Ideas and recipes for easy, healthy July 4th appetizers and snacks that are red, white and blue and great for kids and adults!
Today I’ve got some easy, festive and fun July 4th appetizers for you!
It’s all about the red, white and blue over here for the upcoming holiday.
The kiddos love them some American flags. So I wanted to come up with some healthy, delicious red, white and blue foods to help us celebrate independence day.
And we're going with naturally colored festive foods. Meaning, no food coloring or artificial flavors here. (Just like my red, white and blue yogurt parfaits from last week.)
And, let’s be honest, nothing that requires too much creativity. Not my strong suit. Nor do I have the patience or time for anything intricate.
Nope, we're just throwing together some cute, fun and tasty snacks at the last minute.
So here are a few super easy July 4th appetizers that are great for kiddos and adults alike. (And some bonus ideas down below!)
Easy July 4th Appetizers and Snacks:
- Fruit and cream cheese mini sandwiches
- Popcorn with dried blueberries and cranberries
- Fruit and mozzarella ball skewers with balsamic vinaigrette
- Rice cakes with peanut butter (or almond butter) and bananas, blueberries and strawberries. Drizzle with honey if desired. (It's also fun sprinkled with chia seeds if you have some.)
- Mini bagels with cream cheese and strawberries and blueberries. They are so pretty! (You can drizzle these with honey and sprinkle with chia seeds too.)
All of these little bites are perfect for pool parties, backyard BBQs and picnics all summer long, not just on the Fourth of July.
Because who can resist some pretty hand-held food?!
Oh and you may also want to check out my 4th of July fruit kabobs for another fun, festive appetizer that can totally be a fun dessert as well.
Many of these here today can also work for breakfast. Especially the bagels and rice cakes.
The fruit and cream cheese sandwiches are something I could happily snack on daily for breakfast or a snack. They are dainty, fruity and take just minutes to make up!
And you can change them up a bit by switching out the fruits or using a fruit jam instead of fresh fruit.
For instance, use strawberry jam in the sandwich and top with a blueberry. Or use blueberry or grape jam in the sandwich and top with strawberry slices or a raspberry.
Endless combinations!
The popcorn with dried blueberries and cranberries was probably my kids’ favorite.
They both love my homemade popcorn, which is normally reserved for our very recent (and still very rare) family tradition of movie night. (They're still really young, so that's why it's new.)
So it was a surprise to make them this fun popcorn snack!
It’s a great crunchy and chewy combo, with a little salty and a little sweet. All around delectable. And I love that it’s a whole grain treat!
(No worries though if you want to use regular store-bought popcorn in the bag and just doctor it up. That's fine too!)
We were all fans of the fruit and cheese skewers. Little bites of handheld goodness.
Notes on making fruit skewers:
- I sliced a very thin sliver off the bottom of the strawberries so the little boats would sit up straight.
- I halved the mozzarella balls so these would be more bite-size manageable. (This will depend on what kind/size you can find at your store.)
- I served ours with balsamic vinegar. I like mine dipped in it, though the kiddos like theirs plain.
- Serving extra fruit and mozzarella balls on the side is also a good way to encourage more snacking and browsing.
These fruit boats also pack well and work great to take to a picnic or friend's house for a seemingly fancy but super duper easy appetizer.
So there you have it, a few easy and fun ideas for your July 4th celebrations to make the holiday a little extra festive!
Hope you have a safe and happy one!
XO,
Kathryn
Easy Red, White and Blue July 4th Appetizers
Ingredients
For the mini sandwiches:
- 4 slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed (see notes)
- ¼ cup plain cream cheese (reduced fat is fine)
- ½ cup sliced strawberries (or use strawberry jam)
- About ¼ cup fresh blueberries
For the popcorn:
- 4 cups popcorn (see notes)
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon kosher sal
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup dried blueberries
For the fruit and cheese skewers:
- 12 strawberries, halved (see notes)
- 24 fresh blueberries
- 12 mini mozzarella balls, halved (packed in water, usually found near the deli section in the grocery store)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- For the sandwiches: Spread half of the bread slices with cream cheese.
- Top with sliced strawberries then top with the other bread halves. Cut sandwiches into triangles.
- Top with a blueberry and a toothpick and serve!
- For the popcorn: Make popcorn. Add ¼ cup corn kernels to a large microwave-safe glass or Pyrex bowl. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Microwave on high for about 5 minutes, until popping sounds are 3-4 seconds apart. Remove carefully (use oven mitts - the bowl and lid will be hot!) Remove top immediately to release excess steam. (See easy microwave popcorn for more details or how to use a paper bag to microwave popcorn.)
- Add butter and salt to popcorn and stir to combine. If you are using a store-bought popcorn bag or prepared popcorn, skip the butter and salt here.
- Add dried cranberries and blueberries and stir to combine.
- Serve and enjoy!
- For the fruit and cheese skewers: Place strawberry half on a plate. (Slice a thin bit off the bottom, if needed, to get them to stand up straight.) Use a toothpick or skewer to add and secure a mozzarella ball and then a blueberry on top.
- Serve on a platter with a bowl of balsamic vinegar for dipping, if desired, and enjoy!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
All of these look so cute and like you said, who can resist pretty hand-held food? Not me 🙂 I love them all, but those strawberry boats are just the best! We have a long weekend coming up too on July 1st, so you have definitely inspired me to get my app on 😉 That was super adorable learning your daughter to say Obama. She definitely sounds like one smart cookie 🙂 xo
Kathryn
Haha, thanks Dawn 🙂 Hope you enjoy your long weekend, too!! XO
Elizabeth Shaw
That was such a cute story about your daughter, definitely one smart cookie! I love these ideas, so simple and healthy for the 4th! Have a great holiday!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Elizabeth! Hope you have a happy 4th!
Sara @sarahaasrdn.com
Really fun ideas! Great post!
Kathryn
Thanks Sara!
Sarah Grace Spann
Fruit and cream cheese is the best combo! I bet those sandwiches are delicious! We went a similar route today with 4th of july recipes 🙂
Kathryn
I totally agree - such a great combo and I make things with those two all the time for breakfast or snack 🙂 And I'm headed to your site right now to see what sort of deliciousness you put together for the 4th!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
These are all so cute and festive! Love those flag toothpicks!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Jessica!
simonacallas
Who wouldn't love to be patriotic? You have a beautiful collection here. Beautiful colors, nice flavors and so good looking 🙂 Have a Happy Fourth of July! ❤❤
Kathryn
Thanks so much!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Oh my gawsh, you do have one lil smart cookie on your hands!! Obviously she takes after mama. 😉 BUT, ummm you say you aren't creative - I beg to differ!! Love these easy ideas for the 4th! The popcorn has to be my favorite, because I'm a pop-aholic, so any excuse to devour popcorn, I'm game! Cheers, dear - to a fabulous rest of the week and weekend!
Kathryn
Aww, too sweet - thanks Cheyanne! Hope you have a fabulous holiday weekend!
Elizabeth Mayberry
Those little sandwiches are adorable!
Kathryn
Thanks Elizabeth!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
So many fun, festive ideas! Thanks!
Kathryn
Thanks so much! I hope you try some of them!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Love how easy and fun these are! Too cute!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Megan!
Cath Richards
From one Catherine to another Kathryn, thank you for these delicious red, white and blue tasty treats! I am an Aussie woman involved with an American Army sergeant and wanted some simple ideas to make for my man and his 2 kids this Independence Day....our first one together.
Kathryn Doherty
Aww, that's so sweet! I hope they enjoy these fun treats and that you all have a wonderful celebration together! 🥰