party or just entertaining your roommates, here are 67 impressive summer appetizers that are a cinch to whip up, from homemade potato chips to mini lobster rolls. Bookmark these for every backyard gathering, dinner party, picnic or barbecue you attend and let the compliments roll in.
35 Sides for Hot Dogs to Serve at a Summer Cookout
1. Grilled Melon with Tahini, Chili Oil and Sesame Seeds
EE Berger/Pulp
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Nutty, spicy and ridiculously refreshing, this appetizer deserves a spot on your picnic table. Cantaloupe or honeydew will work best; watermelon will work in a pinch, but it's wetter and not as firm.
2. Spicy, Crunchy Sesame Cucumber Salad
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, vegan, <10 ingredients
Shaving the cukes into ribbons makes for an elegant, unexpected presentation. The key is sweating out most of their excess water with a generous dusting of salt before mixing the salad, so the dressing doesn't get diluted.
3. Pizza Trail Mix
Kristin Teig/Mostly Veggies
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes, make ahead, vegan
Need to occupy the kids while you set up the sprinkler? This garlicky, herby mix of cashews, almonds and walnuts is sure to keep them busy. (It gets its cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast, BTW.)
4. Yogurt Dip with a Frizzled Carrot-Herb Swirl
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, <30 minutes
This dip is giving intimate dinner party vibes. Serve it with plenty of chopped vegetables, toasted pita or crackers for dipping (oh, and a bottle of your favorite rosé).
5. Kristin Cavallari’s Salmon BLT Salad with Spicy Tomatillo Ranch
Aubrie Pick/Truly Simple
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
Tomatillos are at their most delicious in early summer, so take advantage at the farmers market by using them in this hearty salad. Make a double batch of the dressing for drizzling over grilled corn, burgers, wings and pizza.
6. Easy Homemade Potato Chips
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, kid-friendly
If you have an hour to spare and four russet potatoes on hand, this snack is within reach. They’ll blow the store-bought kind way out of the water. (Chalk it up to the Old Bay seasoning.)
7. Deviled Eggs Three Ways
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
Party appetizers don’t get more iconic than deviled eggs. But we’ve given them a modern makeover with roasted garlic, crispy capers and sriracha.
8. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Come summer, watermelon and feta > tomato and mozzarella. Don’t @ us. Feta is also perfect for grilling, since it's firm enough to hold its shape against the grates.
9. Mexican Street Corn Dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Think of this layered masterpiece as a giant elote. The tortilla chips are buried in fresh corn, cotija cheese, homemade queso, sour cream, fresh cilantro and all the lime juice, so you'll never pull a naked chip.
10. Mango Guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, vegan, make ahead
It turns out that this tropical fruit and buttery avocado have been soulmates for a looong time. The mango’s sweetness is just the thing to balance spicy serrano chiles and acidic lime juice.
11. Chilled Cucumber Salad
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, no cook, make ahead
Lettuce? We don’t know her. Try a salad starring cucumber, the most refreshing vegetable around. They’re quick-pickled in rice vinegar with onion, garlic and fresh dill.
12. BLT Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
It’s crunchy, creamy and savory, just like the sandwich it was inspired by. Instead of simply using traditional mayonnaise, we spruce up the dressing with Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar for zing.
13. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo
Esteban Castillo/Chicano Eats
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, pescatarian, high protein
Behold: the quickest, most flavorful shrimp recipe you’ll ever make. Serve it with sliced baguette for soaking up all the leftover lemon-garlic butter.
14. Mini Lobster Rolls
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, pescatarian
Few sandwiches scream summer as loudly as a lobster roll. Don't let their size disappoint you: Using tiny buns means that every bite has the perfect ratio of meat to bread.
15. Carrot Pigs in a Blanket
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Small hot dogs are the way to go in the winter (or for the Super Bowl). Once the weather’s warm, we lean on this baked carrot alternative instead—odds are you’re grilling plenty of meat for the main course anyway.
