When the days are hot, you don’t want to spend hours cooking in your kitchen. Plus, no one feels like sitting down to a heavy meal. Summer is the season for eating light dishes that keep you cool while filling you up, whether you’re going to an outdoor party or just hanging out at home.
What can you make that will excite your family or guests? We’ve got ideas for you! These summer appetizers are loaded with delicious and nutritious flavor. Many of them feature the season’s freshest produce and all of them are simple to prepare without overheating you or your home.
While everyone else is raving about how delicious they are, you’ll know they are healthy and fit perfectly into a weight loss plan. Now that’s a bright forecast for your summer day, isn’t it?
Here is a summer appetizer that will please a crowd but is simple enough that you can enjoy it yourself any day of the week. All you do is thread a cherry tomato, basil leaf and mozzarella ball onto each skewer. Serve the caprese skewers with a bowl of balsamic vinegar for dipping. The recipe makes 10 servings, but you can easily increase or reduce the amount to fit your needs.
Get the Caprese Skewers recipe.
We believe you shouldn’t have to miss out on summertime party favorites like deviled eggs just because you’re working toward your weight loss goal. So, we crafted this version that’s every bit as creamy and flavorful as you want but with fewer calories, less fat and more protein. Plain Greek yogurt substitutes for high-fat mayonnaise, and it’s mixed with Dijon mustard and the egg yolks to make the rich filling. A sprinkle of paprika on top is the finishing touch that adds a little spark of heat and bright color to the eggs.
Get the Best Easy Deviled Eggs recipe.
Nothing fancy or high-priced here, folks. Just a dip crackling with zesty summer flavor. It’s made with hearty black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, fresh corn, chopped onions, diced bell peppers and cilantro. They’re tossed in a dressing that features lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder and cumin for a sweet and spicy taste. Serve the dip with raw vegetables, whole grain crackers or pitas.
Get the Cowboy Caviar Dip recipe.
Cucumbers are naturally refreshing on hot summer days. Their mildly sweet flavor is the ideal base for a cold soup. The cukes are paired with shallots, garlic, fresh parsley and dill, plus lemon juice and a bit of honey. Greek yogurt adds creaminess (and protein) while an avocado provides a rich, silky texture. You can serve it as an elegant first course at a summer party or just enjoy it anytime you want to chill from the inside out.
Get the Cold Cucumber Avocado Soup recipe.
Summer brings a bounty of zucchini to farmer’s markets and gardens. These crispy fritters are a tasty way to take advantage of this seasonal veggie! The green-skinned squash have a mild taste, so we punch it up with grated onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley and a salty bite of parmesan cheese. Whole wheat flour and real egg make the batter that holds the fritters together, which turn golden brown and lightly crisp in the air fryer or your oven.
Get the Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters recipe.
What’s better than fresh guacamole? How about mixing in tender crab meat for a sweet and succulent flavor and hearty texture? You can whip up this dip in minutes with a ripe avocado, tomatoes, onion, a jalapeno, cilantro and crab. Sprinkle on seafood spices and serve with whole grain tortilla chips.
Get the Fiesta Crab Guacamole recipe.
The sweet taste of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew is a tasty companion to the meaty, lightly salty flavor of prosciutto. To make this simple summer appetizer, thread cubes of melon, prosciutto slices, cucumber coins, fresh basil leaves and small pearls of mozzarella cheese onto skewers. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar ties it all together.
Get the Easy Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
If you love classic caprese salad, try this colorful variation. It includes the standard ingredients, including ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. We give it even more flavor by adding seasonal fruits such as apricots and blackberries, though you can use any variety that you like. Imagine the oohs and aahs when you serve this pretty dish at your next party.
Get the Summer Fruit Caprese Salad recipe.
Sit down to a meal in a Middle Eastern country or restaurant and you’re likely to be served Baba Ghanoush. This rich dip is made with roasted eggplant whipped with lemon, juice, garlic and tahini. It has a texture similar to hummus. You can use raw vegetables (like carrots and celery) or whole wheat pita bread to swipe through the creamy dish. Here’s a bonus: you get two of your daily servings of vegetables as you dip.
Get the Baba Ghanoush recipe.
Seafood is one of summer’s most iconic tastes. It’s high in protein yet low in saturated fat, making it the perfect main course when you’re eating to lose weight. These crab cakes are packed with fresh, lump crab meat blended with chopped scallions, garlic and jalapeno peppers for a zesty flavor. A coating of whole wheat panko breadcrumbs gives them a lightly crunchy exterior. You can enjoy them with traditional cocktail sauce or make our easy dipping sauce by whisking together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, scallions, lemon juice, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Get the Healthy Baked Crab Cakes recipe.
Avocados are full of healthy fats, and their creamy texture makes them a smart substitute for mayonnaise in deviled eggs. To prepare this creative twist on the classic summer appetizer, mash the avocado with hard-boiled egg yolks and mix in Dijon mustard, lemon juice and as much black pepper as you like. The filling is an appealing green that makes these deviled eggs as colorful as they are tasty.
Get the Avocado Deviled Eggs recipe.
Nachos always are a fun way to snack, so we came up with this nutritious version that features the flavors of the Mediterranean region. It starts with simple, homemade pita chips on the bottom topped with shredded chicken breast and crumbled feta cheese. After they’re all heated together, add sliced cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, chopped red onions and black olives. The dish is finished with fresh parsley and tzatziki. You make it all on a single sheet pan and the nachos come out of the oven warm, melty and delicious.
Get the Greek Shredded Chicken Nachos recipe.
Skewers are easy to make, serve and eat at parties. These tasty bites of chicken are sure to be a hit at your summer gatherings. You prepare them by cutting chicken breast into chunks that will fit on the skewers. They marinate for an hour in a glaze that’s a blend of honey, chili powder, garlic, oil, low-sodium soy sauce and lime juice, giving them a sweet and lightly spicy flavor. You can cook them on your grill for a bit of smoky BBQ flavor or put them in an air fryer or an ordinary oven. Whichever way works best for you, the chicken comes out tender and tasty every time.
Get the Honey Glazed Chicken Skewers recipe.
Cucumbers are popular summer vegetables because they’re lightly sweet and hydrating. In this simple recipe, cucumber slices are the crunchy base for bite-size summer appetizers. On top of each slice is a layer of plain hummus and a succulent cooked shrimp. If you keep frozen cooked shrimp on hand, you can make these as a snack for yourself whenever you want to make an ordinary day just a little special.
Get the Shrimp Cucumber Bites recipe.
Bruschetta puts the spotlight on fresh summer produce such as tomatoes and basil and lets you enjoy them in a simple, flavorful dish. For this version, they’re blended with hearty chickpeas, creamy feta cheese, garlic and olive oil to make a chunky topping. Instead of the traditional bread as a base, half-inch slices of eggplant are baked until crisp. Every bite is packed with flavor and nutrition!
Get the Easy Eggplant Bruschetta recipe.
Gazpacho is a chilled soup that is truly refreshing on a hot summer day. Along with the classic ingredients of tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions and garlic, our version also adds cantaloupe cubes for a naturally sweeter taste. The soup is easy to make in a blender, so there’s no cooking involved. Just before you’re ready to serve the soup, toss in chopped shrimp for lean protein and a little extra flavor. It makes a sophisticated first course for a summer dinner party or a satisfying lunch that will power up your afternoon.
Get the Spicy Cantaloupe Melon Gazpacho recipe.
Yes, you can eat crispy fried shrimp and stay on track with your weight loss plan. The secret is to make them in the air fryer, which turns the coating of whole wheat flour and panko breadcrumbs golden brown and crunchy without soaking them in oil. We recommend dipping your succulent shrimp in a zesty sauce made with apricot preserves, vinegar, soy sauce and red pepper flakes. You can prepare these for a weekday dinner in minutes and don’t be surprised if your family asks for them again and again.
Get the Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe.
If you put a head of crisp romaine lettuce on the grill for a few minutes, it takes on a lightly charred flavor that complements its natural sweetness. Then you can use the grilled lettuce to make this uncommonly satisfying salad. It’s paired with grilled corn kernels, red onion slices and shaved parmesan cheese. The honey mustard tahini dressing is sweet, spicy and creamy. Serve this salad with grilled chicken and you have a perfect meal for a warm summer evening.
Get the Grilled Romaine and Corn Salad recipe.
Ceviche is a chilled dish made by marinating seafood in lime juice and spices. We love it with shrimp and cod, which are lightly cooked and mixed with bell peppers, a jalapeno pepper, onions, olive oil, cilantro, and fresh lime and lemon juice. All you do is wait 30 minutes for the flavors to peak and dig in.
Get the 2-Step Ceviche recipe.
Give everybody’s favorite party dip a sunny twist with the sweet taste of tropical fruit. This version still features the standard ingredients of creamy avocado, jalapeno peppers, onions and cilantro. Then you add mango and pineapple for bursts of juicy flavor in each bite. Enjoy the dip with whole grain pita or tortilla chips.
Get the Tropical Guacamole recipe.
An avocado can also be the sturdy vessel for a classic summer caprese salad. After cutting the avocado in half and removing the large pit, you have space to add sliced cherry tomatoes, rich mozzarella cheese and chopped basil leaves. Splash on balsamic vinegar for a hint of sweetness. You can serve these as a party app or make them for a quick and filling lunch.
Get the Caprese Stuffed Avocado recipe.
Any party can become a fiesta when you put out this zingy dip. It’s made with charred corn for a sweet and smoky taste. The kernels are removed from the cob and tossed with chopped jalapenos, red onion, diced avocado and cotija cheese. It’s bathed in a dressing made with mayonnaise, lime juice and minced garlic. Serve with tortilla chips, whole grain crackers or raw vegetables.
Get the Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe.
Preparing elegant summer appetizers doesn’t have to take a lot of work or time. This impressive yet simple dish starts with cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp, which are blended with chopped onions, light mayonnaise and dill. Old Bay seasoning adds the classic seafood flavor. The shrimp salad is spread on slices of cocktail-size rye bread that’s been toasted for a bit of crunch. You can serve this app cold or broil it in your oven for a few minutes to warm it up. Either way, your guests will snap up these tasty bites as soon as you bring them out.
Get the Shrimp Salad Cocktail Bread recipe.
If you need to power up with protein and you want a meal that’s quick and easy, these skewers are your satisfying solution. Start with slices of low-sodium turkey, ham or roast beef, and fold them until they slide onto skewers. After each slice of meat, add a cube of cheddar or Swiss cheese, a leaf of crunchy romaine lettuce, a cherry tomato, an olive, a chunk of cucumber and a piece of pita bread. You can dip your deconstructed sandwich in mild or spicy mustard, which are unlimited Free foods when you’re losing weight with Nutrisystem.
Get the Deli Meat and Cheese Kabobs recipe.
If you’ve read this far, you can tell we think cucumbers and seafood are a tasty combination for summer appetizers. In this one, the crab meat is mixed with light mayonnaise, lemon juice, red onion and cilantro to make a moist, zesty filling. It goes inside cups you make by scooping out the center of each slice of cucumber. Your guests will rave about the perfect balance of flavors, while you enjoy more than 17 grams of protein in every serving. That’s a big summertime win for you!
Get the Crab Stuffed Cucumber Cups recipe.
