Our families (both Sarah’s and mine) loves to plan a festive spread of food for any holiday. See my recent array of choices from Easter here and Sarah’s Superbowl roundup here for recent examples. I even have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to holiday recipes. So it’s no surprise that my kids and I have been trolling Pinterest for weeks now, seeking out the absolute best red, white and blue showstoppers we can find to plan for our Fourth of July pool party. The main dishes are standby crowd pleasers – hot dogs and hamburgers on the Blackstone. But we have plenty of room to get creative with appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Here are some of the recipes we are eyeballing.
Appetizers
Fourth of July Appetizers – Lentil Loving Family
This roundup includes easy, kid-friendly ideas like patriotic pinwheels and festive veggie trays. These are perfect if you’re short on time but still want to wow guests with something on theme. My favorite are the hot dogs with stars. I may have to try those out …
Fourth of July Charcuterie Board – Homemade Heather
It’s not a secret that our family L-O-V-E-S a charcuterie board for ANY occasion. (Flashback to the one my son made for Thanksgiving in 2024!) This red, white, and blue charcuterie board combines salty, sweet, and fruity elements in a lovely patriotic layout. It’s pretty, but also looks pretty delicious. Orrrrr you could go in a more savory direction …
4th of July Charcuterie Board – Food Plus Words
This version of a graze board leans into classic American flavors with cheese, cured meats, and just a few festive sweets.
Fruit Kabobs – Simply Low Cal
With the prevalence of pool dinners so far this summer (at swim team and my parents’ pool), we are on a kabob kick. So we definitely gravitated toward these vibrant kabobs that use strawberries, blueberries, and bananas to create a naturally sweet treat. They would be great as a starter or even a healthier dessert option.
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Kabobs – Two Healthy Kitchens
This is another version that’s a bit more time intensive (but totally pic-worthy!). These skewers are simple enough for the kids to manage still, but REALLY bring out the festiveness of the holiday.
Side Dishes
Red, White, and Blue Caprese Salad – Ann’s Entitled Life
Combines a favorite recipe with a fun, themed twist using mozzarella, tomatoes, and blueberries to deliver a refreshing and festive side. Only problem with this is that I might be tempted to eat it all before any guests arrive.
Tri-Color Pasta Salad – The Slow Roasted Italian
This one might be my absolute favorite of the bunch (if you’re going on looks alone). A crowd-pleasing favorite that’s easy to make ahead and customize with whatever veggies or proteins you like.
4th of July Deviled Eggs – She Keeps a Lovely Home
These adorable red and blue deviled eggs are sure to be a conversation starter at your celebration—and they taste just as good as they look.
Desserts
Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake – Spend With Pennies
I actually don’t like cake, but I know I’m the weirdo and lots of other people do, so this could be a great option for a crowd. This cake is bursting with patriotic colors and flavor thanks to vibrant Jell-O and fluffy whipped topping. Make it the night before and serve chilled!
Patriotic Cookies – Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
This one is a little more my speed (though I would ABSOLUTELY serve them with ice cream!) These colorful cookies use red, white, and blue M&Ms for that extra festive flair. Thank goodness M&M understands that we need colorful options for all occasions (see how I used their Easter colors in this ice cream cake).
Red, White, and Blue Pie – Quiche My Grits
My kids are on a pie kick. In fact, my daughter is baking a peach pie RIGHT NOW for a gathering with friends this afternoon. So of course, she has been partial to the pie recipes for the Fourth and it sounds like she might be making something along these lines.
4th of July Strawberries – 365 Days of Baking and More
They are just so cute! Bite sized and on the lighter side for dessert poolside. These white chocolate-dipped strawberries are dipped in blue sprinkles for a perfect patriotic touch. Minimal effort, maximum impact!
🎇 What are your go-to Fourth of July dishes? Share your favorite recipes or twists in the comments—we’re always looking for new ideas to try!
Less & More: The WFH Mom Edit 
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