If you are planning on hosting a party this summer you’ve got to have a great selection of summer party food ideas to choose from. That’s where I come in! I love rounding up the best party foods! There are so many delicious recipes on the internet perfect for your summer bash. This is the only post you’ll need to round out an entire party spread this summer.
What Kind of Summer Party Food Ideas Are Here
Summer party foods are such a broad term, aren’t they? When I think of a summer party, I envision a big family and friends get-together by the pool or in a park.
There is probably a swarm of kids running around, lots of chatting going on, some food on the grill, and snacking happening the entire party more than anyone actually ever sitting down to a meal.
A summer party menu will probably be quite different than a winter party like Thanksgiving or Christmas. There is a LOT more outside and running around and eating on the fly going on. Plus there’s a good chance it’s hot so you’ll want some lighter options available too like salads and fruit skewers.
When putting together this list of summer party food ideas I’ve tried to keep all those things in mind. You’ll find the food selections below broken up into different categories too to help you find what you’re looking for.
There are 43 recipes on this list but for even more summer party food ideas you can always check out:
- Summer Salad Recipes That are Refreshing and Satisfying
- BBQ Sides to Round Out any Party
- Sweet Dessert Fruit Dip Recipes
Summer Party Food Dip Ideas
First up, dips! When you are hosting a summer party, one thing that is a great idea to have a lot of is dips. You can get so much more fancy and tasty than ranch and French Onion dip. Plus then you can take the next section of crispy summer party food ideas and set them next to the dips alongside a veggie tray to encourage using the sauces for all the crunchy finger foods.
Cold Spinach Dip
My spin on a classic, this cold spinach dip is a favorite! Ingredients include frozen spinach (thawed), sour cream, mayonnaise, vegetable mix, and mozzarella cheese.
If you love cold dips, check out our other cold dip recipes here.
Spicy Bacon Cheddar Bean Dip
Spicy bacon cheddar bean dip is a simple, yet delicious bean dip is perfect for parties.
Dips are definitely one of my favorite all time foods – and if you love a hot cheesy dip, we have a whole list of the best hot appetizer dips here!
Soft pretzel bites with cheese sauce
Soft pretzel bites and cheesy dip are super delicious, and this recipe is easy to make right at home. Here you’ll get an easy, filling appetizer for your next event, or a new after-school snack for busy weekdays.
5 Minute Loaded Baked Potato Dip
This easy-to-make dip comes with all the flavors of a loaded baked potato, including bacon, sour cream, cheese, and chives. It’s perfect for a game day snack or party appetizer.
Cowboy Caviar Dip
This simple Cowboy Caviar is made with two types of beans, corn, and loads of fresh ingredients with a simple dressing. Serve with tortilla chips.
Cowboy Caviar is often called Texas Caviar or Cowboy Salsa, and is a popular chip dip with origins in Texas. It’s a fairly healthy appetizer or snack option that is known for its classic flavors and simplistic ingredients.
Cheesy Bacon and Corn Crack Dip
One bite of this cheesy bacon and corn crack dip and you won’t wonder why it’s called CRACK DIP! Smokey bacon, corn, and cheese are combined to create the absolute perfect cold dip for parties and sports watching! Have the recipe handy, because you’ll be asked for it!
Easy Avocado Feta Dip
This easy dip recipe is a brilliant twist on guacamole and works great even as a cold taco dip. This avocado feta dip comes together in 10 minutes and is made with less than 10 ingredients. With avocado, onion, feta, cilantro, and jalapeno (but you can just leave it out if you don’t like spice!) this dip is a hit to serve for all occasions.
Tequila Queso Fundito
Queso fundido translates to molten or melted cheese and is one of the best appetizers you can order or make! Queso fundido is similar to fondue and is often served with chorizo, but goes great on almost everything. Plus how can you not be intrigued by a dip that includes Tequila?
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer to serve up to a crowd and makes the perfect game-day snack! Baked in the oven, this high protein low carb dip recipe is made without cream cheese or ranch and instead uses Greek yogurt and cottage cheese for a lighter option with tons more protein than the classic version. Made in 30 minutes and is gluten-free and keto.
