65 4th of July Appetizers for the Ultimate Summer Celebration

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 4

"Inspired by the flavors of pai huang gua, a Chinese cucumber salad that’s seasoned with rice vinegar, chili oil and soy sauce, this recipe is everything I want in a side dish," explains PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. The cukes are shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler (or mandoline) to give the salad an elegant look.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

"My version of the upside-down pastry that took over food TikTok features a blackberry-Brie combination that’s a little bit sweet, a touch savory and as easy to devour as it is to assemble," Gillen writes. "I highly recommend serving them on the patio with a Hugo spritz for the full effect."

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 8

"My take on French onion dip is made with deeply savory caramelized onions and tastes just as obsession-worthy as the original...but with a little more class," Gillen says. "This recipe calls for julienned onions—aka long, thin matchsticks—but don’t be intimidated by the cheffy term."

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 16

"These look fancy but take all of ten minutes to put together and will disappear from your game watch party in even less," Gillen writes. Same goes for your 4th of July cookout. Store-bought puff pastry never looked so good (and picky kids won't be able to resist).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

It's already an inferno outside—skip the deep-frying, will ya? You can still get a drool-worthy crunch without it. "The trick is to dredge the wings in baking powder before popping them in the oven, which reacts with the skin and jumpstarts the browning process," Gillen explains. "You can make them even crispier by baking them on top of a wire cooling rack, but a sheet pan works fine, too."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

This may look like winter comfort food to you, but like hamburgers, hot dogs and sloppy joes, there's something distinctly nostalgic and American about chili pot pie that makes it a summer staple. "A simple, quick skillet chili is divvied into ramekins, a cheese-laced topper is nestled into each serving and it's baked until golden brown and bubbling," Gillen says. Any questions?

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Yogurt dip is a 4th of July appetizer that everyone can get behind. This one is topped with a spicy, herb-infused olive oil (which is initially used to frizzle shredded carrots) and crunchy pistachios. "For thicker results with the most pronounced swirl of oil, choose a naturally thick Greek yogurt—such as Fage—or swap in sour cream or labneh," Gillen suggests.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Make this dressing once and you'll never look at store-bought ranch the same way again. It's positively packed with fresh parsley, dill, chives and lemon juice, the ultimate pairings for tangy sour cream and buttermilk. "With biting radicchio and frisée (plus tart apples and pistachios), this salad checks all the right boxes," Gillen adds.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Mayo? I don't know her. "This caprese pasta salad has all the beloved flavors of Italian antipasto (juicy tomatoes, creamy cheese, fresh basil and bright balsamic vinegar), plus the picnic-friendly portability of a cookout side," explains Gillen.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

"Put it in pasta salad, make it a taco, class it up with salmon—the combination of bacon, lettuce and tomato simply can’t be topped," raves Gillen. And this crowd-pleasing, entertainment-worthy entrée, starring homemade pie crust, is delicious proof. Substitute store-bought dough if you're pressed for time.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

"Ranch dressing is delicious, and it deserves a spot on the table," asserts Gillen. What better way to get the condiment in on the barbecue fun than with this 4th of July appetizer that can be made ahead and kept in the fridge until the big day? Trick question, there isn't one.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This sweet, tangy salad begins on the grill. The char marks offer pleasant smokiness to the watermelon, plus there are no bowls to clean afterward. Now that’s what I call a win-win. I promise you won't miss the tomatoes or fresh mozz.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 40

This lighter take on the classic will leave plenty of room for all those hot dogs and burgers to come. Serve these minis with plenty of green goddess dip (and ketchup or honey mustard for the picky eaters).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

You'll only need to cook the caramelized balsamic onions; the rest is just assembly. Don't fuss over the arrangement—a random presentation is the best way to convey a relaxed vineyard vibe. I'll bring the wine.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 20

This is a fun twist on a party favorite that you'll serve at every BBQ you host from now until forever, guaranteed. Buttery avocado makes the filling extra creamy. And you won't have to worry about them sitting in the sun for too long, since they'll get gobbled up in 30 seconds flat.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

The sweet-and-spicy chicken cooks to completion in the handy Crockpot to keep from heating up your whole house via oven. Save time preparing this crowd-pleasing 4th of July appetizer by starting with shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 3

Grilling the avocados before mashing them gives this dip a delicious, smoky flavor that screams summer. Might I suggest making this guacamole a permanent part of your Taco Tuesday lineup?

• Time Commitment: varies
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: varies

How many seasonal ingredients can you fit onto a grilled baguette, you ask? I say the possibilities are endless. Try pairing blue cheese with grilled peaches, goat cheese and balsamic with fresh cherries or cheddar with blueberry jam—and that's just for starters.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

All you need to season the peppers, onions, eggplant and squash are salt, pepper and olive oil. Toss the veggies on the grill and you've got your own Mediterranean-style antipasti. Don't skimp on the tangy yogurt sauce (it's kinda the best part).

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

Simply lay out your tostada shells, spread them with a spoonful of canned refried black beans, layer a few slices of avocado, add the salsa and sprinkle on the queso fresco. Doesn't get easier than that, amigas.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 8

Because everything tastes better when it’s mini (and crowned with avocado). If you're on keto or another low-carb meal plan, these bacon-wrapped meatballs, topped with fresh produce and pearl mozzarella, are certainly on your diet.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Behold: summer on a plate. The O.G. is upgraded with even *more* seasonal splendor with the addition of grilled zucchini to the timeless tomato-basil-mozz combo. I promise you’ll never go back.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 8

Rather than going through the trouble of coating and breading the cheese, wonton wrappers are a clever, time-saving shortcut to the crunch you crave. The result is the same crispy handheld you know and love—but for way less effort.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

This pie is an excellent way to make the most out of the season's fresh fruit. Store-bought pizza dough allows this summer pizza to come together in just one hour. Feel free to substitute nectarines (or even add blackberries) to the top. Fresh mint or basil would be nice, too.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 40 minutes (includes marinating time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 3

Any holiday party is incomplete without finger foods. Consider yourself covered with these tangy, vinegary chicken wings that will disappear in seconds at the cookout. (Shhh, the secret ingredient to their marinade is pickle brine.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Your favorite restaurant starter is surprisingly easy to make at home—and just as delicious when served as a 4th of July appetizer. Don't forget lots of sweet chili sauce (or cocktail sauce) for dipping, and ketchup or ranch for the kids.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

These are quick and easy to prepare, and guaranteed to take your cookout to the next level. Thanks to the handy skewers, you won't need chopsticks or forks. (Oh, and if you need help cutting the pineapple, I've got you covered.)

• Time Commitment: 8 hours
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, high protein
• Serves: 6

Ready thine chips. It's no surprise that these two Mexican dishes pair together so well. Don't let the time commitment deter you: If you start with leftover or store-bought pulled pork, the 4th of July appetizer will only take you about 40 minutes to prepare.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 4 to 6

This riff on the O.G. couldn't be simpler. Just substitute chicken for cauliflower rice, sauté until golden and tender, combine it with the sauces and cheeses and bake to bubbly perfection. Serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips or sliced veggies.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Picture bite-sized balls of store-bought pizza dough, wrapped in slices of salty prosciutto and coated with Parmesan cheese. Mamma mia. You can consider this appetizer a reverse pig in a blanket.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8 to 10

All you need is five ingredients and 40 minutes to make this cheesy, elegant recipe. (Oh, and one baking dish.) It's a savory take on pull-apart monkey bread, and I promise you won't miss the cinnamon sugar.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Name a more iconic summer sandwich, I'll wait. Miniature buns make for the perfect ratio of claw meat to toasted, buttery bread in every bite. Substitute lump crab meat (or shrimp) if you can't find cooked lobster.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 55 minutes (includes resting time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

These spring veggies may be past peak deliciousness, but no worries: The recipe calls for frozen spinach and jarred artichokes, so you can make this dish whenever a craving strikes, no matter the season. They're baked until the pretzels are golden and the dip inside is melty.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8 to 10

Piled high with all my favorite savory adds-ons, these little guys are officially my new favorite snack. Even the kids won't mind that they're eating a vegetable, since it's atop a cornbread-like bite of cheesy baked polenta.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, low carb, keto-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Brussels sprouts are the healthiest (and cutest) alternative to slider buns of all time, don't @ me. Here, they're sandwiched with prosciutto, bite-size mozz and cherry tomatoes for a low-carb appetizer that will surprise and delight.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Fries can sit this one out in favor of a hearty side dish that's prime for serving with burgers, dogs, pork chops and steak alike. (P.S.: The lemon vinaigrette will keep for a week in the fridge, and it's deliciously versatile.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Potato salad? Meh. Sliced watermelon? Yawn. Alternatively, these Mexican-inspired bites will be the talk of the evening. And best of all, you can whip them up in less than an hour and prepare them ahead of the party.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, <30 minutes
• Serves: 8

You only *think* you don't like raw broccoli. Trust me: You can’t go wrong with cheese, cashews, onions and dried cranberries tossed in velvety dressing. If you're really not into the cruciferous veggie, you can swap in a leafy green of your choice, or even asparagus.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

An easy way to please everyone? Take an all-time favorite food and make it bite-sized. Use the prettiest cherry tomatoes from the farmers market (and finish it with a drizzle of store-bought basil pesto)—you won't be disappointed.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, no cook
• Serves: 8 to 10

This ten-minute 4th of July appetizer is as authentically Southern as it gets. The trick is shredding your own sharp cheddar cheese for the optimal silky-smooth texture. Serve this spicy appetizer with carrots, celery stalks, crackers or, as recipe creator Rodney Scott suggests, pork rinds for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly, vegan
• Serves: 4

Since no one wants to spend a hot summer's night standing over the stove, this cold soup comes together lickity-split in the blender or food processor instead. Serve it with crusty bread and white wine to make it a meal.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 6

Char these citrusy, flavorful skewers to perfection, then hand them out to your guests and let them dip their hearts out. (The kids will need plenty of fuel for playing in the sprinkler, after all.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

Tender pasta + briny artichoke hearts + salty salami + creamy ricotta = every flavor note you could ask for in a pasta salad. The mustard vinaigrette takes it over the top, plus you can easily make it a day ahead of the 4th of July barbecue.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Bring the biggest tote bag you own to the farmers market and load up on allllll the heirloom tomatoes, ideally multicolored. Once they're sliced, all you have to do is season them, toast the baguette and spread on the ricotta. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, low carb
• Serves: 6

You won't find a single drop of mayo in this picnic staple. Instead, use Greek yogurt, sour cream and Dijon mustard for a dressing that's equal parts creamy, tangy and flavorful. Swapping spuds for cauliflower keeps the carbs low to boot.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Even with steak, pulled pork and mac and cheese on deck, I *always* have room for tacos. Kick the party off with this tropical-inspired dish that only takes 20 minutes to prepare. (P.S.: Here's how to cut a mango without making a slimy mess.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Cool, refreshing cucumber. Buttery, creamy avocado. Fresh-squeezed lime juice. Plenty of herbs. Need I say more? (If so, maybe the Asiago-encrusted baguette will sway you.) It's a cold soup summer, just accept it.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Move aside, meat: Peaches and halloumi cheese are coming in hot for this Insta-worthy salad. Be patient and wait for the char marks to fully develop—the salad will look ten times more impressive. Serve it on a platter instead of a bowl so none of the toppings get trapped at the bottom.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Your guests will be totally wowed when they see this portable take on a summer seafood boil hit the picnic table—and even more so when they taste the zesty Cajun butter. Just lay out some newspaper and let everyone dig in.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Butter and salt? You can do better than that. Try this zesty combination of mayo, lime juice, chili powder, paprika and Parmesan cheese instead. Lightly charred and slathered with elote-inspired toppings, it'll make you never want to eat plain boiled corn again.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4 to 8

