15 No-Cook Summer Appetizers for Hot Days

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, light, and easy-to-make appetizers that don’t require turning on the oven.

With the hot days ahead, these 15 no-cook summer appetizers are ideal for keeping things simple while still impressing your guests.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a solo snack, these appetizers are full of vibrant flavors and made with fresh seasonal ingredients like ripe tomatoes, juicy fruits, crisp veggies, and creamy cheeses.

They are quick to prepare, delicious, and perfect for serving on those scorching days when you don’t want to heat up your kitchen.

From refreshing dips to light bites, these recipes will become your go-to choices for effortless summer snacking.

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1. Caprese Skewers

Caprese skewers are a simple and refreshing appetizer, combining ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, all drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 pack fresh mozzarella balls
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto small skewers.
2. Arrange on a platter.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

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2. Guacamole with Veggie Dippers

This classic guacamole is creamy and flavorful, perfect for pairing with crisp veggie sticks for a light, healthy snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tomato (diced)
• 1 lime (juiced)
• Salt to taste
• Carrot sticks, cucumber, and celery for dipping

Instructions:

1. Mash the avocados in a bowl.
2. Mix in chopped onion, diced tomato, lime juice, and salt.
3. Serve with carrot sticks, cucumber, and celery for dipping.

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3. Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Bites

Smoked salmon and cucumber bites are a delicious, low-carb appetizer, featuring refreshing cucumber slices topped with rich smoked salmon and a dollop of cream cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber (sliced into rounds)
• 4 oz smoked salmon (sliced)
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• Fresh dill (optional)

Instructions:

1. Arrange cucumber slices on a serving platter.
2. Top each slice with a small amount of cream cheese and a slice of smoked salmon.
3. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.

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4. Hummus and Veggie Platter

A hummus and veggie platter is a versatile and healthy appetizer, offering a variety of fresh veggies paired with smooth and creamy hummus for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hummus
• 1 cucumber (sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (sliced)
• Carrot sticks
• Cherry tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Arrange the veggies on a large platter.
2. Place hummus in the center for dipping.
3. Serve immediately for a fresh and satisfying appetizer.

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5. Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Skewers

These watermelon, feta, and mint skewers are a refreshing summer appetizer, combining sweet watermelon, creamy feta, and fresh mint for a perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 watermelon (cut into cubes)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• Fresh mint leaves
• Toothpicks or small skewers

Instructions:

1. Cube the watermelon and cut the feta into small pieces.
2. Thread the watermelon, feta, and mint leaves onto small skewers.
3. Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.

6. Guacamole and Salsa Trio

This trio combines creamy guacamole with two refreshing salsas—tomato salsa and mango salsa—for a fun, vibrant appetizer that’s perfect for any summer gathering.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados (for guacamole)
• 1 tomato (diced, for tomato salsa)
• 1/2 mango (diced, for mango salsa)
• 1/4 red onion (finely chopped)
• Lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

1. For guacamole, mash avocados with lime juice, salt, and pepper.
2. For tomato salsa, mix diced tomato, red onion, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3. For mango salsa, mix diced mango, red onion, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve all three dips with tortilla chips for dipping.

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7. Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip

This roasted red pepper and feta dip is creamy and flavorful, combining roasted peppers with tangy feta cheese and olive oil for a rich, spreadable dip.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar roasted red peppers (drained and chopped)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Blend roasted red peppers, feta cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
2. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh basil.
3. Serve with pita chips or vegetable sticks for dipping.

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8. Mediterranean Hummus and Pita Chips

This Mediterranean-inspired hummus platter is filled with fresh flavors from Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of oregano, making it a satisfying and easy appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hummus
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives (sliced)
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Pita chips for serving

Instructions:

1. Spread hummus on a serving plate.
2. Top with sliced olives, halved cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
3. Sprinkle with dried oregano and serve with pita chips.

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9. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Bites

These cucumber and cream cheese bites are a light, refreshing appetizer, featuring crispy cucumber slices topped with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber (sliced into rounds)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese with chopped dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Spread the cream cheese mixture on each cucumber slice.
3. Serve immediately as a refreshing, cool appetizer.

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10. Chilled Shrimp Cocktail

This chilled shrimp cocktail is a classic no-cook appetizer, featuring succulent shrimp served with a zesty cocktail sauce for a refreshing, easy treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1/2 cup cocktail sauce
• Lemon wedges (for garnish)
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Arrange cooked shrimp on a serving platter.
2. Serve with cocktail sauce and garnish with lemon wedges and parsley.
3. Enjoy as a light, refreshing appetizer.

11. Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Skewers

These bite-sized tomato, basil, and mozzarella skewers are fresh, flavorful, and super easy to prepare. The combination of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil is perfect for a quick summer appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 pack fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves onto small skewers.
2. Arrange on a platter.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

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12. Roasted Red Pepper and Cream Cheese Dip

This roasted red pepper and cream cheese dip is tangy, creamy, and easy to make. It pairs perfectly with crackers, chips, or vegetable sticks.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar roasted red peppers (drained and chopped)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blend roasted red peppers, cream cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
2. Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Serve with crackers, chips, or veggie sticks.

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13. Guacamole-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

These guacamole-stuffed cherry tomatoes are the perfect bite-sized appetizer, combining fresh tomato with creamy, zesty guacamole for a refreshing treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved and hollowed out)
• 2 ripe avocados (mashed)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp red onion (finely chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Hollow out cherry tomato halves and set aside.
2. Mix mashed avocado, lime juice, red onion, salt, and pepper to make guacamole.
3. Stuff each tomato half with guacamole and serve immediately.

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14. Mediterranean Olive Tapenade

This Mediterranean olive tapenade is a flavorful spread made with olives, capers, and olive oil. It’s perfect for serving with bread, crackers, or vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (pitted)
• 1/4 cup green olives (pitted)
• 1 tbsp capers
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine Kalamata olives, green olives, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice.
2. Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse paste.
3. Serve with bread, crackers, or vegetable sticks.

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15. Avocado and Crab Salad Bites

These avocado and crab salad bites are a delicious, light appetizer, featuring creamy avocado and tender crab salad in each bite-sized serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado (diced)
• 1/2 cup cooked crab meat (shredded)
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix diced avocado, crab meat, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Spoon the crab salad onto small cucumber slices or crackers.
3. Serve immediately as a fresh, flavorful appetizer.