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June 30, 2021

Healthy 4th of July Recipes (Appetizers + Desserts)

Appetizers 4th of July
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Whether you’re going to a BBQ or you’re celebrating Fourth of July with a small family gathering, I’ve got you covered with what to eat/bring. Here are some of my favorite healthy 4th of July recipes!

BBQ food doesn’t have to be super heavy. Most of these recipes are lightened-up versions of your typical party fare, and they taste just as good!

Plus, I’ll include some extra festive and red, white, and blue themed foods, too!

healthy 4th of july recipes

Healthy 4th of July Recipes

In this post, I’m focusing on appetizers and desserts.

(If you’re looking for a main dish, check out this post: Healthy Grilling Recipes for Summer!)

1. No-Bake Blueberry Custard Pie

no-bake blueberry pie

Is there anything more quintessentially summer than pie? This particular recipe doesn’t require any baking, plus it’s naturally red, white, and blue!

2. Healthy Deviled Eggs

healthy deviled eggs

If you can believe it, there’s no mayo in these. Just a secret ingredient that makes them delish (and not too heavy).

3. Lemon Avocado Hummus

vegan avocado lemon hummus

This crossover between guacamole and hummus is always a crowd-pleaser! Serve with whatever you like: raw veggies, crackers, etc.

4. Oatmeal Banana Coconut Cookies

oatmeal coconut cookies with banana

Super flavorful and soft. One of my favorite cookie recipes ever — and they’re healthy, too! Plus, they’re super portable, making them a great BBQ dessert.

5. Healthy 4th of July Cookie Cake

fourth of july cookie cake

This cookie cake is exactly what you need at the dessert table for Fourth of July. It’s fruity, sweet but not TOO sweet, and super festive!

6. Healthier Seven Layer Dip

healthy seven layer dip

This recipe uses plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise. Your friends and family won’t even notice the difference, I promise!

7. Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites

healthy 4th of july appetizer

The standard recipe uses sweet potatoes as the base, but if you swap them out with roasted purple/blue potatoes, you’ll have a tasty red, white, and blue appetizer!

8. No-Bake Lemon Bars

lemon bar squares with lemon slices on top

These lemon bars are vegan, dairy free, and gluten free. They’re a delicious and refreshing summery dessert everyone will love!

9. Watermelon Mojito Sorbet

watermelon mojito sorbet

This homemade watermelon sorbet is so refreshing, plus it’s got (optional) rum in it! And if it starts to melt before it’s finished, you can always drink it like a slushie. 😉

10. Crunchy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

broccoli cauliflower salad in a white bowl

This crunchy no-cook salad features broccoli, cauliflower, sweet grapes, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and a tangy yogurt dressing. It’s easy to make and easily portable, so perfect for BBQ’s!

—

I hope these healthy 4th of July recipes have inspired you! Whether you’re cooking for 2 or 10, your dish will be a hit. 🙂 Happy Fourth!

More delicious summer recipes:

  • Recipes Using Summer Produce
  • Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
  • Heirloom Tomato and Peach Caprese Salad
  • Honey Lime Chicken with Grilled Peach & Corn Salad
  • Shrimp, Cucumber, and Feta Orzo

What are your favorite recipes to bring to BBQ’s? Links welcome!

- anne
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Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

