24 BBQ Appetizers That Everyone Will Love

Tandoori Paneer Tikka skewers on a platter — The Spruce Eats

Summer parties call for great company and delicious food that can be enjoyed outdoors. Treat your family and friends to these tasty BBQ appetizers that are perfect for a summer cookout and keep guests happy until you are ready to serve the mains.

From crunchy and cooling salads, savory spreads, and satisfying skewers (with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, too!) there's something for everyone on this list- whether you're hosting or bringing everyone's new favorite appetizer to the BBQ party.

01 of 24

Beach Bread

The Spruce Eats / Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Beach bread is a popular appetizer in Florida, where locals and tourists enjoy this cheesy garlicky loaf with tomatoes. Make it easily on a sheet pan in the oven or use your grill.
02 of 24

Classic Olive Tapenade

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Salty and luscious, a black olive tapenade is a must at summer parties. Slather the delicious paste over grilled bread slices for a chic canape or serve alongside crackers and breadsticks for easy dipping.
03 of 24

Grilled Halloumi Cheese

The Spruce/Julia Hartbeck

Grilling brings out the best in halloumi cheese, enhancing its delicious, salty flavor and satisfying texture. Enjoy it grilled simply or layer it with sliced tomatoes and basil leaves on skewers for an elegant hand-held appetizer.
04 of 24

Fig Crostini

The Spruce Eats / Molly Watson

Figs are a fabulous summer fruit that deserves a spot on your backyard party menu. These tasty little toasts are so easy to make. Fresh figs are tossed with balsamic vinegar and black pepper, then piled onto toasted baguette slices. Top with crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese for serving, if you like.

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05 of 24

Watermelon and Mozzarella Salad With Basil

The Spruce Eats / bk1bennett

What would summer be without watermelon? Make this fruit stand out with a simple, refreshing salad featuring juicy melon cubes, creamy mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and tangy balsamic glaze.
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Easy Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Skewers

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Delight vegan and vegetarian cookout guests when you break out a tray of these tasty tofu and vegetable skewers. They are high in protein and flavored simply with an Italian salad dressing marinade.
07 of 24

Cheesy Stuffed Potato Skins With Vegetarian Bacon Bits

The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

Everyone likes potato skins and this cheesy, twice-baked version is sure to be a hit at your summer gatherings. Potato skins are fried until crisp, then stuffed with sour cream, cheddar cheese, scallions, and vegetarian bacon bits.
08 of 24

Grilled Potato Chips With Garlic Aioli

Lisa Marie Thompson / Getty Images

Turn your grill into a potato chip machine this summer! Thinly sliced potatoes are cooked briefly on the grill until crisp and golden brown. Serve with the included recipe for a flavor-packed garlic-mayonnaise dip (AKA aioli, AKA heaven).

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09 of 24

Spanish Melon With Serrano Ham

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Sweet honeydew melon makes a refreshingly delicious complement to salty serrano ham. This no-cook tapas takes only minutes to prepare and looks elegant on your cookout table.
10 of 24

Bruschetta

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Bruschetta is a popular Italian appetizer that makes the most of seasonal fresh tomatoes, rich-tasting olive oil, and herbaceous basil leaves. The ingredients are scattered over toasted Italian bread slices with garlic and salt to lift all the flavors.
11 of 24

Spicy Pickled Asparagus

The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

Serve these pickled treats as a garnish for bloody marys at your cookout or as an easy finger-food appetizer. The cool, crunchy asparagus stalks have a surprising hit of spice your guests will love. Make them a week ahead or more for the best results.
12 of 24

Mini Pizza Bites

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Make cookout guests smile when you serve these mini pizza bites that need only a few ingredients and can be tweaked with your favorite toppings. They are simple to prepare with a can of crescent roll dough or mini phyllo shells and jarred pizza sauce.

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13 of 24

Mini Taco Bites

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Get the party started with these bite-sized Mexican-style appetizers that include everyone's favorite taco flavors with none of the usual mess. The taco filling can be easily customized, with helpful suggestions in the recipe.
14 of 24

Wonton Wrapped Shrimp

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Sweet raw shrimp are marinated in a Thai-inspired sauce with brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, coriander, and chili, then wrapped in wonton envelopes for frying until golden in this winning recipe. Serve warm with extra marinade on the side for dipping.
15 of 24

Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

The Spruce Eats / Darlene Schmidt

Based on the traditional Thai basil chicken dish, these fun lettuce wraps make a flavorful party appetizer. Guests will enjoy loading lettuce leaves with the aromatic filling for a tasty, hand-held snack.
16 of 24

Grilled Herb and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Stuffed mushrooms are a popular party appetizer that is simple to prepare on the grill. The meaty caps are filled with a tangy mixture of cheddar cheese, pimientos, panko breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs, then grilled until tender on the bottom and gooey on top.

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Tandoori Paneer Tikka

The Spruce Eats / Stephanie Goldfinger

Soft chunks of mild paneer cheese are marinated in store-bought tandoori masala and threaded onto skewers with bell peppers and onions for grilling in this Indian-style appetizer.
18 of 24

Jalapeño Poppers

The Spruce Eats / Abbey Littlejohn

Restaurant-style jalapeño poppers are sure to please cookout guests. These hot little peppers are scooped out, stuffed with a creamy filling, breaded, then deep-fried until golden and crunchy.
19 of 24

Chile and Cheese Flautas

John E. Kelly / Getty Images

Flautas (that's Spanish for flutes) is a popular Latin American treat that makes a great party app. Flour tortillas are stuffed with green chiles, cheese, and corn, then rolled and pan-fried until golden brown and crispy.
20 of 24

Vegan Tofu Spring Rolls

The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

Vietnamese-style vegan spring rolls make a refreshing, no-mess party appetizer on hot summer days. Store-bought spring roll wrappers are filled with firm tofu, crunchy fresh vegetables, bean thread noodles, and aromatic fresh herbs.

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21 of 24

Flatbread Pizza with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Olives and Goat Cheese

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Thin-crust pizza lovers will gobble up this easy appetizer. It is made with baked or grilled lavash flatbread topped with sun-dried tomatoes, salty kalamata olives, and tangy goat cheese crumbles.
22 of 24

Southern Pickled Shrimp with Fresh Dill

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Sweet pickled shrimp make a great cold appetizer on warm days. Plan to prepare them at least four hours before your party or up to 24 hours in advance. Serve with cocktail toothpicks for guests to help themselves.
23 of 24

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

This is a classic party appetizer that is always a hit. This recipe is simple with a handful of ingredients, including frozen spinach, canned artichoke hearts, and two kinds of cheese for that ooey gooey factor. Make it ahead and store in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
24 of 24

White Bean Hummus Dip

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Super creamy, packed with flavor, and sure to stave off hunger until the grill is ready, this satisfying dip is vegan and gluten-free. Served with toasted pita, and crunchy vegetables this tasty take on traditional hummus can easily be made ahead of time.

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