Memorial Day weekend means firing up the grill, gathering with loved ones, and honoring our heroes. Every great BBQ starts with a lineup of easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers that keep guests happy while the main course cooks. These 15 patriotic starters are colorful, delicious, and perfect for outdoor entertaining. Let the party begin!
From red, white, and blue fruit skewers and creamy dips to crispy air fryer bites, loaded nachos, and summer rolls — these recipes are designed to be make-ahead, portable, and mess-free. Most come together in 20 minutes or less using simple ingredients you already have.
These patriotic starters will keep your guests happy while the burgers and ribs are on the grill. Let's fire up the BBQ season with the best appetizers!
So grab your toothpicks, fill your cooler, and get ready for the best Memorial Day party ever. These 15 appetizers will make your BBQ unforgettable!
15 EASY MEMORIAL DAY APPETIZERS (CROWD-PLEASING PARTY STARTERS FOR YOUR BBQ)
15. Red, White & Blue Fruit Skewers
These Red, White & Blue Fruit Skewers are almost too pretty to eat. Thread strawberries (red), banana slices (white), and blueberries (blue) onto skewers in a repeating pattern. Serve with a honey-yogurt dip. They're healthy, refreshing, and perfect for hot days. Kids love making their own skewers. So simple and beautiful!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries (hulled), 2 bananas (sliced), 2 cups blueberries, wooden skewers, 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon honey (for dip)
Instructions:
- Thread fruit onto skewers in alternating colors. Mix yogurt and honey for dip. Serve immediately or chill.
14. Classic Creamy Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a BBQ essential, and this classic creamy version is a crowd-pleaser. Shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing made with mayo, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seeds. Make it a day ahead — the flavors meld beautifully. Serve as a side or a topping for pulled pork sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 1 head green cabbage (shredded), 2 carrots (shredded), 1 cup mayo, 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon celery seeds, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk dressing ingredients. Toss with cabbage and carrots. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Stir before serving.
13. Loaded Nachos
Loaded Nachos are the ultimate party appetizer. Layer tortilla chips with seasoned ground beef, black beans, cheese, and jalapeños. Bake until cheese melts, then top with pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and olives. Serve right on the baking sheet. They're messy, delicious, and perfect for sharing. Make a double batch!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag tortilla chips, 1 lb ground beef, taco seasoning, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 can black beans, jalapeños, olives, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole
Instructions:
- Cook beef with taco seasoning. Layer chips, beef, beans, cheese on sheet pan. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Top with fresh ingredients. Serve immediately.
12. Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Buffalo Chicken Dip is creamy, spicy, and addictive. Shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and cheddar cheese bake or cook in a slow cooker until hot and melty. Serve with celery sticks, carrot sticks, crackers, or tortilla chips. It's a game day favorite that works perfectly for Memorial Day!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded chicken, 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup buffalo sauce, ½ cup ranch dressing, 1 cup cheddar cheese, celery, carrots, crackers or chips for dipping
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook low 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm with celery, carrots, and chips.
11. Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs are a BBQ staple. Hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy mixture of yolks, mayo, mustard, and pickle relish. Sprinkle with paprika and fresh chives. Make them a day ahead. They're portable, protein-packed, and always disappear first. A must-have for any Memorial Day spread!
Ingredients:
- 12 hard-boiled eggs, ½ cup mayo, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 tablespoon pickle relish, paprika, fresh chives
Instructions:
- Halve eggs, remove yolks. Mash yolks with mayo, mustard, relish. Pipe or spoon into egg whites. Sprinkle with paprika and chives. Chill before serving.
10. Seven Layer Dip
This Seven Layer Dip is a party classic. Layers of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, olives, and green onions. Serve with tortilla chips. Make it in a clear dish so everyone can see the beautiful layers. Can be made a day ahead. Always the first bowl to empty. So addictive!
Ingredients:
- 1 can refried beans, 2 cups guacamole, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup salsa, 1 cup shredded cheese, ½ cup olives (sliced), ¼ cup green onions, tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Layer ingredients in order in a clear dish. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
9. Caprese Skewers
These Caprese Skewers are fresh, colorful, and no-mess. Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves threaded onto toothpicks. Drizzle with balsamic glaze right before packing. They're elegant, easy to grab, and perfect for picnics. Make them the morning of. A healthy, delicious finger food!
Ingredients:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 8 oz mini mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Thread tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella onto toothpicks. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
8. Easy Guacamole
This Easy Guacamole is fresh, creamy, and addictive. Mash ripe avocados with lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and salt. Don't over-mash — leave it chunky. Serve with warm tortilla chips. It's the perfect pre-dinner snack. Make it just before serving for best color and flavor. Everyone gathers around the guac bowl!
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe avocados, ¼ cup red onion (diced), 1 jalapeño (seeded, minced), ¼ cup fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoon lime juice, ½ teaspoon salt, tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Mash avocados to desired consistency. Stir in onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
7. BBQ Meatballs
These BBQ Meatballs are sweet, tangy, and so easy. Frozen meatballs simmer in a mixture of BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and a splash of Worcestershire. Keep warm in a slow cooker and serve with toothpicks. They're the ultimate grab-and-go appetizer. Make a double batch — they disappear fast. A party essential!
Ingredients:
- 2 lb frozen meatballs, 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, ½ cup grape jelly, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, toothpicks for serving
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook low 3-4 hours. Serve warm with toothpicks.
6. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy, healthy, and so addictive. Slice zucchini into sticks, dip in flour, egg, and seasoned panko. Air fry until golden and crunchy. Serve with marinara or ranch. A great way to eat your vegetables. Kids love them! Perfect for a healthier Memorial Day appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 3 zucchinis (cut into fries), ½ cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon health benefits of garlic powder, marinara or ranch for dipping
Instructions:
- Dip zucchini in flour, egg, then panko-Parmesan mixture. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Serve with dipping sauce.
5. Cowboy Caviar (Texas Caviar)
Cowboy Caviar is a fresh bean salad that doubles as a dip. Black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and avocado tossed in a zesty lime-cilantro vinaigrette. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side salad. Make it a day ahead — the flavors get better. Colorful, healthy, and so addictive!
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, 1 can black-eyed peas, 1 cup corn, 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 tomato (diced), ¼ red onion, ¼ cup cilantro, 2 tablespoon lime juice, 2 tablespoon benefits of olive oil, 1 avocado
Instructions:
- Combine beans, corn, bell pepper, tomato, onion, cilantro. Whisk lime juice and oil. Toss with salad. Fold in avocado just before serving. Serve with chips.
4. Watermelon & Feta Salad
This Watermelon & Feta Salad is sweet, salty, and incredibly refreshing. Juicy watermelon cubes, crumbled feta, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime. No cooking, no complicated dressing. Perfect for hot days. Serve chilled. It's like dessert and salad in one. So simple and so good!
Ingredients:
- 6 cups watermelon (cubed), 1 cup feta (crumbled), ¼ cup fresh mint (chopped), juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
- Combine watermelon, feta, mint. Squeeze lime over top. Toss gently. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
3. Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are spicy, creamy, and so addictive. Halve and seed jalapeños, fill with cream cheese and cheddar, then coat in breadcrumbs. Air fry until golden and crispy. Serve with ranch or sour cream. A healthier take on a classic. A crowd-pleaser that disappears fast!
Ingredients:
- 12 jalapeños (halved, seeded), 4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ranch or sour cream for dipping
Instructions:
- Mix cream cheese and cheddar. Fill jalapeño halves, top with breadcrumbs. Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. Serve with ranch.
2. Shrimp Ceviche
This Shrimp Ceviche is bright, tangy, and refreshing. Raw shrimp is "cooked" in fresh lime juice, then tossed with cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and avocado. Serve with tostadas or tortilla chips. Make it an hour ahead so the flavors can meld. Perfect for warm-weather fiestas!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb raw shrimp (chopped), ½ cup fresh lime juice, ½ cucumber (diced), 1 tomato (diced), ¼ red onion, ¼ cup cilantro, 1 avocado, tostadas or tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Cover shrimp with lime juice. Refrigerate 30 minutes until opaque. Drain excess juice. Add cucumber, tomato, onion, cilantro, avocado. Serve with tostadas or chips.
1. Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
These Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops are our #1 Memorial Day appetizer. Sweet, tender scallops wrapped in crispy bacon, cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. They're elegant, easy, and so delicious. Your guests will think you're a gourmet chef. A true showstopper!
Ingredients:
- 12 large sea scallops, 6 slices bacon (cut in half), toothpicks, maple syrup or honey for drizzling (optional)
Instructions:
- Wrap each scallop with a half-slice of bacon, secure with toothpick. Air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Serve warm.
FAQs About Easy Memorial Day Appetizers
How many appetizers should I make for a Memorial Day party?
Plan 6-8 individual appetizer pieces per person for a 3-4 hour party where appetizers precede a full BBQ meal. For a party where appetizers ARE the meal, plan 12-15 pieces per person. Always slightly over-cater — running out of appetizers at an outdoor party where the main food isn't ready yet is the most common party hosting mistake. According to Memorial Day traditions, the holiday is one of the most popular outdoor gathering and BBQ occasions in the United States.
What memorial day appetizers can I make ahead?
Cowboy caviar (best overnight), deviled eggs (1-2 days ahead), crab dip and buffalo chicken dip bases (24 hours ahead, bake day-of), antipasto skewers (8 hours ahead in marinade), and caprese skewers (4 hours ahead) all make ahead beautifully. For more party planning ideas, see our 20 easy Memorial Day sides.
What appetizers hold up best in summer outdoor heat?
Room temperature appetizers — cheese boards, caprese skewers, antipasto skewers, cowboy caviar, and bruschetta — hold best outdoors in summer heat. Keep all mayo-based items (deviled eggs, anything with cream-based dip) on ice or refrigerated until serving time and return them to the refrigerator if they'll sit more than 2 hours in temperatures above 80°F.
What's the easiest Memorial Day appetizer for a large crowd?
Cowboy caviar scales infinitely — make a triple batch for 50+ guests and it only requires bigger bowls and more chips. Caprese skewers scale beautifully since they're assembled individually. A large antipasto platter also scales without any additional technique. Browse our best backyard BBQ sides for more large-crowd food inspiration.
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