IMITATION CRAB DIP
Looking to make a mouth-watering imitation crab dip for your guests? You can make this creamy imitation crab dip in 10 minutes without breaking the bank using just a few simple ingredients
Crudite Platter (Veggie Tray with Dips)
How to make a beautiful Crudite Platter with vegetables and dips. I am sharing my favorite veggie dip recipes, what vegetables to put on a veggie tray, and how to arrange your own. It is so easy to make a stunning vegetable platter and cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing than the generic store-bough options.
Crunchy Summer Party Food Ideas
Now that you’ve selected some great dips for your summer party, you need some crunchy foods to scoop up that mouthwatering goodness with. Some great options to have in your party spread are chips and vegetables, but you can also dip lots of crunchy foods like chicken fingers and air-fried cheese sticks in them too!
Ritz Cracker Sandwiches
These baked Ritz cracker sandwiches are crunchy and savory – a surefire crowd pleaser!
Fried Shrimp Recipe
These fried shrimp are jumbo shrimp coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. The perfect main course or appetizer option that’s even better than what you’d get at a restaurant!
Homemade Chicken Fingers
Homemade chicken fingers marinated in buttermilk, then fried to crispy golden brown. The ultimate chicken tenders that are even better than what you’d get at a restaurant.
DEEP-FRIED SWEET POTATO FRIES
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method of deep frying & seasoning them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
Easy Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are perfect for a side dish, appetizer, or on a BLT sandwich! Serve them with a creamy remoulade sauce. You decide–they are addictive!
Easy Baked Salmon Nuggets
These Easy Baked Salmon Nuggets are extra crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Plus you can put them together in less than 30 minutes!
Wraps, Sandwiches, and Crostini Summer Party Food Ideas
Summer parties are the absolute perfect time for finger foods. People love to walk by the food table and graze or grab something they can munch on while chatting. Kids will probably run by and grab a few things throughout the whole party before launching themselves back into the pool. Mini sandwiches, crostinis, and wraps make the perfect foods for your summer party, and there are endless varieties!
Pimento Cheese & Bacon Crostini
This easy pimento cheese and bacon crostini recipe is a delicious homemade pimento cheese spread on baguette slices, then topped with bacon pieces. This is a perfect no bake appetizer for any party!
BLT Crostinis
This BLT Crostini makes a fantastic quick and easy snack option or a great party dish for your next summertime event.
This simple crostini appetizer is made with a mayonnaise, mozzarella, and bacon pieces mixture loaded on top of sliced baguette French bread, and baked to perfection, then topped with fresh lettuce shreds and sliced cherry tomatoes. The perfect combination of delicious, filling, healthy, and rich!
Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels
Jalapeno popper pinwheels are a great option for busy moms looking for a quick after school snack, or as a healthy appetizer at your next event. This quick snack is easy to prepare, delicious, and a unique option for those looking to try something new.
Crack Chicken Pinwheels
Crack chicken pinwheels are easy to make and as delicious as the casserole dish you’re likely familiar with. The combination of shredded chicken, cheese, and bacon, wrapped into a tortilla spread with a ranch cream cheese blend, is just addicting, and absolutely delicious!
Seafood Pinwheels
This simple seafood pinwheel appetizer is a seafood lovers dream! A tangy cream cheese mayo, and cocktail sauce blend is spread onto tortillas, then loaded with canned crab meat and cocktail sized shrimp, along with mozzarella cheese and finely chopped tomatoes.
Turkey Hummus Pinwheels
Turkey hummus pinwheels are a great option if you’re looking for something healthy and easy to make.
This popular party appetizer is super simple to make, and always always a crowd pleaser! Ingredients include, flour tortillas, hummus, turkey, sun dried tomatoes, and cucumber.
Southwest Chicken Pinwheels
Southwest Chicken pinwheels are loaded with chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, shredded chicken, Rotel, jalapeno, black beans, corn, and seasonings, all rolled into flour tortillas for a perfect party appetizer.
Smoked salmon pinwheels
Smoked salmon pinwheels are a popular and delicious party appetizer that feature a creamy filling and savory smoked salmon wrapped in a soft tortilla.
“Big Mac” Pinwheels
If you love pinwheels and pastry, you’ll love these “Big Mac” pinwheels! Served with pickles and “Big Mac” sauce, these are even better than an actual burger because you can eat 5 of them!
Cucumber Sandwich
A cucumber sandwich is perfect for brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. It’s so easy, but more importantly, it’s incredibly delicious. Cream cheese puts it over the top!
