19 Cold Appetizers for Summer
Summer is a time to enjoy the sun, spend time with family and friends, and indulge in delicious food. However, for those on a strict diet, summer can be a challenging time to stay on track.
Fortunately, plenty of healthy and tasty options are available, especially when it comes to cold appetizers. These refreshing and satisfying dishes are perfect for summer when you want something light yet satisfying.
In this blog, we’ll share 19 of the best cold appetizers for summer, so you can enjoy your favorite foods without compromising your health goals.
Gazpacho
Looking for a refreshing and nutritious dish? Look no further than this Easy Gazpacho Recipe!
Bursting with the flavors of fresh, ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, zesty red onions, and tangy sherry vinegar, this recipe is a perfect blend of savory and sweet. With hearty bread and fragrant oregano, this soup is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.
Topped off with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of chopped herbs, this Easy Gazpacho Recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether a hot summer day or a cozy winter evening.
Prosciutto &Cranberry Crostini
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet and savory with these Cranberry & Prosciutto Crostini! This appetizer is an explosion of flavor with the perfect balance of creamy goat cheese, tangy cranberry sauce, and salty prosciutto.
Slices of baguette are toasted to perfection, making them the ideal vehicle for this delectable combination of flavors. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether entertaining guests or just looking for a quick snack.
With only a handful of ingredients, these crostini are a simple and delicious way to satisfy your taste buds. Try the recipe today and impress your guests with this elegant and tasty appetizer!
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites is a perfect appetizer for any occasion, with refreshing flavors that will delight your taste buds. The cream cheese and Greek yogurt are mixed with garlic powder and fresh dill, adding a tangy, savory flavor.
Thinly sliced smoked salmon is folded over each cucumber slice, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This elegant appetizer is easy to prepare and low in calories, making it a healthy option for any gathering. Impress your guests with this delicious dish, and get ready to receive compliments!
Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers are the perfect appetizer for any occasion! Bursting with flavor and texture. These skewers feature Heinen’s cheese tortellini, fresh mozzarella cheese, pimento-stuffed olives, kalamata olives, salami, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, parsley, and green onions, all threaded onto wooden skewers.
A drizzle of Heinen’s honey and balsamic vinegar dressing, seasoned with fresh parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper, adds the perfect finishing touch to these tasty skewers. Easy to assemble and serve, these antipasto skewers are a delicious crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests wanting more!
Classic Bruschetta
Italian cuisine is always a treat for the taste buds, and bruschetta is a classic appetizer that never disappoints. This easy bruschetta recipe is loaded with the flavors of ripe Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, all drizzled with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.
The toasted slices of hearty French bread provide a perfect base for this delicious topping. This appetizer is easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether a casual get-together or a fancy dinner party. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a classic and flavorful Italian dish that everyone will love.
Pickle and Ham Wraps
Ham & Pickle Wraps are a delightful snack perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy and spicy flavors from the cream cheese and dressing mix. The salty and tangy taste of the deli ham and dill pickles make for a mouthwatering experience.
This recipe is a quick and easy way to whip up a delicious snack that can be refrigerated later or served immediately. With just four simple ingredients, this recipe will become a favorite among your friends and family. Enjoy the perfect blend of flavors and textures with these Ham & Pickle Wraps!
Rainbow Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Rainbow Fruit & Cheese Kabobs with Cinnamon Honey Yogurt Dip is a colorful and delicious snack everyone will love. The combination of fresh fruit, cheese, and a creamy cinnamon honey yogurt dip is irresistible.
These kabobs are perfect for a summer day or as a fun party appetizer. The recipe calls for various fruits, including strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, honeydew melon, blueberries, and blackberries. Each kabob is finished with a cube of Heluva Good!
Cold Cucumber Soup
Cold cucumber soup is the ultimate summer soup to cool you down on hot days! Made with fresh cucumbers, sweet apples, garlic, green onions, and fresh basil leaves, this soup has flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
To enhance the creaminess, we added unsweetened almond milk and a hint of lime juice for a refreshing zing. The soup is then garnished with diced cucumber, red peppers, and slivered almonds to add texture and extra crunch.
This soup is easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and a healthy, low-calorie option that you can enjoy guilt-free.
Cream Cheese Salami Roll Ups
Salami Cream Cheese Roll-Ups are a delectable appetizer perfect for any occasion. The savory and creamy filling is made with cream cheese, chives, onion, garlic powder, and pepper, spread onto a slice of salami, and rolled up.
Toothpicks secure the rolls, and green olives can be added as a garnish for extra flavor. These versatile roll-ups can be served with pretzels, crackers, or finger food.
They are quick and easy to prepare, making them a great addition to any party or gathering. Try making them for your next get-together and enjoy the delicious flavors!
Cucumber Bruschetta
Cucumber Bruschetta is a delicious and refreshing appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. Slices of French baguette are toasted until golden brown and topped with creamy feta and Greek yogurt sauce infused with dill, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
The sauce is then adorned with slices of fresh English cucumber, adding a crunchy texture and an excellent, refreshing taste. The cucumber bruschetta is finished with a sprinkle of additional dill and feta cheese, making it a perfect appetizer that is easy to make and bursts with flavor.
