10 Mouthwatering Summer Party Appetizers

Summer is almost here and its a good time to start planning celebrations. For many of us, we just finished up a year of hard work and we’re finally getting a little break. Some like to relax, catch up on sleep and tv shows, while others like to host events. Whether you’re having a barbecue or going to a dinner party, here are 10 mouthwatering summer party appetizers that will pleasantly surprise you and your guests with exquisite flavor.

1. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

For many, summertime is the best time for seafood, and anytime is the time for bacon. These bacon-wrapped shrimp bites are perfect summer party appetizers to serve to guests before the main course. Just partially cook the bacon, wrap it around the shrimp and secure it with a skewer, and grill over medium heat until cooked through.

2. Chips and Guacamole

You can’t do summer party appetizers without doing some good dips, and this guacamole is a surefire hit with any crowd. To make it, combine avocados, lime juice, salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash it all together. Once it’s a paste, add diced onions, diced tomatoes, diced jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

3. Chicken and Pineapple Skewers

You’ll already have the skewers, so you might as well use them for some more great summer appetizers. These chicken and pineapple skewers are the perfect mix of sweet and savory for a backyard barbecue. To make them, add ketchup, soy sauce, honey, mustard, sugar, garlic, and lemon juice to a saucepan, cook on medium until thickened, then cut each chicken thigh into 2 pieces. Peel the pineapple and cut it into 1 inch chunks, and thread onto the skewers, alternating between the chicken and pineapple. Brush the skewers with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill on medium, basting regularly with the homemade barbecue sauce.

4. Crab Cakes

Another great seafood summer party appetizer, crab cakes are easy to make and delicious to eat. To make them, whisk together mayo, egg, dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper in a small bowl. Take a medium bowl and mix together crab meat, bread crumbs, parsley, and mayo mixture. Form the mixture into patties, cook in a large pan, and serve with lemon and tartar sauce.

5. Cheesy Corn Poppers

If you have picky eaters or kids at your get-together, these are the perfect summer party appetizers for them. In a large bowl, combine corn, mozzarella, cream cheese, green onions, and chili powder, then season with salt and pepper. Add cornmeal, flour and eggs and stir until the corn is completely coated, then roll in panko bread crumbs, and fry in a large pot until they’re golden brown.

6. Tropical BBQ Chicken Sliders

Another easy recipe, these summer party appetizers could even serve as a main course! Just cook pulled chicken with diced pineapples, barbecue sauce, and onions in a large skillet, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, and serve on toasted sweet Hawaiian buns with cheese and mayo.

7. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

You can’t really make a list of summer party appetizers without including at least some vegetables, but at the same time, I’m all about making vegetables fun, so this recipe calls for you to wrap the boiled asparagus with prosciutto, and grill for 2-3 minutes. It’s as easy as that!

8. Grilled Bacon Jalapeño Wraps

Add a little spice to your life with these easy to make summer party appetizers. Just cut jalapeños in half, remove the seeds, fill with cream cheese, wrap with bacon, and cook on a grill until the bacon is crispy. Remember, good, crispy bacon makes everything better.

9. Grilled Corn Salsa

Just like guacamole, salsa is a must have appetizer at any summer event, and this grilled corn salsa seriously tastes like summertime. Dice tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions, then add black beans, cilantro, salt, pepper, grilled corn, and lime juice, and serve with corn chips!

10. Mango Salsa

One more salsa to top off the list of amazing summer party appetizers because no one ever complains about variety. Chop up a mango, a red pepper, and some cilantro, dice onions, and jalapeños, mix it all together in a bowl with some lime juice, and serve with your corn salsa and guacamole! Your guests will be wowed by this ultimate spread.