With summer fun in full swing, now is the perfect time to gather friends and family for some poolside relaxation. And with guests gathering outside to soak up long summer days, there’s no time like the present to treat those you love to a special summery menu. Whether that centers around sheet pan fajitas, grilled NY strip, veggie burgers, or flatbread pizza, you’ll need lots of snacking items for that post-swim sustenance. So whether you’re aiming for a full-on backyard barbecue, simple soirée, or a casual get together, these 12 pool party snacks are guaranteed to impress.
There’s nothing like hopping out of the pool and straight into a snacking frenzy. It’s pretty much given on a pool day. And with any of these healthy, summery snacks, you’re totally in the clear to indulge without the guilt. In fact, you could even graze on enough snacks to constitute dinner and save yourself the time and effort—it makes the whole day that much more relaxing. It is a pool party after all, so there are no rules.
These recipes are also perfect for kids and adults alike, so any littles at your party can dig in. (If you can get them out of the water, that is.) Try out one—or several—of these 12 pool party snacks at your next gathering, sit back, and relax as everyone swoons over your delicious creations.
Featured image by Hannah Haston.
Bruschetta With Slow-Roasted Tomatoes and Ricotta
Why We Love It: With a glow like that, you know it’s gotta be good. This simple bruschetta with tomatoes and ricotta proves that sometimes the simplest of ingredients can taste the best. Especially with tomatoes in peak season! Smear that creamy ricotta over a thick slice of sourdough, top with juicy roasted tomatoes, and sprinkle over lots of basil to seal the deal. And voila! You have an elevated poolside snack that’s sure to satisfy.
Hero Ingredient: Five cloves of garlic caramelizing alongside those tomatoes make everything taste that much better. And a touch of basil or thyme never hurt anyone, either.
PHOTO: Camille Styles, Kristen Kilpatrick, Easy Meals, Camille Styles Video Tutorial, Rene Ortiz, Austin eats
Classic Guacamole & Mango-Chipotle Guacamole
Why We Love It: Mango and avocado is a match made in heaven. Especially when enjoyed in guacamole form (with salty chips to scoop up the all the goodness). These guac recipes check the boxes for refreshing and flavorful while celebrating one of food’s greatest joys: a sweet and savory combo. And not to mention that when it comes to simple pool party snacks, guacamole is always a hit.
Hero Ingredient: In the mango guacamole, canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce usher in a much-appreciated smoky flavor that kicks everything up a notch. The pairing of smoky chilies with cool avocado and mango is unmatched.
PHOTO: Processed with VSCO with m6 preset
Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls
Why We Love It: Cool cucumber and creamy avocado team up with seasoned tempeh to create substantial spring rolls that you’ll just want to pop back over and over. And don’t even get me started on the mango in there. Everything is perfectly balanced by the sriracha dipping sauce that brings a little heat to the mix, which is a really nice contrast to the mango and avocado. You can also include any veggies you have on hand or use these as an opportunity to empty the vegetable drawer (yay!).
Hero Ingredient: The sriracha sauce is composed of sriracha, honey, and sesame oil, and it’s exactly what you want to be snacking on when you’re sitting poolside.
PHOTO: Processed with VSCO with 4 preset
Cumin Chickpea Salad With Mint Chutney
Why We Love It: Cheese boards, be gone. Well, you can stick around—but for this pool party snack, we’re taking a slightly different approach to the grazing board situation. This chickpea salad is loaded with lots of spices, a Greek yogurt drizzle, and a topping of mint chutney. Serve with lots of baked naan for scooping and watch how quickly this salad goes from the platter to your guests’ hands.
Hero Ingredient: When it comes to the spices, chaat masala, cumin, and ginger completely transform the flavor profile of this salad into something you’ll be craving more of.
PHOTO: Hannah Haston Photography
Carrot Turmeric Hummus With Veggies
Why We Love It: A dip that doubles as a feel-good, healthy boost? Yes, please. Carrot and turmeric team up in this hummus to make the perfect veggie accompaniment for your pool party that’s healthy and refreshing. Instead of a chickpea base, carrots build the foundation for this dip by being puréed with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and turmeric. It’s easy to put together and even easier to enjoy.
Hero Ingredient: Lots of roasted sunflower seeds on top are key. Everyone loves a good crunch factor!
Watermelon Skewers
Why We Love It: The festive skewers are chock full of seasonal produce—and as a result, they’re definitely winners in my book. These are easy to throw together and even easier to enjoy. With watermelon, feta, and blackberries layered under a sprinkle of mint, you’ve got a handheld, no-fuss snack that everyone will love. You could even make these ahead of time and pull them out of the fridge when you’re ready to serve. That way, they’ll be cold, refreshing, and all-around delicious.
Hero Ingredient: A drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt brings out those natural sugars and ties everything together oh-so-neatly.
Mint Tzatziki With Endive, Romaine, & Sugar Snaps
Why We Love It: Tzatziki is the perfect pool party snack for a lot of reasons, but mainly because it’s fresh, light, and cooling after a long day in the sun. Especially when served with crisp sugar snap peas, endive, and romaine leaves. Something about this assortment makes you want to swim up to a poolside platter and dive right in.
Hero Ingredient: If you have the grill fired up for the occasion, lightly char those romaine leaves for a twist on this fresh assortment. They’ll still have some crunch to give, but take on a bitter char that really complements the tzatziki.
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Burrata With Pesto & Figs
Why We Love It: This four-ingredient pool party snack is, as you might guess, incredibly simple. And with a simple recipe comes the importance of fresh ingredients. Here, you’ll want the ripest figs, freshest pesto, creamiest burrata, and crustiest bread for an appetizer that’s so much more than the sum of its parts. Like the others on this list, this arrangement is perfect for poolside polishing.
Hero Ingredient: If you’re not yet on the burrata train, let me point you in the right direction. It’s totally celebrated in this recipe for the creamy masterpiece that it is. When spread across a toasty piece of bread and followed with figs, it’s sheer perfection.
Simple Citrus Salad
Why We Love It: I would apologize for including this in pretty much every roundup, but I just can’t—it’s that good. Totally refreshing, as vibrant as summer, and perfect for snacking. Slice up lots of citrus and serve this simple salad on a big platter so guests can dig in at any pace. Everyone will enjoy a refreshing bite of juicy fruit layered with salty Marcona almonds and zingy onions to counterbalance the summer heat.
Hero Ingredient: Those Marcona almonds are buttery, nutty, salty, and the all-around hero of this salad. They bring the crunch and flavor, what more could we ask for?
Tequila-Infused Watermelon Pops
Why We Love It: As you may have guessed from the name, these watermelon pops are for the adults only. Give any little ones at your party a watermelon skewer while the adults enjoy a fun and festive watermelon pop that’s, of course, infused with tequila. They’re zesty, minty, and made even better by a little pinch of sea salt. It brings out all the sweetness in that watermelon and sends these over the top.
Hero Ingredient: If you’ve ever had a juicy slice of watermelon with lime squeezed over top, you’ll understand that using lots of lime zest is key.
Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Flatbread With Lemony Cream Cheese
Why We Love It: This simple bagel-inspired flatbread is absolutely perfect for grab-and-go sharing. It’s a little more substantial than our other choices, which is exactly what makes it ideal for a pool party snack offering. Guests can snag a slice and enjoy the layered flavors of everything bagel crust, lemony cream cheese, smoked salmon, and fresh herbs.
Hero Ingredient: Salty capers seal the lox bagel deal and bring a burst of brine to each tasty bite.
Mango Lassi Popsicles
Why We Love It: For a dose of sweet, these popsicles make the perfect poolside dessert that everyone at your party will love. They’re creamy, cool, and completely reminiscent of mango lassi. All ages will adore these fruity pops while enjoying a post-sun cooldown on the side. Bonus: These popsicles can be made beforehand and stored in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. Hosting made easy.
Hero Ingredient: Our food editor, Suruchi Avasthi, insists that grinding your own spices is key. She says cardamom brings a really nice floral sweetness to the pops that’s best when it’s fresh.