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The Best Summer Appetizers

Get inspired with our best summer appetizers like crab dip, salsa, nachos and more from Food Network.

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Appetizer Summer

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Colorful Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Use a mandoline to turn the vegetables into paper-thin slices, and then find zen while you perfect filling and rolling each lovely bundle. It takes time and practice, so be sure to have a few extra rice wrappers on hand in case some tear.

Get the Recipe: Colorful Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Bacon-Wrapped Prawns with Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Get your summer party started with Guy's skewered shrimp wrapped in bacon with an easy chipotle barbecue sauce for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Prawns with Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Classic Deviled Eggs

Make room for this tried-and-true classic finger food; they're guaranteed to be a hit at your next party.

Get the Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Alton Brown's Guacamole

The avocados in Alton's guacamole get mashed for uniform smoothness, allowing the textures and bright flavors from tomato and onion to really come through.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Bruschetta

Red and yellow grape tomatoes are the star of this two-bite appetizer. These juicy in-season bites only need a bit of garlic, oil, balsamic and basil before they're spooned onto grilled baguette slices.

Get the Recipe: Bruschetta

Rachael Ray's Lettuce Wraps

The stir-fried filling in Rachael's lettuce wraps boasts crunch, bright colors and flavor from oranges and hoisin.

Get the Recipe: Barbecued Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Cilantro and Chiles

Juicy shrimp are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of garlic, jalapenos, scallions and cilantro that also adds vibrant color to this two-bite appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Cilantro and Chiles

Grilled Oysters with Jalapeno-Herb Mignonette

When you shuck your oysters, make sure to leave as much of the oyster’s juices — its liquor — in the shell as possible so it stays moist. As for the Jalapeno-Herb Mignonette, if you aren’t into fresh cilantro, rest assured that fresh chives or tarragon can do the trick too.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Oysters with Jalapeno-Herb Mignonette

Guacamole

Ina feels strongly about guacamole, and it shows in this recipe. Her 5-star take on the Tex-Mex classic gets a fresh spritz of lemon juice and a generous 8 dashes of hot sauce for heat.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Asian Chicken Skewers

Grill marinated chicken skewers until they're well-charred, then serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.

Get the Recipe: Asian Chicken Skewers

Alton's Perfect Salsa

Why go with store-bought salsa when it's so easy to make fresh, spicy salsa all on your own? Alton's secret ingredient: mild, full-of-flavor dried ancho chiles.

Get the Recipe: Salsa

Steak and Potato Kebabs

Enjoy a steak-and-potato dinner — on a stick! The buttery fingerling potatoes and tangy balsamic steak sauce make an irresistible combination.

Get the Recipe: Steak and Potato Kebabs

Watermelon Salsa

This 15-minute salsa is light, fresh and really convenient. With watermelon instead of tomato, the final product is mild enough to be spread on everything from tacos to pita chips.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salsa

Giada's Fried Zucchini

Fry up some fresh zucchini for a crunchy, Italian-style starter.

Get the Recipe: Fried Zucchini

Beef and Ground Pork Sliders

No summer party is complete without everyone’s favorite poolside food: burgers hot off the grill. For party-ready bites, make these beef and ground pork sliders, perfectly dressed with lettuce, caramelized onions, cheese and a delicious sauce. 

Get the Recipe: Beef and Ground Pork Sliders

Romesco-Topped Potato Bites

Scoop out baby potato halves and fill with Romesco sauce, sour cream and crispy Serrano ham shards for a poppable one-bite.

Get the Recipe: Romesco-Topped Potato Bites

Chicken and Pineapple Skewers

Transport the tropics to your backyard with Tyler Florence's island-inspired kebabs. He bastes the skewers while they're cooking on the grill so the barbecue sauce caramelizes right on the chicken and pineapple chunks.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pineapple Skewers

Ranch Zucchini Fries

We made these "fries" round just for fun, but you can certainly slice them into sticks. Spiced up with homemade ranch seasoning and dressing, the fries have a bold flavor that steals the show no matter what shape the veggie.

Get the Recipe: Ranch Zucchini Fries

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken

Glam up grilled chicken with prosciutto and fontina. The silky meat slices crisp up on the grill while the cheese melts and adds a slight nuttiness to each bite. 

Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Kebabs

Sunny's Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream

Sunny's take on this fiesta favorite will liven up your next party.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream

Coconut-and-Lime Pork Kebabs

Both creamy and citrusy, one taste of these pork skewers will transport you from your backyard to someplace tropical.

