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Summer Snack Ideas You’ll Love Instantly

These refreshing, light, and easy recipes are the perfect make-ahead summer snacks.

When I’m looking for summer snack ideas, I want something light, easy, and that can preferably be made in advance and served cold (or at least room temperature). It gets pretty hot where I live in the summer, so I want something refreshing.

Tomatoes grow incredibly well here, and are one of the primary flavors I associate with summer. Same for other seasonal produce, including watermelon, not to mention frozen treats ranging from popsicles to ice cream sandwiches.

I’m a snacker in general, but summer more than any other time of the year I’m on the go and typically burning more calories, too. That’s why I need a mix of savory and sweet things to bring along with me, ranging from a trail mix to a muffin. 

Sitting in a long pickup line outside summer camp with the AC blasting? Maybe you need a small Tupperware full of refreshing corn esquites or watermelon and feta.

Showing up at a friend’s backyard pool party? Bring a cooler full of root beer float popsicles to be sure you’re invited back all summer.

Heading on a mid-afternoon picnic with your lover? Stash some focaccia with strawberries and feta, roasted corn and tomato salad, beet hummus, and Greek pasta salad in your picnic basket along with our favorite summer sangria to lock in the mood.

Regardless of your plans, this list has something for you. We focused on things that kids can grab off the plate or you can pack for convenience on-the-go. 

Because it’s summertime, and the living should be easy.

1
Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad Photo
Serene Herrera
Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad Recipe
This easy to make roasted corn and tomato salad is bursting with fresh, bright flavors. This chilled salad is perfect for serving as a side dish during the summer with any BBQ or potluck.
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2
Watermelon and Feta Photo
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Watermelon and Feta Recipe
Watermelon and feta—a classic sweet and salty flavor combination your taste buds will crave all summer long! It’s time for a picnic.
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3
Homemade Otter Pops Photo
Meaghan Mountford
Homemade Otter Pops Recipe
Homemade Otter Pops are a great way to make your own freezer pops. Healthier and so incredibly good!
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4
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars Photo
Meaghan Mountford
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars Recipe
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars are the sweet treat everyone loves. Now you can make them right from the comfort of your own kitchen!
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5
Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches Photo
Tanya Schroeder
Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches are a no bake dessert everyone will love. And the strawberry ice cream makes it extra fabulous!
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6
Avocado Caprese Panzanella Salad Photo
Meghan Bassett
Avocado Caprese Panzanella Salad Recipe
This Avocado Caprese Panzanella Salad could be an entire meal, but it also works perfectly as a side or snack. It’s full of cool summer flavors and pairs perfectly with other favorites on this list!
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7
Easy Mango Salsa Photo
Urvashee Patel
Easy Mango Salsa Recipe
Easy mango salsa that’s got the perfect amount of spicy too. Put it on tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and yes – even pita chips!
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8
Toaster Oven Chex Mix Photo
Brie Norris
Toaster Oven Chex Mix Recipe
Toaster Oven Chex Mix has all of the delicious flavor of your favorite snack mix in a small batch recipe! Perfect for small gatherings, gifting, or just eating by the handful.
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9
Summer Focaccia Photo
Kate Donahue
Summer Focaccia Recipe
Summer Focaccia has a fruity topping of apricots and cherries. Use any stone fruit you love.
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10
Shrimp Avocado Salad with Watermelon Photo
Taylor Kiser
Shrimp Avocado Salad with Watermelon
Shrimp avocado salad with watermelon is so light and refreshing, you’ll be eating it all summer. Plus it’s on the table in less than 20 minutes — what could be better?
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11
Red, White, and Blue Whoopee Pies Photo
Kristan Roland
Red, White, and Blue Whoopee Pies Recipe
Red, White, and Blue Whoopee Pies are perfect for your Independence Day celebration. Happy 4th!
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12
Crockpot Quinoa Photo
Taylor Kiser
Crockpot Quinoa Recipe
Crockpot Quinoa adds a little Mexican flavor in with your quinoa. Effortless and tasty.
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13
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs Photo
Emily Caruso
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs Recipe
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs are a smoky twist on a classic favorite. These are easy to make a large batch and then pack up and bring with you, and they’re best served cold, making them an ideal summer snack.
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14
Summer Maple Lime Watermelon Zoodle Bowl Photo
Taylor Kiser
Summer Maple Lime Watermelon Zoodle Bowl Recipe
This Summer Maple Lime Watermelon Zoodle Bowl is a surprising mix of flavors and textures that will have you saying, “Oh, wow!” You’ve got to try it!
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15
Cherry Lime Popsicles Photo
Erin D.
Cherry Lime Popsicles Recipe
Cherry Lime Popsicles would be a delicious and satisfying way to cool off during these hot months. Tart, sweet, and refreshing!
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16
Strawberry Spinach Salad Photo
Lisa Grant
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Strawberry spinach salad is a sweet and earthy way to solve your lunch woes. Bright, fresh, and super tasty!
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17
Skillet Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Photo
Amanda Powell
Skillet Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Recipe
There is nothing like a thick slice of jalapeno cheddar cornbread to add as a side to your dinner. It has the perfect blend of cheesy goodness and spice to satisfy any appetite.
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18
Homemade Trail Mix Photo
Rachel Gurk
Homemade Trail Mix Recipe
This Homemade Trail Mix is to die for! Extra peanut buttery for the peanut butter lover in your life.
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19
Black Bean Couscous Salad Photo
Olivia Ribas
Black Bean Couscous Salad Recipe
Black Bean Couscous Salad can be made to your tastes. Toss in whatever you like to make it your own.
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20
Sandwich de Mezcla Photo
Cyd Converse
Sandwich de Mezcla Recipe
Sandwich de Mezcla is the perfect party food! Filled with a tangy spread made with ham, cheese and pimiento. These Puerto Rican sandwiches are a tasty snack!
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21
Cucumber Tomato Salad Photo
Urvashee Patel
Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
This Cucumber Tomato Salad is refreshing and savory. It’s Indian inspired, and oh so good!
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22
Whole Wheat Cheez Its
Casey Barber
Homemade Cheez-It Recipe
Why buy at the store? Check out this homemade Cheez-It recipe now!
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23
Root Beer Float Popsicles Photo
Amanda Powell
Root Beer Float Popsicles Recipe
Kick up your summer with a few root beer float popsicles. These tasty treats will cool you down and bring you back to your childhood.
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24
Oatmeal Raisin Rice Krispie Treats Photo
Sarah Grossett
Oatmeal Raisin Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Oatmeal Raisin Rice Krispies Treats combine two of your classic favorites into one fantastic new treat. Tuck them into your kiddo’s lunchbox, they sure will thank you for it!
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25
Sweet & Spicy Snack Mix Photo
Stacey Mebs
Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix will be the snack bowl your guests keep returning to. Addictive!
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26
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Photo
Julia Mueller
Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe
This Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe is fresh and flavorful for spring, while fitting in perfectly to any vegetarian diet.
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27
Beet Hummus Photo
Emily Caruso
Beet Hummus Recipe
Roasted beet hummus is an easy way to enjoy beets. Garlic joins the party for an extra savory treat.
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28
Easy Focaccia with Strawberries and Feta Photo
Stacey Mebs
Easy Focaccia with Strawberries and Feta Recipe
This easy focaccia with strawberries and feta is topped with balsamic glaze and makes the perfect side dish or light lunch. And the kids went crazy for it!
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29
Mexican Corn in a Cup Photo
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Corn Esquites
Wondering how to make corn esquites, the Mexican treat that’s fun to eat? We’ve got you covered!
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30
Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad Photo
Christina Lane
Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe
Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad is an easy dinner for two. All the flavors of a BLT in one bowl.
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31
Egg Snack Photo
Taylor Kiser
Egg Snack Recipe
This Egg Snack made with pepitas, salt and pepper is hard to resist. It’s the perfect after-workout snack!
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32
Banana Bread Muffins Photo
Erin D.
Banana Bread Muffins Recipe
Banana bread muffins will make your Sunday. The perfect start to a slow weekend day.
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33
Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Photo
Amanda Livesay
Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa Recipe
Get ready to taste summer! Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa make it easy.
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34
Thai Mango Avocado Salad with Grilled Sweet Potatoes Photo
Taylor Kiser
Thai Mango Avocado Salad with Grilled Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Thai mango avocado salad with grilled sweet potatoes is a refreshing, flavorful salad! It pairs perfectly with all your grilled favorites.
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35
Greek Pasta Salad Photo
Christina Lane
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Light and flavorful, this Greek Pasta Salad will have you going back to the side dish table over and over again. Serve it at your next summer gathering!
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