31 Easy Pool Party Food Ideas
This list of easy pool party food ideas is the one you’ll be reaching for all summer long! Includes make-ahead, no-cook, and grill options, plus refreshing sides, drinks, and tasty desserts that everyone will love!
Includes recipes suitable for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and low carb diets. Weight Watchers points included in some recipes.
Soooooo, it is pool party season, which means it is time to pull out our inflatable flamingos and donuts, bright swimsuits and beach balls (coz we love pool games), and all things party.
It also means time for some easy food ideas for your pool party. I got you these 30 perfect pool party foods, some which you can make-ahead like Hawaiian pasta salad, some are no-cook, and some you can grill poolside, like these grilled chicken skewers. All the ways, friends!
These pool party ideas work whether you are going to someone else’s pool party or are hosting your own party. You’ve got some pool party snacks, party appetizers and dips, mains, and awesome desserts.
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Some of my favorite items are crispy oven baked chicken tenders, easy Italian pinwheels, and these colorful peach strawberry popsicles. So something for everyone.
P.S. You can whip these all summer long as well. They’re great for Memorial Day, BBQs, 4th of July, graduation parties, and more!
What To Serve At A Pool Party
- Easy Appetizers – make sure there is a whole range of easy pool snacks, appetizers, dips, chips, and more for guests to munch on as they arrive and party. Pinwheels, sandwiches, or wraps can be served as both appetizers or entrees.
- Salads – pasta salads, slaw, fruit salads, and watermelon salads are great make ahead cold sides or mains to put on your buffet table.
- BBQ Food – Grilling your food just adds to the party atmosphere. Think burgers, sausages, hot dogs, veggies, and even desserts.
- Dessert – go for cold and frozen desserts like popsicles, ice cream cakes, pies, or just simple fruit are all perfect for a pool party. So easy.
- Drinks – Some cold drinks to cool everyone down, such as plain water, iced teas, lemonades, soda, and ice coffee. Place large glass free pitchers around to make it easy for everyone and make sure there is no actual glassware to break.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Click on the links to be taken to the full recipe. Happy eating!
Easy Pool Party Ideas
Guys, if you’re anything like me, you looove entertaining friends and family. And what better way to do that than with a beautiful Mezze Platter?!?!? With a huge tray you can provide a nice variety of different things and really offer a little something for everybody at your next get together.
This 5 minute Ranch Yogurt Dip is easy to throw together with just 2 basic ingredients. Perfect for serving with veggies as a pool party snack, and versatile as an appetizer for summer parties, potlucks, BBQs, and game day.
It's so easy to make this zesty Mexican Cheese Dip in the air fryer, you'll want to serve this at all your parties, potlucks, and gatherings!
Grape Jelly Meatballs in the crockpot are a flavor explosion in every bite and are not only a family favorite but also the ultimate crowd-pleaser party recipe.
Fans of chicken parmesan are going to devour these delicious chicken parmesan sliders. Get ready for your party guests to swoon over this tasty meal. It’s a winner!
Baked chicken tenders come out crispy, crunchy and totally delicious every time. You can have juicy oven fried chicken tenders in less time than it would take you to drive to the closest fast-food restaurant. Serve with all the dips.
Need a quick and simple party recipe? Try these easy Shrimp Tacos! Full of awesome Mexican flavor, they only take 15 minutes to put together and are easily customizable to suit everyone’s tastes!
Italian pinwheels are savory appetizers featuring a delightful combination of Italian-inspired ingredients rolled up in a soft tortilla, and the perfect pool party food appetizer or snack time!
These colourful Watermelon Skewers are a quick and easy Watermelon Appetizer or side perfect for Pool Parties, BBQs, Game Day, Picnic, outdoor eating and more. No hot summer day gathering is complete without this colourful treat.
These juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers are quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients and cook in less than 10 minutes. Loved by the everyone, they can be customised with various toppings for an anytime meal.
Easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients, orange fluff salad is perfect for serving as a light and refreshing side dish or delicious dessert! Bursting with sweet and citrus flavor, this prep-ahead recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
This mango pineapple salsa is packed with sweet mangoes, fresh pineapple, and juicy tomatoes. The lime and oregano balance the sweetness of the fruit to make this a crave-worthy snack, dip and colorful party appetizer.
Sweet, colorful, and fresh Grilled Watermelon Salad with feta and blueberries is ready in under 20 minutes and makes an easy side dish for Memorial day celebrations, hot summer days or every day.
Sweet, tangy, colorful, and fresh Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with poppy seeds is ready in under 20 minutes and a great side dish or mains for pool parties, everyday eats or holiday gatherings.
