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This post is all about the perfect pool party foods that are easy and won’t make a mess.
Throwing or attending a pool party is a favorite summer tradition. If you’re like me, when you’re at the pool you want light foods that won’t make you feel like a rock. And foods that aren’t going to get soggy or make a mess.
This full menu of easy recipes will make your next pool party a breeze. We covered from drinks to desserts and everything in between, allowing you to stress less and party more.
This post is all about the best pool party foods.
Pool Party Foods:
- Sparkling Summer Limeade
- Gummy Bear Jello Shots
- Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- 7 Layer Dip
- Broccoli Salad
- Fruit Skewers
- Rice Krispie Pops
1. Sparkling Summer Limeade
This mocktail is a perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. To make this you will need 1 cup of each of following fruits: strawberries, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and blackberries (or blueberries). Prepare the fruits and add them to a 64 oz pitcher. Then cover with 3/4 cup of thawed lime concentrate and 1 liter of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
To turn this into a boozy cocktail, add a cup of vodka to the mix.
2. Blue Raspberry Jello Shots
To make these festive Jello shots you will need: 1 pkg of blue raspberry Jello mix, 1 cup of vodka, peach ring gummies, gummi bears, and 1 oz disposable cups.
Start by adding one cup of water to a pot, once boiling remove from heat and stir in Jello packet until dissolved. Next stir in 1 cup of vodka. Then carefully pour the mixture into the disposable cups leaving a little room at the top. I recommend using a small ladle to avoid spilling. Refrigerate for 3 hours to set the gelatin.
Once set, add a peach ring to the top of each. Then cut a gummi bear in half and add one to each ring. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
For a non-alcoholic option, replace vodka with 1 cup of cool water.
3. Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
These pinwheels are a perfect light snack for a pool party. Skewer the individual slices for easy hands free eating!
For this recipe you will need:
- 6 oz frozen breaded chicken strips
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup Buffalo sauce
- 4 oz garden vegetable cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 oz sour cream
- 3 oz blue cheese (or substitute with ranch and cheddar cheese)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp parsley
- 3 sandwich roll up flatbreads
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 6 large lettuce leaves
Start by cooking the frozen chicken tenders by the package instructions. Once cooked and while they’re still hot, toss the chicken in the buffalo sauce. Place on a baking sheet to cool, and once cooled toss in buffalo sauce again.
In a small bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, 2 oz of blue cheese (or 2 oz ranch and shredded cheddar cheese to taste), black pepper, salt and parsley. Stir to combine.
To assemble spread a generous amount of the blue cheese mixture (or ranch/cheddar cheese mixture) onto each flatbread. Place 2 chicken strips on the short end of the flatbreads. Next to the chicken sprinkle some celery and add the lettuce. Add more crumbled blue cheese if desired. Cut each rolled up flat bread into 6 or 8 pieces. Enjoy!
Best if served immediately or within a few hours of making, store in the refrigerator.
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4. Ham and Cheese Sliders
These sliders are so easy, simply layer everything in a pan and bake!
You will need:
- 1 pkg Hawaiian rolls (makes 12 sliders)
- 12 slices deli ham
- 8 slices swiss cheese
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
Start by cutting the entire sheet of Hawaiian rolls in half length wise. Place the bottom half into a greased casserole dish. Mix together mayo and dijon and spread on bottom buns. Place ham and swiss down on top of the bottom half of the buns, slices can be overlapping. Then place the top half of the buns on top.
In a small bowl mix melted butter, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce. Pour that over the buns. Cover casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 10 min. Then remove foil and bake another 10 min. Use a sharp knife to cut into individual sliders and enjoy!
5. 7-Layer Dip Cups
These individually portioned dips are perfect for poolside eating! Unlike traditional 7-layer dip, there’s no double dipping here.
To make 8 cups you will need:
- 1 16-oz can refried beans
- 1 1-oz pkg taco seasoning
- 1 cup guacamole
- 1 8-oz container sour cream
- 1 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 cup cheese (shredded cheddar or mexican blend)
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 2.25-oz can sliced olives, drained
- 8 plastic tumblers (9 oz)
- Tortilla chips
Start by mixing the taco seasoning with the sour cream. Then assemble! Layers can be as small or as large as you prefer. Try adding wet ingredients to a sandwich bag and piping them into the cups.
- Layer 1: beans
- Layer 2: sour cream/taco seasoning
- Layer 3: guacamole
- Layer 4: salsa or pico de gallo
- Layer 5: cheese
- Layer 6: tomatoes
- Layer 7: olives
6. Broccoli Salad
Ingredients:
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets, about 2 ½ heads of broccoli
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese thicker, not finely shredded
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon)
- 1/2 cup salted sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1.5 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
To make the salad combine broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and onion in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined. Pour dressing over broccoli mix and toss well. Refrigerate for an hour and toss again before serving.
7. Fruit Skewers
Another easily customizable, hands-free option! Cut fruit of choice into cubes and assemble on skewers. For a fun serving option cut a watermelon in half and place skewers in open half. These skewers are made with strawberry, orange, pineapple, kiwi, grapes, blueberries, and blackberries.
8. Rice Krispie Pops
To make this cute dessert you can use either store bought Rice Krispie Treats or make your own from scratch.
In a large saucepan melt 3 tbsp on butter over low heat. Add 5 and 1/2 cups mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and remove from heat. Add 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal and stir well. Use wax paper to evenly press into a 9×13, then allow to cool before cutting.
For decoration, melt blue candy melts in microwave following package instructions. Dip tip of straws into the candy melts before inserting into the rice krispies to help them stick. Then dunk treats into the candy melts, tapping off the excess. Add sprinkles while chocolate is still wet. Garnish with your preferred chocolate accents! These flamingos are from Party City.