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Photo: Fred Hardy
These delicious dips, salads and finger foods are perfect for summer get-togethers. In only three steps or less, you and your party can enjoy an appetizer packed with seasonal ingredients like avocado, cucumber, eggplant and peppers. Recipes like our Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries and Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper embrace the fresh flavors of summer’s best produce.
01of 24Avocado HummusView RecipeThis vibrant green hummus recipe couldn’t be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
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Avocado Hummus
View Recipe
This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn’t be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.
02of 24Crispy Eggplant Parmesan FriesView RecipeThe cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
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Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
The cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
03of 24Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & CuminView RecipeDon’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe—just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
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Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin
Don’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe—just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
04of 24Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle ChipsView RecipeUse your air fryer to make these crispy, salty pickle chips for game day! The air fryer gives you a crispy crust, using much less oil than a traditional fryer. Enjoy these addictive little snacks on their own or with our Southern smoky, creamy dipping sauce.
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Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle Chips
Use your air fryer to make these crispy, salty pickle chips for game day! The air fryer gives you a crispy crust, using much less oil than a traditional fryer. Enjoy these addictive little snacks on their own or with our Southern smoky, creamy dipping sauce.
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Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper
Fred Hardy
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Watermelon with Mint Gremolata
07of 24Tequila GuacamoleView RecipeMargarita lovers will go crazy for this twist on classic guacamole. Spiking your guacamole with tequila adds an extra layer of flavor and blends deliciously with the fresh lime juice and jalapeño. This guacamole is for grown-ups only, but you can omit the tequila if you’re serving to kids.
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Tequila Guacamole
Margarita lovers will go crazy for this twist on classic guacamole. Spiking your guacamole with tequila adds an extra layer of flavor and blends deliciously with the fresh lime juice and jalapeño. This guacamole is for grown-ups only, but you can omit the tequila if you’re serving to kids.
08of 24Zucchini Pizza BitesView RecipeThink of these zucchini pizza bites as a fun gluten-free alternative to bagel bites. Be sure not to overcook the zucchini or the bites may become soggy. We like the classic pepperoni topping, but feel free to experiment with your own favorites.
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Zucchini Pizza Bites
Think of these zucchini pizza bites as a fun gluten-free alternative to bagel bites. Be sure not to overcook the zucchini or the bites may become soggy. We like the classic pepperoni topping, but feel free to experiment with your own favorites.
09of 24Canapés with Peach, Sage & ProsciuttoView RecipeThere are endless ways to change up these canapés–plums and tarragon, cherries and mint, apricots and chervil. Mix 6 ounces of softened goat cheese with 1 tablespoon honey if you can’t find honey chèvre.
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Canapés with Peach, Sage & Prosciutto
There are endless ways to change up these canapés–plums and tarragon, cherries and mint, apricots and chervil. Mix 6 ounces of softened goat cheese with 1 tablespoon honey if you can’t find honey chèvre.
10of 243-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig BitesView RecipeSalty-tangy blue cheese pairs beautifully with sweet fig jam in these easy appetizers, which are perfect for a holiday party. The optional minced chives add a nice pop of color, but these are just as tasty without herbs. Keep the ingredients on hand and you can whip these up for impromptu holiday cocktail parties.
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3-Ingredient Blue Cheese & Fig Bites
Salty-tangy blue cheese pairs beautifully with sweet fig jam in these easy appetizers, which are perfect for a holiday party. The optional minced chives add a nice pop of color, but these are just as tasty without herbs. Keep the ingredients on hand and you can whip these up for impromptu holiday cocktail parties.
11of 24Cucumber SalsaView RecipeThis fresh, tangy cucumber salsa is perfect for grilled fish or on its own as a simple side salad. Well balanced and easy to make, the flavor mellows and the cucumber softens as this sits, so it can easily be made a day or two ahead of time–or enjoy it right away, fresh and crisp.
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Cucumber Salsa
This fresh, tangy cucumber salsa is perfect for grilled fish or on its own as a simple side salad. Well balanced and easy to make, the flavor mellows and the cucumber softens as this sits, so it can easily be made a day or two ahead of time–or enjoy it right away, fresh and crisp.
12of 24Caprese SkewersView RecipePhotographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallWe take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
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Caprese Skewers
Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
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Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
14of 24Summer Melon & Cheese BoardView RecipeServe this pretty appetizer board for summer parties when watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe are at their juiciest and tastiest. The sweetness of the melon plays wonderfully against the salty cheese and prosciutto, while a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh herbs add bright flavors and colors to the board.
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Summer Melon & Cheese Board
Serve this pretty appetizer board for summer parties when watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe are at their juiciest and tastiest. The sweetness of the melon plays wonderfully against the salty cheese and prosciutto, while a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh herbs add bright flavors and colors to the board.
