Plan a fun and festive 4th of July feast with these delicious recipes and patriotic meal ideas. Whether you want to keep it classic with burgers, cornbread and apple pie or spark it up with a patriotic cheese board and party mix, you’re sure to find some great inspiration for a fabulous 4th of July celebration here in this round-up!
4th of July is one of our favorite holidays! It’s all about celebrating our freedom with family, friends and great food. From the moment we wake up until the last firework blasts off, we’re feasting on a fantastic spread of fun and festive food. I’m so excited to share this round-up of our favorite 4th of July recipes and creative meal ideas with you in hopes that you’re inspired to make some of them for your celebration.
Let’s start with my favorite way to serve a snack or meal to a crowd…on a board, of course! These festive boards will have your crowd ooh-ing and aah-ing like they do for the finale of the big fireworks show!
American Flag Cheese Snack Tray
This American Flag Cheese Tray is such a fabulous way to serve snacks at your 4th of July celebration! Creating the flag shape with all red, white and blue foods is easy and turns into a stunning patriotic platter. All of the details on how to build this board and several other holiday boards can also be found in my Beautiful Boards cookbook.
The Ultimate Summer Cookout Spread
Make entertaining outdoors a breeze with The Ultimate Summer Cookout Spread. With build-your-own hot dogs and burgers, as well as satisfying sides and a sweet treat, it’s an easy and delicious menu that’s sure to please everyone!
American Flag Caprese Salad
This American Flag Caprese Salad is as delicious as it is patriotic! Topped with a Blueberry Balsamic Drizzle and served with toasted baguette, it makes a perfectly-fresh and festive summer dish!
Hot Dog Flag Board
This American flag shaped Hot Dog Flag Board is such an easy way to serve a patriotic themed meal on the 4th of July that is sure to wow your crowd!
Barbecue Board
Wow your crowd with an awesome spread of meats, sides and sauces. Smoke your own meats and make your own sides or, better yet, pick up the meats and sides from your favorite barbecue joint. This board is a celebration in itself and such a great way to enjoy food and time with family. All of the yummy details are in my Beautiful Boards cookbook (pages 134-135).
Build-Your-Own Burger Board
A Build-Your-Own Burger Board is such a great way to let everyone enjoy their burgers just the way they like them with a great variety of toppings and spreads to choose from.
Hot Dog Board
Everyone will go crazy for this Hot Dog Board that offers hot dog halves with an tasty selection of toppings and snacks to go with them. It’s an simple, fun and delicious way to serve hot dogs!
Star-Spangled Slaw
Add instant fireworks to your 4th of July cookout with this Star-Spangled Slaw. Bright red strawberries, fresh blueberries, white almond slivers and salty feta cheese make this slaw a flavorful and patriotic side dish.
Trader Joe’s Snack Tray
Prepare this epic Trader Joe’s Snack Tray that is sure to excite and satisfy your hungry crowd!
Star-Spangled Sweets Board
Another super simple board idea for your 4th of July festivities is a Star-Spangled Sweets Board! Most grocery stores have a great selection of red, white and blue goodies in their bakery or seasonal section around the 4th of July that you can easily build this board with. Everyone will love it!
Pancake Flag Board
A Pancake Flag Board is such a simple and festive way to start a patriotic holiday!
Build-Your-Own Sandwich Board
This ultimate Build-Your-Own Sandwich Board is sure to feed and please your hungry crowd between all the fun 4th of July activities you have planned. Everyone loves building their own sandwich just the way they like it!
S’mores Board and S’mores Tray Inspiration
Gimme s’more fun and yum with this s’mores board! A build-your-own S’mores Board is sure to be a 4th of July hit! You’ll find the original s’mores board inspiration in my Beautiful Boards cookbook along with recipes for the s’mores dip & s’mores snack mix.
Don’t have a board? A tray works just as great. This s’mores tray would be the perfect post-firework treat for everyone to gather around the fire pit or fireplace and build their own s’mores creations. So much fun and yum!
