70 Outdoor Appetizers Perfect For Easy Summer Entertaining

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

A Southern spin on a BLT, these heirloom tomato sandwiches are effortless and make the most of fresh summer tomatoes.

Dill Pickle Dip

Bet you didn't see this one coming, but you'll be so happy to be acquainted. With each bite of this dill pickle dip, you get the juiciness of pickle pieces and the herby tang of fresh dill. 

Peel And Eat Shrimp

If you're looking for something that is always a hit during summer, fresh shrimp is a no-brainer. We’ve paired these shrimp with an easy homemade cocktail sauce spiked with a little barbecue sauce to tame the spicy horseradish.

Peach Salsa

Take chips and salsa up a notch with the fresh peach salsa that makes use of one of our favorite summer fruits. It has a perfect bite of sweetness.

French Dip Sliders

These sliders feature everything you need with French Dip flavors such as roast beef, caramelized onions, creamy provolone cheese, and meaty au jus—in a portable slider form.

Mini Crab Cakes

There's a misconception that crab cakes are difficult to make, but it's actually not true. Our recipe for these bite-sized delicacies only requires a handful of ingredients.

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom cherry tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market. Tangy goat cheese and crusty French bread come together in perfect harmony.

Classic Pimiento Cheese

This basic Southern recipe is foolproof for a reason. Whether you serve it as a dip or mini sandwich, pimiento cheese belongs at every summer gathering.

Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese

Hosting an elegant outdoor summer soirée? Make sure prepare these sophisticated bites.

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Vibrant, freshly tossed fruits and veggies are sure to draw a crowd to the appetizer table. This recipe is easy to throw together.

Blistered Cherry Tomatoes with Red Pepper-Feta Spread

Burst tomatoes are the star here, but the feta dip is incredibly delicious on its own. It calls for red peppers, feta, lemon juice, and garlic for tons of versatile flavor.

Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Grilled to perfection and ready to party, these Cajun skewers come together in under 20 minutes.

Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

This no-cook dish has a tropical twist, thanks to mango, and calls for rotisserie chicken for ultimate ease.

Old Bay Rémoulade with Crudités and Shrimp

This is the appetizer that'll bring you straight to the beach. Test Kitchen pro Ivy Odom developed it with memories of her family's beach house on St. George Island in mind.

Hot Brown Party Rolls

Guests will be enjoying these little sandwiches well after the Kentucky Derby is over.

Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Who needs chips for queso? These grabbable peppers are bite-sized and brimming with cheese.

When Entertaining Moves Outside, Call on These Easy Apps

Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp

With the flavors of a cocktail and appetizer rolled into one, this dish is perfect for setting out a big bowlful on the picnic table, and it won't last long.

Deviled Crab Melts

Kick off a summer party with these loaded, crunchy crostinis topped with crab, tomatoes, and cheese.

Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Serve this baked mix of summer flavor with plenty of your favorite tortilla chips.

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

With just two ingredients, this salty-buttery app is the ultimate party hack for hosts.

Ham Salad

Give your typical warm-weather chicken salad a break with these mini ham salad sandwiches perfect for a summer shower.

Deviled Crab Dip

Celebrate the season with a big batch of seafood dip. Lump crabmeat, cream cheese, and Old Bay seasoning promise to be a crowd-pleasing combination.

Rotel Sausage Dip

In this recipe, simplicity (and Velveeta) is key. Just make sure you have enough chips on hand.

Pickled Watermelon Rind

No summer relish tray would be complete without the addition of pickled watermelon rind, which is both sweet and spicy.

Easy Egg Salad

The great thing about egg salad is that it makes a fantastic appetizer or complete meal. Just serve with your favorite crackers or vegetables.

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip

Why settle for tortilla chips when you can have bacon-wrapped potatoes? It turns a basic queso dip into a heartier appetizer.

Fried Green Tomatoes

A Southern summer classic, this recipe's not-too-heavy batter is the key to getting this appetizer just right.

Ranch Oyster Crackers

Even though they're sneakily simple, our ranch-seasoned crackers might just be the most popular appetizer at any occasion.

Mini Shrimp Rolls

Mini but mighty, these petite sandwiches are packed with shrimp, celery, and pickled jalapeños.

Skillet Taco Dip

You can't go wrong with this hearty beef-and-bean dip that is served with tortilla chips and whichever toppings you prefer.

Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

If you've never tried homemade ricotta, you're in for a tasty surprise. This will change the way you think about the store-bought kind, and the whole dip recipe only calls for six ingredients.

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders

Packing a lot of saucy punch for a slider, this recipe instantly makes BBQ brisket achievable for home cooks thanks to your slow cooker.

Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines

Fresh asparagus and egg salad make for a laid-back finger sandwich that is a sneaky hit.

Mini Muffulettas

Stuffed with layers of cheese, cold cut, and pickled vegetables, these crowd-pleasers are also easy to prep the day before.

Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

This chilled twist on classic spinach dip is sure to please even the most particular guests. Just like the usual recipes, this rendition mixes together spinach, sour cream, and chives to achieve that onion flavor with a kick.

