65 Easy Cold Appetizer Recipes - Parade

Irresistible Veggie Dip — Krista Marshall

65 Easy Cold Appetizers for Summer Cookouts & Pool Parties

You can find us next to the appetizer table this summer.

Author:
Krista Marshall
May 10, 2024

Summertime entertaining season has arrived. Cookouts in the backyard with friends, family reunions, graduation parties and Fourth of July—the season gives us so many reasons to get outside and enjoy some great times with some tasty food.

Backyard barbecues and dinners on the deck make me ready to fill my plate with meat hot off the grill, pasta salad, baked beans and all the American summertime classics. This year when you plan your menu, you can guarantee it's filled with some of the absolute best appetizers for hot sunny days with these 65 easy cold appetizers for summer parties, cookouts and BBQs.

Related: 100 Easy Summer Dinner Ideas

Best Cold Appetizer Recipes

When you browse this collection of easy apps, you'll find some of my favorite appetizers of all time. Cheese balls might be retro, but they are always a hit, so I found some great versions like BLT cheeseballs, pineapple cheese balls, pimento cheese balls, taco cheese balls and even a mini version that doesn't require a plate. The Italian sub skewers are so fun, hands-friendly and perfect for mingling.

Charcuterie boards are very trendy right now, so I included one that's overflowing with tasty things. Now you can learn how to make the best grazing board on the block! Classics like deviled eggs and shrimp cocktails never go out of style, so there are great recipes for those too.

Related: 50 Best Grilled Shrimp Recipes

Best Cold Dip Recipes

Let's talk dips! This collection has so many tasty versions your guests will be coming back to the bowl again and again for Million Dollar Dip, Irresistible Veggie Dip, Green Goddess Hummus and more!

Are you as obsessed with Everything Bagel Seasoning as I am? Grab the biggest jar you can find because we are using it for a cheese log, stuffed mini peppers and more deviled eggs.

Related: 60 Summer Salads For Backyard Barbecues

This year our summer can definitely be one of the most delicious to date. I bet your calendar is already filling up with fun outdoor plans that you need a great take-along dish for too. But even if it's just your family hanging out in your backyard waiting for the burgers and dogs to cook, you can still set out a few of these amazing cold appetizers to keep everyone at bay until supper is done. Be sure to pin your favorites to enjoy all summer long.

Best Summer Appetizers

BLT Cheese Ball

BLT Cheese Ball — Deanna Samaan

Easy to whip up and the first thing to disappear.

Get the recipe: BLT Cheese Ball

Related: 10 Flavorful Cheese Ball Recipes

Fruit Salsa

Fruit Salsa — Krista Marshall

This refreshing snack is perfect poolside.

Get the recipe: Fruit Salsa

Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip — Shea Goldstein

Pair this crab-filled dip with crackers, pita chips or even fresh veggies.

Get the recipe: Creamy Crab Dip

Irresistible Veggie Dip

Irresistible Veggie Dip — Krista Marshall

You can never go wrong with a great veggie tray with a tasty dip.

Get the recipe: Irresistible Veggie Dip

Olive Cheese Ball Bites

Olive Cheese Ball Bites — Krista Marshall

A cheese ball you can pop into your mouth in one bite.

Get the recipe: Olive Cheese Ball Bites

Seafood Salad

Seafood Salad — Krista Marshall

Perfect with crackers or pita chips, this creamy cool salad brings the ocean to your backyard.

Get the recipe: Seafood Salad

Cheddar Cheese Ball

Cheddar Cheese Ball — Joy of Cooking

Something this perfect is always a favorite.

Get the recipe: Cheddar Cheese Ball

Sour Cream and Salsa Dip

Sour Cream and Salsa Dip — Jon Ashton

This dip always gets rave reviews and is perfect with those margaritas you're serving.

Get the recipe: Sour Cream and Salsa Dip

Easy Deviled Eggs

Easy Deviled Eggs — Jon Ashton

No party is complete without a great deviled egg tray.

Get the recipe: Easy Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Blue Pimento Cheese

Buffalo Blue Pimento Cheese — Shea Goldstein

To get the most flavor, be sure to use high-quality sharp cheddar cheese.

Get the recipe: Buffalo Blue Pimento Cheese

Related: 30 Best Buffalo Sauce Recipes

Restaurant Style Salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa — Krista Marshall

No party is complete without chips and salsa and this recipe comes together in almost no time at all.

Get the recipe: Restaurant Style Salsa

Million Dollar Dip

Million Dollar Dip — iStock

300K views on TikTok can't be wrong!

Get the recipe: Million Dollar Dip

Olive Caper Spread

Olive Caper Spread — Krista Marshall

The food processor does all the work for this tasty spread perfect for a crusty baguette.

Get the recipe: Olive Caper Spread

Shrimp Dip

Shrimp Dip — Melissa Sperkaf

Even a small bite packs a flavor punch.

Get the recipe: Shrimp Dip

Stuffed Celery with Roquefort

Stuffed Celery with Roquefort — Tina Whatcott-Echeverria

This old-school app is both easy and lavish.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Celery with Roquefort

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip — Pam Beth

Pro tip: Double the recipe. Your guests will thank you.

Get the recipe: Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Copycat Chili's Salsa

Copycat Chili's Salsa — Krista Marshall

Bring the restaurant favorite home with this simple recipe.

Get the recipe: Copycat Chili's Salsa

Maine Lobster Guacamole

Maine Lobster Guacamole — Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative

Up your guac game with some luscious lobster.

Get the recipe: Maine Lobster Guacamole

Cheese Ball Bites

Cheese Ball Bites — Lisa Waddle

Coat tiny balls of cheese in everything from parsley to nuts to cranberries.

Get the recipe: Cheese Ball Bites

Low-Fat Ranch Dip

Low-Fat Ranch Dip — Parade

Ranch is everyone's favorite, but this one is made a little lighter thanks to Greek yogurt.

Get the recipe: Low-Fat Ranch Dip

Related: 27 DIY Dressings, Dips and Seasonings to Make At Home

Green Chile Pinwheels

Green Chile Pinwheels — Krista Marshall

Filled with green chile flavor but just enough heat.

Get the recipe: Green Chile Pinwheels

Pomegranate Jeweled Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Pomegranate Jeweled Jalapeño Cheese Ball — Shea Goldstein

Cheesy goodness with a kick and a hint of sweetness too.

Get the recipe: Pomegranate Jeweled Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Cucumber Dill Dip

Chilled Cucumber Dip — Pam Beth

This is what everyone wants to dig into on a hot, sunny day.

Get the recipe: Cucumber Dill Dip

Five-Minute Taco Dip

Five-Minute Taco Dip — Spend With Pennies

Got people coming over last minute? All you need is five to have a great app to share.

Get the recipe: Five-Minute Taco Dip

Beer Cheese

Beer Cheese — South Your Mouth

Can't find the guys at the cookout? They will all be huddled around this!

Get the recipe: Beer Cheese

Seven-Layer Dip

Seven-Layer Dip — Spend With Pennies

This retro dip never seems to go out of style.

Get the recipe: Seven-Layer Dip

Cajun Crab Dip

Cajun Crab Dip — South Your Mouth

Lump crabmeat with a good amount of kick from Cajun seasoning.

Get the recipe: Cajun Crab Dip

Antipasto Platter

Antipasto Platter — Spend With Pennies

The ultimate Italian spread, use this as a starting point and add your favorites.

Get the recipe: Antipasto Platter

Caprese Skewers

Caprese Skewers — Spend With Pennies

All the flavors of a refreshing caprese salad, on a stick!

Get the recipe: Caprese Skewers

Buffalo Hummus

Buffalo Hummus — Running In A Skirt

Made with only five ingredients that lead to some big flavors.

Get the recipe: Buffalo Hummus

Related: 42 Best Hummus Recipes

Antipasto Skewers

Antipasto Skewers — Spend With Pennies

These mini appetizers are great for an outdoor party or picnic too.

Get the recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Bruschetta

Bruschetta — Spend With Pennies

Perfect when those fresh garden tomatoes come into season.

Get the recipe: Bruschetta

Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery

Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery — The Country Cook

You have to love appetizers that are both simple and budget-friendly.

Get the recipe: Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery