55 4th of July Appetizers for the Ultimate Summer Celebration

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, sheet pan recipe

We'll see your basic caprese salad and raise you a loaf of toasty ciabatta bread and a garlicky vinegar dressing. Serve it with burrata instead of fresh mozz for a creamier consistency.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegan

Sweet seasonal produce, nutty tahini, spicy chili oil, crunchy sesame seeds—this summer stunner checks all our boxes. Deeply char the melon for a touch of smokiness and an Insta-worthy presentation.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegan

The cukes are shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler (or mandoline) to give the salad an elegant look. The key is sweating out their excess moisture with a generous pinch of salt before dressing them.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Yogurt dip is one of those appetizers that everyone can get behind. This one is topped with a spicy, herb-infused olive oil (which is initially used to frizzle shredded carrots) and crunchy pistachios.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Make this dressing once and you'll never look at store-bought ranch the same way again. It's positively packed with fresh parsley, dill, chives and lemon juice, the ultimate pairings for tangy sour cream and buttermilk.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, vegan

There’s a little bit of heat (courtesy of jalapeño) in this healthy dip, but if you prefer mild salsa, feel free to leave it out. Scoop it up with chips or serve it atop grilled salmon, chicken or steak.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

This sweet, tangy salad begins on the grill. The char marks offer pleasant smokiness to the watermelon, plus there are no bowls to clean afterward. Now that’s what we call a win-win.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegan, beginner-friendly

This lighter take on the classic will leave plenty of room for all those hot dogs and burgers to come. Serve these minis with plenty of green goddess dip (and ketchup for the picky eaters).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

You'll only need to cook the caramelized balsamic onions; the rest is just assembly. Don't fuss over the arrangement—a random presentation is the best way to convey a relaxed vineyard vibe. We'll bring the wine.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

This is a fun twist on a party favorite that you'll serve at every BBQ you host from now until forever, guaranteed. Buttery avocado makes the filling extra creamy.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, high protein

The sweet-and-spicy chicken cooks to completion in the handy Crockpot. Save time making this crowd-pleasing 4th of July appetizer by starting with shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly

Grilling the avocados before mashing them gives this dip a delicious, smoky flavor that screams summer. Might we suggest making this guac a permanent part of your Taco Tuesday menu?

• Time Commitment: varies
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly

How many seasonal ingredients can you fit onto a grilled baguette, you ask? We say the possibilities are endless. Try pairing blue cheese with grilled peaches, goat cheese and balsamic with fresh cherries or cheddar with blueberry jam.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

All you need to season the peppers, onions, eggplant and squash are salt, pepper and olive oil. Toss the veggies on the grill and you've got your own Mediterranean-style antipasti. Don't skimp on the tangy yogurt sauce.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <30 minutes, kid-friendly

Simply lay out your tostada shells, spread them with a spoonful of canned refried black beans, layer a few slices of avocado, add the salsa and sprinkle on the queso fresco. Voilà.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why We Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, beginner-friendly, high protein

Because everything tastes better when it’s mini (and crowned with avocado). If you're on keto or another low-carb meal plan, these bacon-wrapped meatballs topped with fresh produce and pearl mozzarella are on your diet.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients

We upgraded the O.G. with even *more* summer flavor by adding grilled zucchini to the timeless tomato-basil-mozz combo. We promise you’ll never go back.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes (includes freezing time)
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, make ahead

Rather than going through the trouble of coating and breading the cheese, wonton wrappers are a shortcut to the crunch you crave. The result is the same crispy handhelds you know and love—but for way less effort.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein

This 'za is an excellent way to make the most out of the season's fresh fruit. Store-bought pizza dough allows this summer pie to come together in just one hour.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 40 minutes (includes marinating time)
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Any holiday party is incomplete without finger foods. Consider yourself covered with these tangy, vinegary wings that will disappear in seconds at the cookout. (The secret ingredient to their marinade is pickle brine.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Your favorite restaurant app is surprisingly easy to make at home—and just as delicious. Don't forget lots of sweet chili sauce (or cocktail sauce) for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

These are quick and easy to prepare, and guaranteed to take your cookout to the next level. Thanks to the handy skewers, you won't need chopsticks or forks. (Oh, and if you need help cutting the pineapple...)

• Time Commitment: 8 hours
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, high protein

Ready thine chips, amigas. It's no surprise that these two Mexican dishes pair together so well. Don't let the time commitment deter you: If you start with leftover or store-bought pulled pork, the appetizer will only take you about 40 minutes to prepare.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, gluten free

This riff on the O.G. couldn't be simpler. Just substitute chicken for cauliflower rice, sauté until golden and tender, combine it with the sauces and cheeses and bake to bubbly perfection. Serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips or sliced veggies.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

Think bite-sized balls of store-bought pizza dough, wrapped in slices of salty prosciutto and coated with Parmesan cheese. Mamma mia.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients

All you need is five ingredients and 40 minutes to make this cheesy, elegant recipe. (Oh, and one baking dish.) Think of it as a savory take on pull-apart monkey bread.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

Name a more iconic summer sandwich, we'll wait. Miniature buns mean you'll get the perfect ratio of claw meat to toasted, buttery bread in every bite. Substitute lump crab meat if you can't find cooked lobster.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 55 minutes (includes resting time)
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly

These spring veggies may be past peak deliciousness, but no worries: The recipe calls for frozen spinach and jarred artichokes. They're baked until the pretzels are golden and the dip inside is ooey-gooey.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Piled high with all our favorite savory adds-ons, these little guys are officially our new favorite snack. Even the kids won't mind that they're eating a vegetable, since it's atop a cornbread-like bite of cheesy baked polenta.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, low carb, keto-friendly

Sprouts are the healthiest (and cutest) alternative to buns of all time, don't @ us. Here, they're sandwiched with prosciutto, bite-size mozz and cherry tomatoes.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian

Fries can sit this one out in favorite of this hearty side dish that's prime for serving alongside burgers, dogs, chops or steak. (P.S.: The lemon vinaigrette will keep for a week in the fridge.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Potato salad? Meh. Sliced watermelon? Yawn. Alternatively, these Mexican handhelds will be the talk of the evening. And best of all, you can whip them up in less than an hour.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, <30 minutes

You only *think* you don't like raw broccoli. Trust us: You can’t go wrong with cheese, cashews, onions and dried cranberries tossed in velvety dressing.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly

An easy way to please everyone? Take an all-time favorite food (pizza) and make it bite-sized. Use the prettiest cherry tomatoes from the farmers market—you won't be disappointed.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, no cook

This ten-minute app is as authentically Southern as it gets. The trick is shredding your own sharp cheddar cheese for the optimal silky-smooth texture.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly, vegan

Since no one wants to spend a hot summer's night standing over the stove, this cold soup comes together lickity-split in the blender or food processor instead. Serve with crusty bread and white wine.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein

Char these citrusy, flavorful skewers to perfection, then hand them out to your guests and let them dip their hearts out. (The kids will need plenty of fuel for playing in the sprinkler, after all.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly

Tender pasta + briny artichoke hearts + salty salami + creamy ricotta = every flavor note you could ask for in a pasta salad. The mustard vinaigrette takes it over the top, and you can easily make it a day ahead of the barbecue.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegetarian

Bring the biggest tote bag you own to the farmers market and load up on allllll the heirloom tomatoes, ideally multicolored. Once they're sliced, all you have to do is season them, toast the baguette and spread on the ricotta. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, low carb

You won't find a single drop of mayo in this picnic staple. Instead, we use Greek yogurt, sour cream and Dijon mustard for a dressing that's equal parts creamy, tangy and flavorful. Swapping spuds for cauliflower keeps the carbs low to boot.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly

Even with steak, pulled pork and mac and cheese on deck, we *always* have room for tacos. Kick the party off with this tropical-inspired dish that only takes 20 minutes to prepare. (Here's how to cut a mango without making a slimy mess, BTW.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Cool, refreshing cucumber. Buttery, creamy avocado. Fresh-squeezed lime juice. Allllll the herbs. Need we say more? (If so, maybe the Asiago-encrusted baguette will sway you.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, gluten free

Move aside, meat: Peaches and halloumi cheese are coming in hot for this Insta-worthy salad. Be patient and wait for the char marks to fully develop—the salad will look ten times more impressive.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser

Your guests will be totally wowed when they see this portable take on a seafood boil hit the picnic table—and even more so when they taste the Cajun butter. Just lay out some newspaper and let everyone dig in.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Butter and salt? You can do better than that. Try this zesty combination of mayo, lime juice, chili powder, paprika and Parmesan cheese instead.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, make ahead

We usually prepare a massive pot of mac to serve with pulled pork, ribs and other BBQ mains. But we love the idea of making everyone's favorite side portable and utensil-free.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes (includes marinating time)
• Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

It just might be the most refreshing salad ever created. Even better, it only requires five simple ingredients (and most of them are likely in your kitchen right now).

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, special occasion-worthy

As if the blend of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and yellow bell pepper couldn't get any summerier, the recipe also calls for two juicy peaches for a touch of sweetness. Need we mention the homemade sourdough croutons?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly

It does its namesake justice with all the traditional ingredients (minus the bread, of course). Make an extra batch of the black pepper bacon to serve on burgers or crumble over hot dogs.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

To no one's surprise, veggies just...taste a million times better atop an impeccably crispy pizza crust. The pie is loaded with Italian staples like ricotta, fresh mozz and pepperoncini.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Store-bought rotisserie chicken does it again. Once the chicken is shredded, just toss it in Buffalo sauce with chopped celery and assemble the sliders.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Mind if we fall face-first into this pile of cheesy heaven? It's loaded with all the essentials, from cotija cheese to fresh cilantro to Monterey Jack queso sauce. Who brought the cerveza?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, skillet recipe, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Whether you're serving grilled chicken, pulled pork or seared steak, cornbread is a solid pairing. This one also boasts summer blueberries and brown sugar streusel for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: no cook, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an array of fancy cheeses and fresh fruit. Load it up with all your seasonal faves, from kiwi and watermelon to apricots and plums.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

This light-yet-filling summer appetizer has just the right amount of sweetness and spice to make our mouths water for more. Even better, they’re shockingly easy to make, thanks to frozen puff pastry.