15of 24Twarożek (Cottage Cheese Spread) Is the Heart of the Polish Brunch BoardView RecipeRachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie ProbstAt the heart of the Polish brunch board is a spread called twarożek or gzik, depending on the region of Poland. Traditionally made with farmer’s cheese, this version uses cottage cheese along with crunchy radishes and cucumber and fragrant dill. Serve it with hearty rye bread, raw and pickled vegetables, slices of kielbasa, Polish cheese and mustard or horseradish.
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Twarożek (Cottage Cheese Spread) Is the Heart of the Polish Brunch Board
Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst
At the heart of the Polish brunch board is a spread called twarożek or gzik, depending on the region of Poland. Traditionally made with farmer’s cheese, this version uses cottage cheese along with crunchy radishes and cucumber and fragrant dill. Serve it with hearty rye bread, raw and pickled vegetables, slices of kielbasa, Polish cheese and mustard or horseradish.
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Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toasts
17of 24Cherry Tomato & Strawberry BruschettaView RecipeLeigh BeischThese topped toasts get a sweet-salty punch from the addition of strawberries and ricotta salata—a firm, saltier version of ricotta cheese. Look for it with other specialty cheeses at the supermarket, or substitute Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino.
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Cherry Tomato & Strawberry Bruschetta
Leigh Beisch
These topped toasts get a sweet-salty punch from the addition of strawberries and ricotta salata—a firm, saltier version of ricotta cheese. Look for it with other specialty cheeses at the supermarket, or substitute Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino.
18of 24Taco Dip with Tomato WedgesView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughEnjoy a fresh tomato in all its ripe glory with this simple creamy dip. A little taco seasoning, lime and cheese adds tons of flavor to protein-packed Greek yogurt for a satisfying snack.
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Taco Dip with Tomato Wedges
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
Enjoy a fresh tomato in all its ripe glory with this simple creamy dip. A little taco seasoning, lime and cheese adds tons of flavor to protein-packed Greek yogurt for a satisfying snack.
19of 24Pea Pods with Honey-Mustard Dipping SauceView RecipeAna CadenaKids don’t think twice about eating their veggies when they’re served alongside a delectable dipping sauce!
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Pea Pods with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce
Ana Cadena
Kids don’t think twice about eating their veggies when they’re served alongside a delectable dipping sauce!
20of 24Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato DipView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis skillet sun-dried tomato dip is creamy, but also gets a hit of sweetness from roasted bell peppers to complement the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s cooked and served all in the same skillet, cutting down on dishes. Serve it with crackers, toasted bread or fresh-cut veggies.
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Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This skillet sun-dried tomato dip is creamy, but also gets a hit of sweetness from roasted bell peppers to complement the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s cooked and served all in the same skillet, cutting down on dishes. Serve it with crackers, toasted bread or fresh-cut veggies.
21of 24Loaded Zucchini BitesView RecipeBrie PassanoThese low-carb zucchini bites have all the toppings of a loaded baked potato, without the potato! Melted cheese, bacon, chives and a dollop of sour cream make these bites perfect for game day or anytime you’re craving comfort food.
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Loaded Zucchini Bites
Brie Passano
These low-carb zucchini bites have all the toppings of a loaded baked potato, without the potato! Melted cheese, bacon, chives and a dollop of sour cream make these bites perfect for game day or anytime you’re craving comfort food.
22of 24Grilled Oysters with Garlic-Herb ButterView RecipeIf you’ve never cooked oysters on the grill, you’re in for a treat. Grilling oysters whole saves you the trouble of shucking them–they magically pop open when cooked. A simple garlic herb butter adds richness and a bright pop of flavor to this impressive appetizer. To pretty it up use Irish butter, which is extra-golden because Irish cows typically enjoy an all-grass diet.
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Grilled Oysters with Garlic-Herb Butter
If you’ve never cooked oysters on the grill, you’re in for a treat. Grilling oysters whole saves you the trouble of shucking them–they magically pop open when cooked. A simple garlic herb butter adds richness and a bright pop of flavor to this impressive appetizer. To pretty it up use Irish butter, which is extra-golden because Irish cows typically enjoy an all-grass diet.
23of 24Blistered Shishito PeppersView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth BlackburnThese toasty blistered shishito peppers are nutty and bright thanks to a combination of sesame oil and lime juice. The creamy dipping sauce tames any heat that may creep into these usually mild peppers. This is the perfect healthy appetizer for a small get-together.
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Blistered Shishito Peppers
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
These toasty blistered shishito peppers are nutty and bright thanks to a combination of sesame oil and lime juice. The creamy dipping sauce tames any heat that may creep into these usually mild peppers. This is the perfect healthy appetizer for a small get-together.
24of 24Fennel, Radish & Cucumber SaladView RecipeThis supremely crunchy, quick side salad is best when spring vegetables are sliced as thinly as possible–a great excuse to pull out the mandoline or the slicing disk of your food processor, if you have one.
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Fennel, Radish & Cucumber Salad
This supremely crunchy, quick side salad is best when spring vegetables are sliced as thinly as possible–a great excuse to pull out the mandoline or the slicing disk of your food processor, if you have one.
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