Jalapeno Popper Dip
Here’s a fantastic way to deliver all that blazing jalapeno popper taste without the work. Whenever I bring this jalapeno popper dip recipe to a party, I’m always asked for the recipe. Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips or butter crackers. —Jennifer Wilke, Collinsville, Illinois
Planning your menu for the Fourth? Check out our favorite Fourth of July recipes.
Nacho Triangles with Salsa-Ranch Dipping Sauce
These nacho bites are a fun fusion of Greek appetizers and flavors of the American Southwest. The simple dipping sauce is a perfect match—the ranch balances out the heat of the jalapeno and chipotle peppers—and takes the recipe to the next level. —Angela Spengler, Niceville, FloridaFor a fun new appetizer tradition, bust out this 4th of July charcuterie board.
Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for the Fourth of July. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North CarolinaWhether you’re looking for something traditional or fresh and different, you’ll love these Fourth of July menu ideas.
Slow-Cooker Sticky Chicken Wings
My neighbor once shared these slow-cooker sticky chicken wings with me at a potluck, and they have been a family favorite ever since. —Jo Vanderwolf, Lillooet, British ColumbiaLooking for some festive desserts? Discover our favorite Fourth of July pies.
Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
Our family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South CarolinaThrowing a big barbecue? Discover our best 4th of July recipes for a crowd.
Cheesy Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders are a fun way to serve meatballs at your party without using a slow cooker. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test KitchenKeep the seasonal sides coming! These summer side dishes are irresistible.
Rhubarb Bruschetta
Fresh rhubarb jam is spooned over cheese-topped bruschetta for a delightful Fourth of July appetizer. Spread the goat cheese on toasted bread slices as soon as they are removed from the broiler. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, WashingtonBuffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs
My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, FloridaSimmered Smoked Links
No one can resist the sweet and spicy glaze on these bite-sized sausages. They’re effortless to prepare, and they make a perfect Fourth of July appetizer. Serve them on frilled toothpicks to make them extra fancy.Special Stuffed Strawberries
These sweet bites can be made ahead of time, and they look really colorful on a tray. I will sometimes sprinkle the piped filling with finely chopped pistachio nuts. —Marcia Orlando, Boyertown, PennsylvaniaHerbed Feta Dip
Guests can’t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy. —Rebecca Ray, Chicago, IllinoisSavory Cucumber Sandwiches
Italian salad dressing is an easy way to add zip to this simple spread. You can also use it as a dip with crackers and veggies or a sandwich filling. —Carol Henderson, Chagrin Falls, OhioIf you like vintage recipes, discover Grandma’s all-time favorite Fourth of July recipes.
Spanakopita
I love having appetizers on hand in the freezer, especially when the holiday season is fast approaching. This easy spanakopita recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Everyone loves them, they're easy to prep and they bake up in about 20 minutes. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, AlbertaHomemade Guacamole
Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you're eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that's too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasFried Lemon-Pepper Wings
These lemon-pepper wings are perfect as Fourth of July appetizers. Try these out if you’ve been stuck in a chicken wing rut. Add grated lemon zest to the butter mixture if you want a more pronounced lemon flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinFresh Shrimp and Avocado Nachos
I'm a fan of shrimp, and my family loves nachos. When I combined those favorites and added fresh avocado, the result was a cool yet satisfying snack. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, MichiganMozzarella Sticks
I'm particularly fond of these tasty mozzarella sticks because they're baked, not fried. Cheese is one of my family's favorite foods. Being of Italian descent, I cook often with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. —Mary Merchant, Barre, VermontFor patriotic desserts, check out these spectacular Fourth of July desserts.
Lemon-Garlic Hummus
You'll need just five ingredients to blend together this smooth and creamy bean dip. It's delicious and quick to make. —Kris Capener, Ogden, UtahAntipasto Skewers
This Fourth of July appetizer is quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for dinner parties, cocktail parties and everything in between! —Amanda Dekrey, Fargo, North DakotaDiscover more of our favorite healthy Fourth of July recipes.
Cajun Crab Poppers
My brother moved to New Orleans, and I love visiting him and his family whenever I can. These easy jalapeno poppers remind me of my time there. They are stuffed with crab, Cajun seasonings and bacon. —Elizabeth Lubin, Huntington Beach, CaliforniaBacon Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Buffalo dip is a must-have appetizer at our annual Fourth of July backyard barbecue! It celebrates America’s love for Buffalo chicken dipped in heaps of creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing. And the bacon? That’s just a bonus! My kids aren’t big fans of blue cheese, but its strong flavor can be mellowed out by adding more mild cheddar in its place. —Katie O’Keeffe, Derry, New HampshirePico de Gallo
This easy pico de gallo recipe is a classic for good reason. It pairs with just about everything! My tip is to let it chill for an hour or two before serving to help the flavors blend. Also, it's best to serve it the same day that it's made. —Jeannie Trudell, Del Norte, ColoradoFlorentine Ciabatta
I came up with this Fourth of July appetizer because of my love for white pizza. I’ve served my ciabatta pizza at many holiday parties, and it’s always a big hit among both children and adults. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, ConnecticutThis pizza charcuterie board might also be a hit at any Fourth of July party.