Here are some of our favorite red, white and blue party foods that are sure to be a fun addition to the day…
Patriotic Party Mix
What is a party without a party mix?! A perfect sweet and slightly salty treat with red, white and blue sprinkles and candies. This Patriotic Party Mix is a must make for all your summer holiday celebrations!
Star Spangled S’mores Tray
What’s red, white, and blue and oh-so yummy? This Star Spangled S’mores Tray! The perfect finale to your Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day celebration that everyone will love!
American Flag Pie
Now here’s a pie for the 4th of July! 🇺🇸😍 This American Flag inspired pie is as delicious as it is easy to create!
4th of July Star Cookies
These super easy, festive and tasty star cookies would be the perfect addition to your 4th of July feast!
Patriotic Pancakes
Add a little red, white and blue to your breakfast with these fruity, fluffy Patriotic Buttermilk Pancakes! Such a festive way to start the day!
Patriotic Breakfast Parfaits
Festive red, white and blue layers of fruit, yogurt and granola make these Patriotic Breakfast Parfaits a healthy way to start the holiday!
3-Ingredient Patriotic Fruit Pops
These easy 3-Ingredient Patriotic Fruit Pops are a delicious and refreshing way to cool off at your 4th of July celebration. The strawberry, banana and blueberry layers are patriot perfection!
Now for some great appetizers, salads and sides everyone is sure to love. Traditional cookout staples like cornbread and dips along with summer favorites like refreshing watermelon salad and grilled corn salsa. Let’s get the party started…
Sweet and Simple Cornbread
Sweet and Simple Cornbread is a classic cornbread that is sweet, simple and scrumptiously delicious!
Watermelon Feta Salad
This Watermelon Feta Salad with mint and a balsamic glaze is so light and refreshing. It’s the perfect side dish to take to a summer get-together or celebration!
Grilled Corn Salsa
Grilled corn and roasted tomatoes come together is this fresh and flavorful Grilled Corn Salsa that makes for such a great summer dip or side dish!
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Incredibly easy, amazingly tender, tasty 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Great by itself or piled high on a bun.
Spinach Dip
This simple and delicious Spinach Dip is such a great appetizer to serve for any occasion. Everyone always enjoys dipping into it with fresh veggies and chunks of bread.
Cheesy Corn Cornbread
This Cheesy Corn Cornbread is crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside. The spice from the jalapeno is well balanced with the gooey cheese and crisp corn you get in every bite. It’s so good!
Layered Cornbread Salad
Crumbled cornbread, fresh veggies, ranch dressing and bacon take this delicious Layered Cornbread Salad to new heights. Better make a double recipe because everyone will be coming back for seconds!
The Best Blender Guacamole
Make guacamole in your blender in a matter of minutes. Seriously, this recipe is The Best Blender Guacamole you will ever eat!
7-Layer Cornbread Casserole
A large pan of cornbread topped with everyone’s favorite 7-layer dip is great for a get-together!
Harlequin Dip
Move aside salsa, this Harlequin Dip is sure to attract all the chips at your next get-together. A quick and easy dip that is always a huge hit!
Easy Homemade Salsa
Super fresh and simple Homemade Salsa made in your blender in a matter of minutes. Pass the chips!
Honey Corn Muffins
These Honey Corn Muffins for a Crowd are moist, sweet, and full of creamy corn. They are perfect for your next summer celebration or get together!
Now for the main event! Here are some simple recipes to serve as the main dish along with lots of sides and snacks…
Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs
Because it doesn’t get more American than hot dogs at an outdoor celebration, take it up a notch and serve these grilled cheese hot dogs. They’re next level delicious!
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Chicken Skewers
Fire up the grill for these awesome Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Chicken Skewers that will instantly become the stars of your spread!
Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites
These Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites are cute, creative and crowd-pleasing. Perfect finger food for a celebration!
