When it’s the peak of summer, the last thing you want to be doing is laboring away in a hot kitchen—especially with a house full of guests to entertain. During the hottest time of the year, we rely on no-cook recipes to beat the heat and plan an awesome get-together with easy apps to match. Here are some of our favorite party-ready no-cook recipes!
Dates and Blue Cheese
Four ingredients are all you need to make these easy sweet and savory appetizers from Martha Stewart. Make them ahead and drizzle with honey right before serving. Don’t forget the toothpicks!
Goat Cheese with Edible Flowers and Honey
Pretty aesthetics and great taste come together to create this stunning appetizer! Fresh goat cheese is sweetened by the drizzled honey, and the flowers add a vegetal note and tons of color. Just be sure to use food-safe blooms in this perfect-for-summer addition to your cocktail-hour table.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Tomato and Avocado
This addictive app from Nourish and Fete is like a deconstructed caprese salad! The longer it sits, the more flavor the mozzarella absorbs. Don’t forget to serve with plenty of warm crusty bread to soak up all the leftover marinade.
Tomato Tea Sandwiches
When tomatoes are ripe and in season, you don’t have to do much to turn them into a delicious snack. These tasty little finger sandwiches from Southern Living are beyond simple, with juicy tomatoes, raw red onions, and an herby cream cheese spread.
Goodtaste’s Ultimate Pimento Cheese
Nothing says summer in the South like pimento cheese! Mayonnaise and cream cheese make this Goodtaste recipe creamy and spreadable, while pickled cherry peppers add a tangy kick in place of the standard pimentos.
Green Pea and Parsley Hummus
You never would’ve guessed it, but the base of this bright green silky hummus is frozen peas! This recipe from Cooking Light comes together in 10 minutes and is so much more flavorful and fresh than any store-bought variety. Pair it with an array of colorful raw veggies.
Peach, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Crostini
Sweet and savory, these toasts from Bon Appétit make an impressive starter, but with minimal effort. The juicy peaches contrast nicely with the salty prosciutto and creamy ricotta spread. A drizzle of honey and freshly ground black pepper make these easy toasts even more refined.
Peach & prosciutto toast looks tasty but seems too messy for finger food appetizers.