Get the Recipe: Coconut-and-Lime Pork Kebabs

Rachael's Grilled Shrimp

Rachael's grilled shrimp recipe doesn't get easier or tastier. Tip: If you don't have a grill, you can broil these shrimp on medium heat.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp

Pineapple Polenta Squares with Shrimp

A reader won the Chairman's Challenge in Food Network Magazine with this creative pineapple recipe. The fruit does double duty: It's combined with the polenta and used in the shrimp's marinade.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Polenta Squares with Shrimp

Chicken Caesar Crouton Cups

Classic Caesar salad undergoes a buffet-ready makeover, here served in crispy crouton cups.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Crouton Cups

Buffalo Zucchini Fries

This crunchy snack, topped with blue cheese and hot sauce, boasts all the usual flavors of the fan-favorite wings — but lets vegetarians dig in too.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Zucchini Fries

Alton's Homemade Pickles

Homemade pickles are super easy to make with Alton's method. Just allow yourself some extra time; the pickles take several days to ferment.

Get the Recipe: Dill Pickles

Curried Scallop Kebabs with Squash

The vibrant color of curried scallops matches their bold flavor and the season's beautiful yellow squash.

Get the Recipe: Curried Scallop Kebabs with Squash

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Keep this classic recipe for veggie fries in your back pocket. They're delicious alone (and will certainly satisfy any French fry connoisseur), but they're also a willing blank canvas for dipping sauces and extra toppings.

Get the Recipe: Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Fried Green Tomatoes

When it's fried green tomato season, we mean, summer, this recipe from Trisha Yearwood is a must-have. Keep it on hand and you can turn out irresistible crowd-pleasers for every party. Her creamy dipping sauce is just the right amount of spicy.

Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Sunny's lettuce wraps come together in under half an hour and feature ingredients from the pantry. Serve the beef mixture out in a party-sized bowl and have the lettuce wraps nearby so guests can serve themselves.

Get the Recipe: Asian Lettuce Wraps

Gazpacho

Garnish Ree's traditional gazpacho with grilled shrimp, avocado slices, minced hard-boiled eggs and cilantro leaves.

Get the Recipe: Gazpacho

Shrimp Summer Rolls

Soak rice paper wrappers until pliable and fill with cooked shrimp, vermicelli noodles, herbs, cucumbers, scallions and lettuce. Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up into a tight bundle. Serve these hand-held bites with a homemade peanut sauce.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Summer Rolls

Bobby's Pork Satay

Bobby marinates the pork for a few hours for tenderness and serves it with a delicious peanut sauce.

Get the Recipe: Pork Satay

Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Brie with Pineapple

Everyone's favorite holiday appetizer goes on a tropical vacation, resulting in a sweet-salty twist for your cookout's cheese board.

Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Brie with Pineapple

Giada's Italian Flatbread (Piadina) with Fontina and Prosciutto

Giada says, "A piadina is a lot like a pizza, except that the crust doesn't rise and it's typically cooked on a grill to give it a nice, smoky flavor and crunchy crust. You can top a piadina with anything you like. This no-sauce combination is very typical of northern Italy, where piadini are especially popular."

Get the Recipe: Italian Flatbread (Piadina) with Fontina and Prosciutto

Asian Glazed Wings

Rachael glazes chicken wings with a ginger-spiked Asian sauce for a truly unique flavor.

Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Wings

Bibb Lettuce and Shrimp Wraps

Wraps make a great summer appetizer since they're really light and fun to eat. Try these Bibb lettuce cups filled with shrimp tossed in a lemony vinaigrette and a sprinkling of crushed peanuts.

Get the Recipe: Bibb Lettuce and Shrimp Wraps

Queso Fundido con Chorizo

Make a Monterey jack and mozzarella dipping sauce complete with cooked chorizo and chopped jalapenos.

Get the Recipe: Queso Fundido con Chorizo

Picadillo Sliders

These Cuban-inspired sliders are a natural with merlot. Briny olives, garlicky mayo, and a slight hit of tomato acidity sharpen the wine's fruit; caramelized onions and raisins play to the wine's toasty side.

Get the Recipe: Picadillo Sliders

Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps

Infuse juicy pineapple with classic Thai flavors like lime, chile paste, cilantro and peanuts, then wrap it up in crisp lettuce cups.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps

Margarita Chicken Skewers

Sandra's easy-to-grill skewers are full of flavor thanks to a tequila-spiked margarita mix marinade.

Get the Recipe: Margarita Chicken Skewers

Summer Salsa with a Shot

Add a little life to the party with this tomato salsa: A jigger of silver tequila is mixed in with the usual suspects for a shot of grown-up flavor.