16. Everything Chicken Wings
Mellissa Sevigny/Squeaky Clean Keto
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: keto, <10 ingredients, low carb, high protein
Nope we’re *not* over everything bagel seasoning…and we’re pretty sure we never will be. Try it on buttery baked chicken wings instead of Buffalo sauce to give them some bonus crunch.
17. Caprese Salad with Zucchini
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Who else has been counting the minutes until they can hit the summer farmers market? Pick the ripest zucchini, the juiciest tomatoes and the freshest basil you can find and you’re halfway there.
18. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegan, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
This cold tomato soup is so chic and impressive that no one would believe how little effort it took to make. (Seriously—you basically just toss the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blitz it to perfection.)
19. Chopped Italian Salad Pizza
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
It’s as simple to put together as a kale Caesar—but a million times more exciting. Picture dressed Bibb lettuce and microgreens on a layer of ricotta, all topped with pepperoncini, mozzarella and more fixings.
20. Coconut Shrimp
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Even self-proclaimed seafood haters can get behind this famously crunchy appetizer. Each batch of shrimp only takes about four minutes to turn golden brown.
21. Mini Skillet Pizzas with Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Sure, we could tackle these tiny pies (which start with store-bought pizza dough) in our trusty cast iron skillet year-round. But we’ll be popping them on the grill come summer, thank you very much.
22. Julia Turshen’s Skillet Cornbread with Cheddar and Scallions
David Loftus/Now & Again
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Sharp cheddar cheese, tangy buttermilk and fresh scallions—need we say more? It’d taste divine as a side for homemade chili, but we wouldn’t blame you for noshing on it straight from the skillet.
23. Mini Peach Tarts with Goat Cheese and Honey
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Who knew store-bought frozen puff pastry could do all this? These photogenic starters have alfresco dinner party written all over them.
24. Italian Bruschetta Bar
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Turn your backyard get-together into a Sicilian picnic with this epic charcuterie board. It’s loaded with herbed cheese, salami, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, olives and more.
25. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: keto, low-carb, high protein, crowd-pleaser
If everyone has full-sized burgers coming their way, choose another app. But if you’re making fish, pork or chicken for the main, these are sure to scratch your guests’ itch for beef.
26. Grilled Peach, Chicken and Ricotta Pizza
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
Before you bake the pie in the oven, take the time to grill the peaches and red onion on the barbecue. The char will give them that smoky flavor you crave.
27. Grilled Mango Salsa
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, crowd-pleaser
Speaking of grilled produce, you’ll never look at jarred salsa the same way again after trying this tropical rendition, featuring charred mangos, tomatoes, red onions, jalapeños and limes.
28. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
This 20-minute gem couldn’t be simpler, but salty salami, punchy artichoke hearts and a zingy balsamic vinaigrette make it beyond flavorful. Make it a day or two ahead to save time before your guests arrive.
29. Brussels Sprout Sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
The cheeseburgers are shaking in their boots over these savory bites. These skewered sammies are loaded with cherry tomatoes, prosciutto and pearl mozzarella.
30. Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
There’s truly no better way to show off your farmers market haul than with this vibrant centerpiece. Think sliced baguette topped with seasoned ricotta and balsamic-kissed basil pesto, finished with fresh tomatoes.
31. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Proof that the cruciferous veggie can do just about anything. Not only does this side skimp on the spuds, but it’s dressed in a tangy mix of Greek yogurt, sour cream and Dijon mustard instead of mayonnaise.
32. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Go ahead, have a pile of hors d'oeuvres for dinner—we won’t tell. The only cooking this 15-minute masterpiece requires is toasting the za'atar-seasoned pita in a skillet.
33. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Any salad topped with that much cheese is our kind of salad. Even better, it’s practically no cook, minus blanching the asparagus and sugar snap peas. Bonus points for grilling the peaches and plums.
34. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
You can throw some deli meat between two slices of bread, or you can spend a few extra minutes rolling them into pinwheels on flour tortillas. The choice is yours...but we think it's an obvious one.
35. Skillet Blueberry Cornbread
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
We’re most definitely whipping this up for the first alfresco brunch of the season. The brown sugar streusel puts the cornbread firmly between breakfast and dessert territories.
36. Fruicuterie Board
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
When the weather is particularly hot, we're more in the mood for fresh produce than meat. Pair a few of your favorite cheeses with all the seasonal fruit you can get your hands on, from kiwis to cherries to cantaloupe.
37. 7-Layer Dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
It's your pantry's time to shine, considering that this recipe calls for canned refried beans, canned green chiles and store-bought taco seasoning. (It also calls for premade guacamole and salsa, so all you'll have to do is assemble.)
38. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, vegan, beginner-friendly
Portable? Check. Easy to assemble? Check. Can be made two days ahead of serving? You bet. These vegan handhelds are prime for a picnic or potluck. Pass the peanut butter dipping sauce, please.
39. Jalapeño-Avocado Mac and Cheese
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
It’d be simply cruel to serve barbecue without a side of creamy mac. We’ve upgraded this one with briny pickled jalapeños, crisp green onions and mild avocado.
40. Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Sarah Copeland
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
Aka liquid sunshine. As if gazpacho wasn’t summery enough, this take calls on mild yellow tomatoes, fresh peaches and bell peppers instead of standard tomatoes, cucumbers and onion.
41. Grilled Cheese Crostini
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
You might not think strawberries, balsamic vinegar and Brie belong together, but you’ll change your mind at first bite. The fruit is macerated in a mix of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar and salt before crowning the crostini.
42. Spring Crudités with Romesco Sauce
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Sarah Copeland
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegan, beginner-friendly
Trade store-bought ranch dressing for a wow-worthy, robust romesco sauce made with roasted bell peppers, sweet-hot dried peppers, almonds, garlic and breadcrumbs. Your guests won't miss it, promise.
43. Avocado Deviled Eggs
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Aren’t they adorable? Make these creamy, dreamy green gems once and you’ll have to whip them up for every future barbecue you ever host.
44. Serena Wolf’s Boss Bean Dip
Emily Morgan
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
Hi, 20-minute miracle. Each serving has 13 grams of protein and only 213 calories, so it’s cool if we devour the whole skillet for dinner, right? Serve it with tortilla chips, pita chips or sliced bell peppers.
45. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
The more char marks, the better. The grill will mellow the acidity of the pineapple, while also giving the pork a solid outer crust. Finish them with sliced scallions and a drizzle of sriracha.
46. Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
Presenting your new go-to potluck contribution. Show up with these handhelds (complete with corn, red onion, cotija cheese and cilantro) and prepare to be hounded for the recipe.
47. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Two summer staples, one bowl. The soup comes together in minutes with creamy Greek yogurt, lime juice and lots of fresh mint and parsley, while the Asiago-encrusted bread only takes a few minutes to bake in the oven.
48. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Sure, corn on the cob is a side…if it’s plain. When it’s topped with four-ingredient sriracha aioli, it deserves your undivided attention.
49. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
They’re crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and ever so cheesy. One batch makes a whopping 48 bites, but we have a feeling you’ll go through them quicker than you think (especially if there are kids at the cookout).
50. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, pescatarian
Whether you’re making steak, chicken or hot dogs, one truth remains: Everyone always has room for a taco (or three) on their plate. Might we suggest drizzling them with avocado crema or sour cream?
51. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, high protein
How do they come together in a flash yet look so gourmet, you ask? By starting with the oldest cheat in the book: a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It'll be our little secret.
52. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
Place it in the center of the picnic table on a big platter and let the oohs and aahs commence. The grilled slabs of halloumi and peach halves offer just enough smoke to this summer stunner.