Greek Potato Salad
Greek cuisine is renowned for its fresh and healthy ingredients, and the Greek Potato Salad is no exception. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this wholesome dish is made with tender potatoes, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
The dressing is made with a blend of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dry mustard, oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, which adds a zesty and tangy taste to the salad.
Coleslaw
If you’re in the mood for a refreshing and healthy side dish, look no further than coleslaw! This classic salad is made from finely shredded green cabbage and carrots.
It’s dressed with a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, white sugar, celery salt, and black pepper. The combination of tangy and sweet flavors creates a mouthwatering balance that will satisfy your taste buds.
This dish is easy to prepare and can be served alongside your favorite main course, making it the perfect addition to any meal. Enjoy this delicious coleslaw as a side dish or a light snack anytime!
Salsa Verde
Introducing the Super Easy Salsa Verde Recipe, a must-try for all salsa lovers! This recipe is straightforward to make yet packs a powerful punch of flavor.
This salsa is the perfect blend of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors made with tomatillos, jalapeno, onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. The tomatillos are caramelized to perfection, adding a subtle sweetness to the dish, while the jalapeno provides a spicy kick.
This versatile recipe can be enjoyed with a wide range of dishes. It is also perfect for those looking for a healthy and low-calorie alternative to traditional dips. So, try this recipe and elevate your taste buds to a whole new level!
Classic Pico de Gallo
Nothing can compare to the fresh and zesty flavors of classic Pico de Gallo! This authentic Mexican salsa is a perfect topping for tacos, burritos, or even dip with tortilla chips.
Made with ripe tomatoes, finely diced onions, and a hint of jalapeño or serrano chiles, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Adding fresh cilantro leaves and a splash of lime juice gives this salsa a refreshing twist that will leave you craving more. It’s easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Strawberry Kiwi and Mango Salsa
Kiwi Mango and Strawberry Salsa is a burst of tropical flavors that will transport your taste buds to a paradise island. This recipe is perfect for a summer day or a refreshing snack.
With juicy strawberries, sweet mango, and tangy kiwi, this salsa is a delicious blend of sweet and sour. The diced onion and minced jalapeno add a subtle heat, while the cilantro adds a fresh and fragrant aroma. This salsa is ready to be served immediately with just a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is a delightful recipe that will transport your taste buds to Mexico with its delicious flavors. This dish combines raw or cooked shrimp, red onion, cucumber, celery, jalapeño, tomatoes, ketchup, cilantro, lime juice, hot sauce, and avocado.
If you’re a fan of shrimp, you’ll love this dish. The combination of ingredients makes it a refreshing and tasty appetizer or light meal perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant colors and rich flavors, it is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Goat Cheese is a scrumptious appetizer bursting with flavor and texture. The dish is prepared by wrapping tender asparagus spears with thin slices of prosciutto infused with olive oil’s subtle aroma.
The dish is then topped with a delectable mixture of goat cheese, tarragon, black pepper, and lemon juice. The savory goat cheese brings a tangy and creamy flavor, while the asparagus adds a crispy and fresh texture to the dish.
Shrimp Ceviche
When it comes to refreshing and flavorful cuisine, nothing quite beats Mexican cuisine. The  Shrimp Ceviche is an excellent example, with a combination of citrus juices, jalapenos, and other ingredients that make for an explosion of flavors in your mouth.
The dish is made with one pound of cooked shrimp, which is marinated in a mixture of lemon, lime, and orange juices for a burst of citrusy goodness. With the addition of plum tomatoes, jicama or diced peeled apple, fresh cilantro, red onion, and avocado, this ceviche recipe is easy to make and store and perfect to enjoy any time of the day.
Tuna Tartar Bites
Tuna Tartare Bites Recipe is an exquisite treat perfect for any occasion. This dish is made with sushi-grade tuna, with fresh flavors and textures.
To create a rich and tangy taste, the diced tuna and green onion combine beautifully with the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, garlic powder, and sea salt. Each slice of cucumber provides a refreshing and crisp base for the creamy tuna mixture.
For added depth of flavor, garnish with minced nori. Whether at a party or an intimate dinner, these tuna tartare bites will be a crowd-pleaser.
Wrapping Up
These appetizers are perfect for the summer season, as they are tasty but also healthy and refreshing. They are a great way to stay calm and hydrated while enjoying delicious food.
With a wide range of flavors and ingredients, you can mix and match your favorite ingredients to create a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
So, the next time you’re hosting a summer party or just looking for a light snack, try out some of the amazing cold appetizers we have suggested. Let us know which one you loved the most and why. Until then, enjoy experimenting with different flavors and textures to create the perfect summer appetizer!
About the Author
Camellia Jones is an editor at Twigs Cafe. She rounds up all the delicious food from the web for specific diets. She likes to spend the rest of her time with her children.