I usually prepare a massive pot of mac to serve with pulled pork, ribs and other BBQ mains. But I love the idea of making everyone's favorite side portable and utensil-free. "If you have picky eaters who aren't into onions, you can always sub it for a quarter teaspoon of onion powder," PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison suggests. "It adds a little savory flavor, no crunch."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes (includes marinating time)
• Why I Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

It just might be the most refreshing salad ever created. Even better, it only requires five simple ingredients (and most of them are likely in your kitchen right now). For a creamier consistency and tangy flavor, stir in a dollop or two of sour cream.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4 to 6

As if the blend of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and yellow bell pepper couldn't get any more summery, the recipe also calls for two juicy peaches for a touch of sweetness. Need I mention the homemade sourdough croutons?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

It does its namesake justice with all the traditional ingredients (minus the bread, of course, which is substituted with pasta). Make an extra batch of the black pepper bacon to serve on burgers or crumble over hot dogs for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

To no one's surprise, veggies just...taste a million times better atop an impeccably crispy pizza crust. (Cheese helps, too.) The pie is loaded with Italian staples like ricotta, fresh mozz and pepperoncini, but I'd give bonus points for adding prosciutto.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Store-bought rotisserie chicken does it again. Once the chicken is shredded, just toss it in Buffalo sauce with chopped celery and assemble the sliders. You'll have these out of the kitchen and in the yard in mere minutes—and that's without turning on the oven.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Mind if I fall face-first into this pile of cheesy heaven? It's loaded with all the essentials, from cotija cheese to fresh cilantro to Monterey Jack queso sauce. Of course, you could add meat (like carnitas or chorizo), or even seasoned potatoes to the mix. Anyone else want a cerveza?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, skillet recipe, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Whether you're serving grilled chicken, pulled pork or seared steak, cornbread is a solid pairing. This one also boasts summer blueberries and brown sugar streusel for good measure, but it definitely isn't limited to the dessert category.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
• Serves: 12 to 16

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an array of fancy cheeses and fresh fruit. Load it up with all your seasonal faves, from kiwi and watermelon to apricots and plums. As for the fromage, start with a blue cheese, goat cheese and Brie for diversity.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

This light-yet-filling 4th of July appetizer has just the right amount of sweetness to make my mouth water for more. Even better, they’re shockingly easy to make, thanks to frozen puff pastry. Beginner hosts, you're in for a treat.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 4

I'll see your basic caprese salad and raise you a loaf of toasty ciabatta bread and a garlicky vinegar dressing. Serve it with burrata instead of fresh mozz for a creamier consistency, and add crushed pepper flakes for a slight kick.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegan
• Serves: 4 to 6

Sweet seasonal produce, nutty tahini, spicy chili oil, crunchy sesame seeds—this summer stunner checks all my boxes. Thoroughly char the melon for a touch of smokiness and an Insta-worthy presentation.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, vegan
• Serves: 6

There’s a little bit of heat (courtesy of jalapeño) in this healthy dip, but if you prefer mild salsa, feel free to leave it out. Scoop it up with chips, pair it with yogurt or serve it atop grilled salmon, chicken or steak.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 3 to 5

“These corn cakes are to beans and barbecue what tortilla chips are to salsa and guacamole—the perfect vessel for scooping up food,” pitmasters and cookbook authors Ed and Ryan Mitchell explain. They pair seamlessly with all sorts of meat, plus baked beans, mac and cheese, chili, collard greens and roasted tomatoes.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Lemon zest and fresh herbs totally transform humble canned beans. "When I have extra time and gigante or corona beans on hand, I like to pan-fry them in a bit of olive oil until they’re golden-crusted, then proceed from there," recipe developer Heidi Swanson recommends.