Get the Recipe: Summer Salsa with a Shot

Grilled Sausages with Fresh Ricotta and Toasted Baguette

There's a meal's worth of flavor contained in just one bite of Bobby's snackable baguettes topped with creamy ricotta, grilled shallot relish and sweet Italian sausage.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Sausages with Grilled Shallot Relish with Fresh Ricotta and Toasted Baguette

New England Steamers

Pick up a few pounds of steamer clams, steam them in a flavorful broth and dip in melted butter for the perfect anytime appetizer.

Get the Recipe: New England Steamers

Pork Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps serve up a range of bright flavors from sweet to spicy with grapefruit, chile sauce, ginger and fish sauce. Pork and nuts provide savory texture for a more hearty appetizer experience.

Get the Recipe: Pork Lettuce Wraps with Grapefruit

Pineapple-Ginger-Habanero Salsa

This is no ordinary fruit salsa. Bobby spikes his pineapple salsa with fresh ginger and habanero peppers for a dip with quite a bit of kick. Serve it with tortilla chips as an appetizer, or spooned over grilled salmon for your main course.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple-Ginger-Habanero Salsa

Shrimp and Okra Kebabs

The unlikely pairing of seafood seasoning and sherry creates a savory, sweet butter with slight notes of toffee. 

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Okra Kebabs

Alex's Grilled Clams with Scallions and Cucumber

"There is, to me, no better thing than when a food can be cooked in its own shell for deep, authentic and simple flavor," says Alex. "Be patient with the clams. Sometimes they can take a few minutes to open on the grill. I find that when I give up and turn my back on them, that’s when they open."

Get the Recipe: Grilled Clams with Scallions and Cucumber

Grilled Loaded Nachos

These clever foil packets are quick to put together and cook up perfectly for a summer barbecue. And because they are personal size, your guests can eat them with our suggested toppings or their favorites. 

Get the Recipe: Grilled Loaded Nachos

Grilled Summer Pizzette with Caramelized Peaches, Burrata, Arugula and Crispy Serrano

This summery flatbread is topped with caramelized peaches, creamy Burrata, crispy Serrano ham and arugula. Made with premade pizza dough, it's an easy and crowd-pleasing party starter.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Summer Pizzette with Caramelized Peaches, Burrata, Arugula and Crispy Serrano

Grilled Shrimp Scampi-Style with Soy Sauce, Fresh Ginger and Garlic

Bobby adds ginger and soy sauce to traditional buttery garlic sauce before grilling for an unforgettably flavorful twist on shrimp scampi.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Scampi Style with Soy Sauce, Fresh Ginger and Garlic

Michael Chiarello's Grilled Corn Salsa

Grilled corn and tomatoes give this salsa a smoky-sweet twist.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salsa

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Make this Thai restaurant staple easily at home. Use leftover homemade peanut sauce as a topping for noodles or rice.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Jalapeno Pepper Poppers

Sandra Lee's jalapeno poppers are oozing with melted cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon, and are so easy to make on the grill.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Pepper Poppers

Grilled Grape Leaf-Wrapped Goat Cheese

Grill everything this summer, even creamy goat cheese! Grape leaves make a grill-friendly wrapper for the cheese and infuse it with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Grape Leaf-Wrapped Goat Cheese

Ceviche with Serrano Chiles, Mango and Smoked Tomatoes

The cold-smoked tomatoes add some depth to this tropical and spicy seafood dish while plantain chips provide a perfect, mildly sweet crunch.

Get the Recipe: Ceviche (Shrimp and Grouper) with Serrano Chiles, Mango, Smoked Tomatoes, Crispy Plantain Chips

Mini Italian Club Sandwiches

Giada's two-bite sandwiches may be small, but they're loaded with the flavors of turkey, provolone, bacon and pesto.

Get the Recipe: Mini Italian Club Sandwiches

Tomato-Basil Pizzettes

Roll homemade pizza dough into 3-inch rounds and brush each round lightly with herb oil. Top each round with soppressata, tomato slices, and a sprinkle of Parmesan and basil. 

Get the Recipe: Tomato-Basil Pizzettes

Michael Chiarello's Mini Panini

Finger sandwiches can be a party favorite year-round — just look how Michael Chiarello takes his to the grill for miniature panini with olive tapenade.

Get the Recipe: Mini Cheese Sandwiches (Panini With Mozzarella And Olive Tapenade)

Marcela's Grilled Stuffed Jalapeno Chiles

Marcela removes the seeds from the jalapenos before stuffing them with mozzarella and wrapping them in bacon. Cooking them on the grill sizzles the outside, while the inside becomes oozy and creamy.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Jalapeno Chiles

Bobby's Guacamole

Make restaurant-style guacamole at home for your next picnic. It's best served fresh, so make it just before guests arrive; if you're bringing guac to a party, take the ingredients with you and make it when you arrive.

Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Crostini with Sweet Ricotta, Honey and Toasted Hazelnuts

Top toasted baguette slices (toast them in the oven or right on the grill) with creamy ricotta cheese, toasted hazelnuts and a drizzle of honey for a super-simple, unforgettably delicious appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Crostini with Sweet Ricotta, Honey and Toasted Hazelnuts

Spicy Crushed Hummus

Bobby adds sauteed jalapeno peppers to his hummus and keeps some of the chickpeas chunky for a dip that's spicier and heartier than traditional versions.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Crushed Hummus

Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-Basil Vinaigrette

Bobby's Napoleon is an elegant way to kick off a cookout, and the recipe couldn't be easier. Boil then grill the potatoes so they cook all the way through.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-Basil Vinaigrette

Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

Cook red and yellow baby bell peppers in a skillet until the skins blister, then stuff them with ground pork and Muenster cheese to add extra smokiness. Use the same skillet to cook the meat — it'll cut down on the meat's cook time in the oven. 

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

Cold Summer Soup

Take a break from salad with Tyler's chilled cucumber-melon soup. Serrano chiles add a touch of heat, while low-fat yogurt produces a creamy base.

Get the Recipe: Cold Summer Soup

Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Ricotta and Arugula

Spread ricotta cheese on grilled slices of bread, then press an arugula leaf into the cheese. Top with prosciutto and very good olive oil.

Get the Recipe: Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Ricotta and Arugula

Hush Puppies

Ayesha’s crispy hush puppies are the best way to kick off a summer fish fry and, best of all, take less than 30 minutes to put together. 

Get the Recipe: Hush Puppies

Gazpacho

Turn the dreaded chore of cleaning out the fridge into a delicious and light no-cook summer appetizer with Ree’s gazpacho.

Get the Recipe: Fridge Gazpacho

Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Bright and colorful, this goat cheese bruschetta is a deceptively simple appetizer for impromptu gettogethers and big summer bashes alike.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs

Shishito peppers taste slightly like a cross between bell peppers and jalapenos. They’re usually mild, but about one in 10 is quite spicy — either way, they're a good match for garlicky lemon chicken.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs

Beer-Battered Zucchini Curly Fries

Watch with amazement as one little zucchini morphs into a giant platter of fries that rivals any fairground food. Change up the batter by using a beer with more pronounced hops (like an IPA), if you like.

Get the Recipe: Beer-Battered Zucchini Curly Fries

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

Blend canned white beans with garlic, lemon and olive oil for a super-flavorful, easy-to-make dip to serve with homemade pita chips or sliced vegetables.

Get the Recipe: White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

Zucchini Fry Nachos

Why should tortilla chips have all the fun? Turn the humble zucchini into crunchy disks, then dress them up with all the fixings — jalapenos, avocado, pico de gallo and more.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fry Nachos

Grilled Corn, Bacon and Chile Crostini

The smokiness of grilled corn melds well with the bacon, while chiles give this recipe a nice kick.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn, Bacon and Chile Crostini

Disco Zucchini Fries

Who remembers the bliss of ordering late-night disco fries — topped with gravy and bacon — at the diner? This baked zucchini twist you can make at home is a bit more virtuous, but it still totally hits the spot.

Get the Recipe: Disco Zucchini Fries

Cajun Zucchini Fries

The combination of panko and cornmeal makes these fries (inspired by the flavors of Louisiana) especially crunchy. Serve them in cute paper cups for a picnic-style party wherever you are.

Get the Recipe: Cajun Zucchini Fries

Grilled Mushroom Flatbread with Truffled Pecorino

You can use premade pizza dough to cut down on prep time, or make the simple one in this recipe. The flatbreads need just two minutes per side on the grill, then load them up with oyster and cremini mushrooms and truffled cheese sauce.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Mushroom Flatbread with Truffled Pecorino

Bacon-Apple-Jalapeno Pop 'Ems

Try Aarti Sequeira's oven-baked appetizers instead of fried jalapeno poppers. She fills the halved peppers with light cream cheese, scallions and apples, then wraps each bite with a bit of bacon.

Get the Recipe: Bacon-Apple-Jalapeno Pop 'Ems

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