Summer appetizers for the holiday table – recipes with photos

Get inspired by this collection of delicious summer appetizer recipes for your holiday table—canapés, sandwiches, spreads, dips, and meat and vegetable appetizers perfect for a large gathering or a feast.

Deviled eggs

Save room for this classic buffet appetizer—it's guaranteed to be a hit at your party.

Recipe: Deviled eggs

Guacamole

Alton's guacamole uses avocados mashed until smooth, bringing out the vibrant flavor and texture of the tomato and onion.

Recipe: Guacamole

Bruschetta

The main ingredient of this compact appetizer is red and green grapes. Add a little garlic, oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil to the juicy fruit, then spoon the filling onto toasted baguette slices.

Recipe: Bruschetta

Salsa

Why buy pre-made salsa when you can easily make fresh, spicy salsa at home? Alton's secret ingredient is aromatic, medium-hot dried ancho chiles.

Recipe: Salsa

Hushpuppies

Ayesha's crispy dumplings are the perfect way to start a summer fish picnic, and the best part is they're ready in less than 30 minutes.

Recipe: Hushpuppies

Chicken wings baked in plum glaze

For a unique flavor, Rachel glazes her chicken wings with an Asian ginger sauce.

Recipe: Chicken wings baked in plum glaze

Baked Zucchini with Parmesan Crust

Photo of the dish - Baked zucchini in a Parmesan crust

Keep this classic vegetable appetizer recipe on hand. It's delicious on its own (and sure to please french fry lovers), but also pairs well with dips and additional toppings.

Recipe: Baked Zucchini with Parmesan Crust

Caesar Salad with Anchovy Paste in Bread Baskets

This buffet version of the classic salad is served in crispy toasted bread baskets.

Recipe: Caesar Salad with Anchovy Paste in Bread Baskets

Deep-fried zucchini in cheese breading

Photo of the dish - Deep-fried zucchini in a cheese crust

Roast fresh zucchini for a crisp, Italian-style appetizer.

Recipe: Deep-fried zucchini in cheese breading

Spring rolls with chicken and peanut dip

Using a shredder, slice the vegetables into very thin slices, then achieve zen while stuffing and rolling each roll. This takes time and practice, so have a couple of spare sheets of rice paper on hand in case any rip.

Recipe: Spring rolls with chicken and peanut dip

Bacon-wrapped shrimp with barbecue glaze

Photo of the dish - Shrimp wrapped in bacon, with barbecue glaze

Kick off your summer party with bacon-wrapped shrimp kebabs and chipotle BBQ dipping sauce.

Recipe: Bacon-wrapped shrimp with barbecue glaze

Chinese-style chicken breasts on lettuce leaves

The fried filling in this appetizer from Rachel is crispy, colorful, and rich with the flavor of orange and hoisin sauce.

Recipe: Chinese-style chicken breasts on lettuce leaves

Giant prawns stuffed with cilantro and chili pepper

Juicy shrimp are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of garlic, jalapeño, green onion, and cilantro, which also adds a pop of color to this appetizer.

Recipe: Giant prawns stuffed with cilantro and chili pepper

Grilled oysters with mignonette sauce, herbs, and chili peppers

When opening oysters, leave as much juice in the shell as possible to keep them moist. If you don't have fresh cilantro, chives or tarragon will also work for the herb-jalapeno sauce.

Recipe: Grilled oysters with mignonette sauce, herbs, and chili peppers

Guacamole sauce

Ina is a fan of guacamole, and this recipe is proof of that. Her version of the Tejano classic uses fresh lemon juice and a generous helping of hot sauce.

Recipe: Guacamole sauce

Asian-Style Marinated Fried Chicken Thighs

Grill marinated chicken kebabs until lightly charred and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Recipe: Asian-Style Marinated Fried Chicken Thighs

Beef tenderloin shashlik with vegetables

Enjoy a steak and potato skewered dinner! Tender fingerling potatoes and a tangy balsamic reduction make a stunning combination.

Recipe: Beef tenderloin shashlik with vegetables

Watermelon salsa sauce

This 15-minute salsa is light, fresh, and versatile. Using watermelon instead of tomatoes, we create a mild salsa that pairs well with everything from tacos to pita chips.

Recipe: Watermelon salsa sauce

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Slider burgers with a juicy beef patty

No summer party would be complete without a favorite appetizer: grilled burgers. Make these mini sandwiches with beef and ground pork, lettuce, caramelized onions, cheese, and a delicious sauce.

Recipe: Slider burgers with a juicy beef patty

Stuffed potatoes filled with Spanish romesco sauce

Photo of the dish - Stuffed potatoes with Spanish romesco sauce

Scoop out the flesh from halved new potatoes and stuff with romesco sauce, sour cream and crispy serrano ham pieces.

Recipe: Stuffed potatoes filled with Spanish romesco sauce

Chicken thigh shashlik with pineapple

Give your picnic a tropical flair with Tyler's island-inspired kebabs. He coats the meat with sauce while it's grilling, caramelizing the BBQ sauce right onto the chicken and pineapple.

Recipe: Chicken thigh shashlik with pineapple

Breaded zucchini squash

Here, the zucchini is sliced into rounds, but you can also cut it into wedges like French fries. The seasonings and homemade ranch dressing give the vegetable a vibrant flavor, no matter the shape.

Recipe: Breaded zucchini squash

Grilled chicken wrapped in bacon on skewers

Top grilled chicken with prosciutto and fontina cheese. The tender meat develops a crispy crust on the grill, and the cheese melts, imparting a subtle nutty flavor to every bite.

Recipe: Grilled chicken wrapped in bacon on skewers

Chicken and Avocado Cream Flautas

Photo of the dish - Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream

This version of a favorite holiday treat will liven up your party.

Recipe: Chicken and Avocado Cream Flautas

Pan-Asian pork shashlik in coconut marinade

These tender, citrus-flavored pork kebabs will add a tropical touch to your picnic.

Recipe: Pan-Asian pork shashlik in coconut marinade

Fried shrimp with lemon

Rachel's grilled shrimp are so simple and delicious. If you don't have a grill, you can bake the shrimp over medium heat.

Recipe: Fried shrimp with lemon

Bacon-wrapped shrimp with polenta and pineapple sauce

A Food Network reader won the magazine's contest with this creative recipe. Pineapple is cooked with polenta and also used in a shrimp marinade.

Recipe: Bacon-wrapped shrimp with polenta and pineapple sauce

Crispy Buffalo Zucchini in the Oven

This crispy blue cheese and hot sauce appetizer is reminiscent of the popular buffalo wings, but is also vegetarian-friendly.

Recipe: Crispy Buffalo Zucchini in the Oven

Pickles

Alton offers a very simple method for making pickled cucumbers. You just need to be patient: the cucumbers marinate for several days.

Recipe: Pickles

Grilled scallops and yellow zucchini with curry seasoning

The vibrant color of the curried scallops is complemented by their bold flavor and attractive yellow zucchini.

Recipe: Grilled scallops and yellow zucchini with curry seasoning

Deep-fried green tomatoes with spicy mayonnaise

Summer is green tomato season, and this recipe from Trisha Yearwood is perfect for it. It makes a delicious appetizer for a crowd. The creamy dipping sauce adds a pleasant tangy note.

Recipe: Deep-fried green tomatoes with spicy mayonnaise

Asian Beef Wraps

Sunny's appetizer is ready in less than half an hour, and most of the ingredients are usually readily available in any kitchen. Serve the beef filling in a large bowl with lettuce leaves on the side so guests can assemble their own appetizer.

Recipe: Asian Beef Wraps

Gazpacho with shrimp

Garnish Rachel's traditional gazpacho soup with grilled shrimp, avocado slices, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and cilantro leaves.

