25 Easy Summer Appetizers
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.
Fresh and full of flavor, these easy summer appetizers are perfect for hosting your next garden party and to celebrate the sunshine!
There’s something to please everyone.
Over the years, I’ve made these appetizer recipes for the most epic al fresco parties out in the warm summer air. Easy recipes that work perfectly for potlucks and picnics too.
Platters of crostini, bright dip sauces and pizza bites set out on the table for your guests to nibble on. Large bowls filled with gorgeous salads to serve with your favourite grilled dishes.
Yes, summer appetizers are the perfect way to begin an al fresco dinner!
I’ve put together an amazing list of ideas for you, from bruschetta to focaccia, from easy dippers to scrumptious salads and more.
Try one, or try them all, and have a wonderful summer!
Let the snacking begin!
Summer Appetizers
Bruschetta Dip
This simple, fresh bruschetta dip makes a fantastic crowd-pleasing Italian appetizer. The diced ripe tomatoes and their juices, the olive oil infused with garlic and fresh basil are truly incredibile. Spread on grilled bread ror an authentic Italian experience!
Crostini with Ricotta & Peas
In this crostini recipe the crispy slices of bread are piled with creamy ricotta, tender peas, lemon zest and fresh mint. It's a delicious vegetarian canapé full of fresh flavor and ready in minutes!
Salad with Mint, perfect for summer!
The combination of plant-based protein, veggies, fresh mint leaves and tangy dressing makes this salad super versatile! It keeps well for days in the fridge and it works as a side dish or as an appetizer perfect for summer.
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
If you look for cold apetizers for summer, this fresh whipped ricotta with crispy crostini and honey is perfect for a crowd and easy to whip up in no time with just a handful of ingreidents.
Caprese Salad Skewers
These caprese skewers are SUPER easy to assamble, deliciously fresh, perfect for sharing, and easy to transport. Made with just three basic ingredients, this delicious summer appetizer recipe ticks all the boxes.
Veggie Pizza (no-knead recipe)
Homemade pizza is an easy crowd-pleaser, colorful, full of flavor, and great for a cool and casual summer soirée. In this recipe the cripy crust is topped with amazing roasted veggies, fresh arugula and extra virgin olive oil.
Spicy Olives
What about juicy flavor-packed olives? They make a sensational appetizer and finger food to serve with cheese boards and colorful platters. They are super easy and quick to whip up, and there's no cooking involved.
Ricotta Meatballs
These melt-in-your-mouth tender ricotta meatballs cooked in tomato sauce are so easy to make with a handful of ingredients and make a scrumptious appetizer or side dish.
Italian Chickpea Salad
This scrumptious Italian chickpea salad combines tomatoes, fresh mini mozzarella balls, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, and basil. It's a flavorful and versatile salad that can be served as a light side dish or yummy appetizer.
5-Minute Sriracha Aioli
Gat your favorite dippers ready for this quick Sriracha aioli. The garlic, creamy mayo and fresh lime juice commined with the spicy shiracha makes anything that you dip into it delicious. It's ready in no time and it's perfect for a platter.
Chickpea Bruschetta
The possibilities for topping bruschetta are endless! In this easy recipe all you have to do is rub your grilled bread with a garlic clove and top with smashed chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, and good extra virgin olive oil. It's so simple and brilliant for any casual summer menu!
Sun Dried Tomato Paste
This is another great appetizer featuring sun dried tomatoes. It’s so rich, piquant and full of flavor, perfect with focaccia, italian breadsticks or pesto bread, and sure to a big crowd pleaser!
Pizza with Peppers
This wonderful pizza is packed with juicy bell peppers and creamy mozzarella. It's colorful, yummy and so inviting. Cut it into small squares and serve as an appetizer for your next get-togethers with family or friends.
Mint Yogurt Sauce
This easy mint yogurt sauce requires 5 minutes of prep time, and it’s so fresh and zippy. It's absolutely great with veggies, salads, fritters, falafel and all your grilled or roasted summery stuff! One of my fav cold appetizers for an outdoor party!
Lentil Tabbouleh
You'll love this Middle Easter salad full of lentils and exotic spicy notes. It keeps well in the fridge and makes a fantastic make ahead meal that works brilliantly as a side dish or appetizer.
Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Bruschetta is one of my fav Italian appetizer that is absolutely perfect for summer parties. It comes together in no time with a handful of good-quality ingredients, it’s a truly delicious and sure to please everybody.
Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
Another great idea for your summer appetizers is serving your best extra virgin olive along with fresh veggies and warm bread. It's fresh, ridiculously easy and makes a stunning and colorful platter.
Beet Hummus
This wonderful beet hummus makes a gorgeous party appetizer ready in about 10 mintues. All you need is cooked beetroot, chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin, olive oil and seasoning. Blend everything together and you’re done!
Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad
This quick and simple pasta salad is packed with ripe cherry tomartoes, basil, and garlic flavor. It's easy to throw together and to transport, it's full of fresh flavor and great for picnics, potlucks and garden parties.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Creamy and fresh mini mozzarella balls combined with garlic, herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and chilli make a sensational crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in just 5 minutes. Don't forget crusty bread!
Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese
Another amazing crowd-pleaser dip delicious for summer gatherings. You’ll love the rich cheese balanced by the tangy sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes, it pairs perfectly with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies.
Olive Bruschetta
Bruschetta is definitely one of my go-to appetizers, especially in summer. The crispy garlic bread along with the extra virgin olive oil instantly elevate simple, convenient ingredients like jarred juicy olives and the delicius paresan cheese.
Jalapeño Cream Cheese
This dip sauce is not fancy, not so impressive, but it's a breeze to make in just 5 minutes from start to finish and it's creamy, bright, and deliciously spicy. Serve it up with chips, veggies, breadsticks, crackers, or any other crispy dippers.
Green Olive Tapenade
You can whip up this delicious olive dip at a moment’s notice, it's absolutely a no-brainer, versatile and perfect to please everyone!
Summer appetizers and more…
If you love more appetizer recipes suitable for any occasion and all year round, you might check out these terrific collections:
- 40+ Italian appetizers
- 50 vegan appetizers
- 25 dairy-free appetizers
- Vegetarian appetizers
- 45+ party food ideas
- 25 dairy-free appetizers
If you make one or more of these delicious summer appetizers, or you have a question, let me know by leaving a comment. I would love to hear from you and get your feedback! x
Crostini with ricotta & Peas
Ingredients
- 12 small slices of baguette, about ½ inch thick (even thinner if you wish)
- 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Ricotta & pea topping
- 1 cup (120 grams) fresh or frozen peas
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 8 mint leaves, shredded (or more to taste)
- ½ lemon, grate only the zest
- ½ cup (120 grams) ricotta cheese
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C (better not to use the broiler since it could easily burn the bread) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a serrated knife and cut the baguette into thin slices, about ½ inch or even a bit thinner if you wish. Lightly brush each side of each slice with extra virgin olive oil.
- Place the slices on a single layer on the baking sheet and bake until crisp and slightly golden, it takes about 6-7 mins, keep an eye on them. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
Topping
- Bring a small pot with water to a boil and blanch the peas for about 1 minute or until tender. Drain, rinse them with cold water straight away to preserve their bright color, and drain well again.
- Place the peas into a bowl and add the lemon zest, the shredded mint leaves, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the flavor and the seasoning according to your liking until the flavor pops up.
- Spread a thick layer of ricotta on top of each slice of bread, than top with the peas, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or extra lemon zest if you wish. Serve immediately.
