10 Yummy Finger Foods for the 4th of July

Whether you’re throwing a big party or small 4th of July picnic, you’ll want to provide a few finger foods for guests to snack on. These foods are fast and fun – not to mention easy to make. Instead of slaving over complicated dishes or spending a fortune at the grocery store, try these 10 finger foods out with your Fourth of July guests.

10 Finger Foods for the Fourth:

1. Pigs in a Blanket: No Fourth of July is complete without pigs in a blanket. Not only is this old favorite easy to make, but it’s delicious as well. To make pigs and a blanket, wrap cocktail wieners with pre-made crescent roll dough. Place the wieners on a baking pan and bake for about eight minutes or until golden brown.

2. Buffalo Wings: Buffalo wings are another 4th of July must-have. To make buffalo wings, cut the wing tips off of several chicken wings. Cut the wings at the joint and bake them for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Take wings out of the oven and smother them with your favorite buffalo sauce. After another 10 minutes in the oven, the wings should be ready to serve with your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing.

3. Taco Dip: Layer refried beans, sour cream, taco seasoning, salsa, guacamole, black olives, shredded cheese and scallions in a large dish. Serve with tortilla chips and you’re good to go.

4. Pizza Bites: Unroll crescent roll dough and cut into triangles. Sprinkle garlic, Italian seasoning, and mozzarella cheese on the dough and top with a dollop of pizza sauce. Finish with a piece of pepperoni and then close the dough. Bake according to the directions on the crescent roll package. Once cooked, serve with a side of pizza sauce and ranch dressing.

5. BLT Minis: Scoop out the inside of cherry tomatoes. Fill with bacon, mayonnaise and ranch dressing for an interesting take on the average BLT.

6. Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs are always a hit. First, hard boil eggs and then slice in half. Scoop out the yolks and mix with mayonnaise, pepper and Dijon mustard. Place the filling inside the empty egg case and top with shredded cheese and bacon bits.

7. Veggies and Dip: A vegetable tray is an easy way to offer guests a healthy alternative to other, not-so-healthy, snacks. Pair sliced vegetables with your favorite dips for a nutritious treat.

8. Fruit Kabobs: To make fruit kabobs, cut strawberries, bananas, pineapple and melon into one-inch pieces. Place the fruit on wooden kabobs and lightly sprinkle with lemon juice and cayenne pepper for an added kick.

9. Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp: Peel and marinade shrimp in teriyaki sauce for one hour. Once the shrimp have had time to marinade, throw them on the grill and sprinkle with black pepper, cayenne pepper and lemon juice. Grill for about three minutes on each side.

10. Cake Pops: To make cake pops, bake your favorite cake batter as directed on the package. Once the batter is done baking, mold the warm cake into small balls. Place lollipop sticks inside the cake balls and then dip in melted chocolate or candy coating. Sprinkle with coconut flakes or sprinkles for added flair.