45 Easy Outdoor Appetizers Made for Sunny Skies

By Southern Living
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Longer days mean more time to eat outdoors, and who doesn’t love an easy outdoor appetizer you can enjoy at barbecues, picnics, and tailgates? This season, commit to learning how to cook some of our easy summer appetizers. Perfect for entertaining outside, this collection of finger food features meats served straight off the grill and cool dips with no-fuss presentations.We’ve got a smorgasboard of options to suit any taste bud. There are easy shrimp recipes for seafood lovers, like our Buttery Garlic Shrimp, or if you’re a TexMex fan, you can spice it up with our Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip. One thing is consistent though: these are all super easy outdoor recipe ideas that are sure to take summer entertaining up a notch.

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When Entertaining Moves Outside, Call on These Easy Apps

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Buttery Garlic Shrimp

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Buttery Garlic Shrimp

Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick appetizer is perfect for last-minute company. When making the sauce in Step 2, whisk in the butter 1 Tbsp. at a time--the key technique in making the sauce velvety.

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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

A Southern spin on a BLT, these heirloom tomato sandwiches are effortless. 

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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Vibrant, freshly tossed fruits and veggies are sure to draw a crowd to the appetizer table. 

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Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Easier than your average app but still impressive enough for a party, this no-cook dish has a tropical twist. 

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Potato Skins

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Potato Skins

A party hit every time, these potatoes take it up a notch with a simple, tangy-spicy sour cream sauce.

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Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

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

 

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Classic Pimiento Cheese

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Basic Pimiento Cheese

This classic Southern recipe is foolproof for a reason. Whether you serve it as a dip, spread, or all by itself, this recipe belongs at every summer gathering.

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Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

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

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Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Two party favorites collide in this reimagined takeout dish. 

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Ham Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Ham Salad

Give your typical warm-weather chicken salad a break with these mini ham salad sandwhich. 

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Rotel Dip

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Rotel Dip

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

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

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

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Mini Shrimp Rolls

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Mini Shrimp Rolls

Mini but mighty, these cute little sandwiches are packed with shrimp, celery, and pickled jalapenos.

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Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines

Fresh asparagus and egg salad make this laid-back finger sandwich a summertime staple. 

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Golden Corn Fritters

Southern Living

Recipe: Golden Corn Fritters

These crispy poppers are reminiscent of hush puppies, just lighter and richer in taste.

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Egg Salad Sandwiches

Jen Causey

Recipe: 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. 

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Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Take a moment to meet your new favorite appetizer. This twist on the classic spinach dip is sure to please even the most particular guests. Just like classic spinach dip, the recipe mixes together spinach, sour cream, and chives to achieve that cool, onion flavor with a kick. 

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Fried Deviled Eggs

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Fried Deviled Eggs

Who says a classic can't be fried? Amp up your everyday deviled egg this summer with a fried crispy coating.

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Watermelon Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Watermelon Salad

Start your party on a bright note with this refreshingly simple salad. 

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Homemade Pretzels

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Homemade Pretzels

Top them off with whatever you'd like, from sesame seeds to kosher salt. 

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Halloumi-and-Summer Vegetable Kebabs

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Halloumi-and-Summer Vegetable Kebabs​​​​​​​

These veggie kabobs with grilled Halloumi cheese are a winning formula for outdoor fun. 

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Mini Potato Skins

Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Mini Potato Skins

Oh-so-poppable and made for summer crowds, this five-ingredient recipe is a no-fail with guests of any age.

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Pork Tenderloin Sliders

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin Sliders

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

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Grilled Pork Meatball Kebabs

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Pork Meatball Kebabs

Get the party started with a masterful balance of sweet and heat.

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Tuna Pasta Salad

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

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

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Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw

You can't go wrong with a tortilla topped with slaw, avocado, and catfish. 

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Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Baked Brie with Jezebel Peaches

Pepper jelly and peaches pair with brie for a dish that was made for the outdoors.
 

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: 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.

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Hush Puppies

Southern Living

Recipe: Hush Puppies

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

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Roasted Broccoli Salad

Southern Living / Ivy Odom

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Salad

Combine the flavors of Dijon, mayo, honey, apple, and fennel for a side that travels easily and is at home anywhere.

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Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve. 

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Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

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

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Pickled Tiny Tomatoes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pickled Tiny Tomatoes

Use a mixture of baby tomatoes such as 'Sweet 100,' 'Yellow Pear,' or 'Sun Gold'—all are available at farmers' markets in summer months. This dish uses 3 pints of tomatoes, but feel free to halve the recipe.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Jen Causey

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

This classic fruit salad is an essential (and super easy) part of any summer spread.

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Deviled Crab Melts

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Deviled Crab Melts

Kick off a summer party with these loaded, crunchy crostinis.

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Grilled Pizza with Summer Veggies and Smoked Chicken

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Grilled Pizza with Summer Veggies and Smoked Chicken

Take pizza off the main table and let summer guests have a slice from the grill during happy hour.

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Corn and Jalapeño Dip

Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Corn and Jalapeño Dip

With sweet corn, spicy jalapeño, and bacon, this loaded dip needs a sturdy chip. 

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Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

If you've never tried homemade ricotta, then you're in for a tasty surprise. This will change the way you think about the store-bought kind. Be sure to stir only when indicated in the recipe.

Watch Us Make It!
Video: Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

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Avocado Fritters with Lime Cream

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Avocado Fritters with Lime Cream

Crispy-on-the-outside and creamy-on-the-inside, these fried avocados are guaranteed to disappear fast.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

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

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Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

Abigail Wilt

Recipe: Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

You won't have to worry about bananas browning before guest arrive with this nostalgic overnight recipe.

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Fig Flatbread

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Fig Flatbread

Turn store-bought pizza dough into a crowd-worthy flatbread that's anything but typical.

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Pickled Shrimp and Vegetables