With the warmer weather upon us, it’s time to start thinking about lighter, fresher meals. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition.
These hot weather appetizers are packed with flavor and perfect for any summer gathering.
From watermelon and feta salad to grilled peaches with honey, these dishes will have your guests coming back for more.
So ditch the heavy, greasy appetizers and try something new this summer. Your taste buds will thank you.
The appeal of serving hot weather appetizers at your next summer gathering is threefold:
• First, they’re lighter and less filling than a heavy meal.
• Second, they’re perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen preparing and cooking a meal.
• And third, they provide variety and can please even the pickiest of palates.
In this post, we’ll share more than 20 recipes for delicious hot weather appetizers that will be sure to please your guests!
What to Consider When Serving Summer Appetizers
Some special considerations need to be taken into account when serving appetizers at summer gatherings.
One important factor to consider is the heat. Many appetizers are best served cold or at room temperature, so keeping them out in the heat can make them wilted or soggy.
Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that people will be outside enjoying the summer weather, so they may not have as much of an appetite as they would in the winter.
This means that you might want to serve smaller portions of appetizers, or choose lighter and more refreshing options.
Tips for Preparing Appetizers for Summer Gatherings
Some tips for preparing appetizers for summer gatherings include using seasonal ingredients, keeping the recipes simple, and using presentation to your advantage.
Seasonal ingredients add freshness and bounty to your appetizers while keeping the recipes simple makes them easy to prepare.
Presentation is also important – use colorful fruits and vegetables, fun shapes, and interesting toppings to really wow your guests.
Serving Summer Appetizers
Having appetizers out on the table before guests arrive is the best way to serve them at a summer gathering. That way, they can help themselves and not have to wait for someone to bring them a plate of food.
Some popular appetizers that are great for summer gatherings are dips like salsa or guacamole, cold cuts and cheese, or bite-sized fruits and vegetables.
Whatever you choose to serve, make sure there is something for everyone so that no one goes hungry!
Hot Weather Appetizers
These vegetarian summer rolls are the perfect hot weather appetizer!
They are made with avocado, tofu and fresh rainbow vegetables.
Make them ahead and serve them chilled on a hot day!
These tortilla pinwheels make a delicious appetizer.
Filled with cream cheese and roasted peppers these are an easy to make recipe.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve and they are deliciously cooling.
This super colorful tomato, peach, and spinach salad will brighten any dining table.
The color, texture, and flavor of each salad ingredient, together with a fat-free vinaigrette dressing, create a beautiful harmony that is suitable for any occasion.
Sweet and juicy peach slices are grilled then presented on a large platter with fresh mozzarella cheese, gorgeous in-season herbs, and salty prosciutto, then drizzled with a warm thyme-infused honey for a delicious twist on a classic caprese salad.
With such simple ingredients, this grilled peach caprese salad is a favorite on warm summer nights.
I am offering today, a summer appetizer ready in mere minutes.
If you plan to attend a parade or fireworks and will take a picnic along, consider this healthy and fresh Honey Whipped Ricotta Crostini With Peaches and Prosciutto.
The sum of all its parts pack separately and travel well. Assembly is a cinch and kids seem to really enjoy this, too.
The perfect summer salad is this beautiful and delicious twist on insalata caprese.
Keeping all the flavors of your traditional caprese salad just made cute and mini with colorful cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil leaves, and seasoned with a little salt and flavorful olive oil.
This cherry tomato caprese salad is refreshing, light, and perfect for your next holiday party, backyard barbecue, or anytime snack.
A simple no cook appetizer made with minimal effort.
This Artichoke salad is loaded with flavor, but low on calories.
Served along with some garlic crostinis for a healthy start!
This healthy, simple, delicious and gluten-free 4 Ingredient Caprese Salad Skewer appetizer is make-ahead or perfect for a last minute gathering or potluck, especially if you are trying to stay on track with your health goals.
This cold buffalo chicken dip recipe is an easy appetizer for game day, family get togethers or the holiday season.
Shredded chicken is mixed with cream cheese, sour cream and ranch dressing and seasoned with hot sauce, blue cheese and green onions.
Perfect with tortilla chips, crackers or celery sticks and carrot sticks!
Bruschetta is the perfect hot weather appetizer! There's no cooking involved, so it's super easy!
Fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic (if you like it) come together to top crunch bites of toast.
Pickled Cauliflower is a cool, crispy appetizer that's packed with a perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors.
This delicious prosciutto ricotta crostini recipe is easy to pull together and perfect for a canapes party or chill appetizer.
Ham and sweet cantaloupe is an irresistible combination, but the addition of the creamy ricotta cheese, drizzle of honey, and little greens take it over the top!
These small bites would be welcomed at any gathering and they're easy to hold and eat in a few bites.
Tasty and full of fresh, bright colors, this Easy Mango Habanero Salsa with Avocado is perfect with chips and a cold Margarita!
Extra Special Naruto Rolls - Cucumber Sushi Rolls - Keto Sushi Rolls or Maki Roll - call them to your liking - are the best Keto Appetizer to serve during your Japanese evening or as a part of the Sushi Night.
This Green Onion Salad with cucumber and bell pepper then tossed in a lemon ginger vinaigrette is a healthy and easy vegan side dish.
Serve it alongside pasta, salmon, roasted chicken, and more.
Looking for a filling side salad? Make this Really Good Freekeh Salad with arugula, tomatoes, goat cheese, and pickled red onion.
Serve it warm or cold for a hearty whole grain salad.
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing salad to use up summer’s bounty of tomatoes and fresh herbs, this Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad is for you!
These crunchy air fryer zucchini chips are light, crispy, and require no oven heat!
Roasted salsa is a delicious summer appetizer, comes together quickly and everybody loves it!
These Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos are made with seasoned sweet potato rounds,
Cuban-style black beans, spicy salsa, and guacamole. It is the perfect game day appetizer or healthy snack!
With these delicious and healthy hot weather appetizers, you’ll be able to enjoy the summer weather while still satisfying your appetite.
From watermelon and feta salad to grilled peaches with honey, these recipes are perfect for any summer gathering.
So ditch the heavy, greasy appetizers and try something new this summer. Your taste buds will thank you.
Check out these recipe books for even MORE ideas for Hot Weather Appetizers!