Forks and knives are tired. When summer comes to town, it's all about barbecues, and that means eating with your hands. Cookout desserts like blueberry cheesecake dip and lemon lavender ice cream cones are naturally handheld, but apps can get in on the fun, too. Stick around here for 23 finger-lickin' finger foods that could very well be the star of your next summer party!
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Muffins
When it comes to finger foods, it's all about the details. These bad boys don't miss a beat – they're oozing with cheddar cheese, topped with a ketchup-Worcestershire sauce, and studded with only the crispiest fried onions. (via Heather Likes Food)
BLT Bites
You've seen finger sandwiches, but have you seen an open-faced BLT on a Ritz cracker? In this tiny version of the sandwich, the T is actually sundried tomato paste, and the L is lightly dressed in ranch. (via Salty Canary)
Green Chile Guacamole
Nothing facilitates conversation *quite* like good guacamole. Guests will keep coming back to this bowl for chips and chit-chat. (via Recipe Runner)
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
You could never go wrong with jalapeño poppers. Each bite is infused with cream cheese, spicy jalapeño, and crispy breadcrumbs that'll leave you wanting more and more. (via Live Eat Learn)
Brie-Stuffed Crispy Baby Potatoes
Equally cheesy and starchy, this potato finger food refuses to fail. Make sure you don't forget to season these spuds with a delicious mix of garlic and thyme! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Creamy Chicken Stuffed Mini Peppers with Spinach-Walnut Pesto
Stuffed peppers have been a highly popular dinner recipe for health gurus as of late, so it's only fitting that they be made à la mini. Fill yours however you like, but these are packed with creamy-cheesy chicken and roasted red peppers, then topped with a nutty pesto. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Habanero Peach Grilled Chicken Wings
Most any sweet-savory lover will adore these wings as they heat things up. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Hot Cheesy Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl
Generous pieces of crab swim in a flavorfully creamy mixture of cheese, cheese, and more cheese. It's all served in a toasty sourdough bowl. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Mini Fried Chicken and Waffles
The full-size version of this brunch classic is always a greasy, sticky mess (in the best way), but when it's mini, the mess is perfectly contained in a napkin. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
Olive and Goat Cheese Bites with Prosciutto, Lemon & Thyme
Impress that friend who studied abroad in Italy during college with these refined bite-sized bites, which come together with just four ingredients. Use your favorite type of olives and goat cheese to make it more your own! (via Parsnips and Pastries)
Vegan Grazing Platter
Grazing platters are ideal for large get-togethers, since everyone can take exactly what they want to snack on. This vegan snack board has just about everything you'd need to satisfy your guests, but of course, you can easily customize your spread. (via The Edgy Veg)
Sausage Cheese Biscuits
Because no one ever had a bad thing to say about a biscuit — especially a biscuit peppered with sausage and cheese. (via Damn Delicious)
Deviled Eggs, Three Ways
While deviled eggs are *scrumptious* alone, there is quite literally a universe of egg-compatible toppings from which to choose. Go this route (spicy horseradish, truffle, and smoked salmon), or get creative with ingredients like bacon and fish roe. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
When we think of finger food, chicken nuggets are an obvious answer. These tofu-based ones retain the ultimate balance between an exterior *crunch* and interior softness. Set out all the condiments you can get your hands on to maximize the savory flavors! (via Gastroplant)
BBQ Cauliflower Bites
These cauliflower bites are totally finger food-worthy because they're certifiably finger-lickin' good. Cauliflower gets coated in an easy cripsy layer before being tossed around in a tangy BBQ sauce. (via This Wife Cooks)
Yum Yum Shrimp Wonton Cups
To heck with shrimp co*cktail – you'll want to eat an embarrassing number of these addictively crispy wonton cups, filled with well-seasoned shrimp and spicy mayo, aptly named Yum Yum sauce. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Parmesan Zucchini Bites
These zucchini bites taste like a cheesy veggie frittata. What makes them hold their shape so well? Good ol' Bisquick. Customize them with the fillings of your choosing. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Southern Hush Puppies
Hush puppies only seem right for the BBQ occasion. These buttery, bready finger food bites pair well with seafood or burgers! via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
Cheese goes well with *just about* anything, but Parmesan really shines against the mushroom flavors in this recipe. (via Feel Good Foodie)
S'mores Bites
Summer's greatest dessert gets packed into party-friendly bars. These babies have an intensely buttery graham cracker crust and a fudgy chocolate layer that is positively packed with marshmallows. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies
The creamy frosting that coasts these massive cookies will keep everyone coming back for more. (via This Wife Cooks)
Watermelon Pizza
A perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting holds everything together in this sweet treat. Get playful with the fruity toppings you add to create a rainbow-infused bite! (via Live Eat Learn)
Chewy Vegan Chai Cookes
Crispy on the edges and outside, and buttery-soft on the inside. That's *exactly* how we like our cookies! Your BBQ guests will praise you for making this delectable dessert recipe. (via Munching with Mariyah)
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Additional reporting by Paige Johnson and Meredith Holser.
This post has been updated.
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Sara Cagle
Sara is a food and lifestyle freelance writer in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly events column for the Los Angeles Times and loves writing food content for Brit + Co. After all, the English language's most fun adjectives are best applied to delicious foods. In her free time, she's a hip hop dancer, avid moviegoer, and thorough face-mask user.
