55 Easy 4th of July Appetizers to Kick off Your Independence Day Party
The best summer party apps hit all the marks: maximum flavor, minimal prep time, and always on-theme.
Before you fire up the grill or slice your red, white, and blue sheet cake, you'll want to fill your picnic table with delicious appetizers to get your Fourth of July party rollin'. The perfect finger foods are easy to prepare, and incorporate festive food for a patriotic experience. Of course, you probably don't want your guests filling up on dip and sliders before the main dishes come out, but it's still a nice idea to have a few apps available for everyone to snack on — perhaps with a refreshing drink in hand. The best 4th of July appetizers hit all the marks: maximum flavor, minimal prep time, and always on-theme.
When planning your 4th of July menu, think about incorporating your favorite summer foods in creative ways. Whether that means a fruity pizza, a festival-themed snack, or an all-red summer salad, 4th of July appetizers are meant to strike that perfect balance of light but filling — so your guests can save room for the firework-decorated cookies, but won't be hungry as they wait for the burgers to be ready. The majority of these recipes are super quick to prepare, so you can come back to them time and time again throughout the summer, even after you've taken down your red, white, and blue decorations.
Corn Pups
It's easier than you think to whip up these cute, carnival-style treats at home.
Get the Corn Pups recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Pizza may be traditionally thought of as a main dish, but it's actually the perfect appetizer food. Slices are easy to transport, and it's a food that almost everyone loves. A win-win.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe.
Tomatillo Salsa
Having chips and salsa at a summer party is often a given, but homemade salsa really brings things to another level. This recipe only involves three ingredients, so what are you waiting for?
Get the Tomatillo Salsa recipe.
Strawberry Tamales
Summertime calls for sweet corn and fresh strawberries. And yes, you can use both in the same dish with this delicious take on tamales. Add blueberries on top for a red, white, and blue theme.
Get the Strawberry Tamales recipe.
Caramelized Lemon Dip
A veggie tray is always a good idea to have at a party. It's great for people with various dietary restrictions, and it's colorful and fun, too. This dip is the perfect pairing for any variety of veggies, pita, or chips.
Get the Caramelized Lemon Dip recipe.
Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites
Add a spicy kick to your 4th of July menu with these pretzel bites stuffed with cream cheese, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, and green jalapeños.
Get the Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites recipe.
Hot Double-Onion Cheese Dip
Although it takes almost an hour for this dip to be ready, the taste will be worth it and your guests will be asking for the recipe on their way out.
Get the Hot Double-Onion Cheese Dip recipe.
Sloppy Joe Sliders
These mini sloppy Joes come together in 30 minutes. Dare you to eat just one!
Get the Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe.
Fried Pickles
Deviled Egg Sailboats
Hoist the sails with tortilla chips, celery leaves, sliced pepper, or onion. To keep the cucumber from falling over, stake it with a celery stick.
Get the Deviled Egg Sailboats recipe.
Smoked Salmon Bites
Potato chips are the base for this fancy-but-not-too-fancy recipe.
Get the Smoked Salmon Bites recipe.
Smoky Grilled Chicken Wings
Add a touch of honey to the Buffalo sauce to caramelize these wings. You might want to double this recipe because it's just that good.
Get the Smoky Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Sweet Potato Skins
Everyone likes potato skins, and this cool new take on the classic app will take your party snacks to the next level.
Get the Sweet Potato Skins recipe.
Whipped Feta with Cucumber
You can prepare this creamy six-ingredient dip for your guests to enjoy while the meat is grilling.
Get the Whipped Feta with Cucumber recipe.
Salami-Wrapped Melon with Basil
This sweet and salty snack is so easy to make. Enlist your kids to put these mini skewers together after you've cut up the cantaloupe.
Mediterranean Zucchini Boats with Kefir-Mint Topping
Keep the summer theme alive with these veggie boats — regardless of if you'll be eating them boatside or not.
Get the Mediterranean Zucchini Boats with Kefir-Mint Topping recipe.
Watermelon Pizza
Add some smokiness to watermelon by grilling it for just 2 minutes. You'll get hooked.
Get the Watermelon Pizza recipe at Good Housekeeping.
Tomato and Corn Salad
Tomato and corn are summer's dynamic duo in the food realm. Hands down.
Get the Tomato and Corn Salad recipe.
Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs
Take advantage of fresh fruit and create frozen kebabs — they're perfect for cooling down on hot summer days!
Get the Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs recipe.
Lentil Hummus
Give this crowd-favorite appetizer a makeover by using lentils rather than chickpeas and topping it with red pepper flakes.
Get the Lentil Hummus recipe.
Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Refinery 29, Glamour, Byrdie, Apartment Therapy, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. When she's not reading (or talking about reading on Bad on Paper, the bookish podcast she co-hosts), you can find Olivia working on her first novel, curating the perfect playlist, or shopping online.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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