45 Labor Day BBQ Appetizer Recipes

Jalapeño halves are filled with a creamy cheese mix, including chorizo and sausage, wrapped in bacon, and slow‑smoked until crispy and dreamy. Serve with chipotle crema for a smoky, spicy kick perfect for party appetizers or tailgates.

Pile seasoned brisket, pinto beans, and BBQ sauce over tortilla chips and melted Colby‑Jack cheese. Top with cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and a final BBQ drizzle. Comfort food made legendary.

Grill thick pineapple slices brushed with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until caramelized and golden. Garnish with mint or berries if desired. A quick, sweet side or dessert for summer cookouts.

Thin squash ribbons are rolled into elegant rosettes, baked until delicate, and drizzled with olive oil and herbs. These vibrant, beautiful bundles are a stunning plant-based appetizer or side.

Layer refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa in a flag pattern, using berries or tomatoes and onions as stripes. Displayed on a cookie sheet or platter, it doubles as art and appetizer.

Mini avocado halves are filled with zesty guacamole and garnished with tomato, onion, and cilantro. They’re single-serve, fresh, and picture-perfect crowd pleasers for any gathering.

Cream cheese-filled jalapeño slices wrapped in puff pastry twists, baked until golden, and served with dipping sauce. A fun, flaky take on classic poppers with extra flair.

Tender pulled pork tucked into mini buns and topped with slaw or pickles, drizzled with BBQ sauce. Perfect for parties, these easy sliders are crowd favorites that bring smoky soul in every bite.

Toasted baguette slices topped with chopped tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, and olive oil—bright, fresh, and irresistible as a starter or light bite.

A creamy, cheesy blend of spinach, artichokes, and melted cheese baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect with tortilla chips or bread for sharing at parties.

Hard-boiled eggs filled with a zesty mix of yolk, mayo, mustard, and seasoning. Garnished with paprika or herbs, they’re a timeless, savory favorite at gatherings.

An array of zucchini, peppers, squash, and more lightly grilled until charred and tender, then drizzled with olive oil and herbs. A healthy, colorful side ideal for summer meals.

These oven-baked wings get ultra-crispy and are tossed in a honey-barbeque sauce—resulting in sticky, sweet-smoky goodness you’ll crave. Bake or air-fry, and pair with ranch and carrot sticks for an effortless, crowd-pleasing finger food.

Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect party food! Anyone can make this pretzel bites recipe, and everyone will love them!

Just three ingredients yield a killer appetizer: Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked until perfectly crispy. Everyone goes nuts for them.

Corn cobs are sliced into ribs, tossed in oil and spices, and crisped in the air fryer. They curl up like ribs and make for a fun, flavorful, and hands-on summer snack.

A crispy bed of vegan tater tots gets piled with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, salsa, and dairy-free cheese sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, then topped with creamy avocado, green onions, and cilantro. Game‑day comfort that’s plant-based, indulgent, and totally customizable.

These wings are gloriously sticky, sweet, and savory, coated in a rich gochujang-based sauce with soy, garlic, sugar, and vinegar, then roasted until crispy. Garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, they’re a Korean-style wing that’ll have you licking your fingers and craving more.

These vibrant mini bell peppers are filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, garlic, green onion, walnuts, and a spicy touch of sriracha, then baked until the cheese is melty and golden.

Jalapeño halves filled with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, and bacon, then baked to golden perfection. They’re creamy, savory, and absolutely party-ready.

A creamy dip blending onions, jalapeños, garlic, cumin, lime juice, black beans, and cilantro. It’s simple, flavorful, and healthy—perfect for scoops with chips or veggie toppings.

This guac ups the game with corn, black beans, tomatoes, jalapeños, and lime—the classic creaminess, plus savory, fresh, bowl-pleasing flair.

Hollowed russets are baked crispy, filled with cheddar and bacon, then topped with herbed sour cream and green onions. An indulgent, irresistible classic that's perfect for sharing.

Crescent-roll dough is wrapped around mini pizzas, loaded with pepperoni and cheese, then baked until crispy in under 20 minutes. These popcorn-style bites are perfect for game-day snacking or quick appetizers.

All the flavor of fried pickles, packed into a creamy dip with ranch seasoning and bursts of panko bits. The perfect game-day or snack spread that’s zesty, crunchy, and endlessly dunkable.

A hybrid of Maine and Connecticut styles, this lobster roll features buttery-warm lobster tossed in a light sauce and nestled in a toasted bun. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's gourmet seafood made accessible and unforgettable.

Tender chicken pieces and veggies are skewered, then brushed with rich, flavorful peanut sauce during grilling, an Asian-inspired favorite that’s healthy and perfect for summer cookouts.

A simple two-ingredient dip mixing creamy softened cream cheese with smoky salmon—elegant, make‑ahead, and always a hit. Serve with pita chips or crackers for a classy snack.

Quick-to-make skewers loaded with cheese, olives, meats, and transformers of bright flavors. Act as a festive appetizer that’s colorful, easy to eat, and a real crowd-pleaser.

Baked mushroom caps filled with cheesy, herb- and panko-infused goodness until golden. A versatile and classy appetizer, easy to prep ahead and always disappearing fast at parties.

Sweet corn, southwest-style Mexicorn, creamy sour cream, mayo, green onions, and shredded cheese blend into a crowd-pleasing dip that comes together in just minutes. Serve it hot or room-temperature. It’s cheesy, savory, and dangerously addictive at parties.

Large shrimp are successively coated in flour, beaten eggs, then crunchy Panko-coconut mixture and fried until golden. Serve with a sweet Thai‑chili and marmalade sauce for an irresistible, tropical appetizer that everyone sneaks from the snack table.

Tender zucchini slices are coated in flour, egg, and a Parmesan‑seasoned panko crust, then fried until golden and crispy. Light, nutty, and addictive, perfect as a snack, side dish, or appetizer everyone will devour.

Chicken, bell peppers, onions, and pineapple are marinated in teriyaki sauce, then skewered and grilled to smoky perfection. The sweet-tart pineapple and charred edges take these skewers from great to unforgettable.

Smoky roasted eggplant is blended with creamy tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a hint of cumin and smoked paprika. Silky, savory, and luxurious, this Mediterranean dip is perfect with pita or crisp veggies.

Grilled to smoky-charred perfection, Brussels sprouts emerge crispy on the outside, tender inside, with deep caramelized flavor. A simple side that transforms skeptics into fans.

Fresh apricot halves and asparagus are lightly grilled for a caramelized char, drizzled with honey-balsamic reduction and topped with nuts. Juicy, bright, and elegant, this is summer on a plate.

An artful platter with red grapes and strawberries, white cheese and tortilla shapes, and blue blueberries and blackberries. Festively patriotic and perfect for celebrations.

This show-stopping cheese platter uses red fruits and meats, white cheeses and nuts, plus a blueberry "union" dotted with cheese stars, all arranged to mimic the American flag.

Juicy chicken skewers brushed with zesty, garlicky "cowboy butter", a rich blend of butter, garlic, lemon, Dijon, and spices—deliver bold, summery flavor in under an hour, whether grilled or skillet-cooked.

Oven or air-fryer crispy cauliflower tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, served with creamy tahini ranch. A vegan-friendly appetizer that's irresistible and healthier than fried alternatives.

Mini mac-and-cheese cups studded with lobster chunks, baked with three-cheese sauce and crispy panko. Unexpected, indulgent, and perfect for game-day snacking or elegant appetizers.

These sweet-and-spicy bites feature jalapeño quarters stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, wrapped in bacon, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked—resulting in candied bacon, melty cheese, and addictive flavor.

Golden crab cake rounds packed with seasoned crab meat are served with a bright tarragon aioli. Elegant, flavorful, and as impressive as they are delicious.

Quick-prep nachos featuring paprika-seasoned shrimp, honey drizzle, corn, jalapeños, and creamy cumin‑lime crema, all layered over chips with guac. A unique, savory-sweet twist on classic nachos.