There’s just something about food you can eat with your hands that says “party” to me. And these Salmon and Black Bean Nachos are super festive and soooooo flavourful. Plus, they are packed with good-for-you nutrients and tons of protein.
These Buffalo chicken pinwheels are an easy-to-eat and easy-to-make way to indulge in spicy buffalo chicken flavor without the mess of traditional wings
Hawaiian Pasta Salad is sooooo quick, easy and inexpensive to make. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a taste of the tropics all year long.
These Chicken Quesadillas are a quick and easy party meal - since they are easy grab and move eat.
Refried beans are affordable, convenient, and oh-so-easy to serve up.
These grilled Chicken Skewers are great as a main dish and can be served with anything. They’re the perfect summertime grilling quick eat.
Take all of your favorite dishes to the next level with this simple Homemade Guacamole that is easy to make with a few everyday ingredients
This Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe is one of the easiest you will ever make! Flavorful mini sandwiches come together fast and are perfect for graduation party food idea as well as general parties, game day, snacking, or a quick lunch or dinner.
Take all of your favorite party dishes to the next level with this simple and fresh Pico de Gallo Salsa recipe.
This creamy cheese Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is an easy, minimal prep, crowd-pleasing savory dip. Just the thing to serve with chips, veggie sticks during parties.
This quick, easy, no cook and healthy Rainbow Vegetable Tortilla Wrap is packed full of colorful veggies and that kiddoes, big and small, will love. It is also perfect for school lunches, brunches, pool parties and when you are out and about.
Fans of the infamous Cracker Barrel fried chicken tenders are going to love this easy copycat recipe! These Sunday homestyle chicken tenders are golden brown, crispy, and crunchy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside.
Make this colorful and refreshing Watermelon Bowl with just 2 essential ingredients. Just the thing for Memorial Day, 4th of July, picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and pool parties
These Peach Strawberry Popsicles are made with just 5 ingredients and are a hgreat frozen treat for the hot summer months.
Banana Cream Pie is a classic dessert that’s equally perfect for bringing potlucks, serving on special occasions, or for your holiday table. You’ll love how surprisingly easy it is to make this delicious banana cream pie recipe from scratch.
You’re going to love how quick and easy it is to make this frozen onion rings air fryer recipe! With no prep work needed, Air fryer frozen onion rings are a ready to serve party food in just a few minutes.
Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are the ultimate comfort food! And just 3 ingredients are all that’s needed to whip up this totally crave-worthy appetizer, snack, or side.
Pour your guests a nice refreshing, tall glass of Agua De Jamaica and a few slices of your favorite fresh-squeezed fruit. This light, tart, almost punch-like drink will help quench your thirst and keep your tastebuds happy.
Fruity fresh peach lemonade comes together with a few minutes of effort and only 4 everyday ingredients. It is the classic choice for summer pool parties and BBQs and more.
Tips for Summer Food
- Choose in-season ingredients: many foods are at their peak in summer, so plan your menu to include the freshest and most flavorful ingredients.
- Keep it cool: using your grill, relying on small appliances like your air fryer and Instant Pot, and preparing no-cook recipes help keep your kitchen cool during the summer heat.
- Remember food safety: it’s important to keep hot foods hot and cold food cold, especially when eating outdoors. Use a thermometer to ensure food stays at the correct temperature.
Recommended Tools
- A good pair of grilling tongs is a summer cookout must!
- Sharp knives to make prep work a breeze.
- Airtight storage containers to keep foods fresh.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
More Food Ideas You May Like
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31 Easy Pool Party Food Ideas
Ingredients
- Mezze Platter
- 5 Minute Ranch Yogurt Dip
- Air Fryer Mexican Cheese Dip
- Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Sliders
- Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
- 15 Minutes Shrimp Tacos
- Italian Pinwheels
- Easy Watermelon Skewers With Prosciutto
- Easy Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Orange Fluff Salad
- Best Mango Pineapple Salsa
- Grilled Watermelon Salad
- Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
- Salmon Black Bean Nachos
- Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
- Easy Hawaiian Pasta Salad
- Chicken Quesadilla
- Refried Beans Dip
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs Skewers
- Homemade Guacamole
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Pico de Gallo – Chipotle Copycat
- Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Rainbow Hummus Veggie Wrap
- Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken Recipe
- Watermelon Fruit Bowl
- Peach Strawberry Popsicles
- Banana Cream Pie
- Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
- Fried Mac and Cheese Balls (Stovetop, Air Fryer, Instant Pot)
- Agua De Jamaica
- Easy Fresh Peach Lemonade
Instructions
- Choose a fun recipe for your pool party.
- Create your grocery list and get shopping.
- Put together your food and enjoy your party.