53. Roasted Poblano and Corn Guacamole
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Roasted summer corn not only adds texture to this decidedly chunky guac, but it also offers a pop of sweetness to this otherwise zesty dip. Pile it onto a burger or slather it on a steak if you'd like.
54. Cuban Sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Sliders are an easy crowd-pleaser, but they’re even easier if you can make them all in one fell swoop. Just halve a pack of buns, nestle them into a pan, assemble the sammies and bake them to buttery perfection.
55. Smoky Barbecued Corn
Kristin Perers/Round Ours
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
With seasonings this flavorful, people will almost forget all about the main course. We’re talking lime-chili mayonnaise, smoked paprika and Parmesan cheese.
56. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love it: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
The heavily seasoned Cajun butter packs all the flavor of a traditional shrimp boil into a much less messy package. Layer your picnic table with newspaper, place the skewers on top and let your guests go to town.
57. Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Let this pie finally convert you to Team Pineapple on Pizza. Grilling the pineapple rings brings out their sweetness, making them just the match for salty prosciutto and peppery arugula.
58. Sweet Potato Biscuit Rolls with Honey Butter Glaze
Renée Kohlman/Vegetables: A Love Story
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
These handhelds are light as a feather and impossibly tender. Might we suggest using them as slider buns? (They're an ideal pairing for barbecue ribs or pulled pork, too.)
59. Rodney Scott’s Pimento Cheese
Jerrelle Guy/Rodney Scott's World of BBQ
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
The key to this Southern staple's texture is shredding the cheese yourself, since pre-shredded cheeses contain added ingredients to prevent clumping. Scoop it up with pork rinds, celery stalks and crackers.
60. Blueberry Streusel Corn Muffins
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Behold: a cross between cornbread, blueberry muffins and coffee cake. We're betting they'd pair beautifully with brisket, ribs and pulled pork alike.
61. Vietnamese-Style Summer Rolls
Infraordinario Studio for Dalcò Edizioni S.R.L.
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, pescatarian, beginner-friendly
Light, refreshing and served with a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce. In other words, they're prime for kicking off an alfresco meal. (They're also free of dairy, and could be gluten-free if you use a rice-based wrapper to roll them.)
62. Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Show off your farmers market tomato haul with this simple dish that's equal parts creamy, crunchy and tangy. Wash it down with something crisp and bubbly.
63. Aloo Tikki Arancini with Saffron Aioli
Iain Bagwell/Mumbai Modern
Time Commitment: 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
No one at your backyard dinner party will see this Indian-inspired twist on Italian arancini coming. Instead of breadcrumbs, mashed potatoes hold these risotto balls together.
64. Salted Honey Focaccia
Jonathan Meter/The Sweet Side of Sourdough
Time Commitment: 15 hours and 40 minutes (includes resting time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Psst: We found your weekend baking project. Dip it in pesto, add it to a charcuterie board or drag it through quality olive oil spiked with salt and pepper. Your guests will gobble up a loaf in 30 seconds flat regardless.
65. Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Waffles
Jennifer Davis/The Southern Baking Cookbook
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Sure, you can serve them sliced with syrup and hot sauce for dipping...or you can use them in place of rolls for pulled pork sandwiches. The kids at the party will be psyched.
66. Malibu Farm’s Vegan Chop Salad
Erin Kunkel/Malibu Farm Sunrise to Sunset
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
Kale, quinoa, avocado, tomatoes, chickpeas—the gang's all here. Substitute sweet potato for butternut squash in the off season; just don't skip the marinated beets.
67. Charcuterie Board Flatbread
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <30 minutes
Instead of fussing over assembling a Pinterest-worthy charcuterie board, opt for these burrata-topped cuties instead. You can even set out multiple cheeses, cured meats, fruits and spreads to let your guests make their own.
50 4th of July Appetizers for the Ultimate Summer Celebration
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
