Kick off your backyard barbecue with some of the best grilled appetizers for an outdoor gathering that will leave everyone delighted. The options below offer an assortment of fire-grilled snacks with a wide range of flavors to cater to different tastes.
Whether you’re making appetizers for a party, a backyard event, game days, or tailgating, put your grill to use making these charred finger foods and mini-meals. Grilling your appetizers makes quick work of them since you’re typically using a higher heat which results in faster cooking time.
Here, you’ll find tasty recipes for grilled veggies, fruits, seafood, and meats as well as a variety of kebabs. Have you ever grilled watermelon or avocados?
Or, if you’d prefer to stick to tried and true chicken and shrimp nibbles, you’ll find some awesome recipes and marinades for those, too! Here’s your go-to collection of grilled appetizers.
🌽Plant Based Appetizers
Grilled Corn on the Cob in the Husk
Keeping the husk intact will infuse a wonderful smoky flavor into the corn while keeping it moist.
This is the easiest, mess-free way to grill corn for a relaxed barbecue experience!
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, scalable.
Herbed Grilled Tomatoes With Cheese
The cheese makes this summery appetizer a bit more satisfying but feel free to skip it if you are looking for a lighter, or vegan option.
A dash of seasoning, some balsamic vinegar, or a light vinaigrette are excellent ways to flavor grilled tomatoes without adding any animal-based products.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, make-ahead, customizable.
Grilled Baby Potatoes
Baby potato kabobs are easy to customize and everyone will love their crispy skin and tender inside.
This is another wonderful meat-free appetizer that will also sit proudly next to your favorite BBQ meats.
I often choose this fast-grilled recipe when serving a juicy steak like this reverse-seared Cowboy ribeye. It never disappoints!
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, scalable, make-ahead, customizable, kid-friendly.
Beer Corn Crack Dip
Grilled beer corn, sour cream, mayo, and garlic powder, come together for an irresistible dip.
Of course, grilled beer corn is fantastic on its own, but it’s definitely worth grilling some extra ears to make this hearty dip.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, scalable, meal prep.
Grilled Roasted Chestnuts
This is the kind of snack I like to serve when I host a cozy backyard event. If you don’t have a grill, roasting them in the oven is the most convenient alternative.
It’s worth noting, though, that the smoky depth you get from the charcoal grill can’t be matched by oven roasting.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, scalable.
Grilled Onions
As simple as this appetizer is, onions go through a significant transformation during grilling. The caramelized sweetness and light smoky flavor turn the humble onion into a lovely starter or side dish.
They couldn’t be easier to prep and you can cook them alongside your main course. What’s not to love?
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, make-ahead, scalable.
Grilled Bacon Brussels Sprouts Kebabs
Anything wrapped in bacon that you can eat off a stick will be a hit for the kids. These fun kebabs are a good way to sneak some extra veggies into their diet.
Of course, the grownups won’t be disappointed by this snack either.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, scalable.
Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Hearty black beans and sweet grilled corn will give your guests a zesty dip or fresh topping they’ll remember.
Serve with homemade soft pretzel bites or a loaf of fresh bread for a no-fuss nibble.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, make-ahead, meal prep, customizable.
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Pizza
Give up the traditional dough for earthy portobellos for a gourmet grilling experience. It’s certainly good to have a gluten-free and low-carb option to the classic grilled pizza.
This is one of those recipes where you can experiment a lot with the toppings, or even create a toppings bar and let your guests build their own mushroom pizzas.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, meal prep.
Grilled Asparagus with Mustard Dill Sauce
It’s always a good idea to include some lighter or even vegan appetizers like this easy-grilled asparagus. The mustard dill adds a lovely tanginess that makes these charred stalks taste amazing.
If you have a smoker and some time on your hands, I’m sure you’ll also love these smoked asparagus bundles. Snack or side, they will have a more powerful smoke flavor you can’t resist.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, make-ahead, customizable.
Easy Grilled Parmesan Polenta Chips
For a crispy, cheesy delight, try these easy grilled parmesan polenta chips. They bring a fun twist to your grilled appetizer selection and are sure to be a conversation starter.
They’re a delight to munch on while waiting for the main dish, and you have lots of ways to switch to a different flavor.
Fresh herbs, chili flakes, garlic, paprika, and other seasonings can be used to create amazing variations of the versatile polenta chips.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, scalable.
Charred Broccoli Tofu Stuffed Avocados with Sweet Curry Lemon Sauce
These charred broccoli tofu stuffed avocados are a flavorful adventure, combining creamy avocado with the boldness of charred broccoli and tofu, all drizzled with a unique sweet curry lemon sauce.
Use this recipe as a vegan main, side, or appetizer: whatever you need! Also, don’t forget you can grill the avocados, prep the other ingredients, and make the sauce a few hours ahead and mix them before serving.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, meal prep, make-ahead.
