The Best Summer Appetizers
Warm weather calls for fresh flavors, seasonal fruits and veggies and lots (and lots) of grilling. That’s the inspiration behind these summer appetizers. We’ve rounded up our best recipes for all your favorites: salsa, grilled shrimp, sliders, kebabs and more.
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 the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Prawns with Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Classic Deviled Eggs
Get the Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs
Alton Brown's Guacamole
Get the Recipe: Guacamole
Bruschetta
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta
Sea Island Wings
Kardea’s blend of sweet, spicy and smoky flavors prompted several reviewers to name these “the best wings ever.”
Get the Recipe: Sea Island Wings
Creamy Corn and Chile Dip
Trisha’s slightly-spicy appetizer is ideal for pairing with an icy margarita.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Corn and Chile Dip
Mini Crab Cakes with Mustard Creme Fraiche
Fresh and light, Valerie’s mini crab cakes are the perfect recipe for summer entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Mustard Creme Fraiche
Peach Bruschetta
Make the most of sweet summer peaches by serving them on a crispy baguette with a tangy goat cheese spread.
Get the Recipe: Peach Bruschetta
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
Smoky Caprese Bread Bowl
Summertime is the pinnacle of caprese season, so we married our love of the grill with our love of this simple classic. The key to this recipe's success is to get the absolute best ingredients you can. Fresh local mozzarella, perfectly ripe tomatoes, good-quality olive oil and a fresh loaf of crusty bread really make a difference here.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Caprese Bread Bowl
Guacamole
Get the Recipe: Guacamole
Asian Chicken Skewers
Get the Recipe: Asian Chicken Skewers
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
Watermelon Salsa
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salsa
Fried Zucchini
Fry up some fresh zucchini for a crunchy, Italian-style starter.
Get the Recipe: Fried Zucchini
Beef and Ground Pork Sliders
Get the Recipe: Beef and Ground Pork Sliders
Romesco-Topped Potato Bites
Get the Recipe: Romesco-Topped Potato Bites
Chicken and Pineapple Skewers
Transport the tropics to your backyard with Tyler'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
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
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
Smoky Grilled Deviled Eggs
These delicious deviled eggs are packed with smoky flavor. Adobo sauce and smoked paprika spice up the yolks, while a quick trip to a hot grill gives the whites a hint of fire and grill marks.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Grilled Deviled Eggs
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
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
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
Shrimp Scampi Upside-Down Garlic Bread
Garlicky and cheesy bread with the butter-and-lemon-herb flavors of shrimp scampi — what's not to love?
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Upside-Down Garlic Bread
Gazpacho
Get the Recipe: Gazpacho
Shrimp Summer Rolls
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Summer Rolls
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
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
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Wings
Bibb Lettuce and Shrimp Wraps
Get the Recipe: Bibb Lettuce and Shrimp Wraps
Queso Fundido con Chorizo
Get the Recipe: Queso Fundido con Chorizo
Picadillo Sliders
Get the Recipe: Picadillo Sliders
Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps
Margarita Chicken Skewers
These 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
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
Get the Recipe: New England Steamers
Pork Lettuce Wraps
Get the Recipe: Pork Lettuce Wraps with Grapefruit
Pineapple-Ginger-Habanero Salsa
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
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
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
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Scampi Style with Soy Sauce, Fresh Ginger and Garlic
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Get the Recipe: Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Jalapeno Pepper Poppers
These 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
Get the Recipe: Grilled Grape Leaf-Wrapped Goat Cheese
Grilled Corn Salsa
Grilled corn and tomatoes give this salsa a smoky-sweet twist.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salsa
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
Get the Recipe: Mini Italian Club Sandwiches
Tomato-Basil Pizzettes
Get the Recipe: Tomato-Basil Pizzettes
Mini Panini
Finger sandwiches can be a party favorite year-round — just take them to the grill when the weather gets warm.
Get the Recipe: Mini Cheese Sandwiches (Panini With Mozzarella And Olive Tapenade)
If I Could Turn Back Lemon Thyme Bruschetta
For an appetizer that will never fail to impress, serve the bruschetta topping in a separate bowl and let guests build their own. That way, the toast will stay crisp and you can prep the dish ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: If I Could Turn Back Lemon Thyme Bruschetta
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These bacon-wrapped dates are stuffed with manchego and almonds and grilled to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Dates
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
Caprese Granita
We’re willing to bet you’ve never had caprese like this before. Giada freezes a blended tomato sauce and serves the icy mixture with fresh basil, mozzarella and pine nuts. The granita can be made up to four days ahead of time, so feel free to meal prep your summer entertaining menu.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Granita
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
Get the Recipe: Crostini with Sweet Ricotta, Honey and Toasted Hazelnuts
Spicy Crushed Hummus
Get the Recipe: Spicy Crushed Hummus
Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-Basil Vinaigrette
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-Basil Vinaigrette
Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers
Cold Summer Soup
Get the Recipe: Cold Summer Soup
Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Ricotta and Arugula
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
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
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
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mushroom Flatbread with Truffled Pecorino
Bacon-Apple-Jalapeno Pop 'Ems
Try Aarti'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
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
Asian Lettuce Wraps
Get the Recipe: Asian Lettuce Wraps
Lemon-Lavender Shrimp Cups
For an easy and elegant appetizer, serve sweet and tangy shrimp in endive cups.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Lavender Shrimp Cups
Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Cilantro and Chiles
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
Grilled Edible Cheeseboard
We love a good bread bowl so why not a bread platter? Whether you make your own pizza dough or buy it at the store, cooking it on the grill will give you a dough that is golden, crisp and tinged with a subtle smoky flavor. Loaded with warm melting cheese, briny olives and salty charcuterie, the board can be the centerpiece of a snacks and drinks gathering with friends or served alongside a big green salad for the perfect summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Edible Cheeseboard
Grilled Baba Ganoush
Baba ganoush is a classic Levantine eggplant and tahini dip that is beloved throughout the Middle East. The main variations are whether yogurt is included (it’s generally added to smooth out the flavor of the garlic) and how the eggplant is cooked. Our version calls for grilling the eggplant and skipping the yogurt to allow the charred smoky flavor to really shine.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baba Ganoush
Grilled Guacamole and Grilled Queso Dip
In Mexico, charring vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, peppers and onions is a popular way to add a smokey flavor to salsas, soups, sauces and the like. We used that technique here for both the guacamole and queso. You can also make the rest of the queso on the side burner, if your grill has one. If not, be sure to set the saucepan over high enough heat on the grill so that the mixture simmers. Since queso doesn’t reheat well, make it right before you want to serve it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Guacamole and Grilled Queso Dip
Grilled Oysters Three Ways
Making oysters for a crowd is a whole lot easier with this quick shucking hack. Simply grill the oysters for a few minutes to open the shells, just enough for a knife to easily fit inside. Once the oysters are shucked, you can serve them raw on the half shell with mignonette and lemon wedges, or grill them up with Bourbon BBQ sauce, bacon and chives, or with a flavor-packed garlic, herb and white wine scampi butter. Using a foil roasting pan filled with some coarse sea salt helps keep the oysters from spilling and makes it easy to get them on and off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Oysters Three Ways