Strawberry Basil Bruschetta
These strawberry basil bruschetta are made with mini toasts, goat cheese, juicy strawberries in balsamic and fresh basil. The perfect easy summer appetizer that will look beautiful on the plate but will only be there for a split second, long enough for you and your guests to gobble them all down in a matter of minutes.
BRUSCHETTA WITH MOZZARELLA
This bruschetta with mozzarella is the most perfect appetizer to serve for any occasion! It is light, fresh, easy to make, quick, and always a crowd-pleaser!
BASIC PINWHEEL SANDWICHES
These pinwheel sandwiches are the perfect party appetizer for game day or any summer party! Your favorite deli meat (we use turkey and ham), combined with lettuce, cheese, bacon, and a seasoned cream cheese spread.
Vegetable Summer Party Food Ideas
There are so many tasty ways to get your veggies in at a summer party. Think of stuffed peppers, jalapeno poppers, and all the things you can make with potatoes! If you want to feature some summer salads too, check out my summer salads recipe post as well.
Cream cheese stuffed mini peppers
Low carb cheesy bacon stuffed mini peppers are a great snack option if you’re looking for something delicious and filling. Diet-friendly and loaded with flavor, these raw stuffed peppers are so simple to make! Eat these as a snack, or serve them as an appetizer for parties.
Irish Potato Nachos
Irish Nachos are a great option for those looking for a new twist on a traditional snack. Perfect for St Patrick’s Day, or any time really, these Irish Nachos will become your favorite appetizer! Sliced potatoes loaded with all the goodies like cheese, bacon, jalapenos, green onions, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Loaded Tater Tot Cups
These loaded tater tot cups are easy to make and oh-so delicious! Perfect for a party appetizer, or side dish (think burgers, sloppy joe’s etc), these delicious bites are sure to please!
Loaded Mini Baked Potato Bites
These easy loaded mini baked potato bites are a great option for your next event.
Not only that, they also can make a great after school snack option for busy moms that are looking for a healthy and easy treat that your family is sure to love. A side dish, or party finger food, these mini potatoes are tossed in olive oil, then baked to perfection, and topped with sour cream, cheese, and bacon pieces.
Caprese Skewers
These caprese skewers are fast and easy to prepare ahead of time, making them a great option as a quick after school snack for busy families or as a healthy option at your next event.
These caprese appetizers are perfect for parties. Just 4 ingredients (mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar) make them simple to prepare.
Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
These everything bagel cucumber bites are easy to make and almost as delicious as the real thing.
A simple keto appetizer or snack, these cucumber bites are topped with an everything bagel seasoning cream cheese mixture, then sprinkled with more seasoning.
Cheese + Bacon Stuffed Celery
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Celery is a great versatile option when you’re looking for a delicious snack that is at least a little healthy.
It’s a super simple appetizer known to be a hit at gatherings, while also being a perfect snack for after school. These fresh celery sticks are loaded with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon pieces, and Everything Bagel seasoning.
Some More Yummy Appetizers Great for Summer Parties
There are a few more of my favorite party foods I thought would go great with all these recipes but didn’t quite fit the other categories. So instead I put them all together here!
Cheesy ranch chicken wonton cups
One of our favorite party appetizers, these cheesy ranch chicken wonton cups with bacon are super easy to put together, and absolutely delicious! Ingredients include shredded chicken, bacon pieces, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, fresh parsley, and wonton wrappers.
Deviled Eggs
Ham and cheese deviled eggs are the perfect unique dish to bring to your next event. Enjoy a classic deviled eggs recipe, topped with chunks of ham and shredded cheese
BLT Phyllo Party Bites
BLT Phyllo Party Bites are perfect for your bacon lover who wants it in a snack form. BLT Dip reimagined into party appetizers. These BLT Bites are a super tasty party appetizer that your guests will devour!
Pizza Wonton Cups
Pizza Wonton Cups are a great finger food that people love! Delicious and flavorful pizza appetizers are simple to make, and are perfect for an afternoon snack, or party appetizer.
Mediterranean Feta Bites
These Mediterranean feta bites are a great Christmas party appetizer – it’s an easy to make cold appetizer that your guests will devour!
Taco Wonton Cups
Bite sized taco cups make perfect party appetizers. Ingredients include ground beef, cheese, sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, and seasonings, all loaded into a wonton wrapper and baked to perfection.