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.
Image may contain Plant and Food
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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  • Three stacks of round sesame seedcrusted orange crackers.
    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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  • flatbreads topped with avocado and chileflecked scallion oil
    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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  • Wedges of Italian loaf smeared with assorted colors of tomatoes and draped with anchovy fillets.
    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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  • Creamy Avocado Dip with Scallions
    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 of boneless buffalo wings chicken recipe shown on an oval platter with celery sticks and dip.
    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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  • Campechana Extra in a glass with a bowl of tortilla chips next to it.
    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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  • A New Year's Eve appetizer spread with a plate of pickled shrimp at the center.
    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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