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A Fruit-Forward Easy Appetizers Party Round-up And Savory Watermelon Wedges
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This simple watermelon recipe is perfect for an easy appetizers party this summer. It is addictively delicious! Both sweet and savory, this recipe also gets a spicy kick from the addition of homemade hot honey. Plus, you will find here over 20 easy, fruit-filled appetizer recipes from our California Grown Creators to keep you entertaining all season long!
What do you serve at an easy appetizers party?
When planning the menu for an epic summer shin dig with hors d’oeuvres this year, why not go with a fruit-forward theme? A menu filled with fruit inspired appetizer recipes would not only be refreshingly delicious, but it will also be sure to impress your guests.
Easy appetizers recipes inspired by California citrus!
Citrus is a no-brainer at a party filled with cheeseboards and finger food. Whether you are using lemons and limes at the bar or going all out with segments of blood orange on a cheese board, you can never go wrong with inviting a few citrus recipes to the party.
Roasted Shrimp with Lemon & Garlic
This easy shrimp recipe from G Free Foodie is gluten-free, Paleo-friendly & totally delish. Use the roasted shrimp for an appetizer or to top pasta, salads, or rice for a quick and tasty meal.
This 3-ingredient recipe is ready in 20 minutes, so you have way more time to prepare for other facets of your party.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
The Ultimate Summer Fruit Board
This EPIC fruit board from Hola Jalapeno dishes up every kind of fruit you could possibly dream of from citrus wedges to proscuitto wrapped melon spears.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Spicy Papaya Lime Shrimp Skewers
These party ready shrimp and papaya skewers from Hola Jalapeno can be marinated and skewered in advance and then grilled right before your party. Hello simple party prep!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers recipes inspired by California grapes!
Grapes are the life of the party when it comes to the wine menu, but don’t let that stop you from tapping-in California table grapes on the appetizer table too.
Roasted Grape, Brie & Thyme Crostini
This crostini from Real California Milk is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Basically, this is the most delicious decadent jam and toast situation you will ever devour.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
California Grapes Summer Cheese Board
This summer cheese board from The Delicious is heavy on California grapes, which are fresh in season right now! There are 80+ varieties of California grapes, which come in three colors, red, green, and black. All of them are delicious.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Olive Oil Cake with Polenta and Roasted Red Grapes with Orange Ricotta
When grapes are roasted in the oven, they become ridiculously jammy and intensely sweet. This easy-to-make olive oil cake from This Mess is Ours is moist and very tender, subtly sweet, with a pronounced olive oil flavor and the perfect hint of lemon and toasted almond!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers party recipes inspired by California olives!
Are olives a fruit or vegetable? Olives are actually a fruit because they come from the flower of the olive tree. You can read more about how olives are grown in California and what it is like to be an olive farmer by clicking here.
Smashed Green Olive And Pistachio Burrata Bruschetta
The combination of green olives, roasted pistachios, citrus, mint, and olive oil from Salt & Wind is total perfection and brings freshness and vibrance to any season.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Blood Orange Olive and Shallot Focaccia
This focaccia recipe from Baking the Goods will shine at your next party with bright citrus, earthy depth & a salty finish in a rich & airy bread that has a crisp crust.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Spicy Marinated Olives
This quick appetizer recipe from Hola Jalapeno is an easy olive inspired appetizer with pan-roasted garlic, arbol chiles, and fresh herbs. Serve warm or room temperature.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers recipes inspired by California stone fruit!
What is a stone fruit? Stone fruits are a classification of fruits also know as drupes. These types of fruits have a thin skin and a “stone” in the center, which contains the seed. Peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, apricots, and dates are all examples of types of stone fruit that grow in California.
Proscuitto Wrapped Prunes
This party-worthy recipe is from G Free Foodie. It’s a fabulous appetizer – a little surprising and an absolute crowd-pleaser.
If you’re looking for a snack, party bite, or addition to a cheese plate that people won’t expect but will truly love, make a batch of these.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
California Peach and Camembert with Black Pepper
When fresh peaches are in season, you can bet we are making these simple peach stacks from Real California Milk!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Simple Summer Stone Fruit and Burrata Salad
The cherries, peaches, apricots, and plums in this salad are succulent, tender, and literally bursting with flavor.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers party recipes inspired by California berries!
It is no secret that California grows the best, most juicy berries in the United States. Don’t just sequester berries to road trip snacks and dessert though. Berries can really shine in savory situations too!
Black and Blueberry Ricotta Grilled Toast
Fire up the grill (or grill pan) and add a little smoky flavor to crostini by grilling your bread first instead of toasting. That subtle char really makes the juicy black and blueberries in this recipe from Real California Milk shine.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Warm Baked Brie with Jam
This recipe from Britney Breaks Bread is an easy appetizer that only takes 20 minutes and 5 ingredients!
It’s fruity and creamy, slightly savory and sweet at the same time, with a nice crunch from the almonds and a hint of sharp minty flavors from the fresh thyme.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Fresh Berry Crostini With Sweet Lemon Ricotta
The best appetizers all check the same three boxes: easy, healthy, and delicious. Our Berry Crostini recipe definitely fits the bill. Juicy California Grown strawberries and luscious lemon ricotta are layered onto lightly toasted baguette slices – and the result is nothing short of magical.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe.
Easy appetizers recipes inspired by California avocado!
Is it true that the avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable? Yep, the avocado is a nutrient-dense fruit, not a vegetable. In fact, avocados are berries! An avocado has all of the botanical criteria for a berry as it includes a fleshy pulp and a seed. Now that you know avocados are fruit, you have a fun bit of party trivia for your guests!
Herbed Avocado Green Goddess Dip Recipe
Salt & Wind turned the iconic Green Goddess dressing into a dip with the help of creme fraiche, goat cheese, and California avocados! YUM!
The idea here is that you get a dip with a balance of creamy, herby, tangy, bright flavors that have a sunny disposition, just like the Golden State!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Chips and Guac Deviled Eggs
If there is one snack that most everyone can get behind it would have to be chips and guac.
This Mess is Ours’ chips and guac-inspired deviled eggs will be just as hard to resist at the appetizer station at your next party.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe.
Chilled Avocado Soup
This chilled soup from Hola Jalapeno is traditionally known as Sopa de Aguacate. This avocado recipe is perfect for summer entertaining because it can be made ahead of time and chilled until you are ready to serve.
Each bite is silky smooth and utterly refreshing topped with Farmers’ Market Fairy Dust, edible flowers, and sunflower seeds!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe.
Avocuterie Board
“What’s an Avocuterie Board?” you ask? It’s exactly what it sounds like: avocado + charcuterie.
This brilliant Avocuterie board from The Delicious is made up of avocado sliced and served like different cheeses and charcuterie on a board and it is legit delicious!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers party recipes inspired by California figs!
Ever been told that fresh figs have wasps inside? Figs are technically an inverted flower, not a fruit. That means pollination is needed for figs to survive and thrive. However, 99% of California Grown Figs are self-pollinating so no need to worry about wasp-filled fruit. Just another reason to look for the CA Grown seal!
Summer Salad – with Figs, Melon & Dukkah
This summer salad from A Girl Defloured is bursting with sweet cantaloupe and is paired with tender figs, creamy burrata, salty prosciutto, and an irresistible spicy and nutty dukkah. This salad is a gorgeous contrast of colors, flavors, and textures for entertaining.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Blue Cheese and Walnut Stuffed Figs
This wine-friendly appetizer from Discover California Wines packs layers and layers of flavor! Juicy California figs dressed with creamy blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and a drizzle of honey? Yes, please!
This easy app is ready in 5 minutes, max.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Fig Financier with Brown Butter, Bay Leaf, and Vanilla
Eat the Love turned the classic French almond tea cake on its head by giving it a decadent twist with fresh bay leaf, a healthy dose of vanilla, and a fresh fig nestled into the cake.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Easy appetizers party recipes inspired by California melons!
For a few months out of the year, melon reigns supreme and it should be at the top of your list for warm weather entertaining recipes! Trust us, both sweet and savory preparations are always a welcome addition to any summer soiree menu.
Easy Watermelon Canapés
As far as This Mess is Ours is concerned, melon is the quintessential fruit of summer!
Case in point, this simple sweet meets savory watermelon stack that’s perfect for a party!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Cantaloupe Canapés
Our canapés are a simple appetizer made with in-season produce, like cantaloupe, cucumbers, and onions as well as briny feta cheese. This appetizer recipe really lets the summer flavors take center stage!
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Grilled Cantaloupe with Almonds, Lime, and Cotija
This recipe for grilled cantaloupe is a great appetizer when served as wedges on a platter, but it is also great as a salad when the grilled cantaloupe is chopped up into bite-sized pieces and tossed with the other ingredients.
Click here for this easy appetizer recipe!
Now that you have just enough fruit-inspired party plans to keep you busy for the next couple of months we will share with you quite possibly the most simple recipe of them all. Our Pistachio, Hot Honey, and Basil Watermelon recipe that never disappoints, it always serves up surprise and delight!
Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!
BE SURE TO SHARE THE APPETIZERS FROM YOUR SUMMER PARTY WITH US BY SNAPPING A PIC AND TAGGING US ON SOCIAL USING #CAGROWN.
Pistachio, Hot Honey, and Basil Watermelon Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices of California mini watermelon
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced basil
- 2-3 tablespoons hot honey recipe below
- 1/4 cup California pistachios finely chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled Real California feta
- 1/4 cup California honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha or chipotle hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare hot honey: Add the honey and hot sauce to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at full power for 30 seconds and stir to combine.*
- Prepare watermelon: Lay the slices of watermelon on a sheet pan. Drizzle with the hot honey then sprinkle evenly with basil, pistachios and feta.