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Fresh and full of flavor, these easy summer appetizers are perfect for hosting your next garden party and to celebrate the sunshine!

There’s something to please everyone.

Close-up of a wooden board full of summer appetizers made with crostini, ricotta and green peas.

Over the years, I’ve made these appetizer recipes for the most epic al fresco parties out in the warm summer air. Easy recipes that work perfectly for potlucks and picnics too.

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Platters of crostini, bright and pizza bites set out on the table for your guests to nibble on. Large bowls filled with gorgeous salads to serve with your favourite grilled dishes.

Yes, summer appetizers are the perfect way to begin an al fresco dinner!

I’ve put together an amazing list of ideas for you, from bruschetta to focaccia, from easy dippers to scrumptious salads and more.

Try one, or try them all, and have a wonderful summer!

Let the snacking begin!

1

Top view of a white bowl full of bruschetta dip served with crusty slices of bread.

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This simple, fresh bruschetta dip makes a fantastic crowd-pleasing Italian appetizer. The diced ripe tomatoes and their juices, the olive oil infused with garlic and fresh basil are truly incredibile. Spread on grilled bread ror an authentic Italian experience!

2

Close-up of a crostini with ricotta and peas on a small wooden board.

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In this crostini recipe the crispy slices of bread are piled with creamy ricotta, tender peas, lemon zest and fresh mint. It's a delicious vegetarian canapé full of fresh flavor and ready in minutes!

3

Top view of a white salad bowl full of chichpea, pepper and cucumber salad with mint leaves.

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The combination of plant-based protein, veggies, fresh mint leaves and tangy dressing makes this salad super versatile! It keeps well for days in the fridge and it works as a side dish or as an appetizer perfect for summer.

4

Top view of several ricotta crostini drizzled with honey and sprinkled with pine nuts.

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If you look for cold apetizers for summer, this fresh whipped ricotta with crispy crostini and honey is perfect for a crowd and easy to whip up in no time with just a handful of ingreidents.

5

Top view of spinach puff pastry bites served in a white bowl over a white background.

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This spinach appetizer is delicious all year round. The soft, savory filling made with ricotta and spinach and wrapped in crispy puff pastry will surely please a crowd!

6

Top view of a white serving plate with caprese salad skewers.

These caprese skewers are SUPER easy to assamble, deliciously fresh, perfect for sharing, and easy to transport. Made with just three basic ingredients, this

delicious summer appetizer recipe ticks all the boxes.

7

Top view of a veggie pizza with roasted vegetable, arugula and fresh basil.

Homemade pizza is an easy crowd-pleaser, colorful, full of flavor, and great for a cool and casual summer soirée. In this recipe the cripy crust is topped with

amazing roasted veggies, fresh arugula and extra virgin olive oil.

8

Top view of a white bowl full of Italian spicy olives.

What about juicy flavor-packed olives? They make a sensational appetizer and finger food to serve with cheese boards and colorful platters. They are super easy

and quick to whip up, and there's no cooking involved.

9

Image for Ricotta Meatballs

These melt-in-your-mouth tender ricotta meatballs cooked in tomato sauce are so easy to make with a handful of ingredients and make a scrumptious appetizer or

side dish.

10

Top view of a white plate full of Italian chickpea salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

This scrumptious Italian chickpea salad combines tomatoes, fresh mini mozzarella balls, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, and basil. It's a flavorful and

versatile salad that can be served as a light side dish or yummy appetizer.

11

Top view of a blue bowl full of sriracha aioli served with sweet potatoes chips and lime wedges.

Gat your favorite dippers ready for this quick Sriracha aioli. The garlic, creamy mayo and fresh lime juice commined with the spicy shiracha makes anything that

you dip into it delicious. It's ready in no time and it's perfect for a platter.

12

Chickpea bruschetta with sun dried tomatoes over a light blue plate.

The possibilities for topping bruschetta are endless! In this easy recipe all you have to do is rub your grilled bread with a garlic clove and top with smashed

chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, and good extra virgin olive oil. It's so simple and brilliant for any casual summer menu!

13

Top view of a bowl full of sun dried tomato paste served with crusty crackers.

14

Top view of a large pizza with peppers cut into slices and garnished with basil leaves.

This wonderful pizza is packed with juicy bell peppers and creamy mozzarella. It's colorful, yummy and so inviting. Cut it into small squares and serve as an

appetizer for your next get-togethers with family or friends.

15

Top view of a bowl full of creamy mint yogurt sauce served with pita bread, falafels, cherry tomatoes and veggie sticks.

This easy mint yogurt sauce requires 5 minutes of prep time, and it’s so fresh and zippy. It's absolutely great with veggies, salads, fritters, falafel and all

your grilled or roasted summery stuff! One of my fav cold appetizers for an outdoor party!

16

Top view of a bowl full of a great summer appetizer made with lentils and tomatoes.

You'll love this Middle Easter salad full of lentils and exotic spicy notes. It keeps well in the fridge and makes a fantastic make ahead meal that works

brilliantly as a side dish or appetizer.

17

Bruschetta with mozzarella over a white background.

Bruschetta is one of my fav Italian appetizer that is absolutely perfect for summer parties. It comes together in no time with a handful of good-quality

ingredients, it’s a truly delicious and sure to please everybody.

18

Top view of a dairy-free appetizer made with olive oil and fresh veggies.

Another great idea for your summer appetizers is serving your best extra virgin olive along with fresh veggies and warm bread. It's fresh, ridiculously easy and

makes a stunning and colorful platter.

19

Top view of a light blue bowl full of creamy pink beet hummus.

This wonderful beet hummus makes a gorgeous party appetizer ready in about 10 mintues. All you need is cooked beetroot, chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin,

olive oil and seasoning. Blend everything together and you’re done!

20

Tomato pasta salad with large basil leaves in a white salad bowl.

This quick and simple pasta salad is packed with ripe cherry tomartoes, basil, and garlic flavor. It's easy to throw together and to transport, it's full of

fresh flavor and great for picnics, potlucks and garden parties.

21

Top view of a white plate full of marinated mozzarella balls in olive oil.

Creamy and fresh mini mozzarella balls combined with garlic, herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and chilli make a sensational crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in just

5 minutes. Don't forget

22

Top view of a turquoise bowl full of sun dried tomato cream cheese served with tortilla chips.

Another amazing crowd-pleaser dip delicious for summer gatherings. You’ll love the rich cheese balanced by the tangy sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes, it

pairs perfectly with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies.

23

Close-up of some olive bruschetta over a white serving plate.

Bruschetta is definitely one of my go-to appetizers, especially in summer. The crispy garlic bread along with the extra virgin olive oil instantly elevate

simple, convenient ingredients like jarred juicy olives and the delicius paresan cheese.

24

Top view of a brown bowl full of jalapeño cream cheese served with crackers.

This dip sauce is not fancy, not so impressive, but it's a breeze to make in just 5 minutes from start to finish and it's creamy, bright, and deliciously spicy.

Serve it up with chips, veggies, breadsticks, crackers, or any other crispy dippers.

25

Top view of a white bowl full of green olive tapenade served with crusty bread.

You can whip up this delicious olive dip at a moment’s notice, it's absolutely a no-brainer, versatile and perfect to please everyone!

26

Top view of a small bowl with whipped ricotta served with crostini.

Summer appetizers and more…

If you love more appetizer recipes suitable for any occasion and all year round, you might check out these terrific collections:

  • If you make one or more of these delicious summer appetizers, or you have a question, let me know by leaving a comment. I would love to hear from you and get your feedback! x

Crostini with ricotta & Peas

Fresh, fun and full of flavor, these easy summer appetizers are perfect for hosting your next garden party and to celebrate the sunshine like crostini with ricotta and peas, a lovely vegetarian appetizer ready in minutes! NOTE: the pea and ricotta topping is enough for about 12 crostini, but you can easily double the quantities. Prep Time 15 Total Time 15 Course: Appetizer Cuisine: Italian Keyword: Crostini with ricotta Servings: 12 crostini Calories: 129 kcal Author: Katia

  • 12 small slices of baguette, about ½ inch thick (even thinner if you wish)
  • 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, as needed

Ricotta & pea topping

  • 1 cup (120 grams) fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 Tbsp
  • 8 mint leaves, shredded (or more to taste)
  • ½ lemon, grate only the zest
  • ½ cup (120 grams) ricotta cheese
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • Crostini

  • Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C (better not to use the broiler since it could easily burn the bread) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Use a serrated knife and cut the baguette into thin slices, about ½ inch or even a bit thinner if you wish. Lightly brush each side of each slice with extra virgin olive oil.
  • Place the slices on a single layer on the baking sheet and bake until crisp and slightly golden, it takes about 6-7 mins, keep an eye on them. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
  • Topping

  • Bring a small pot with water to a boil and blanch the peas for about 1 minute or until tender. Drain, rinse them with cold water straight away to preserve their bright color, and drain well again.
  • Place the peas into a bowl and add the lemon zest, the shredded mint leaves, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the flavor and the seasoning according to your liking until the flavor pops up.
  • Spread a thick layer of ricotta on top of each slice of bread, than top with the peas, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or extra lemon zest if you wish. Serve immediately. Nutrition facts: the nutrition values are for one portion only and are based on an online nutrition calculator. It’s an estimate only and it should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please see my Calories: 129 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 5 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 5 mg | Sodium: 368 mg | Potassium: 75 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 2 g | Vitamin A: 121 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 57 mg | Iron: 1 mg
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