Recipe Roundup

47 4th of July Appetizer Recipes That Will Make You Feel Truly Independent

You could wait for the burgers and dogs to come off the grill (or for the barbecue to come out of the smoker); or you could fill up on crudités, dip, and fried seafood before those entrées ever cross your plate. Your choice.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton

4th of July appetizers and hors d'oeuvres are the most exciting part of the meal; the moment when something fun and delicious and maybe even surprising can fit into the menu. Whether that means trying your hand at homemade cheese crackers or a dip you've never served before, consider this list an invitation to mix things up. Add a summery cocktail with these snacks, apps, and bites, and even a very small gathering will feel grand.

Head this way for more of our best July Fourth recipes →

  • a variety of sliced radishes served with a dollop of crème fraîche sprinkled with furikake
    Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    1/47

    Radishes With Crème Fraîche and Furikake

    These radishes are the perfect 4th of July appetizer because it's not too filling but plenty flavorful. You can buy many different varieties of furikake, but this recipe includes a simple homemade version that adds crisp and flavor to tangy crème fraîche.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    2/47

    Pimiento Cheese Crackers

    Homemade crackers? No big deal, really. The dough for these flavorful cheddar crackers can be formed into a log and stashed in the freezer so it’s on hand for whenever you need it.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    3/47

    Flatbread With Avocado and Scallion Salsa

    Pillowy flatbread is an optimal canvas for buttery avocados and a spicy salsa, but it can also be a vehicle for all kinds of dips and spreads. Just don’t call it avocado toast!

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kendra Smoot
    4/47

    Pan con Tomate

    Pan con tomate is the king of tapas. This version breaks with tradition a bit: instead of rubbing toast with cut tomatoes, we grated the tomatoes to make a raw sauce that the bread can really absorb.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    7/47

    Creamy Avocado Dip With Scallions

    With a mix of caramelized and fresh scallions, plus avocado and yogurt, this dip has a taste and texture somewhere between onion dip and guacamole.

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  • Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt
    8/47

    Boneless Buffalo Chicken "Wings"

    These fried and sauced chicken breast strips have all the spicy flavor of Buffalo wings—without the hassle of bones. Serve them on July Fourth with a tangy blue cheese dip and celery sticks.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
    9/47

    Campechana Extra (Mexican Seafood Cocktail)

    This fresh shrimp cocktail gets extra layers of flavor thanks to sweet lump crabmeat, smoky New Mexican chiles, briny olives, and creamy avocado.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    10/47

    Pickled Shrimp

    This make-ahead dish is a Southern classics, and it means there's no fuss when you're concentrating on lighting the grill for your ribs.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    15/47

    Smoky Carrot Dip

    Sweet and smoky roasted carrots are blended with chickpeas, almonds, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs—it’s the perfect companion to seeded crackers or good bread.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens
    16/47

    Grilled Greens and Cheese on Toast

    Pile charred Halloumi cheese, kale, and cherry tomatoes onto grilled bread rubbed with garlic for an almost-instant summer dinner or slice the toasts in half for a smoky, delicious appetizer.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
    17/47

    3-Ingredient Grilled and Fresh Tomato Salsa

    Grilling the onions and half of the tomatoes adds smoky depth and sweetness to this riff on pico de gallo.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani
    18/47

    Muhammara

    This vibrant dip of toasted walnuts and roasted red peppers pairs perfectly well with grilled pita bread and kebabs.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    29/47

    Spicy Lightly Pickled Cucumbers

    We love a prep-ahead snack, and this is one of the best for 4th of July. These quick pickles have just the right amount of sweet, salt, and tang going on. The brine can work with any crunchy veg, but we like them best with cucumbers.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Sue Li
    30/47

    Onion-Dip Potato Chips

    These homemade onion-flavored chips just might be more devotion-worthy than the store-bought versions.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    31/47

    Swiss Chard–Tahini Dip

    If you love hummus or baba ghanoush, this dairy-free dip will become a new favorite. Just make sure you have plenty of warm flatbread to scoop it all up.

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  • Photo by Kristin Perers
    32/47

    Eggplant and Yogurt Spread

    This is a wonderful dip with a subtle flavor of caramelized onion and saffron and a silky texture offset by the lovely crunch of the walnut garnish.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    33/47

    Smoked Chicken Wings

    Start the meal right with these smoky wings, laced with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and mustard powder for great flavor.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    34/47

    Roasted Vegetables Antipasto Plate

    This antipasto platter goes way past jarred peppers and cold cuts, with roasted vegetables that change with the seasons. Even at room temp, these options round out any meat and cheese platter.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    39/47

    Charred Caprese Sandwich

    How do you improve on a classic Caprese? Grill your tomatoes—and then spill them over charred baguette.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime
    40/47

    Crudités With Bacon XO Sauce

    XO sauce can be used as an all-purpose condiment. It’s great over rice, steamed or roasted veggies, or roast chicken.

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  • Iain Bagwell
    41/47

    Fried Ipswich Whole Belly Clams with Tartar Sauce

    One word of warning before you make this festive 4th of July appetizer: Never substitute "clam strips" for whole belly clams. Clam strips come from surf clams, and they'll be very tough if you fry them.

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  • Romulo Yanes
    42/47

    Mini Shrimp Rolls

    A simple shrimp salad is served in small dinner rolls in this fun (and easy) twist on the traditional New England lobster roll.

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  • Johnny Miller
    47/47

    Corn Fritters with Spicy Zucchini Salsa

    Corn fritters make perfect 4th of July appetizers. They're seasonally appropriate and totally special. Don't worry if the fritters seem a little flimsy—they hold together and flip easily during cooking.

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