Egg Salad Sandwiches

A summer picnic staple, these finger sandwiches are made with the usual suspects—celery, pickle relish, and mayonnaise—but they have a few unexpected additions, too.

Fried Deviled Eggs

Who says you can't switch things up? Amp up your everyday deviled egg with a fried crispy coating.

Mini Potato Skins

Easy to transport and made for a crowd, this five-ingredient recipe is a no-fail with guests of any age.

Pork Tenderloin Sliders

Mustard-and-thyme-marinated pork tenderloin on dinner rolls makes for a hearty handful ready for any al fresco affair.

Tuna Pasta Salad

This fresh take on an old-school tuna pasta salad is as bright as the season.

Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Pepper jelly and peaches pair with brie for a dish that never fails to look elegant on any spread.

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Tossed in a simple vinaigrette, this multicolored mix of cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls comes together in a snap.

Easy Hush Puppies

One of the ultimate Southern finger foods, these hush puppies were made for an outdoor party.

Pickled Tiny Tomatoes

Use a mixture of baby tomatoes from the farm stand to make this dish. These are perfect for an appetizer bite that bursts with flavor, or as a garnish alongside a meal.

Fresh Fruit Salad

This basic fruit salad in a simple dressing can be served with toothpicks for cool snacking.

Corn and Jalapeño Dip

With sweet corn, spicy jalapeño, and bacon, this packed-full dip needs a sturdy chip, such as a Frito Scoop.

Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

You won't have to worry about bananas browning before guests arrive with this nostalgic overnight recipe that you can serve as a side dish or as a snack in miniature cups.

Fig Flatbread

Turn store-bought pizza dough into a crowd-worthy flatbread that's anything but typical with figs and a generous drizzle of balsamic.

Golden Corn Fritters

These crispy poppers are reminiscent of hush puppies, just lighter and richer in taste. Use fresh summer corn, cut fresh from the cob.

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Two party favorites collide in this reimagined takeout dish that will disappear quick at any party.

Party Poppers

With just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night. For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapeños.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

With the help of store-bought King's Hawaiian Rolls, you'll have tender little sandwiches that serve as the best individual appetizers on the table in no time.

Shrimp-and-Andouille Gumbo Dip

Warm weather might not call for a steaming bowl of stew, but you can transform beloved gumbo into a dip that slides perfectly onto the appetizer table.

Carrot-Tahini Dip

Instead of traditional hummus, try this summer-hued Carrot-Tahini dip instead. Serve with crackers or veggies.

Skillet Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Serve this dip right in the skillet for easy transport. If you find yourself with any leftover dip, try folding it into cooked pasta as a sauce with a little added milk or pasta water.

Kale-Citrus Salad with Bacony Pecans

Bright pops of orange and watermelon radish slices make this sunny salad a delight at the next cookout. Serve in small cups for snacking.

Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip

It turns out the Southern sandwich staple makes a mean dip. Be sure to serve with plenty of buttery crackers, because you won't be able to keep up with the demand.

Marinated Field Pea Relish

This simple relish actually makes for a delicious dip with tortilla chips. It takes the humble field pea and elevates it to something special.

Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta

Start any al fresco meal off on the right note with juicy summer peaches and a spicy vinaigrette. Serve in halves on a bed of arugula for a more put-together appetizer presentation.

Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad with Ricotta and Summer Herbs

Charred peppers, creamy ricotta, herby marinade—consider this the easy outdoor appetizer you didn't know you needed.

Cucumber-Chickpea Salad with Feta-Mint Vinaigrette

Here's the ultimate refresher for a summer luncheon. Crisp rounds of cucumber, hearty chickpeas, and a fresh, minty vinaigrette will please everyone while leaving room for the main meal.

Deviled Potatoes

It's not really a Southern gathering without some form of potato salad, though this rendition is a bit unique. These two-bite wonders are a combination of deviled eggs and potato salad.

Tangy Rainbow Slaw

Sweet apples, crisp cabbage, and cilantro create a vibrant slaw that aims to please, while being packed with nutritional value, too. Serve in small cups as an appetizer or alongside a meal.

Creamy Avocado Dip

If your crowd loves guacamole, try serving them this creamy, tangy take. The secret? Sour cream and mayonnaise make for a rich dip.

Kimchi-Sesame Slaw

While kimchi and sesame oil put a definitive spin on the classic slaw, the creamy mayo dressing adds the familiar richness and consistency of a beloved side and snack.

Deviled Egg-Potato Salad

Deviled eggs and potato salad are two undeniable Southern mainstays. We've combined the two into a decadent appetizer that you can serve in individual cups.

Crack Crackers

It's all in the name. If you manage to stop yourself from eating an entire bowlful, you might be the only one.

Smoked Fish Dip

It's a one-bowl dip that'll keep hungry hands away from the grill until the patties are ready.

Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

No prosciutto? Feel free to substitute for country ham instead. Don't forget a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze for a tangy-sweet touch.

Southern-Style Potato Salad

Cover your bases with a traditional potato salad. Mayonnaise? Check. Hard-boiled eggs? Check. Celery, sweet pickle relish, mustard, and bacon? Check!