20+ July 4 Party Snacks & Meals To Whip Up On Independence Day

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America's freedom should taste as it feels, tremendous and mouthwatering (if you're bold enough to say). Whipping up some of the best foods for Independence Day is a great way to keep your July 4 barbecue a hit. Here are some of our favorite July 4 party snacks that you can prepare.

Salty July 4 Party Snacks

1. Kettle Corn

Red and Blue Popcorn - Image by Food Pusher

Popcorn has always been a staple at Fourth of July picnics, but this year try something new and out-of-the-ordinary. Your guests will be wowed by America's favorite snack in patriotic form with the easy-to-make kettle corn! 

Mix your usual popcorn recipe following instructions on the bag. Add food coloring for an eye-catching flavor that'll have everyone guessing what it is you're serving up.

2. Red White and Blue Cereal Snack Mix

Red, White, and Blue Cereal Snack Mix - Image by Tablespoon

Cereals are the perfect July 4 snack when you have kids over to celebrate this important day. This red, white, and blue cereal mix is simple to make with any grocery store or supermarket ingredients, such as M&M's Peanut Red, White & Blue Candies, Graham Cracker Cereal, Pretzels, and Marshmallows.

Sweet July 4 Party Snacks 

3. Fourth of July Flavored Strawberries

Fourth of July Flavored Strawberries - Image by Princess Pinky Girl

July 4 party snacks are nothing short without flavored strawberries. These July 4 snacks are sweet and refreshing and are a must-have for your Independence Day party mainly because they look good and taste good without falling short of texture. Chocolate and candied strawberries also make for fantastic 4th of July appetizers that anyone will be excited to munch on.

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• White chocolate
• Blue sugar, edible glitter, or sprinkles

How to Make

1. Place blue sugar in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, melt chocolate on 50% power for two minutes and stir until no longer warm before microwaving it for 30-second intervals at 50%.
3. Do this twice more to ensure the melted chocolate is entirely runny.
4. Dip strawberries into white or pink-colored chocolates with vigor!

4. Patriotic Edible Cookie Dough

Who doesn't enjoy a good spoon of cookie dough? It's a great dessert and can be saved later on for actual cookies. Mix in your favorite patriotic colors of red, white, and blue and create a yummy snack that will be the hit of July 4th.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Vanilla
• Salt
• M&M'S Red, White, and Blue Milk Chocolate Pantry Jar​
• Chocolate chips

How to Make

1. First, bake the flour for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. 
2. Then add butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into the bowl of your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl.
3. Beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla to get that rich flavor we all love! Next is the salt, which helps bring out all those sweet flavors in this recipe, like our M&M'S Red White Blue Milk Chocolate Candies- they make it taste extra special!
5. Try adding in some chocolate chips so you can have an assortment of different textures while eating this cookie dough, along with sprinkles to top them off because no cookie deserves less than excellent decoration on top, right?

Optional: Mix everything well before forming balls from the dough using about one tablespoon per ball, then press down gently to create an even form. Stick in popsicle sticks to make cookie dough pops.

5. Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches

Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches - Image by Endlessly Inspired

July 4 party snacks can also be sweet and fun such as flag ice cream sandwiches. These are best made with vanilla cookies and vanilla-flavored ice cream (or strawberry, if you're feeling more festive). You can use store-bought ice cream sandwiches and roll the edges in red, white, and blue sprinkles, but they are even more impressive made from homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients

• Ice cream
• Chilled cookies
• Rainbow candy
• Sprinkles

How to Make

Slip a slab of your favorite flavor between two chilled cookies, then add decoration such as whipped topping or rainbow jimmies while you watch it melt. Whip up these for your Fourth of July party or picnic; they'll surely be the hit of the night, especially with the kids.

6. Apple Pie

What is more American than apple pie? It's the perfect dessert to round out your Independence Day menu. The best part? It's easy to make and can be enjoyed by the whole family! The great thing about apple pie is that it can be found in any bakery or cafe. If you're no baker, place an order for a couple of pies and serve with excitement.