Skillet Sliders
No grill, no problem! Skillet Sliders seared to perfection on the stovetop are the way to go! When cooked right, they turn out with the most perfect crust and juicy center every single time.
Now that you have a great selection of savory recipes to choose from, let’s finish strong with some delicious desserts…
Mom’s Special Apple Pie
Mom’s Special Apple Pie is the ultimate American dessert. It’s homemade goodness at its very best! Made extra special with deliciously sweet apples that are mounded in a flaky crust and topped with an irresistible nutty streusel!
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake
For all my fellow chocolate lovers out there! This incredibly moist Chocolate Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake is so amazing it will knock your socks off. Great for a crowd!
6-in-1 Sheet Pan Cookie Bars
One batch of cookie dough baked into 6 different flavors, in the same sheet pan, for the most delicious cookie bars that will make everyone happy!
Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler
Snickerdoodles and sweet peaches come together in this easy and delicious Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler that you’ll want to bake all summer long!
Apple Pie Bites
These adorable and delicious bite-sized apple pies are perfect for a party!
S’mores Ice Cream Cake
No campfire needed to make this s’mores ice cream cake with layer upon layer of frozen s’mores goodness. So yummy you’ll be begging for s’more!
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Let me show you how easy it is to make your own Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches so you can stock your freezer with tasty treats all summer long! A sure way to cool off a crowd.
Fresh Cherry Pie
Take advantage of cherries while they’re at their best with this stunning double-crusted Fresh Cherry Pie for a show-stopping summer dessert!
Red Velvet Cake
A stunning Red Velvet Cake that’s made extra special and scrumptious with a few simple variations! A crowd favorite that could also be made into a sheet cake. Top it with blueberries for a great red, white and blue dessert for the 4th of July!
S’mores Pudding Cookies
These S’mores Pudding Cookies are chewy cookies loaded with all the yumminess of a s’more. Mmmm-AZING!!
Peaches & Cream Cobbler
Peaches, ice cream & self-rising flour are all you need for this 3-Ingredient Peaches & Cream Cobbler. A fabulous peach cobbler that anyone could make and everyone will love!
Homemade Banana Ice Cream
This Homemade Banana Ice Cream is just so creamy, dreamy and delicious!
S’mores Cheesecake Bites
Bite-size cheesecakes that incorporate all the yummy layers of a tasty s’more in these amazing S’mores Cheesecake Bites!
Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Ice cream sandwiches layered with rich caramel, crunchy pecans and whipped topping. The crowd will go crazy over this Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Sandwich Cake that’s so easy to make!
And we can’t forget about refreshments! Here are some great crowd-pleasing drinks for the holiday…
Ice Chest Tea
Ice chest tea is sweet, delicious and refreshing. So great to make ahead and so nice that people can just serve themselves out of the ice chest.
Blue Smoke Cocktail
When the celebration calls for a cocktail, this light yet boozy drink of mezcal, bourbon and blueberry is cheers-worthy for sure. Such a fun and yummy cocktail!
Peach Tea Slushie
Sweet tea and frozen peaches blend together in this deliciously refreshing Peach Tea Slushie that’s so easy to make. The perfect pick-me-up drink on a hot afternoon!
Zesty Lemonade
Zesty Lemonade is a classic vodka lemonade kicked up with the addition of rich limoncello and spicy chile liqueur. A refreshing cocktail for a hot summer day!
Sparkling Sweet Tea Sangria
Sparkling Sweet Tea Sangria is a refreshing summer cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on the patio, poolside or at a picnic. It’s easily made with sweet tea, sparkling wine, orange liqueur and fresh berries. The star-spangled fruit kabobs give each glass a fun and festive touch!
There you have them, friends! Our favorite fun and festive recipes to enjoy while celebrating the 4th of July! Here’s to a safe, fun and delicious holiday!
When you make one of my recipes, re-create one of my boards or are inspired by one of my yummy ideas, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see and others can be inspired. 
I love seeing you make and enjoy the recipes and ideas I share.
xoxo,