Recipe: Gazpacho with shrimp

Summer rolls with shrimp and peanut dipping sauce

Soak rice paper in water until it becomes pliable, and fill it with shrimp, noodles, herbs, cucumber, green onions, and lettuce. Fold the bottom edge of the paper over the filling, then fold the edges inward and roll tightly. Serve with homemade peanut sauce.

Recipe: Summer rolls with shrimp and peanut dipping sauce

Thai Pork Satay

Bobby marinates the pork for several hours to tenderize it and serves it with a delicious peanut sauce.

Recipe: Thai Pork Satay

Grilled Brie Cheese with Pineapple Wrapped in Bacon

A favorite appetizer gets a tropical twist. Serve this sweet and salty treat with a traditional cheese platter.

Recipe: Grilled Brie Cheese with Pineapple Wrapped in Bacon

Italian piadina flatbread with cheese and prosciutto

Photo of the dish - Italian piadina with cheese and prosciutto

As Giada puts it, "Piadina is similar to pizza, but the crust doesn't rise and it's usually grilled—it turns out crispy with a nice smoky flavor. You can use anything for the toppings. This sauce-free version is typical of northern Italy, where piadina is especially popular."

Recipe: Italian piadina flatbread with cheese and prosciutto

Fried Shrimp in Bibb Lettuce Bowls

Appetizers in "envelopes" are great for summer because they're light and easy to eat. Make shrimp with a lemon vinaigrette and peanut chunks and serve on Bibb lettuce leaves.

Recipe: Fried Shrimp in Bibb Lettuce Bowls

Queso fundido with chorizo sausage

Top the Monterey Jack and mozzarella dip with fried chorizo and sliced jalapeños.

Recipe: Queso fundido with chorizo sausage

Picadillo Slider Sandwiches

These Cuban-style sandwiches pair well with Merlot. The briny olives, garlicky mayonnaise, and acidity of the tomatoes enhance the wine's fruitiness, while the caramelized onions and raisins highlight its warm, spicy flavor.

Recipe: Picadillo Slider Sandwiches

Pineapple appetizer on lettuce leaves with Thai sauce

Add classic Thai flavors like lime, chili paste, cilantro, and peanuts to juicy pineapple and serve in crisp lettuce leaves.

Recipe: Pineapple appetizer on lettuce leaves with Thai sauce

Margarita Chicken Kebab

Photo of the dish - Chicken kebab in Margarita marinade

Sandra's easy-to-make mini kebabs are bursting with flavor thanks to a tequila-lime marinade.

Recipe: Margarita Chicken Kebab

Summer salsa with tequila

Liven up your party with this tomato salsa: familiar ingredients are topped with a splash of silver tequila for a more grown-up twist.

Recipe: Summer salsa with tequila

Crostini with grilled sausages and onions in balsamic syrup

One bite of this appetizer packs a punch of the main course's flavors: baguette slices topped with creamy ricotta, fried shallot relish, and sweet Italian sausage.

Recipe: Crostini with grilled sausages and onions in balsamic syrup

New England-Style Steamed Clams

Take a couple of kilograms of shellfish, boil them in a fragrant broth and dip them in melted butter: this appetizer is ideal at any time.

Recipe: New England-Style Steamed Clams

Pork and Grapefruit Salsa Wraps

Photo of the dish - Pork Wraps with Grapefruit Salsa

Thanks to grapefruit, chili sauce, ginger, and fish sauce, this dish offers a vibrant palette of flavors, from sweet to spicy. The pork and nuts add texture and heartiness.

Recipe: Pork and Grapefruit Salsa Wraps

Pineapple, Ginger, and Habanero Salsa

This isn't your average fruit salsa—Bobby adds fresh ginger and habanero peppers to the pineapple mixture, adding a spicy kick. Serve the salsa with tortilla chips as an appetizer or top grilled salmon for a main course.

Recipe: Pineapple, Ginger, and Habanero Salsa

Shrimp and Okra Skewers

The unusual combination of sherry and seafood spices gives the butter a piquant sweet flavour with subtle hints of toffee.

