Forks and knives are tired. When summer comes to town, it's all about barbecues, and that means eating with your hands. Cookout desserts like blueberry cheesecake dip and lemon lavender ice cream cones are naturally handheld, but apps can get in on the fun, too. Stick around here for 23 finger-lickin' good BBQ finger foods that could very well be the star of your next summer party!
Sausage Cheese Biscuits
Damn Delicious
Because no one ever had a bad thing to say about a biscuit — especially a biscuit peppered with sausage and cheese. (via Damn Delicious)
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Muffins
Heather Likes Food
When it comes to finger foods, it's all about the details. These bad boys don't miss a beat – they're oozing with cheddar cheese, topped with a ketchup-Worcestershire sauce, and studded with only the crispiest fried onions. (via Heather Likes Food)
BLT Bites
Salty Canary
You've seen finger sandwiches, but have you seen an open-faced BLT on a Ritz cracker? In this tiny version of the sandwich, the T is actually sundried tomato paste, and the L is lightly dressed in ranch. (via Salty Canary)
Green Chile Guacamole
Recipe Runner
Nothing facilitates conversation *quite* like good guacamole. Guests will keep coming back to this bowl for chips and chit-chat. (via Recipe Runner)
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
Live Eat Learn
You could never go wrong with jalapeño poppers. Each bite is infused with cream cheese, spicy jalapeño, and crispy breadcrumbs that'll leave you wanting more and more. (via Live Eat Learn)
Brie-Stuffed Crispy Baby Potatoes
Half Baked Harvest
Equally cheesy and starchy, this potato finger food refuses to fail. Make sure you don't forget to season these spuds with a delicious mix of garlic and thyme! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Creamy Chicken Stuffed Mini Peppers with Spinach-Walnut Pesto
Give It Some Thyme
Stuffed peppers have been a highly popular dinner recipe for health gurus as of late, so it's only fitting that they be made à la mini. Fill yours however you like, but these are packed with creamy-cheesy chicken and roasted red peppers, then topped with a nutty pesto. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Habanero Peach Grilled Chicken Wings
A Spicy Perspective
Most any sweet-savory lover will adore these wings as they heat things up. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Hot Cheesy Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl
Give It Some Thyme
Generous pieces of crab swim in a flavorfully creamy mixture of cheese, cheese, and more cheese. It's all served in a toasty sourdough bowl. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Mini Fried Chicken and Waffles
Tara's Multicultural Table
The full-size version of this brunch classic is always a greasy, sticky mess (in the best way), but when it's mini, the mess is perfectly contained in a napkin. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
How Good Do These BBQ Finger Foods Look?
Olive and Goat Cheese Bites with Prosciutto, Lemon & Thyme
Parsnips and Pastries
Impress that friend who studied abroad in Italy during college with these refined bite-sized bites, which come together with just four ingredients. Use your favorite type of olives and goat cheese to make it more your own! (via Parsnips and Pastries)
Vegan Grazing Platter
The Edgy Veg
Grazing platters are ideal for large get-togethers, since everyone can take exactly what they want to snack on. This vegan snack board has just about everything you'd need to satisfy your guests, but of course, you can easily customize your spread. (via The Edgy Veg)
Deviled Eggs, Three Ways
Leite's Culinaria
While deviled eggs are *scrumptious* alone, there is quite literally a universe of egg-compatible toppings from which to choose. Go this route (spicy horseradish, truffle, and smoked salmon), or get creative with ingredients like bacon and fish roe. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
Gastroplant
When we think of finger food, chicken nuggets are an obvious answer. These tofu-based ones retain the ultimate balance between an exterior *crunch* and interior softness. Set out all the condiments you can get your hands on to maximize the savory flavors! (via Gastroplant)
BBQ Cauliflower Bites
This Wife Cooks
These cauliflower bites are totally finger food-worthy because they're certifiably finger-lickin' good. Cauliflower gets coated in an easy cripsy layer before being tossed around in a tangy BBQ sauce. (via This Wife Cooks)
Yum Yum Shrimp Wonton Cups
Give It Some Thyme
To heck with shrimp cocktail – you'll want to eat an embarrassing number of these addictively crispy wonton cups, filled with well-seasoned shrimp and spicy mayo, aptly named Yum Yum sauce. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Give It Some Thyme
These zucchini bites taste like a cheesy veggie frittata. What makes them hold their shape so well? Good ol' Bisquick. Customize them with the fillings of your choosing. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Southern Hush Puppies
Pink Owl Kitchen
Hush puppies are ideal BBQ finger foods! These buttery, bready finger food bites pair well with seafood or burgers! via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
Feel Good Foodie
Cheese goes well with *just about* anything, but Parmesan really shines against the mushroom flavors in this recipe. (via Feel Good Foodie)
S'mores Bites
Tara's Multicultural Table
Summer's greatest dessert gets packed into party-friendly bars. These babies have an intensely buttery graham cracker crust and a fudgy chocolate layer that is positively packed with marshmallows. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies
This Wife Cooks
The creamy frosting that coasts these massive cookies will keep everyone coming back for more. (via This Wife Cooks)
Watermelon Pizza
Live Eat Learn
A perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting holds everything together in this sweet treat. Get playful with the fruity toppings you add to create a rainbow-infused bite! (via Live Eat Learn)
Chewy Vegan Chai Cookes
Munching with Mariyah
Crispy on the edges and outside, and buttery-soft on the inside. That's *exactly* how we like our cookies! Your BBQ guests will praise you for making this delectable dessert recipe. (via Munching with Mariyah)
Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious bbq recipe ideas! This post has been updated with additional reporting by Paige Johnson and Meredith Holser.