Skip the grill but keep the flavor with these cookout appetizers that are too good to pass up. Each one is easy to make and brings something different to the table, from creamy dips to crispy, cheesy bites. They’re the kind of dishes that disappear fast and leave people asking how you made them. These 27 appetizers prove you don’t need the grill to impress a crowd.
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Hot Bacon Cheddar Dip
Turn up the heat with a cheesy bacon dip that never lasts long once it hits the table. It’s salty, gooey, and just right with chips, crackers, or sliced veggies. This is one of those easy-to-make appetizer recipes that keeps everyone dipping until the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: Hot Bacon Cheddar Dip
Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
Give everyone something warm and rich to scoop with this creamy mix of artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheese. It’s fast to make, but it feels like something that took way longer. Appetizers for a cookout that don’t touch the grill don’t get better than this one.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
Lasagna Pizzas
Go big with these cheesy roll-ups that mix the best parts of pizza and lasagna in one bite. They bake up golden and stuffed with meat and sauce, so each bite is packed with flavor. This is an easy-to-make appetizer recipe that always feels like the main event.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Pizzas
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Switch things up with this twist on the usual dip that adds new flavors and textures to every layer. It’s spicy, creamy, and crunchy all at once and stands out from the crowd. Appetizers for a cookout that don’t touch the grill should always taste this fun.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Skip the deep fryer and bake up these golden hand pies filled with savory ground beef. They look fancy thanks to the puff pastry, but the steps are super simple. This is an easy-to-make appetizer recipe that feels like a win on any cookout table.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Start with a crisp crust and layer on creamy goat cheese and tender asparagus for something different. It skips red sauce and still brings big flavor without much work. This is one of those appetizers for a cookout that don’t touch the grill but shouldn’t be missed.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Let your slow cooker do most of the work for these little beef-filled masa cups with crispy edges. The meat turns out rich and tender, and the shells add the perfect crunch. This is a great appetizer recipe when you want big flavor with almost no prep.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Buffalo Chicken Rolls
Roll up some heat with spicy shredded chicken and gooey cheese wrapped in golden dough. These are easy to prep ahead and come out looking like something from a restaurant. This delicious appetizer recipe always gets the table talking.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Rolls
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Give deviled eggs a salty twist with crispy bacon mixed right in for extra flavor. They’re quick to put together and feel special without being fussy. This is the kind of easy-to-make appetizer recipe that always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Go ahead and fake homemade with these golden, flaky empanadas filled with juicy, seasoned chicken. Nobody will guess the dough came from the store because it comes out tasting like you made it from scratch. This is an easy-to-make appetizer recipe that feels like a win when you need something quick that still looks impressive.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
Make some noise with these sweet and smoky little sausages swimming in a bold bourbon BBQ sauce. They stay hot in the slow cooker and keep the flavor going for hours. This is are easy-to-make appetizer recipe that always vanishes fast once people take that first bite.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
Brazilian Cheese Bread
Shake things up with cheesy little bites that are chewy in the middle and just crisp enough on the outside. They’re naturally gluten-free and don’t take much effort to make. This is the kind of easy appetizer recipe that people remember and always ask how you made them.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Boozy Bacon Cheddar Bites
Bring a little boldness to the table with cheesy bites topped with bacon and a tiny splash of booze. They start with English muffins and bake until bubbly and golden with hardly any work. This is a delicious appetizer recipe that gets people talking before they even take a second bite.
Get the Recipe: Boozy Bacon Cheddar Bites
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Catch people off guard in the best way with these little bites made from just dates and bacon. The mix of salty and sweet makes each bite stand out without needing anything fancy. This is a cookout appetizer recipe that makes folks ask, “Who brought these?”
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Keep it simple and cheesy with this creamy dip that brings just the right kick. It cooks up fast with pantry staples and beats any jarred stuff hands down. This is an easy-to-make appetizer recipe that keeps people parked by the chips.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Chicken Tenders
Make it feel like more than just chicken with these crunchy, juicy tenders coated in cornflakes. They come out crispy every time and don’t need anything fancy to be a hit. This is a great appetizer recipe for anyone who wants something quick that tastes like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Pretzel Bites
Roll out the kind of snack people can’t stop eating with these soft, salty pretzel bites. They’re golden outside, fluffy inside, and perfect for dipping in mustard or cheese. This is an easy appetizer recipe that never sticks around long at a party.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Bites
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
Scoop up something warm and rich with this cheesy dip loaded with shredded chicken and enchilada sauce. It brings big flavor without needing a bunch of steps or fancy ingredients. This is the kind of easy appetizer recipe that disappears faster than you think.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
Corn Fritters
Toss these golden corn fritters on the table when you need something warm and crispy that doesn’t touch the grill. The soft center and sweet corn bits make them pop with flavor in every bite. This is an easy-to-make appetizer recipe for a cookout that keeps people coming back for another round.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters
Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Bring something fresh that still feels homemade with these easy biscuit cups filled with tomato and basil. They use store-bought dough, but they taste like you spent all day in the kitchen. This is an appetizer for a cookout that doesn’t touch the grill but still gets all the attention.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Whipped Vegetable Bruschetta
Spread something bright and creamy that stands out with this veggie bruschetta topped with prosciutto. It’s smooth, salty, and looks like it came from a fancy spot even though it’s easy to make. This is the kind of appetizer for a cookout that feels different in a good way.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Vegetable Bruschetta
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Skip the grill and bring bold heat with this cheesy buffalo dip that people never stop scooping. It’s creamy, spicy, and made with simple stuff you probably already have. This is one of those easy appetizer recipes for cookout that’s always gone before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Philly Cheesesteak Dip
Turn up the flavor without turning on the grill with this hot dip packed with beef, cheese, and a little kick. It’s like the sandwich, but even better for sharing with chips or bread. This is a delicious appetizer recipe for a cookout that makes everyone crowd around the table.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Dip
Shrimp Pico de Gallo
Put something cool on the table with this fresh mix of shrimp, tomatoes, and lime. It’s quick to make and light enough for a hot day, but still feels like something special. This is an easy appetizer recipe for a cookout when you want a break from the usual.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pico de Gallo
Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
Crunch into something different with these crispy panko shrimp that skip the fryer but keep all the flavor. They come together fast and make a light, tasty bite that won’t weigh anyone down. This is an appetizer for a cookout that doesn’t need oil or fire to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
Air Fryer Calamari
Give everyone something new to talk about with this crispy calamari that cooks up right in the air fryer. It’s got the crunch people love without needing a deep fryer or a grill. This is a cookout appetizer recipe that feels special but couldn’t be easier.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Calamari
Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders
Bring a tray of these warm, melty sliders and watch how fast they disappear. The buttery topping and savory filling make each bite hit just right without needing to fire up anything outside. This is an easy appetizer recipe for a cookout that feeds a crowd without a fuss.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders