Holidays & Occasions 4th of July 70 All-Time Favorite Fourth Of July Snacks These make-and-take snacks are sure to please the whole crowd. By Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein is an Editorial Fellow for Southern Living where she is primarily focused on digital production and online content creation. She covers home design, entertaining, and lifestyle across the South, keeping a watchful eye out for emerging and declining trends. Prior to her fellowship, Hallie had been published in Modern Luxury magazines, Our State Magazine, and Hudson Valley Magazine.Hallie recently graduated from North Carolina's Elon University with a degree in Journalism and Religious Studies and has continued her journey by moving even further south. A Southern transplant, Hallie is soaking up the culture, drawls, and as many biscuits as she can in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 3, 2024 Close Photo: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling An outdoor Fourth of July celebration calls for finger foods for all ages to enjoy. After all, no Independence Day party is complete without plenty of food and refreshing drinks. These easy, grab-and-go snacks will fly off the plate and fuel day-long celebrations until the final fireworks show caps off the night. No need to stop the festivities to enjoy these on-the-go foods that are perfect to munch on while mingling and celebrating with loved ones. For America's birthday, put a new twist on Southern favorites with deviled egg dip and dressed-up watermelon wedges. Throw in some healthier options too, like fresh black bean salsa from farmers' market veggies and homemade black-eyed pea hummus. And because it's a backyard barbecue kind of holiday, you'll want to whip up staples like dips, mini sliders, and mayonnaise-based salads. To round out the festive spread, you may also want to make an Independence Day-themed cake or other delicious dessert. Keep spirits high and stomachs full this Fourth of July with these reliable recipes. 01 of 70 Fire Crackers Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle What's Fourth of July without firecrackers? The snack version of this tradition—a zesty, spruced up saltine—will light up any celebration. get the recipe 02 of 70 Taco Dip Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This crowd-pleasing taco dip will easily become your new go-to party dish. With layers of refried beans, guacamole, salsa, a spicy sour cream mixture, cheese, lettuce, and homemade pico de gallo all you need are tortilla chips for dipping. get the recipe 03 of 70 Loaded Deviled Eggs Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Try an updated take on this classic finger food by topping your deviled eggs loaded baked potato style. Crunchy potato chips, shredded cheese, chives, and bacon take this classic finger food favorite to the next level. get the recipe 04 of 70 Boat Dip Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle While this new favorite dip might be have boat in the name, it's just as delicious enjoyed poolside, at the beach, or on your porch with your favorite potato or corn chip. get the recipe 05 of 70 Texas Caviar Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This chopped-up mix of Southern flavors is a delicacy. Dig into this combination of beans, veggies, and herbs with some tortilla chips. get the recipe 06 of 70 Crispy Cereal-and-Berry Bars Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely We're all about sneaking desserts in as snacks. These berry speckled rice crispy-like bars are perfect for the holidays thanks to freeze dried raspberries and blueberries that give them a festive red-white-and-blue look. get the recipe 07 of 70 Smashed Oven-Fried Okra Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Lightly crushing okra pods with a rolling pin allows them to pick up and hold onto even more of the crunchy breading. get the recipe 08 of 70 Easy Grilled Shrimp Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley These skewers are all the flavors of a shrimp boil packed into one handheld appetizer. Or, skip the skewers and serve this zesty Creole recipe in small cups. get the recipe 09 of 70 Deviled Egg Dip Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Love deviled eggs but hate the hassle it takes to make them? Let us introduce you to this easy dip that brings all the same flavor of the beloved dish, but is ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes. get the recipe 10 of 70 Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Satisfyingly simple, these sweet and spicy melon wedges get a boost of Southern flavor from that bottle of pepper sauce in your fridge door. get the recipe 11 of 70 Ham Delights Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Gouda cheese and Everything Bagel seasoning jazz up these classic Hawaiian roll sliders that are an any-occasion crowd favorite. get the recipe 12 of 70 Texas Twinkies Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox There's no such thing as just having one when this finger food is on the table. Jalapeños stuffed with a cheesy, garlicky mixture then wrapped in crispy bacon? Yes, please! get the recipe 13 of 70 Black Bean and Corn Salsa Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley From taco night to poolside picnics, this fresh and hearty dip is one we make on repeat all summer. And because it only gets better with time, it's the perfect, fresh make-ahead dish for the busy holidays. get the recipe 14 of 70 Spicy Cheese Straws Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Cheesy, salty, and perfectly spicy, these Southern favorites will be the first snack snatched up at your gathering. get the recipe 15 of 70 Red, White, And Blue Trifle Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Impress party-goers with this Fourth of July colored layered dessert starring fresh berries, angel food cake, and whipped topping. get the recipe 16 of 70 Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Hector Manuel Sanchez; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl We put a Southern spin on the classic hummus by substituting black-eyed peas for chickpeas. Whip up this dip two days in advance to save on holiday party prep. get the recipe 17 of 70 Tomato-Sandwich Toasts Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray This easy snack checks more than one box! Not only does the recipe use in-season tomatoes, but also plays into the red-and-white color scheme of the festivities. get the recipe 18 of 70 Blooming Quesadilla Ring Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Impress guests with this fun snack that takes simple quesadillas to the next level with a creative display. And don't forget the avocado dipping sauce as the centerpiece! get the recipe 19 of 70 Baked Zucchini Fries Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey These crispy veggie fries are a great alternative to classic French fries. Instead of ketchup, dip them in pasta sauce. Our favorite is marinara. get the recipe 20 of 70 Party Poppers Hector Manuel Sanchez For an easy no-fuss snack, try these cream cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers. Wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon, each popper is a two-bite explosion of savory and spicy flavor. get the recipe 21 of 70 Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Serve these mini hamburgers with bacon jam. Did we mention they're spiked with mustard and balsamic vinegar for extra flavor? get the recipe 22 of 70 Conecuh Sausage Pigs In Blankets Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch From kids parties to elevated soirees, pigs in a blanket are a classic entertaining snack. For a Southern twist we used Conecuh sausage inside fluffy crescent rolls. get the recipe 23 of 70 Guacamole Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox A big bowl of guacamole is welcome at any gathering. Alongside ripe avocados, fresh tomatoes, and spices, this dip is topped with queso blanco and pomegranate seeds. get the recipe 24 of 70 Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Monica Farber Not as messy as chicken wings but packing the same flavorful punch, buffalo chicken dip is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Use rotisserie chickens alongside lots of cheese and hot sauce to save prep time. get the recipe 25 of 70 Mango-Black Bean Salsa Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins Sometimes between the grill and colorful desserts, all you need is a bowl of something refreshing and zesty to snack on and this mango, bell pepper, and black bean salad is just that. get the recipe 26 of 70 Fritos Corn Salad Jessica Furniss If you thought Fritos were just used as a scooping vessel, think again. get the recipe 27 of 70 Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Peppers Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray It doesn't get much easier than pairing together two store-bought items—jarred pickled peppers and pimiento cheese. get the recipe 28 of 70 Peel And Eat Shrimp Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer You don't need to be at the beach to snack on peel and eat shrimp. get the recipe 29 of 70 Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts Alison Miksch This addictive snack is as easy as can be to make. Salty and tender, boiled peanuts taste best with a cold drink. get the recipe 30 of 70 Nuts And Bolts Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox There's no occasion when a bowl of snack mix doesn't do the trick...even among all the red, white, and blue dishes. get the recipe 31 of 70 Cheesburger Sliders Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox These easy sliders can be made ahead of time on a sheet tray and brought to the party ready to enjoy—no need to even fire up the grill! get the recipe 32 of 70 Red, White, And Blue Popsicles Jennifer Causey Move over chips and dips, we're cooling down with these extra patriotic popsicles made with fresh berries. get the recipe 33 of 70 Chicken Fries Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While it's not the Fourth of July without firing up the grill, sometimes you need something hardy to tide over the crowd while the burgers and dogs are cooking—enter baked chicken fries. get the recipe 34 of 70 Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise Victor Protasio Tomato sandwiches are a classic party favorite, and the bacon mayonnaise makes them even more delicious. A fun, appetizer take on a BLT, use red heirloom tomatoes to match America's flag. get the recipe 35 of 70 Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling Simple, easy, delicious! This snack is packed with savory and nostalgic flavors in just two bites. Each mini cracker sandwich is loaded with ham, cheese, and pepper jelly, then brushed with a buttery, mustard and spice mixture on the outside before baking. get the recipe 36 of 70 Jalapeño Popper Dip Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke From tailgates to dinner parties, our jalapeño popper dip is a go-to appetizer and Independence day is no exception. get the recipe 37 of 70 Okra In A Blanket PHOTO: JAMES RANSOM, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN Savory country ham and pickled okra come together for a quick and easy no-cook starter. get the recipe 38 of 70 Basic Pimiento Cheese Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke You can't have a Southern get-together without pimiento cheese, whether it's homemade or not. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe proves why homemade is always worth it. get the recipe 39 of 70 Cheesy Chorizo-Stuffed Chiles Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Ditch the tortilla chips and use mini peppers as a boat for queso at your barbecue. Add chopped fresh jalepeños to these zesty queso bites if you like it hot. get the recipe 40 of 70 Dill Pickle Dip Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie cox To really double down on the dill pickle flavor, serve with dill pickle potato chips. get the recipe 41 of 70 Loaded Smashed Potatoes Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Costen King, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines Crispy, cheesy, bacony, bite-sized potatoes... what's more to love? get the recipe 42 of 70 Deviled Crab Melts Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Add some subtle seafood to the lineup with these easy crab crostinis. Topped with fresh slices of tomato and melty cheese, everyone will be coming back for seconds. get the recipe 43 of 70 Smoky Snack Mix Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Mindi Shapiro Levine A standout for kids and adults alike, this snack mix is salty and crunchy with a tasty hint of smokiness. Serve in a cup or cone for a delicious handheld that party-goers can munch on. get the recipe 44 of 70 Shrimp Salad Rolls Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely These shrimp salad sliders pack a punch thanks to the jalapeños. Everyone will devour these miniature buttery rolls stuffed with homemade shrimp salad. get the recipe 45 of 70 Mini Potato Skins Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Potato skins are always a hit, and these mini ones are perfect to snack on. For adults at the party, a mini potato skin in one hand and cold beer in the other make for the perfect combination. get the recipe 46 of 70 Peppered Melon Salad Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Sweet, salty, and just a little spicy, this fast-fix melon salad makes a great starter for your summer cookouts. get the recipe 47 of 70 Fried Okra Cornbread Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley We combined two Southern classics into one delicious skillet of okra-filled cornbread that's impossible to resist. get the recipe 48 of 70 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman Salty slices of bacon pair with buttery crackers to make the ultimate bite with only two-ingredients. Double this recipe if you're hosting a crowd because these bite-size snacks go fast. get the recipe 49 of 70 Crawfish Rolls Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Thanks to a quick make-ahead crawfish salad, these two-bite rolls come together in minutes. get the recipe 50 of 70 Ranch-Cheese Crackers Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Good luck only having one handful of these crackers. If you already thought cheez-its were addictive, just wait until you add some spice. get the recipe 51 of 70 Picnic Egg Salad Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Regardless of whether you enjoy this dish on its own, on top of a crostini, or in between two slices of soft white bread, we can all agree classic egg salad deserves a spot at your Independence Day bash. get the recipe 52 of 70 Stove-Top Bacon