Healthy Grilling Recipes for Summer

Healthy 4th of July Cookie Cake Recipe

honey lime chicken peach salad

Tasty Recipes With Summer Fruits & Vegetables

4TH OF JULY RECIPES using watermelon

4th of July Recipes Using Watermelon

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41 comments
  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over
    June 29, 2011 · 7:49AM:
    I just saw your guacamole/hummus recipe on SparkPeople, I have to try this! My two favourite foods living together in harmony :) I'm Irish so I won't be celebrating 4th of July but these are some great ideas for a barbecue or summer gathering. Thanks!
    Reply
  • Molly @ RDexposed
    June 29, 2011 · 7:52AM:
    We don't have 4th plans yet, but I'm think we should throw the barbecue to control healthy eats like these-especially those strawberries! Oh and um....deviled eggs are right there with snow cones and cottage cheese. I have the last two on my list to try, but deviled eggs will have to wait.
    Reply
  • Jennifer@ knackfornutrition
    June 29, 2011 · 7:56AM:
    All of the recipes look so good! I usually bake something to take to BBQs. I'm so excited to be in DC for the 4th of July!! It's going to be amazing!
    Reply
  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots
    June 29, 2011 · 7:59AM:
    I am totally making those strawberries for this weekend. SO CUTE. I also want to make this fruit flag. My family has so many little kids and it'd be nice to get them some fruit in instead of all the cookies and brownies. I have a similar post to this going up tomorrow and it has so many fun things that I wish I had time to make. :) Happy 4th!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      June 29, 2011 · 10:53PM:
      Omg cutest flag ever! Love that idea.
      Reply
  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    June 29, 2011 · 8:05AM:
    Haha we dont really have any celebrations on July 4th here in Ontario ;) July 1st is our Canada Day!! I love those strawberries though! how creative!
    Reply
  • Mrs. Fish
    June 29, 2011 · 8:10AM:
    Great recipe roundup! I love the patriotic strawberries!
    Reply
  • ally@GirlVFood
    June 29, 2011 · 8:17AM:
    Those red white and blue strawbs are ADORABLE!! I might need to make those!
    Reply
  • Matt @ The Athlete's Plate
    June 29, 2011 · 8:19AM:
    Ummm... Now I want some cookies.
    Reply
  • Ali
    June 29, 2011 · 8:47AM:
    Those strawberries are adorable. I think I am going to have to make them this year. I also love making a healthier version of onion dip with Lipton onion soup mix and nonfat greek yogurt. So delicious, low fat and protein packed!
    Reply
  • Colleen
    June 29, 2011 · 8:49AM:
    Ahhh those strawberries are so cute! I might make them for our BBQ on the 4th!
    Reply
  • Heather C
    June 29, 2011 · 8:55AM:
    Those strawberries are SO CUTE. I'm going to Kansas this weekend for a 90th birthday party...I should just take over the menu. ;)
    Reply
  • Jill K June 29, 2011 · 9:07AM:
    Looks deeeeelish! But I'll be celebrating the 4th of July at the Ritz Orlando resort, where I'll be enjoying some well deserved "R & R".... ahem, while endlessly training there for my "underwater war" :-) Hope you have an awesome 4th, and don't forget to keep training for your "Tri" coming up! (especially if you're eating Matt's cookies ;-)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      June 29, 2011 · 10:52PM:
      Jealous - have fun! :)
      Reply
  • Steph @321delish
    June 29, 2011 · 9:16AM:
    Those strawberries are SUCH a great idea! Super easy and fun!
    Reply
  • Jordan P @ food, sweat, and beers
    June 29, 2011 · 9:34AM:
    Great recipes, Anne! I especially like the deviled eggs one (as my family WOLFS those puppies down and it'd be so sneaky of me to make em all healthy and junk) and the strawberries. I know it's not really a "Recipe" per se, but so cute and festive!
    Reply
  • Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
    June 29, 2011 · 9:41AM:
    Awesome looks recipes! I usually get asked to bring sweets when we have BBQ's to attend (no surprise there!) and actually have a couple to go to this weekend, so we'll have to see what I whip up. :)
    Reply
  • Yoga Peach
    June 29, 2011 · 10:11AM:
    Love the idea of greek yogurt in the 7 layer dip and love the idea of banana oatmeal cookies, I am going to use my frozen bananas and make those. I put together a list of my top 10 favs which are all red white n blue. The oatmeal cookies use pomogrante and blueberries and white chocolate! MY TOP 10 RED WHITE N BLUE RECIPES http://yogapeach.com/?p=1137
    Reply
  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    June 29, 2011 · 10:40AM:
    Those strawberries are so festive and ever since you posted that 7 layer dip I've wanted to make it. Maybe the 4th is finally a good reason to :)
    Reply
  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl
    June 29, 2011 · 10:47AM:
    These are so great! I'm celebrating my first 4th of July abroad in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and my American colleagues and I were brainstorming American treats to bring to work.... the problem is that resources are so limited here, we just don't have the same things as in the States but I think I can manage the patriotic strawberries... so cute! Thanks!!
    Reply
  • Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
    June 29, 2011 · 11:59AM:
    Great round-up! How cute are those strawberries? I mean, seriously. Adorable.
    Reply
  • Lauren
    June 29, 2011 · 12:34PM:
    I love the strawberry idea!! I think I may attempt this for Monday.
    Reply
  • Renie June 29, 2011 · 1:35PM:
    Oh, Anne, everything looks so good and can be used at our family (those that are not deployed) pool party on Monday. Thanks for reminding us of these lovely dishes.
    Reply
  • DHP June 29, 2011 · 1:55PM:
    Those look awesome! Very well done!
    Reply
  • Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn
    June 29, 2011 · 2:17PM:
    I will 1029474091% be bringing my Avocado Tapenade. People at my grad party went CRAZY for it! p.s. I am so trying your hummus guac. Two favorite things in the world, combined. You rock.
    Reply
  • Amy
    June 29, 2011 · 2:58PM:
    those strawberries are so cute! i LOVE deviled eggs so a healthy version is always appreciated thanks!
    Reply
  • Andrea @ Onion in My Hair
    June 29, 2011 · 4:49PM:
    I HAVE to make those strawberries! They are absolutely adorable. Normally, I bring a sugar cookie fruit pizza to summer BBQs. (Cook sugar cookie dough in tart pan, cover with vanilla greek yogurt with a few drops of red food coloring, then add berries, kiwi and chocolate chips in concentric circles), but I don't think I can pass up those strawberries. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  • Katie June 29, 2011 · 8:30PM:
    Hi! I saw your recipe for the banana oatmeal coconut cookies the other day, and i decided i HAD to make them, so i DID! (But knowing me, I subbed in chocolate chips for the cranberries!) and. they. are. DELICIOUS. i seriously have come home from work every day this week, and the first thing I do is grab one of those cookies (and may or may not justify eating two or three by thinking they're healthy ;) ) they're AMAZING ! thank you for the recipe, it's definately a keeper!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      June 29, 2011 · 10:41PM:
      Yay! So glad you like them! :)
      Reply
  • Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well.
    June 29, 2011 · 10:52PM:
    I love the recipe ideas! Thanks! Have you been to DC for the 4th before? My honey and I went last year and were absolutely amazed at the fireworks display!! We were right in front of the reflecting pond and were blown away by how beautiful it was. Tons of fun, but lots of walking though!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      June 29, 2011 · 10:54PM:
      I've spent a ton of 4th's in DC! I lived there during high school, during summers from college, and again for 6 years after college :)
      Reply
  • tiffany
    June 30, 2011 · 1:18AM:
    what a great 4th of july idea, i love the strawberries!!!
    Reply
  • Brittany of Suburb Chic
    June 30, 2011 · 7:30AM:
    Those strawberries are so darn cute! Love them & the site...found you through TinaFFF on twitter.
    Reply
  • Charise
    June 30, 2011 · 11:17AM:
    I usually try to contribute a healthy-but-tasty-and-filling side dish, knowing others will bring plenty of desserts, chips-n-dips, and other snack-y foods. It also gives me something to fill up on if I don't like the main dishes being served. One of my favorites is this orzo goat cheese salad (with or without the chicken): http://breadandcheeseplease.blogspot.com/2008/04/chicken-orzo-salad-with-goat-cheese.html
    Reply
    • Anne P
      July 1, 2011 · 8:31AM:
      Good idea! That sounds delicious.
      Reply
  • Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers
    July 5, 2011 · 2:43PM:
    Just so you know your influence on the eating habits at the Jersey Shore, my contribution to our annual BBQ was a heaping platter of the red/white/blue glory of the strawberry "recipe" you posted. Even though they were simply fruit/chocolate/sugar, they were EASILY MVP of the night's culinary concoctions. Thanks for the inspiration!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      July 5, 2011 · 4:39PM:
      Yay! So glad they were a hit! :)
      Reply
  • Ann Marie July 2, 2012 · 10:21AM:
    Love the strawberries!! How do I make blue sugar?? Thanks!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      July 2, 2012 · 3:39PM:
      You can buy it at Whole Foods!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner June 30, 2021 · 5:01PM:
    Your healthy deviled eggs, 7-layer dip, and watermelon sorbet rank as my all-time favorites! Enjoy the 4th!
    Reply
    • Anne June 30, 2021 · 5:07PM:
      Yay, those are some of my favorites too! Thanks, same to you :)
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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