🍗Meat Based Appetizers
Brisket Nachos
My family is crazy about this hearty twist to the well-loved nachos. The tender smoked brisket layered over crispy nachos and drizzled with melted cheese produce a satisfying, meaty treat.
We’re talking about a large beef cut here, and nachos are one of the best leftover brisket recipes you can make to use up all that extra meat.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, scalable, kid-friendly.
Grilled Rumaki
The savory flavors of chicken liver and water chestnuts are wrapped in bacon, for a rich and smoky, bite-sized appetizer.
It’s nice to have a recipe in your arsenal that’s not so well known. Your guests will have a lovely surprise once they taste the grilled rumaki.
⭐Recipe highlights: customizable, make-ahead.
Grilled Shrimp on a Salt Block
Grilling shrimp on a salt block infuses them with a subtle saltiness and minerals, enhancing their natural flavors with a gourmet touch that’s surprisingly simple to achieve.
We served these with a delicious tequila lime sauce which is a wonderful mix of boozy, savory, sweet, and sour that pairs with the mild-tasting shrimp perfectly.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, scalable.
Honey Mustard Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
This is the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with the honey mustard adding a tangy glaze to the smoky bacon and tender chicken.
You can wrap the chicken bites in bacon, make the sauce, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
⭐Recipe highlights: customizable, kid-friendly, make-ahead, meal prep.
Grilled Potato Skins Recipe
A smoky twist on a classic appetizer, filled with melted cheese and topped with crispy bacon, grilled potato skins are always a crowd-pleaser. It’s definitely one of my favorite grilled appetizers!
Feel free to use your favorite ingredients here: potato skins go well with almost any seasoning and they’re just as versatile for the toppings.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, scalable.
Honey Mustard Beer Brat Bites
The robust flavors of beer-soaked brats combined with the sweet and tangy taste of honey mustard is a simple, yet outstanding appetizer.
Making these mouthwatering little bites is extremely easy and the kids will love them!
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, make-ahead, scalable.
Grilled King Crab Legs
Crab meat has a natural sweetness that goes so well with the smoky char from the grill.
When you’re craving seafood you can’t go wrong with this elegant and effortless dish. It takes around 15 minutes to grill a batch, so you can easily cook several to feed a larger crowd.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, scalable.
Grilled Chicken Livers Wrapped in Bacon
This is a classic BBQ appetizer that will meet no objections. Who can say no to the rich-tasting chicken livers wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon?
Needless to say, this will be a favorite for both children and grown-ups. You just have to use a digital meat thermometer and cook the livers based on internal temperature to avoid overcooking them.
⭐Recipe highlights: kid-friendly, customizable, make-ahead.
Grilled Seafood Tater Tots with Creamy Remoulade Sauce
A beloved classic with a coastal twist for a delicious grilled appetizer, perfect for summer evenings.
The grilled seafood and tater tots are drenched in a creamy remoulade sauce for a playful combination.
Keep in mind this is not a good recipe to make ahead as the tots will turn soggy if you don’t serve them right after grilling.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, kid-friendly, scalable.
Grilled Bacon on a Stick
Nothing says ‘grilled delight’ quite like grilled bacon on a stick. It’s a simple yet irresistible treat that turns bacon into a mess-free, on-the-go snack.
And let’s face it: those gorgeous bacon “accordions” have that magic pull factor that makes you rethink how many servings you have to cook.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable.
Grilled Pineapple Mango Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a classic BBQ food and their versatility has no end.
This time, we went for a tropical twist, with the sweetness of fruit balancing the savory depth of the chicken. They’re a tangy, sticky addition to any BBQ spread.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, make-ahead.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs are the ultimate fusion of two cookout favorites, combining the heartiness of hot dogs with the decadent flavor of bacon for a can’t-miss treat.
Have you noticed the recurring “bacon-wrapped” theme? Yes, you can wrap pretty much anything in bacon and it will taste better.
When you have the time for a quick smoker recipe be sure to try my easy smoked hot dogs. They only need around 45 minutes in the smoker, and the intense flavor is more than worth the wait.
⭐Recipe highlights: kid-friendly, customizable, scalable.
Grilled Greek Steak Bites
We used cubed top sirloin to create a zesty, flavorful appetizer that offers a Mediterranean twist on a classic barbecue staple.
Since you are using cubed meat, a less tender cut like top sirloin will work as this is a recipe with a fast cooking time, so the meat doesn’t have time to dry out, even if it’s on the leaner side.
Marinated with herbs and spices, these steak bites are quick to cook and perfect for sharing.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, scalable.
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tot Bombs
The ultimate comfort food turned finger food for a memorable treat.
You’ll get an amazing assortment of tastes and textures: the crispiness of bacon, the softness of tater tots, and the heat from the jalapeno slices, all infused with a smoky grill flavor.
Of course, be sure to skip the jalapenos if you are grilling some for the kids.
⭐Recipe highlights: kid-friendly, make-ahead, scalable.
Grilled Ground Elk Taco Pinwheels
Try tacos with a gamey twist, grilled to perfection. This is the kind of dish that will stand out!
Or, replace the ground elk with ground beef, pork, or chicken, for a less pretentious but equally tasty grilled taco version.
I used storebought puff pastry as it is the most convenient option to make this dish quickly and easily. You can make your own puff pastry if you’d like, but I don’t recommend replacing it with another type of dough for this recipe.
⭐Recipe highlights: customizable, make-ahead.
Grilled Taco Stuffed Peppers
Looking for a colorful and healthy option that packs a ton of flavor? Grilled Mexican stuffed peppers are filled with taco-seasoned meats and veggies, they’re a hit for a nutritious yet hearty appetizer.
Feel free to adjust the taco seasoning to your liking and experiment with different types of cheeses. You can even use smoked cheese for a richer taste.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, meal prep, make-ahead, kid-friendly.
🍎Fruit Based Appetizers
Grilled Apples
A delightful balance of natural sweetness and smokiness, grilled apples are a versatile addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
You have the option to grill them ahead for convenience. Serve the grilled apples warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon or as a complement to pork dishes.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, make-ahead.
Grilled Pineapple Slices
Juicy pineapple slices gain an enticing caramelized edge when cooked on the grill.
This tropical treat can be a fresh addition to salads, a sweet counterpoint to meats, or a stand-alone snack that’s equally healthy and decadent.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, customizable, make-ahead.
Grilled Honey Cinnamon Bananas
With a brush of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon, grilled bananas become a quick and heavenly dessert.
Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, make-ahead, customizable.
Grilled Watermelon Skewers
Watermelon is a wonderful fruit to grill. You only need to give it a quick char for a mouthwatering smoky twist on a summer classic.
These fun skewers will add a pop of color to your cookout and are a great way to lighten up the feast.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, kid-friendly, make-ahead.
Grilled Peaches with Coconut Ice Cream
Experience the divine pairing of warm, caramelized grilled peaches with the cool creaminess of coconut ice cream.
This dessert is not just a treat for the palate but also a visually stunning centerpiece. It’s not the most popular combination but definitely an inspired one you might end up coming back to.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, kid-friendly, make-ahead.
Grilled Pear Brie and Honey Crostini
Isn’t this one of the fanciest grilled starters? There is no need for an excuse to make them but the sophisticated flavors are perfect for a special occasion.
The creaminess of brie and the sweetness of pear merge over a toasty crostini. The drizzle of honey gives the perfect finish for a gourmet appetizer.
⭐Recipe highlights: easy, customizable, quick.
❓F.A.Q.
For a BBQ appetizer consider serving bite-sized or small treats you can eat with fingers or toothpicks.
Grilled skewers with meats and veggies, such as chicken, shrimp, steak bites, bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes are all simple options that can be customized in many ways.
Other crowd-pleasers include grilled bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, savory meatballs, sausage bites, and spicy chicken wings.
To calculate appetizers for a party, estimate 4-6 bites per person for the first hour, and 2-4 bites for each additional hour.
Consider the time of the event; if it’s close to a mealtime, guests might eat more.
Always round up your estimates to ensure you don’t run short, and include a variety of options to cater to different dietary preferences and appetites.
For a party, it’s best to offer a range of 3-5 different types of appetizers to cater to various tastes and dietary preferences.
This way, you will serve a diverse spread without overwhelming your guests with too many options. It’s a good idea to include a mix of hot and cold dishes, including vegetarian, meat-based, and perhaps a sweet option to round out the selection.
Get out the grill, invite friends over this weekend, and give a couple a test drive! Comment and let us know which ones of these tasty grilled appetizers you made and loved!
Jason’s been firing up the grill for over 30 years after graduating from the US Coast Guard Academy. His love of finely-grilled steak and chicken led him to buy his first Weber grill to put on his apartment patio in 1992. Each military move led to a new grill (a mixture of gas and charcoal) until he fell in love with the Big Green Egg in 2008. Since then, he has added another 4 grills to the collection. Yes, he has a problem. Jason loves smoking in the ceramic BGE with exotic woods including olive wood from Egypt and hard to find varieties such as sassafras and orange wood. Jason takes the term “foodie” to a whole new level, jumping at the chance to take food tours and cooking classes during foreign travels. These have provided inspiration to incorporate new ideas into recipes when he gets back home. He has been featured in Fox News, Parade, Yahoo News, Kansas City Living and more. After retiring from the military and moving to southwest Florida, he has focused grilling and smoking locally sourced meats and fish (read: he likes to catch his own fish!)
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