Effortless 4th of July Appetizers Everyone Will Love 🇺🇸
Introduction
If you're hosting (or attending!) a 4th of July bash this year, you probably already know the drill: the grill is hot, the drinks are cold, and the guests are hungry. Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ, lakeside picnic, or rooftop gathering, you'll need some crowd-pleasing bites to kick things off. And since you probably don’t want to spend your holiday stuck in the kitchen, we’ve rounded up our favorite easy, delicious, and festive 4th of July appetizers that will impress without the stress.
Spoiler alert: extra virgin olive oil is the star ingredient in almost every one of these bites. It adds richness, flavor, and that little gourmet touch that takes simple recipes to the next level. Ready to wow your guests? Let’s get snacking.
1. Red, White, and Blue Deviled Eggs
These patriotic deviled eggs are as fun to look at as they are to eat. All you need is a little food coloring, your favorite deviled egg filling, and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to finish.
Recipe information
20 minutes
10 minutes
24
Appetizer
Ingredients
12 large eggs
1/2 cup mayo (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Splash of vinegar
Red and blue food coloring
Salt and pepper to taste
Evie Smooth Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling
Instructions
Hard-boil your eggs and peel them once cooled.
Slice in half, pop out the yolks into a bowl.
Mix yolks with mayo, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
In two bowls, add red and blue food coloring to water and soak the whites for 5–10 minutes.
Rinse and dry. Pipe or spoon the yolk mixture back in.
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.
Fun, festive, and actually really tasty.
2. Caprese Skewers with a Balsamic-Olive Oil Drizzle
Caprese skewers are a no-cook appetizer that looks fancy but takes under 10 minutes to put together
Recipe information
10 minutes
none
16
Appetizer
Ingredients
- 16 grape or cherry tomatoes (about 1 pint)
- 16 bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls)
- 16 fresh basil leaves (small leaves or torn to size)
- 1½ tablespoons Evie Bold Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 16 small skewers or cocktail picks
- Optional: Balsamic glaze or reduction, for drizzling
Instructions
- On each skewer, thread a tomato, a folded basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball.
- Arrange on a platter.
- In a small bowl, whisk equal parts balsamic vinegar and EVOO, add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Drizzle over skewers just before serving.
Bonus: the red, white, and green adds a splash of patriotic color with a Mediterranean twist.
"Entertaining is about making people feel welcome and at home. If you're relaxed, your guests will be too."
3. Classic Tomato Basil Bruschetta
This is a classic bruschetta recipe that's full of flavor thanks to the olive oil base! Fun Alternative: You can expand on this and make a build-your-own bruschetta station with other recipes (e.g. whipped ricotta honey, olive tapenade, etc.)!
Recipe information
10 minutes
10 minutes
12-16 slices
Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1–2 fresh baguettes, sliced into 1/2" rounds
Topping ingredients:
- 2 cups diced ripe Roma tomatoes, seeds removed
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Evie Bold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the toppings together and let sit 10 minutes to meld.
- Brush the baguette slices with olive oil, and bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes.
- Top baguette slices with tomato basil mixture and serve immediately.
In this recipe
4. Whipped Feta Dip with Olive Oil and Herbs
Creamy, salty, herby, and addictive—this whipped feta dip is one of those recipes you’ll end up making all summer long.
Recipe information
10 minutes
none
2 cups
Appetizer
Ingredients
- 8 oz block feta cheese
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Evie Smooth Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 garlic clove
- Fresh herbs: dill, parsley, or chives
- Crackers, pita chips, or crudité for dipping
Instructions
- Blend feta, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic until smooth.
- Spread in a shallow bowl, top with chopped herbs and a generous drizzle of EVOO.
- Serve with crackers, crostini, or sliced veggies.
Hot tip: if you’re feeling extra, top with chopped roasted red peppers or marinated olives.
5. Grilled Watermelon with Feta and Olive Oil
Watermelon might not scream "appetizer"—but once you grill it, pair it with salty feta and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil? Game-changer.
Recipe information
10 minutes
5 minutes
6-8 servings
Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 small seedless watermelon, cut into wedges
- Evie Smooth Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh mint
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
Heat grill or grill pan. Brush watermelon slices with EVOO.
Grill 2–3 minutes per side.
Top with feta, mint, and an optional drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Sweet, savory, and totally refreshing. Fun tip: Top with blueberries to make this even more patriotic 🇺🇸
6. Olive Oil Popcorn with Smoked Paprika
Popcorn as an appetizer? Absolutely—especially when it’s elevated with great olive oil and smoky spices. Set it out in big bowls for snacking as guests arrive.
Recipe information
5 minutes
5 minutes
8 cups
Appetizer
Ingredients
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
2 tbsp Evie Bold Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus more for topping)
1 tsp smoked paprika
Sea salt
Instructions
Pop the corn in a large pot with a splash of olive oil.
Once popped, drizzle more EVOO on top.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika and sea salt.
This is a crowd favorite that disappears fast.
7. Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Herbs and Olive Oil
These can be prepped the night before and are so good with crackers, crusty bread, or tossed into a salad later.
Recipe information
10 minutes
1-2 hours marinating time (optional but ideal)
2 cups
Appetizer
Ingredients
8 oz bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls)
1/3 cup Evie Bold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp lemon zest
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
Fresh herbs: thyme, rosemary, parsley
Instructions
In a jar or bowl, combine mozzarella with olive oil, garlic, zest, chili flakes, and herbs.
Let marinate at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Serve with toothpicks or alongside other apps.
8. Firecracker Hummus Platter
Take your average hummus board and give it fireworks-level flair.
Recipe information
15 minutes
none
6-8 servings
Appetizer
Ingredients
1½–2 cups store-bought or homemade hummus
1½ tablespoons Evie Smooth Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
½ teaspoon smoked paprika or za'atar (for color + spice)
Pita chips or toasted pita wedges, for dipping
Sliced cucumbers, red peppers, carrots, or jicama, for dipping
Artisan crackers or seeded flatbread, for dipping
❤️ Red Toppings (pick 1-2)
¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers
¼ cup diced cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- Pinch of red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
🤍 White Toppings (pick 1-2)
2 tablespoons crumbled feta or goat cheese
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or crushed cashews
Thin slices of garlic or radish
💙 Blue/Purple Toppings (pick 1-2)
2 tablespoons chopped kalamata olives or oil-cured black olives
2 tablespoons finely diced purple cabbage
Small handful of blueberries (sounds odd, but adds a fun, sweet burst + color)
Instructions
- Spread hummus in a swooping layer on a serving platter or shallow bowl.
- Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil to give it shine and richness.
- Sprinkle toppings in sections or a spiral pattern to create the “firecracker” effect—reds in one area, whites and blues radiating out or layered in stripes.
- Finish with paprika or za’atar, a final drizzle of olive oil, and serve with colorful veggies and chips on the side.
Pro Tips for 4th of July Appetizer Success
Go heavy on the olive oil. A good extra virgin olive oil isn’t just for cooking—it’s the finishing touch that makes all these apps shine. Drizzle generously!
Keep it chill. Prep what you can the night before. Many of these dishes (like the marinated mozzarella or whipped feta) taste even better after a few hours in the fridge.
Color matters. Use red (tomatoes, peppers, strawberries), white (mozzarella, feta, yogurt), and blue (blueberries, purple potatoes) ingredients for a patriotic twist.
Presentation is everything. Even simple foods look party-ready when styled on a nice board or in a festive bowl.
Final Bite
Hosting doesn’t have to mean hustling. With a few simple, olive oil-forward recipes, you can put together an unforgettable spread of 4th of July appetizers that feel festive, fresh, and totally fuss-free. Whether you’re going for light bites before the BBQ or creating a full appetizer spread, these easy recipes deliver big on flavor without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.
Happy 4th, and happy snacking! 🇺🇸