From dips to peel 'n' eat shrimp, these hassle-free hosting recipes are made for summer.
When summer rolls around and the days get longer, no one wants to drag their feet inside at golden hour to prepare a snack, especially when you're at the beach. Enter these make-ahead, travel-friendly appetizers that are sure to satisfy all ages. These might not be the recipes you'd turn to if you were trying to impress visiting in-laws, but we aren't trying to be fancy on the beach; we're just hungry, and we want good food.
After a long, hot day in the sun, the name of the game is dips and finger foods (we're on the beach, after all) that are just as good freshly prepared as they are after sitting in a cooler all day. Whether you're packing a cooler and hitting the sand from sunrise to sunset or you're just steps from the house but don't want to miss the quiet hour as the crowds clear and the sun begins to slide into the water, we have you covered with 30 appetizers to serve at the beach.
If there's one thing that will always hit the spot in the summer, it's shrimp. Especially the seasoning-covered, peel-and-eat kind. And there's no better spot to enjoy them without worrying about a mess than on the beach. Serve them with homemade cocktail sauce and lemon slices.
This big-batch salsa is the perfect make-ahead dip to feed a crowd. In a pinch, you can use canned goods, but it's best when made with fresh, in-season ingredients. The recipe already serves 12, but we recommend doubling it for your crew of sun seekers. It'll last in the fridge for up to a week, but we guarantee it'll be gone sooner.
Double the peppers, double the goodness. This spicy guac gets its delicious flavor from just-right avocados, habaneros, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice. Make this dip and store it in a cooler-friendly container to enjoy on the beach with tortilla chips.
These bite-size crackers are known for being gone in the blink of an eye. Flavor laden with hot sauce and all-purpose spices, this spicy saltine cracker snack never disappoints.
Rethink salsa: This fresh medley with just a handful of ingredients is perfect for summer. Cucumbers, cilantro, green apple, red onion, and jalapeños come together to make this light dip in just 10 minutes.
This no-fuss appetizer hails from Mobile, Alabama, and makes the most of fresh crab. While it's ready to enjoy immediately, this is one of those dishes that gets better with time, so plan to make it the night before and serve it chilled. For the beach, forget the lettuce cups and bring out a sleeve of saltines instead.
There's truly no time and place where pimiento cheese isn't appropriate to serve. Need we say more? Pack a tub of the homemade goodness in the cooler and throw a box of crackers in a tote bag and you're good as gold.
Whether you're packing it for the beach or serving it up on the porch, make this snack ahead of time so you can enjoy your company. With spinach, sour cream, chives, and Vidalia onions, this chilled rendition of a classic spinach dip can be served with potato chips or crudités.
This dish is all the flavors of the fan-favorite cocktail combined into one finger-friendly appetizer. It requires a minimum of 8 hours to marinate, so be sure to prep it the night before. Best of all, you can leave the shrimp in the sealed bag to head to the beach for cocktail-hour bites the next day.
When this snack mix comes out of the tote bag, you'll find hands of all sizes reaching in for a taste. To minimize soggy pretzels and sand mingling with the spices, divide the mixture into single-serve baggies.
This colorful dip is filled with black-eyed peas, green and red tomatoes, peppers, onion, cilantro, and tossed with Italian dressing. Tangy, salty, spicy-it's the unsung hero of summer snacking. It's easiest to pull together and always the first thing to disappear.
For a healthy appetizer, break out this vibrant dip as a twist on traditional hummus. Lemon juice, tahini, and Za'atar seasoning bring complex flavors to each bite. Serve it with crostinis or veggies.
You just can't beat a snack-size sandwich on soft bread. This spin on a BLT (minus the L) focuses on summer's prized produce-tomatoes. You can prepare them up to an hour ahead of time and refrigerate until serving.
You can't go wrong with a tomato and cheese combination, and this happy hour-worthy medley is no exception. For the best flavor, let the ingredients mingle together overnight, then serve with toasted baguette slices.
While a bag of potato chips or box of Goldfish will suffice, our semi-homemade snack mix version is worth the five extra minutes it takes to throw together. Store-bought crackers, plus paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne creates a savory-spicy bowl of deliciousness that all ages will love.
From luncheons to picnics in the South, you've probably seen this dish between two slices of white bread more than a time or two. We've turned it into the perfect anytime appetizer to be served with crusty bread.
Even if you weren't already at the beach, you'll feel like you are when dipping a well-seasoned shrimp into this Old Bay remoulade. You can make the sauce up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container.
This salsa puts summer produce on display with juicy peaches and brightly colored tomatoes. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a seasonal mixture that is divine on its own, with tortilla chips, or atop your favorite fish or tacos.
This bite-sized appetizer is a fan-favorite all year round, no matter the time of day, so no one will complain when you pull a container of these out. Best of all, you can make them well ahead of time and keep them in the freezer until needed.
With only three ingredients, this appetizer is perfect for summer and vacations where you're on the go. The combination of salty ham with fresh melon and smooth mozzarella makes for the perfect bite.
Our chunky guacamole might have all the traditional ingredients, but it's far from basic, Ready in just 10 minutes, it's the crowd-pleasing app that everyone needs to have in their back pocket to whip up at a moments notice.
From tailgates to beach trips, this dip with Georgia-inspired black beans, corn. black-eyed peas, bell peppers, jalapeños, onions, and scallions will be gone in a flash.
One of the South's favorite and easiest appetizers starts with a block of cream cheese and pepper jelly. This version takes things up a notch with seasoned shrimp and crackers.
Watch these melt-in-your-mouth crackers disappear. They're sneakily easy thanks to the store-bought bag of puffy oyster crackers and dry ranch salad dressing mix.
Sure, it's pretty easy to throw the jarred stuffed in your cart at the grocery store, but once you make this homemade salsa you won't want to go back.
From tailgates and ball games to roadtrips and the beach, boiled peanuts are a Southern staple that we just can't get enough of. It doesn't get better than snacking on these with your feet in the sand and a cold drink in hand.
While you can buy Chex mix to curb your salty-crunch craving, none will compare to this smoky snack mix. You'll want to go ahead and double-or better yet, triple-this recipe so it'll last more than a day.
Layered caprese salads are beautiful on a buffet, but this grab-and-go toothpick version is perfect for the beach.
While this fresh salsa is made for serving over seafood and chicken dishes, it's so good you'll want to grab a spoon and dive right in. Try them with salty plantain chips for an especially delicious crunch.
Impressive charcuterie boards might be a little tricky on the beach, but we have you covered with all the same flavors. This mixture of gourmet crackers, prosciutto, almonds, pistachios, dried figs, and Parmesan cheese crisps is a tasty solution.
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