When the sun is high and the days are long, there’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family for a summer party full of flavor and fun.
But if you’ve ever stood in front of your fridge wondering what to serve that feels festive and fresh then you’re not alone. In this article, I’ve rounded up ten of my favorite summer party food ideas that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.
Whether it’s a backyard bash or a breezy brunch on the patio, these sweet and savory bites will help you entertain in style, without breaking a sweat.
Watermelon Pizza with Melon & Prosciutto
This playful dish swaps dough for juicy watermelon slices and tops them with prosciutto, feta, and basil for a salty-sweet treat. It’s fun, fresh, and made to be eaten with your fingers.
Melon, Cucumber, Watermelon & Feta Tetris Salad
A feast for the eyes and the palate, this playful salad is arranged like a Tetris board with juicy cubes of melon, watermelon, cucumber, and feta, all covered with a sweet and spicy peppermint vinaigrette. It’s crisp, colorful, and just made for summer.
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Cool cucumber rounds topped with a velvety smoked salmon-cream cheese spread make for a refreshing, elegant appetizer. The lemon and chives give it a zingy lift, which is just right for warm-weather entertaining.
Healthy Bread Cups With Ricotta & Berries
These little cuties use white bread as the base for a cool, creamy ricotta filling, topped with the bright pop of fresh strawberries and blueberries. They’re as easy to make as they are pretty on a platter and perfect for a lighter touch at your table.
Melon, Salami & Mozzarella Skewers With Balsamic Glaze
Sweet melon, savory salami, and creamy mozzarella are layered on skewers and drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze with each bite hitting every note from salty to sweet. These are perfect for grazing while mingling and super easy to put together.
Watermelon Pizza With Berries & Whipped Cream
For this light summer dessert, a watermelon “crust” gets a topping of fresh berries, cherries, whipped cream clouds, and a sprinkle of pistachios. It’s the perfect choice if you’re craving something healthy but fancy-looking at the same time.
Bread Cups With Ricotta Filling & Homemade Applesauce
Perhaps an unexpected combo, but the wholemeal bread in this recipe forms the perfect little cup for airy whipped ricotta and a generous spoonful of warm, homemade applesauce. It’s a super easy summer dessert with components that can be prepared the day before and just put together when the special day arrives.
Watermelon & Goat’s Cheese Appetizers
These elegant little watermelon bites are topped with a creamy goat cheese spread and get a punch of flavor from mint, balsamic glaze, and crunchy walnuts. They’re super easy to make and perfect for bringing to summer parties.
Layered Sponge Cake With Berries & Ricotta Frosting
This showstopper of a cake layers fluffy sponge with a luscious, slightly tangy ricotta-strawberry-blueberry filling, all wrapped in a snowy white ricotta frosting and crowned with juicy fresh berries. It’s light, elegant, and will be an absolute hit at your garden party!
Healthy Feta Dip
Creamy whipped feta meets Greek yogurt, lemon, and chives in this recipe for a zesty dip that pairs beautifully with just about anything. Got some crunchy crackers, ciabatta, or those irresistible puff pastry sticks? They’re all perfect here! This summer appetizer is super easy to make and a crowd-pleaser for sure.