Recipe: Shrimp and Okra Skewers

Grilled clams with green onions and cucumber

"I think there's nothing better than being able to cook food in its natural shell to preserve the rich, authentic, and simple flavor," says Alex. "Clams require patience: sometimes they take several minutes to open on the grill. I've noticed that when I get tired of waiting and turn away, that's exactly when they open."

Recipe: Grilled clams with green onions and cucumber

Nachos with cheese, beans and grilled chorizo sausage

This foil-wrapped appetizer is quick to prepare and perfect for a summer barbecue. Since it's individual portions, guests can customize the toppings to their liking.

Recipe: Nachos with cheese, beans and grilled chorizo sausage

Summer pizzetta with peaches, burrata cheese, arugula and crispy grilled ham

These summer mini pizzas are filled with caramelized peaches, creamy burrata cheese, Serrano ham, and arugula. Use pre-made pizza dough to make an easy treat for a crowd.

Recipe: Summer pizzetta with peaches, burrata cheese, arugula and crispy grilled ham

Grilled shrimp with soy sauce, fresh ginger and garlic

Bobby makes an unforgettable version of the beloved shrimp scampi, adding ginger and soy sauce to the traditional creamy garlic dressing.

Recipe: Grilled shrimp with soy sauce, fresh ginger and garlic

Grilled Corn Salsa

Photo of the dish - Salsa with grilled corn

Grilled corn and tomatoes give this salsa a sweet, smoky flavor.

Recipe: Grilled Corn Salsa

Chicken sauté with peanut sauce

This Thai restaurant dish is easy to make at home. Leftover homemade peanut sauce can be added to noodles or rice.

Recipe: Chicken sauté with peanut sauce

Bacon-Wrapped Chili Peppers with Cheese

Photo of the dish - Chili peppers with cheese, wrapped in bacon

Sandra Lee grills jalapeños stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chili Peppers with Cheese

Grilled goat cheese in grape leaves

This summer, we're grilling everything, even delicate goat cheese! Grape leaves, which impart their flavor, are perfect for this.

Recipe: Grilled goat cheese in grape leaves

Sea bass and shrimp ceviche with serrano peppers, mango, smoked tomatoes and crispy banana chips

Cold-smoked tomatoes add depth of flavor to this tropical, spicy seafood dish, while plantain chips provide a sweet note and crunchy texture.

Recipe: Sea bass and shrimp ceviche with serrano peppers, mango, smoked tomatoes and crispy banana chips

Italian Mini Club Sandwiches

Despite their size, Giada's sandwiches are packed with flavors of turkey, provolone cheese, bacon, and pesto.

Recipe: Italian Mini Club Sandwiches

Pizzetti with salami, tomatoes and basil

Roll the homemade dough into 7.5 cm circles and lightly grease each with herb butter. Fill with soppressata salami, tomato slices, Parmesan, and basil.

Recipe: Pizzetti with salami, tomatoes and basil

Panini with mozzarella and olive tapenade

Mini sandwiches are a great party appetizer any time of year. Michael Chiarello makes grilled paninis with olive tapenade.

Recipe: Panini with mozzarella and olive tapenade

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Marcela de-seeds jalapeños, then stuffs them with mozzarella and wraps them in bacon. Grilling crisps the outside while keeping the center chewy and tender.

Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Avocado sauce "Guacamole"

Make restaurant-style guacamole at home. It's best served fresh, so prepare it just before your guests arrive. If you want to bring guacamole to a party, bring the ingredients with you and have it ready when you arrive.

Recipe: Avocado sauce "Guacamole"

Crostini with figs, honey ricotta and hazelnuts

Top toasted or grilled baguette slices with ricotta cheese, toasted hazelnuts, and honey for a simple, unforgettable appetizer.

Recipe: Crostini with figs, honey ricotta and hazelnuts

Hummus with chili pepper

Bobby adds sautéed jalapeños to his hummus, leaving the lumps. This version is spicier and more filling than the traditional version.

Recipe: Hummus with chili pepper

Layered grilled potato and goat cheese appetizer

Bobby's Napoleons are an elegant picnic dish, and the recipe is incredibly simple. Boil the potatoes, then grill them until done.

Recipe: Layered grilled potato and goat cheese appetizer

Stuffed peppers with minced meat

Roast small red and yellow bell peppers in a skillet until the skins are puffed, then stuff them with ground pork and Muenster cheese for a smoky flavor. Cook the meat in the same skillet, saving time by baking it in the oven.

Recipe: Stuffed peppers with minced meat

Cold summer cucumber and melon soup

Instead of a salad, make Tyler's cold cucumber and melon soup. Serrano peppers add a touch of heat, and low-fat yogurt provides a creamy base.

Recipe: Cold summer cucumber and melon soup

Bruschetta with figs, ricotta cheese and ham

Spread ricotta on grilled bread slices, then top with a leaf of arugula. Top with prosciutto and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Recipe: Bruschetta with figs, ricotta cheese and ham

Cold gazpacho soup with strawberries

Cleaning out your fridge can be fun: use leftover vegetables to make Ree's easy summer gazpacho soup.

Recipe: Cold gazpacho soup with strawberries

Bruschetta with roasted peppers and goat cheese

This bright and colorful bruschetta is a simple appetizer for both spontaneous get-togethers and boisterous summer parties.

Recipe: Bruschetta with roasted peppers and goat cheese

Lemon and Shishito Pepper Chicken Skewers

Shishito peppers taste like a cross between a bell pepper and a jalapeño. They're generally not spicy, but about 1 in 10 will be. Regardless, they're a great complement to chicken seasoned with garlic and lemon.

Recipe: Lemon and Shishito Pepper Chicken Skewers

Deep-fried beer-battered zucchini spirals

Photo of the dish - Deep-fried zucchini spirals in beer batter

Before your very eyes, a single small zucchini will become a whole plate of fried spirals—no less delicious than a fairground treat. If desired, you can use a stronger beer, such as a pale ale, for the batter.

Recipe: Deep-fried beer-battered zucchini spirals

White Bean Puree with Pita Chips

Blend canned white beans with garlic, lemon, and olive oil. This flavorful and simple dip can be served with homemade pita chips or sliced vegetables.

Recipe: White Bean Puree with Pita Chips

Zucchini nachos

You don't have to use tortilla chips: regular zucchini can be baked into crispy rounds and then topped with jalapeños, avocado, pico de gallo, and other ingredients.

Recipe: Zucchini nachos

Grilled Bacon and Corn Crostini

Photo of the dish - Crostini with bacon and grilled corn

The smoky flavor of grilled corn pairs well with the bacon, and the chili peppers add a spicy kick.

Recipe: Grilled Bacon and Corn Crostini

Zucchini Disco Fries with Sauce and Cheese

You know that satisfying feeling you get when you order fries with meat sauce and bacon at a diner? This is a "lighter" version with zucchini, but the taste is just as good as the original.

Recipe: Zucchini Disco Fries with Sauce and Cheese

Crispy Cajun Zucchini Sticks

The combination of breadcrumbs and cornmeal makes these Louisiana-inspired zucchini sticks extra crispy. Serve in a cute paper cup at any outdoor party.

Recipe: Crispy Cajun Zucchini Sticks

Grilled mushroom and truffle cheese flatbread

You can use ready-made pizza dough to save time, or make a simple dough using this recipe. Grill the flatbread for 2 minutes on each side. Then top with oyster mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and truffle cheese sauce.

Recipe: Grilled mushroom and truffle cheese flatbread

Bacon-wrapped peppers with cheese filling

Instead of fried jalapeños, try this oven-baked appetizer from Aarti. She stuffs the pepper halves with a light cream cheese spread, apple, and green onions, then wraps them in bacon slices.

Recipe: Bacon-wrapped peppers with cheese filling