Kick off your independence day BBQ with some of these dips and finger foods. This collection features all of our favorite 4th of July Appetizers that never cease to please party guests!
More collections: 4th of July Drinks, 4th of July Side Dishes, 4th of July Desserts, 4th of July Recipes
BEST fourth of july appetizers
Independence Day usually means fun, friends and food!! We usually have water involved in some way too, but let’s get back to the FOOD.
We have so many great 4th of July recipes, including appetizers. We love to serve apps because we usually hang out for a good portion of the day with friends and family, and we love having food that can be out for everyone to snack on until we grill and have dinner.
Whether you grill up hot dogs and burgers, fire grill your own pizzas, or smoke your own meat…every good patriotic party has a tasty pre-dinner spread! We’ll help you plan the perfect menu with our comprehensive must-make lists!
We wanted to make sure we shared with you all of THE BEST 4th of July appetizers!
Tips for Serving 4th of July Finger Foods
Some general appetizer tips to help with planning your 4th of July party:
- Appetizers should be served about an hour before dinner.
- Choose appetizers that are easy to make as well as ones that can be made ahead of time.
- Don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring appetizers to help ease your to do list.
- Balance the dishes by offering a mixture of hot and cold, protein and vegetables, light and heavy. Consider colors and textures as well.
- Appetizers should not be set out for more than 2 hours.
How many: If appetizers will be served before a large meal, plan for each person to eat 4-6 appetizers. If you plan to serve only appetizers, plan for guests to eat 8-12 in the first hour and 6-8 during every hour after. Increase the number of different appetizers served according to how many guest you have attending:
- 3 appetizer dishes: <10 guests
- 5 Appetizer dishes: 10-20 guests
- 7 appetizer dishes: 20-40 guests
- 9 appetizer dishes: 40+ guests
Keeping food cold/warm
Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or headed to the park, you’re going to want to keep your food at the right temp on the warm summer July day.
- Have two coolers, one for hot dishes and one for cold dishes.
- Once you’re done cooking food, you can set the grill to a very low heat and use it to keep food warm.
- Keep food warm in a crock pot or chafing dish
- You can keep food cold by using a tray of ice to place bowls and platters of food on.
- Don’t set out more than what can be eaten within 30 minutes. Refill as needed.
Summer produce Perfect for Appetizers
Whether you want to toss them on the grill or serve them in a salad or something in between, there are some wonderfully fruits and veggies in season.
- Fruits: blueberries, strawberries, melon, avocado, cherries, citrus, peaches, tomato, pineapple, apples, grapes
- Vegetables: potato, red peppers, cucumber, green bean, asparagus, zucchini, lettuce
Dips and Salsas
You can never go wrong with dips of any kind on holidays. They usually serve a lot and are very easy to make.
Serve Dips and Salsas with chips, crackers, and veggies.
Sweet Salsa Verde – Sweet Salsa Verde is a delicious salsa recipe made from tomatillos, jalapeños, sugar, & cilantro. It is sweet and spicy and takes just minutes to make.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball – This Bacon Ranch Cheese ball is the perfect partner for your veggie tray! With cheese, bacon, and ranch flavors, you can do no wrong!
Spinach Artichoke Dip – This is the BEST Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe, and the ultimate dip for any get together! Filled with spinach, artichoke hearts, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo – this easy spinach artichoke dip is sooo cheesy and flavorful, served perfectly with chips, bread pieces or veggies.
Dill Vegetable Dip – The perfect go-to veggie dip for parties and snacking. Use it for vegetables, chips, or whatever you feel like! Even if you don’t like dill pickles, you’ll love this Dill Vegetable Dip.
7 Layer Bean Dip – This 7 Layer Bean Dip recipe is a must-have at every function! It has loads of flavor and all your favorite dip ingredients including avocados, olives, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and more!
Black Bean And Corn Salsa – This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is one of our favorite dips and appetizers. It’s great with any Mexican dish or served with tortilla chips!!
Homemade Salsa – This is such an EASY homemade salsa recipe! All you have to do is throw all the ingredients into your blender, and blend!
Peach Salsa – Fresh peach salsa is delicious with chips, on top of fish or pork, or spooned over tacos! You’ll love the flavor combinations in this recipe!
Strawberry Salsa – You can’t go a summer without eating this sweet and spicy strawberry salsa! The flavors are so unique. Grab some cinnamon and sugar chips or your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!
Mango Salsa – This sweet and savory Mango Salsa is perfect with chips or any Mexican meal. It’s filled with sweet pineapple, cilantro, mangoes, onion, cilantro and jalapenos making it full of flavor and simple to make.
Jalapeno Popper Dip – Jalapeño Popper Dip is packed with 4 kinds of cheese, just enough spicy Jalapeños to give it a kick, and a golden crispy topping. This dip is sure to be a hit at your next party!
Buffalo Chicken Dip – All the flavor of buffalo wings in a creamy, cheesy, simple dip! This super easy Buffalo Chicken Dip is filled with chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, and three different types of cheese! It’s perfect for parties and get togethers, served with chips or veggies.
Chili Cheese Dip – Just four ingredients make for the BEST and yummiest chili cheese dip! Melty cheese and hearty chili are so tasty together! It’s the perfect appetizer for any party.
BLT Dip – This creamy BLT Dip is the ultimate warm, cheesy, party dip! It’s loaded with cream cheese, cheese, and sour cream, then baked and topped with crispy bacon, shredded lettuce and fresh tomato!
Taco Dip Recipe – Loaded with all of your favorite taco toppings, this creamy taco flavored dip is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.
warm appetizers
Even when things are hot outside, that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy warm food. Many appetizers can be made ahead and throw in the oven so they’re nice and warm for grazing before the real dinner begins.
Keep appetizers warm by using a crock pot or chafing dishes.
Baked Chicken Wings – Deliciously crispy baked chicken wings have endless possibilities. Bake in the oven, and dip in your favorite sauces!
Pigs in a Blanket – A yummy lunch, dinner, or snack idea for the whole family! Homemade pigs in a blanket with delicious crescent dough and a sprinkling of sesame seeds on top!
Fried Green Beans – Crispy fried green beans making all of your appetizer dreams comes true! Breaded with seasoned bread crumbs and fried to crunchy perfection!
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers – This recipe is inspired by one of our favorite Disneyland foods – Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers from Bengal Barbecue! These skewers only require 4 ingredients and take less than 10 minutes on the grill!
Cheesy Zucchini Tots – Cheesy zucchini tots are a fun twist on tater tots, and are loaded with my favorite vegetable. They’re super easy and quick to make.
Spinach Dip Bites – Spinach Dip Bites are crunchy, bite-size treats are cheesy and buttery, making them a great appetizer. They are a hit every time!
Brown Sugar Beanie Weenies – With only 5 minutes of prep and 3 ingredients, these Brown Sugar Beanie Weenies are by far one of the easiest appetizers! And they taste amazing!
Deep Fried Pickles – Deep fried pickles are crunchy, flavorful, and SO tasty! These pickle slices are breaded and fried to perfection, making them a crowd-favorite party appetizer!
Bacon Wrapped Smokies – Bacon wrapped little smokies sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked to perfection. These bacon wrapped weenies are the ultimate appetizer for any party, and always the first to disappear!
Crockpot Meatballs – These crockpot meatballs are full of so much flavor, and perfect for parties. Best of all, they only require 5 minutes of prep work!
Ham And Cheese Sliders – Everyone loves these Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders because they’re easy, cheesy and addicting! They don’t take long to make, and are perfect for any get together—always a crowd pleaser!
Parmesan Crusted Potato Skins – This easy potato skin appetizer is loaded with bacon & cheese and crusted with parmesan, making it the best potato skins ever!
Mozzarella Bites – Fried mozzarella bites are delicious, easy and the perfect party appetizer when served with marinara. Everyone loves this bite-sized snack!
Boneless Buffalo Wings – Spicy tender pieces of chicken that make the a delicious appetizer! These Boneless Buffalo wings are simple and are great for dinner or any party!
Pull Apart Bread – This pull apart bread is a favorite appetizer. With cheese, butter and seasonings, there is cheesy, delicious goodness in every bite!
cold appetizers
And of course – you can’t deny cold food to snack on when it’s warm. If cold appetizers are being served outdoors, you can easily keep them cool by placing them on a tray full of ice.
Here are some of our favorite cool appetizers:
Greek Cucumber Cups – Simple Greek Cucumber Cups are a light and delicious appetizer that whips up in minutes. They are a perfect low calorie snack!
Deviled Eggs – Nothing better than a smooth deviled egg appetizer! You’ll be surprised with how easy these are to make. Tons of flavor, super delicious and perfect for parties and holidays.
Quick Caprese Salad – Simple and Quick Caprese Salad is easy and delicious with pops of mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados and drizzled with a balsamic glaze!
Easy Fruit Salad – A fresh fruit salad that makes the perfect side dish to any meal! Colorful, healthy, delicious, and filled with all your favorite fruits!
Bruschetta – This yummy Homemade Bruschetta is simple and perfect for any party! It includes fresh ingredients and is the perfect Italian appetizer!
Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups – These delicious Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups are made from a rolled tortilla filled with Ranch Veggie dip, and chopped veggies, making them the perfect bite-sized party appetizer!
Veggie Cup Appetizers – Quick and Easy Veggie Cup Appetizers – filled with dressing and veggies, this mess-free snack is great for so many occasions.
Caesar Salad Cups – Caesar Salad Cups are a quick, simple and tasty side dish or appetizer. They’re mini salads in a cup and great for parties and get togethers!
Caprese Stuffed Avocados – Simple and Fresh Caprese Stuffed Avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!
Homemade Hummus – If you need a quick healthy snack or party appetizer, you can whip up this Homemade Hummus in 5 minutes or less! With just a few simple ingredients, this delicious Hummus is perfect for dipping pita bread, fresh veggies, and tortilla chips.
Fruit Kabobs – Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
the complete list
Here are the picture cards for all of the yummy 4th of July Appetizers listed above.
Nothing gets the party started better than a delicious appetizer and with this list you’re sure to find some crowd favorites!
More Collections: Easy Appetizers, Summer Appetizers, BBQ Appetizers
