Perfect Appetizers for an End of Summer Party

It's hard to believe that in a few short days, school will start, summer will end, and fall will officially take hold. Back to school, back to work, back to routine -- but before summer fades into a distant memory, why not kick it off in style with an end of summer party?

If you're wondering what to serve for the perfect snack and appetizers to your end of summer party, I've got some perfect appetizers in mind for you! These appetizers will work whether you're having a fancy dinner party, a swimming pool party with friends, or a kid's party, because it's all in the presentation!

End of Summer Party Snack Ideas

For snacks to be served at the party, whether you're indoors or outside, you can't go wrong with fresh fruit, for both adults and kids. For kids, focus more on the less messy fruits, like apple slices and grapes they can pop in their mouths. For adults, you can go with the more uppity fruits, like the guava or pineapple slices, or even a fruit salad. Of course, don't forget a fruit sangria with pieces of floating fruit in it for the grownups!

Of course, other snacks that are great for an end of summer party can be grilled and served, like grilled BBQ cocktail franks, and of course, you can always grill fruit too (how to grill fruit). If you're not into grilling, try cheese and crackers to go with your fruit and wine or fruit punch for the kiddos.

End of Summer Party Appetizer Ideas without a Meal

I love appetizers. I love them so much, in fact, I often order several appetizers at a restaurant instead of a meal. I like the variety and the snacky-ness of them. If you're having an end of summer party, I think a great way to send summer off with a bang is to serve only appetizers!

I love lots of sauces to dip things in, such as salsa (black bean and corn and fruit salsas are my faves!) and yogurt dips, cheese dips, along with hummus and ranch dressing, served with fresh vegetables, fruit and chips of all sorts.

For meat appetizers for your end of summer party, try meatballs. You can plain meatballs with a variety of different sauces to dip them in or you can make different flavored meatballs. It's easier to make plain ones and let your guests at the party serve themselves to the flavored sauces. Spicy meatballs are my favorite while my son likes to dip them in sweet and sour sauce.

Cocktail franks are always a good standby for an end of summer party and you can toss them on some foil on the grill if you have it fired up. You can serve them with or without toothpicks, same as for the meatballs, and they can be dipped in sauces or BBQ sauce too.

Mini-hamburgers are all the rage at restaurants, so if you're going to fire up the grill, making mini-hamburgers is a cute appetizer that's also fun, and sure to be filling. Serve them on the plain tiny buns and let your guests add condiments for themselves.

End of Summer Party Appetizer Ideas before a Meal

You can always serve appetizers before you serve a meal, too, if you want to be stodgy about it and not go with just an all-appetizer end of summer party. If you are only serving appetizers, then you can go for more filling party appetizers, like cocktail franks and meatballs in different sauces. Meaty appetizers along with snacks and fruit are better if you're not serving a meal, while lighter veggie and fruit appetizers are best if you are.

I like pico de gallo along with salsa and avocado as part of appetizers for a party as well, and during the summer, these things are all in season. Shrimp is a lighter food, so you might consider serving grilled shrimp or shrimp cocktails before your end of the summer party dinner is served.

End of Summer Party Appetizer Basics

Basically, if you're serving without a meal, you can make anything miniaturized versions of a main dish and lots of snacks. If you're serving with a meal, you want lighter foods to whet the appetite.

For the summer, light and fresh, cool appetizers, things that don't have to be cooked or things that can be grilled outside are your best choice for appetizers and snacks both with or before a meal.

And of course, this should go without saying, don't forget your frozen margaritas. No end of summer party would be complete without them!