7. Patriotic Cupcakes

Munch on tasty cupcakes that scream fourth of July. These are perfect for a July Fourth party or as an after-dinner bite. People like desserts, and they must get served at your Independence Day gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 stick Butter or margarine (not spread)
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 2 Large eggs
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tub whipped vanilla frosting
• Red, white, and blue coarse (crystal) sugar
• Red and blue gel or paste food coloring
• 2 Disposable plastic decorating bags, each fitted with a #16-star piping tip

How to Make

1. Line the muffin cups with paper liners and set your oven to 350°F.
2. Cream the butter, sugar, and salt together while beating on high with a mixer for one minute. Mix in eggs until they are fluffy, then reduce to low speed.
3. Add milk and vanilla before mixing it into flour just enough so that everything is combined without overworking the batter (it will look curdled). Spoon this into lined cups or muffin tins if you're making cupcakes!
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out spotless. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes before removing from pan to rack to cool completely.
5. For a festive cupcake, spread frosting on your favorite flavor of the cake. After you have coated the top with frosting, add sprinkles to give it that extra oomph!
6. Next, get out those two small bowls or cups for some color coating fun. Color one bowl red and another blue, then spoon each into their own decorating bags to be ready when needed later.

8. S'mores

S'mores are an ideal snack in every event, especially on the Fourth of July. It's not just a campfire essential. It's also a family-friendly July 4 snack that kids and kids at heart will enjoy. Ooey-gooey goodness that hits the right spot, just like freedom, right?

9. Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars - Image by I Heart Nap Time

Cherry pie bars aren't always readily available, but it's one of those July 4 party snacks that never fail to wow. It's a pastry that works before and after a meal, definitely a great snack to have with a cold glass of red, white, and blue sangria.

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Crust

• 1 cup Butter (softened)
• 8 oz. Cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. Almond extract
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• 3 1/4 cups All-purpose flour

Fruit Mixture

• 1 can Cherry-pie filling
• 1 cup Fresh blueberries

Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp. Milk
• 1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract

How to Make

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until they are light and fluffy. Add sugar and continue to beat the mixture before adding eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour (slowly), then baking powder, resulting in a final product of an even dough ready for shaping into any variety of goodies!
3. Carefully measure out 2/3 of the dough and press it into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking pan. Place in the oven for 15 minutes or until edges just begin turning light brown. Remove from heat, let cool before adding items to the top crust layer that add flavor you love most!
4. That's enough dough to make both the top and bottom of a pie crust. After 15 minutes in the oven, test your baked goods by looking at their edges. Check for any browning that may have occurred from being heated up so long. If they pass this stage with flying colors, then you're ready to move on to adding anything else like cheese or meat!
5. Use the remaining 1/3 of sugar cookie dough and roll it out to about ¼" thick. Cut 100 stars from this batch, then layer them on top of a berry mixture in any design (as long as they are not overlapping because they will not cook through). Bake for another 35-45 minutes or until the berries have bubbled up nicely around these fun shapes!
6. Remove from the oven when done and let cool completely before serving with ice cream scoopers.
7. To make the glaze, combine all of the ingredients and whisk them together. Drizzle over the bars as they finish cooking in the oven. Cut into squares and serve! 

10. White Chocolate Bark with Pretzels and Nuts

White Chocolate Bark with Pretzels and Nuts - Image by 31 Daily

Who doesn't love chocolate? Pair this up with some salty goodness in the form of pretzel bits or salted nuts for a treat that's crunchy, sweet, and beautifully white. You can even add gold, red, blue, and white sprinkles to dress it up if you're looking for something extra.

Savory July 4 Party Meals

11. Hot Dogs

No 4th of July party is complete without hotdogs. It's a classic American staple and is an instant go-to for an easy yet tasty bite. Other than thousands of people gathering to watch hot dog eating contests in state fairs, Americans are throwing heaps of wiener dogs on the grill.

The great debate among burger lovers: ketchup or mustard? Our advice? Squeeze both condiments onto your dog for an extra zesty flavor that will make you want more!

12. Hamburger

For some reason, the hamburger (as American as it is) doesn't get enough love on Independence Day. People still throw them onto barbecues, but there are plenty of hot dogs to go around in case they run out.

Toast the buns and grill that patty, then slap a slice of cheese on top if you like. Dress up your burger with lettuce, tomato, or pickles; onions for extra crunchiness; ketchup and mustard for an authentic taste bud explosion. Mmm, better than McDonald's, no doubt!

13. Fried Chicken

Skip the KFC and make a Southern twist on Independence Day with homemade fried chicken. This will surely please everyone at your party, especially if you top it off with some of our favorite sides like macaroni and cheese or green beans for a complete meal. 

If you want to add a twist, maybe try buffalo chicken or chicken wings coated with some delicious cajun before deep-frying. No one would believe you didn’t buy them from the store!

14. Potato Salad

Potato salads come in many different varieties; some people prefer to make it sweet while others like theirs spicy. There's also an option between mayonnaise-based potato salad recipes and mustard-based ones! 

The good news is that if you're not feeling too adventurous or don't have time, then you can always take comfort in knowing something familiar awaits. In case you prefer sweet potato salad, then switching up your Yucan potatoes for sweet potato would be an excellent twist to your fourth of July menu.

15. Macaroni Salad

Just like potato salad, macaroni salad is one of the July 4 party snacks that people like to fill themselves up with. It's a delicious way to keep the Independence Day celebrations going, and we are all here for it! Tomato-based macaroni salads are great with olives and most likely one that's immediately finished after the first round of service.

16. Corn On The Cob

There's no one way to perfect corn on the cob, but it's simply one of those grubs that make you feel at home during any Independence Day barbecue. Preheat an oven or stove-top on medium heat and lightly brush a thick layer of oil over the corn. 

For grilling, place corn on their husks directly onto the heated surface for 20 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can wrap each ear in aluminum foil with olive oil before placing them by your saucy rack of ribs.

17. BBQ

BBQ is the quintessential 4th of July dish for those in the South. Whether you prefer ribs, brisket, or chicken, chips and dip are also on offer! Grilled meat is hard to get wrong and if you’re patient enough, whip up a pulled pork dish to add more texture when making burgers. 

Just remember, BBQ sauce makes anything taste good, so be sure to bring your favorite flavor if heading out for an Independence Day party in the South. 

18. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are the perfect July Fourth snacks to serve. They're easy, inexpensive, and go with anything on the buffet table. Serve them alongside your favorite finger foods like hot dogs or hamburgers for a balanced plateful of Independence Day eats!

19. Baked Beans

Baked beans may seem small, but they are a mighty dish that is a must-add to our list of July 4 party snacks or food. It's one of those side dishes that you can't deny because the baked bean recipe is versatile and goes with just about anything!

You might be wondering how to put your twist on a traditional dish like this? Try adding diced ham for some extra protein, or try maple syrup instead of sugar as an added sweetener. This mix would add a sweet and savory punch to a typical standard base like baked beans. 

If you want to mix things up a bit, try a black bean base to create more variation. There's no wrong way to bake these beans, so get creative in the kitchen today by cooking up something new and delicious!

4th of July Refreshments 

20. Red White and Blue Sangria

Red, White, and Blue Sangria - Image by Side Chef

Who doesn't enjoy sangria? I think we can all agree that it's the perfect drink to sip on while catching up with friends, especially those you only see on holidays like Independence Day. This drink is hands down one of the best independence day snacks you can make at home and experiment with. It’s a refreshing yet fun drink to have during a Fourth of July barbecue.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Simple syrup
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries

How to Make

1. To create a delicious and thicker homemade syrup, begin by mixing equal parts of sugar and water.
2. Afterward, simply heat the mixture on medium-low until all the sugar dissolves into what would be known as a simple syrup in other cases.
3. Depending on how much water you use at first will determine how many cups worth of tasty sweetener this recipe creates!
4. Pour equal parts of sugar with hot water before heating it for five minutes or so over low heat; once dissolved, just add more ingredients like tea infusions or bourbon to make your signature cocktail!

21. Iced Tea

Iced tea is also a must-have July Fourth snack. It's the perfect beverage for all of those hot summer days and nights, and you don't even need to put it in the fridge if you make more than one pitcher! Serve iced tea with lemon wedges or freshly squeezed lime juice for that extra refreshing kick.

22. Watermelon

This is hands down the most refreshing and sweet way to quench your thirst on a hot day. Slice up some seedless watermelon, add in any berries you have around, and chill for an hour or so before serving with ice cubes. This ought to be a must-have during your Independence Day barbecue.

Conclusion

Serving our highly recommended July 4 party snacks won't only leave your guests with happy taste buds but a bunch of cravings well satisfied. Did you have one Independence Day snack you wanted to try and make? Let us know in the comments if they're a success!