Before you dig into burgers and hot dogs, kick off your holiday family barbecue with these 4th of July appetizers. Follow these easy recipes full of summer’s freshest produce — zucchini, corn, watermelon, and more — to make a flavor-packed party spread that’s just as colorful as it is delicious. It doesn’t matter if you’re feeding a crowd or making something extra special for the fam, we think there’s something that everyone will be able to enjoy on this list.
Whether your family prefers to keep it classic (shall we say, all-American?) with pigs in a blanket and grilled veggies, or go fancy with homemade dip and pasta salad, start your Independence Day menu with these crowd-pleasing party starters. Who knows? You may just find the dish that you’ll be craving before meals all summer long. But remember: Even though eating an entire bowl of guacamole sounds like a good idea, try your best — key word: try — to save room for your BBQ mains, sides, and of course, fruity desserts.
If you’re serving some savory barbecue later on, these sweet-and-savory shrimp kebabs will get every in the mood for more grilled goodness.
Take your average Caprese salads up a notch by pairing tangy goat cheese with ripe and watery heirloom and grape tomatoes.
These mini pancakes give you the perfect amount of egg salad per bite, but that won’t stop your guests from asking for seconds.
These crunchy panko-crusted tomatoes are a savory Southern favorite — but you can enjoy them wherever you live.
It’s not a party without spinach and artichoke dip. This recipe replaces cream cheese with protein-packed cannellini beans for a secretly healthy snack.
With Asian-fusion flavors, these crispy toasts pack a lot of punch in an appetizer-sized bite.
While salsa is often the go-to pre-meal snacking option, this recipe outshines its store-bought equivalents with a unique, smokey taste.
We would say you should definitely save these restaurant-level savory pork wontons with spicy chili oil, but we doubt you’ll have any leftover.
This grilled medley gets a summer makeover thanks to a sweet, herby drizzle.
RELATED: 45 Grilling Recipes That Will Be Your New Summer Favorites
Avocado toast has met its match: Top small slices of crusty bread with greens, cheese, and prosciutto.
Like the potato ones, but summer-friendly. Balance the tot’s fresh flavor with homemade marinara sauce.
RELATED: 40 Healthy and Delicious Zucchini Recipes
When the tomatoes are so fresh, you can’t help but eat an entire plate of ’em — after dressing the fruit with a slightly sweet vinaigrette.
Serve this warm cheese dip with grilled baguettes for the ultimate party starter.
RELATED: 20 Easy Grilled Corn Recipes to Round Out Your Summer BBQ
Sure, you can serve this veggie-packed dish as a vegetarian-friendly main, but you wouldn’t want the non-vegetarians at your party to miss out on its deliciousness, would you?
Summer’s ultimate trio — melon, tomato, and feta — taste even better when paired together. See for yourself.
Wrap up your garden’s bounty in wide zucchini or squash ribbons for a veggie-filled appetizer.
Trade your BBQ wings — just this once, promise — for fresh cucumbers or carrots and dip ’em good.
RELATED: 20+ Easy Chicken Wing Recipes to Make for Super Bowl Sunday
The choice is yours: You can put this four-ingredient spread on just about anything. Bread is best, TBH.
Fresh nectarines make a bold statement when paired with bocconcini mozzarella and sliced prosciutto.
RELATED: 4 Types of Peaches You’ll Be Eating All Summer Long
Roasted red peppers and almonds amp up the flavor in this cheesy pasta salad.
Skip the store-bought options and dip your Naan chips into this creamy goodness instead.
Get the recipe for Grilled Onion Dip »
Are you grilling your avocados yet? If not, 4th of July is the best time to start.
Get the recipe for Smoky Guacamole »
What’s more American than Old Bay? Deviled eggs topped with Old Bay-seasoned shrimp, that’s what.
Get the recipe for Deviled Eggs with Old Bay Shrimp »
For an eye-catching veggie platter, coordinate each sewer by color.
Get the recipe for Rainbow Veggie Kabobs »
Your college staple has received a major (read: healthy) upgrade thanks to fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage.
Get the recipe for Honey-Lime Ramen Salad »
Think of these red, white, and blue bites like a pizza bagel, but fancier.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest »
Nothing says national treasure like pastry-wrapped piggies.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious »
Since you’re always looking for ways to add more sweet corn into your diet come summertime…
Get the recipe from Foodiecrush »
If it screams summer — think: peaches, strawberries, or tomatoes — then it deserves a spot on these mini toasts.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest »
