When you’re through reading our guide to easy summer party food ideas, you’ll be armed with: 

• Inexpensive and mouth-watering recipe ideas for when the summer’s heating up 
• Deliciously quick recipes for when the summer starts to cool down 
• A backup plan for when you’re out of time or too stressed out to cook 

There’s nothing better than a party when temperatures start to rise and the sun begins to stay out past its normal bedtime. However, coming up with quick and easy snacks and meals for company can make the event a tad too stressful. Instead of excusing yourself from the fun to check on the food yet another time, make sure you’re preparing recipes that are quick, easy, and let you enjoy the party just as much as everyone else. 

No Hassle Party Food Ideas 

When we started to compile recipe ideas for summer parties, we made sure that everything we included followed some basic parameters: 

• They were quick to make with, at most, 30 minutes of prep. 
• They used our favorite summer foods that are commonly found at home or easy to pick up at a grocery store. 
• They were mouthwatering good both on the page and on the plate. 

Once we ran over our list with a fine mesh comb to make sure every recipe hit all three of those qualifications, we knew we had something good to share with our customers. 

Indoor Summer Parties 

Maybe it’s too hot to party outdoors. That’s still okay; we’ve got a variety of easy and delicious recipes that will please any crowd without heating up your house. Some of these options can be made ahead of time, while others require just a little bit of prep to get things ready. Regardless, though, expect compliments with every forkful of food. 

Buffalo-Style Meatballs 

Frozen meatballs are a go-to option for any party chef. A bag or two can last a whole party, and there’s practically no prep work required. Just dump the meatballs into a slow cooker (a Dutch oven or other large pot on a stovetop works well, too) with a bottle of your favorite Buffalo-style hot sauce, and you’ve got a delicious twist on the classic potluck dish. 

If you want to go above and beyond, consider throwing in some cream cheese and a packet of dry ranch mix. Give it a stir or two, and you’ve got Buffalo-style meatballs with all the fixings. 

No-Bake Cheese Balls 

Baking is no fun when it’s hot out. Cheese is good all the time. So, why not combine the two with this quick no-bake cheese ball recipe? 

All you need is a soft cheese, gorgonzola preferably, and an equal amount of cream cheese. Let both get to room temperature, then mix the cheeses with a dash of Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and some chopped fresh herbs. For an extra kick, mix in a small splash of white wine. 

Once everything is combined, scoop out the mixture and roll into small balls (about the size of a golf ball, if not a little smaller). Put them in the fridge for 15 minutes, and you’re done! 

Popcorn, Potato Chip, or Potato Skins Bar 

Instead of making your guests’ culinary decisions for them, give them the freedom to choose. Pick up a couple of bags of pre-made popcorn (or make some yourself), potato chips, or frozen potato skins and serve up an offering of toppings like salsa, guacamole, cheese sauce, hot sauce, and other dips. 

This option is versatile. You can pick Mexican toppings, Greek toppings, or Italian ones. It’s a new meal with every trip to the buffet line! 

Shredded Rotisserie Chicken BBQ 

This is another quick option for when your prep time consists only of a trip to the grocery store. Pick up a rotisserie chicken or two, your favorite bottle of pre-made BBQ sauce, and a bag of buns. When you get home, get to shredding. 

If you’re looking to jazz up the BBQ sauce a little, try mixing in a little orange juice. It will give the sauce an extra oomph, and your friends will have you wondering when you got so good at barbeque. 

Outdoor Summer Parties 

Suns out, buns out! Hot dog buns that is. Everyone loves the taste of well-grilled food, and you may be surprised by just how many foods improve with a quick kiss of the charcoal or propane-lit flames. 

Asian-Style Chicken Wings 

If you have leftover BBQ sauce, mix in some soy sauce and rice wine vinegar to make a truly excellent Asian-style marinade. Brush them on some frozen chicken wings that you’ve placed on your grill, and your party guests will be more than impressed. It’s a classic summer party staple but with enough of a twist to separate yourself from the other backyard grillers. 

Grilled Watermelon 

If you want something sweet, juicy, and smokey, you need to try grilled watermelon. Place slices of the melon on your grill for long enough to get deep grill marks. The sugar of the fruit will caramelize, naturally enhancing its flavor. Once you’re done, you can make a watermelon salad with feta cheese and fresh mint or just serve the slices as they are. 

Grilled Salsas 

Grilling is a great way to enhance fruits and veggies. Corn, pineapple, peppers, and onions can be grilled, chopped, then mixed to create an amazing salsa. You’ll never find yourself reaching for that store-bought stuff again after you see how easy it is to do your own unique spin on the classic chip accompaniment. 

Even if you do end up buying salsa from the store, mixing in a grilled veggie or two will make it your own. It’s semi-homemade but fully delicious. 

Hot Dog Bar 

Before a fight breaks out over whether ketchup does or does not belong on a dog, democratize your crowd’s toppings with a variety of fixings. As you’re grilling up your dogs, start putting out classics like mustard, pickles, and, yes, ketchup, too. 

Don’t stop there, though; chopped cabbage, coleslaw, semi-homemade BBQ sauce, and an assortment of grilled veggies will give party-goers a wide range of options to customize their dog. Don’t be afraid to go far outside the box with the available toppings, as it’ll encourage creativity and add another layer of fun to the event. 

Quick and Easy Food Ideas with Boss’ Pizza and Chicken 

Still feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay because Boss’ Pizza and Chicken is here to help! If you’re throwing a big shindig, use our catering services to cover all of your cooking needs. Depending on the location, you can have us cook some crowd-pleasing favorites: 

• Broasted chicken plates 
• Pasta and salad options 
• Pizza buffets 
• Soft drinks 
• Dessert 

For a small get-together, you can order mouth-watering menu options like chicken wings, specialty pizzas (with regular or cauliflower crusts), and brownies. Our goal is to make it easy, and what’s easier than having someone take care of the food for you? 

Reach out to your local Boss’ Chicken and Pizza location today to see how we can take the stress off your shoulders so you can enjoy the party just as much as your guests!