Popcorn Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Adding a savory twist to this movie-time classic greatly expands its snacking potential. Only a step past microwave popcorn in effort but a leap in flavor, guests will love this bacon-infused popcorn served in small cups or cones. get the recipe 53 of 70 Baked BLT Dip Recipe Fans of summer's best sandwich won't be able to step away from this irresistible bacon, lettuce, and tomato dip. get the recipe 54 of 70 Cheese Dreams Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Make these cheesy bites the night before your party then dream sweet dreams of them before baking the next morning. Complemented by ground red pepper, Worcestershire, and dry mustard, these easy-to-make snacks are a must-have for any barbecue spread. get the recipe 55 of 70 Mini Muffulettas Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke Layers of cheese, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables shine in these sliders. Prepare these minis a day early and refrigerate them overnight in freezer bags for hassle-free party prep. get the recipe 56 of 70 Bacon Bites Molly Bolton / Southern Living A combination of crispy bacon, breadsticks, and brown sugar, this three-ingredient snack is simply delicious. Rolled up into tasty handhelds, your guests won't be able to get enough of these sweet and savory sticks. get the recipe 57 of 70 Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts Alison Miksch Flaky puff pastries are filled with tomatoes, cheese, and fresh basil for an innovative take on a classic summer pie. get the recipe 58 of 70 Crawfish Dip Greg DuPree Take advantage of crawfish season and make this creamy dip. Serve the dip right from the slow cooker to keep it warm. get the recipe 59 of 70 Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos This recipe is like Texas Caviar but warm and gooey with melted cheese. Grab a tortilla chip and scoop up a bite of this multi-layered dip that combines the flavors of the Southwest. get the recipe 60 of 70 Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox Elevate your celebration sliders by serving them on cheese puffs instead of bread. This recipe pairs light and airy puffs with tasty, tangy ham salad. get the recipe 61 of 70 Benedictine Spread Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Born in Kentucky, Benedictine Spread will be a hit at Fourth of July parties across the South. This recipe skips the traditional green food coloring in favor of chives for noticeably colorful freshness. get the recipe 62 of 70 Melon, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Skewers Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey Salty prosciutto and sweet summer melon add up to the perfect summer appetizer.. get the recipe 63 of 70 Ham-and-Cheese Sliders Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Any dish that starts with Hawaiian rolls is sure to be a hit. Brushed with honey mustard and topped with ham, Gruyère cheese, and béchamel sauce, guests will love these buttery mini sandwiches. get the recipe 64 of 70 Deviled Potatoes Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham A perfect marriage of two Southern classics, this hybrid dish combines the appetizing flavors of deviled eggs and potato salad. To best impress your guests, prepare these snacks in advance then let them cool. get the recipe 65 of 70 Afterburners Stacy k. Allen, Props: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Like jalapeño poppers but with a seafood surprise, this snack will fly off the table. Stuffed with shrimp, these peppers are bacon-wrapped and promise to please. get the recipe 66 of 70 Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Not your average bite of cheese and cracker, this flavorful party snack has a few extra key ingredients. Start with simple saltines and dress them up with cream cheese, pepper jelly, and a pan-fried shrimp. get the recipe 67 of 70 Hasselback Sausage Bites Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster Looking for a new way to serve up meat that isn't on the grill? Try these baked Conecuh bites that are brushed with a peach preserve-mustard sauce for a sweet finish. get the recipe 68 of 70 Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Dipped with chips or fresh veggies, spinach dip is a party staple. While artichoke is its usual bedmate, vidalia onions give this snack an unexpected and delicious flourish. get the recipe 69 of 70 Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Adding this recipe's not-so-secret ingredient, Bisquick, is a game changer for classic sausage balls. Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities. get the recipe 70 of 70 Mamau's Cheese Straws Southern Living Inspired by the Southern Living Editor in Chief's family recipe, these cheesy snacks are simple and delicious. Make sure to serve these in a family-size bowl. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit