17 Memorial Day Appetizers That Disappear Before the Burgers

Memorial Day is the one cookout where appetizers get eaten so fast you forget there’s a whole meal coming. These 17 recipes cover the full spread: hot baked dips people cluster around, crispy wings in three different flavor profiles, skewers that work straight off the grill or straight from the fridge, and no-cook options that are ready before anyone arrives. Each one is the kind of thing guests circle back to the table for, even after the burgers land.

A plate of antipasto skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, artichoke hearts, cured meats, and a drizzle of green pesto. — Antipasto Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

A bowl of golden-brown, crispy fried arancini served in a white dish on a plain background. — Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Packed with shredded Pepper Jack cheese and finely diced jalapeños, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites get pressed into tight balls and fried until the outside is crispy and the inside is molten. They pull off the restaurant flavor at a fraction of the price, and they can be shaped ahead of time and cooked when your guests arrive. Serve them with ranch or a smoky chipotle aioli for a spicy bite-sized opener that clears the plate fast.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

7 Layer Dip

No oven needed and no last-minute stress: 7 Layer Dip builds refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions into a 15-minute no-cook party dip that’s ready before the coals are even lit. Use a clear dish so every layer shows, and set it out with a sturdy bag of tortilla chips. It’s the one on the table everyone migrates to while they wait for everything else.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Dip

Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Close-up of grilled chicken wings with a crispy texture, next to a red bowl of creamy dipping sauce. — Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Oven-baked and finished with a Cajun-inspired dry rub that leans smoky and bold without going nuclear on the heat, Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings skip the fryer and still come out with crispy skin and serious flavor. Pat the wings dry first, hit them with the spice blend, and bake until golden. They’re an especially good call for guests who want flavor without the sauce mess, and they pair well with ranch or blue cheese on the side.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Buffalo Chicken Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into a cheesy baked dish topped with sliced green onions. — Buffalo Chicken Dip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With just 5 minutes of prep and about 12 minutes in the oven, Buffalo Chicken Dip combines shredded cooked chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch, and blue cheese into a hot, cheesy dip that serves a crowd and stays warm long enough to actually get eaten. Serve it with celery sticks, tortilla chips, or baguette slices. It’s one of those appetizers that gets requests at every cookout, and for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice. — Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Marinated in a paste of ginger, lemongrass, red curry paste, sesame oil, fish sauce, and lime, Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers go on chicken thigh pieces and grill at medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side. While they cook, the peanut dipping sauce comes together in minutes from peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriracha, lime, and honey. These are a strong move for any cookout where you want something a step above the usual wing-and-dip spread.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Cowboy Queso Dip

A tortilla chip is dipped into a skillet of cheesy ground beef and tomato dip, with melted cheese stretching between the chip and the dip. — Cowboy Queso Dip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Made on the stovetop in one skillet, Cowboy Queso Dip combines ground beef, cheddar, cream cheese, and spicy tomatoes with green chilies into a thick, meaty queso that works straight from the pan into a serving dish. It’s the kind of dip that stays creamy for the whole party. Keep a slow cooker handy to hold it warm and set out tortilla chips or nachos alongside it. Hearty enough that people will come back for thirds.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Queso Dip

Lemon Pepper Wings

Close-up of seasoned baked chicken wings garnished with chopped fresh parsley on a white plate. — Lemon Pepper Wings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Tossed in a lemon pepper seasoning and finished with a lemon-butter sauce, Lemon Pepper Wings bake until the skin is crispy and the coating is bright, tangy, and peppery without any heat. They’re the option on the wing platter that non-spice people actually reach for, and they’re just as good served next to the Cajun and buffalo options as they are on their own. Ranch or blue cheese on the side rounds them out.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Close-up of a blue corn chip dipped in a creamy cheese and vegetable mixture, garnished with cilantro and sliced jalapeños. — Mexican Street Corn Dip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Loaded with corn kernels, Cotija cheese, smoky spices, lime, and a creamy base, Mexican Street Corn Dip brings the flavors of elote into a scoop-able party dip that works with tortilla chips, pita chips, or sliced bell peppers. It’s bright and fresh without needing any oven time, and it reads as more interesting than another bowl of salsa. A strong addition when you already have heavier dips like queso or buffalo chicken on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Dip

BBQ Wings

A platter of glazed chicken wings topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with white sauce, served with a small bowl of dipping sauce and a spoon. — BBQ Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Oven-baked with a seasoned flour coating that gets properly crispy, then glazed in a sticky caramelized barbecue sauce, BBQ Wings are the sweet-and-smoky anchor of any wing spread. The coating method means they don’t need a fryer to develop real texture, and the BBQ glaze caramelizes during the final minutes in the oven for a finger-licking result. These are the ones that get cleaned off the platter before any other style, every time.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Wings

Spinach Artichoke Dip

A bowl of creamy spinach dip garnished with herbs, surrounded by slices of crusty bread on a blue patterned cloth. — Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Baked for 30 minutes with cream cheese, frozen spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a splash of broth, Spinach Artichoke Dip comes out hot, bubbly, and deeply creamy. It’s one of those dips that works at room temperature too, which makes it a practical choice for outdoor tables where the temperature is unpredictable. Set it out with tortilla chips, pita, or sliced baguette and it handles itself.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Buffalo Wings

A tray of sauced chicken wings garnished with chopped green onions, served with celery and carrot sticks, and a cup of creamy dipping sauce in the center. — Buffalo Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Classic oven-baked wings tossed in buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese or ranch, Buffalo Wings are the one appetizer every Memorial Day table needs. No variation, no creative spin required. These deliver the crispy skin, the tangy heat, and the dipping sauce ritual that people actually want at a cookout. Make a double batch because they will be gone before anything else on the table.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Wings

Beer Cheese Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into creamy cheese dip sprinkled with paprika and black pepper. — Beer Cheese Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Melted on the stovetop in about 15 minutes from cream cheese, a full cup of beer, sharp cheddar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder, Beer Cheese Dip turns into a smooth, deeply flavorful dip that’s thicker than a queso and sharper than a plain cheese sauce. Serve it warm with soft pretzels, crostini, or broccoli florets. It’s the dip that gets a double-take from guests who don’t expect something this good to come together this fast.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip

Caprese Appetizer Bites

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board. — Caprese Appetizer Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Toasted baguette slices brushed with olive oil and Italian seasoning hold up under layers of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil, all finished with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze: Caprese Appetizer Bites are ready in 15 minutes and require no elaborate technique. They’re light and bright on a table otherwise full of dips and wings, and they look like far more effort than they take. A reliable choice for guests who want something fresh and not heavy.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Appetizer Bites

Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)

Spicy Greek feta dip in a bowl with pita bread by the side. — Greek Feta Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Blended in a food processor in 5 minutes from feta cheese, roasted red peppers, red chili, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and garlic, Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri) is bold, tangy, and spicy in a way that’s completely different from buffalo or queso. It’s thick enough to spread, creamy enough to scoop, and works with warm pita, pita chips, or raw vegetables. A strong change of pace on a spread that’s otherwise very American, and one that always generates questions about what it is.
Get the Recipe: Greek Feta Dip

Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites

Cut from canned biscuit dough, dipped in melted butter, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and finished under the broiler until caramelized, Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites are a sweet addition that rounds out the spread when guests want something that isn’t salty or cheesy. They take about 20 minutes start to finish and are best fresh from the oven. A good move if kids are at the cookout, and a solid transition piece between the appetizer spread and dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites

Wingstop Louisiana Rub

A wooden spoon rests in a bowl filled with a colorful spice mixture, including herbs like cilantro or parsley, with visible red and green flakes. — Wingstop Louisiana Rub. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Mixed in 5 minutes from paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and dried herbs, Wingstop Louisiana Rub is the dry seasoning blend that makes the Louisiana Rub Wings what they are, and it’s worth making on its own for anyone who wants to season wings or grilled chicken to order. Double or triple the batch and store it in a jar so it’s ready for the next cookout. The kind of pantry item that replaces a trip to the wings restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub

Antipasto Skewers

Threaded with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and cured meats, then finished with a drizzle of green pesto, Antipasto Skewers require no cooking and can be assembled hours ahead and kept cold until your guests arrive. They’re the easiest item on this list and the one that makes the spread look like it took real thought. Grab and go for guests who want something light between the heavier dips.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers