The summer months are the best. The weather is gorgeous every day, the kids are on holiday and enjoying running around the garden through the sprinkler system to cool down, and outdoor dining goes to the top of the list.
What you want are easy crock pot appetizer recipes for light summer dishes so that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen slaving away over a hot stove, and the slow cooker will save the day time and time again.
Now, all you need is to find the perfect recipe, a collection that is simple and cost-effective, and enjoy the summer while it lasts. Sipping on fruity, umbrella-decorated cocktails sounds so much better than stirring a hot pot all day, right? And smaller, lighter meals are easier to nibble on rather than one big meal on the plate.
#1. Crock Pot Ranch Mushrooms
We could all use a quick dish that throws together with only 4 ingredients, and most of these you will more than likely have in your fridge or pantry, making this a cost-effective meal to add to the dining table any day of the week.
Mushrooms are such a versatile ingredient and lend themselves to so many dishes with ease adding a subtle flavor that compliments rather than overwhelms.
The richness in this dish is brought in from the butter (and I like to add more than is necessary or asked for in the recipe because you can never have enough butter I believe) and helps to smother the flavor throughout the meal along with the seasoning.
Be sure to clean the mushrooms before popping them in the crockpot with the remaining spices and leave them to do their slow cooking magic. Who wouldn’t want to try these crock pot appetizer recipes when they are so simple?
An effortless dish that the family will surely enjoy.
My children can eat meatballs in any dish, any meal, and for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so when we are having people over for drinks and I want to make these for snacks I have to triple the recipe. They are as tasty as you can imagine and probably why the kids dig into them the minute I serve them.
A perfectly delicious dish for a light bite and all you need is a container of toothpicks on the side for the family to poke the meatballs.
The sauce is whisked together beforehand and I particularly enjoy this sauce recipe (and I use it for hundreds of other dishes) because it has my new favorite apple cider vinegar which helps to tenderize the meat and bring a subtle tang to the dish.
The Bourbon adds flavor but cooks away so this is suitable for kids (some people were wondering).
An optional step I like to do is sear the meatballs in a hot skillet with olive oil and butter before adding them to the crockpot to seal in the flavor and goodness for a well-balanced appetizer.
This is the ultimate food item to make a lot of, serve in a large bowl with a bunch of forks, and let the kids dig in while watching a movie with friends downstairs. It is so simple you will wish you had found these slow cooker appetizer recipes so much sooner.
I sometimes switch the sausage out for chorizo for the adults to add a nice bite to the buffet table and sprinkle sliced jalapenos on top for those who are brave enough to take both in one bite.
The sugar pairs well with the mustard in this recipe and the flavor profile are one not to be missed out on.
Simply pop everything in the cooker, set it on low to cook and soften throughout the day, and enjoy the freedom to carry on with other parties or dinner pre while it cooks by itself. A winning dish that is a true crowd-pleaser.
This is one of those appetizer crockpot recipes that takes a bit more effort but it is worth every second of time. The taste is unbelievable and if you don’t make enough you can count on the family being upset which is why I make (and highly recommend) double and even triple the recipe if I know the kids are having friends stay the night.
Bacon in itself is by far one of the most superior ingredients I have ever encountered and somehow has a magic about it that makes everything it is paired with taste that much better. And this recipe proves that.
If you want to impress at the next BBQ you are invited to, take a crockpot full of these and you will be the hit of the party, an impressive appetizer dish that is a hit with everyone.
A feel-good comfort dish to fill that hunger gap when the kids need it the most. Running into the house after their sports practices and dumping themselves at the table ready to eat, they will be thanking you all day when you serve these quick bites that they can grab and dig into.
Place the chicken into the slow cooker with your seasoning of choice and allow to simmer gently for several hours till it is falling apart. I like to shred the meat and place it back into the liquid to soak up all the meaty goodness and leave it to cool.
Then filling fresh brioche buns with homemade coleslaw, I like to make my own, a couple of slices of cheese, and top with the fork-tender chicken and serve.
Small enough to enjoy without feeling bloated, but big enough to not leave you hungry afterward, win-win.
Who doesn’t love eating nibbly bits with their hands, the sticky sweet sauce covering your fingers and hands, and the meat tender and juicy? These ribs are a great addition to the table during the summer evenings when the breeze is warm and you simply want something relaxed and casual to eat.
When the family smells the meaty aroma wafting through the house they will rush to see what is in the crockpot slow cooking to perfection.
The ribs are smothered in delicious BBQ sauce and the bubbles from the coke give a lightness to the overall dish. Before heading out the door in the morning, get the kids involved by asking one of them to pour the coke into the slow cooker over the meat, they love seeing the bubbles fizz around and pop on their faces, a great way to start the day.
An effortless meal that tastes even better the next day, and the rib meat freezes well so you can make a large batch to save and freeze half for a later day in the month.
My kids love these while they watch the football on TV, an easy appetizer slow cooker recipe to pull together that will curb the hunger gap in no time.
The spuds are soft and fluffy and enveloped in a creamy bacon sauce and flavoring that is out of this world. Serve it with a generous bowl of sour cream that has been mixed with freshly chopped herbs and garlic, and I like to add a touch of smoked paprika for a change of color and to add a nice twist to the dish.
All they need to do is dip the potatoes in the sauce as they watch and enjoy a cozy snack that took no effort at all to pull together, and with no supervision needed is the perfect dish to set on low and carry on with the household chores.
What is lovely about this recipe is that it is so versatile, you could opt to chop big potatoes into chunks for the skin on only one side of the spud, or choose baby potatoes, and even red potatoes, the options are endless.
I have always boiled my chicken wings till I knew they were dead and cooked, and then basted them while asking the hubby to put them on the BBQ to color and singe for a touch of flavor, but this all takes time and requires so many steps. So I was adamant to find an easier version to cook them, and I did.
These easy crockpot appetizer recipes were just what we needed to save time on busy weekends, and during the week when we know, we won’t feel like cooking a big dinner for the family. A humble meal to tuck into and served with buttered garlic bread is just what we need to end the day on a high. Good, comfort food.
Chicken wings have for many years been an underrated and underappreciated part of the chicken and most likely because it has the least amount of meat, but thankfully, with chef enthusiasts and culinary professionals shining a light on them, they are now proudly served on menus around the world.
You can cook this dish using frozen chicken wings just as easily, but the cooking time will linger so consider that and check the internal temperatures using a thermometer.
We don’t often associate a slow cooker meal with a deconstructed dish, but this one proves them wrong. If you have 5-minutes to spare in the morning then you can pop this on and carry on with the school run and head to the shops for the grocery shop.
Then when you come home in the late morning or early afternoon you will be hit with a cooked chicken dish that is ready to serve. While it is simmering gently you can stir in the beans for the last cooking period and get the rest of the toppings into bowls on the table for the most enjoyable way to put a meal together. By yourselves.
The kids love to put their toppings onto the nacho chips and the saucy chicken, all smothered in cheese for a new version of taco night (or afternoon should we say).
The title is a mouthful and so is the dish, packed with flavor and goodness, and is a one-pot sensation that couldn’t be easier to make if you tried.
Finding slow cooker appetizer recipes needn’t be complicated, but more about quality ingredients and flavors, and this recipe ticks all the boxes.
They are saucy and moist and do well as a platter serving at events and special occasions. If you want to switch things up, I like to add a dollop of blueberry (but any jam or marmalade will do), it adds a beautiful sweet and savory combination that pleases everyone.
These are great with a beer on the deck outside while the sun is going down and the night sky shows its sprinkling of stars.
I don’t think I know any family that has children that don’t like pizza. Do you?
There is something magical about the flavor combinations that work harmoniously together every time, and this recipe is no different. I am always looking for appetizer crock pot recipes for the weekends when the family is busy with non-stop errands and activities, and we don’t want or have the time to sit down for a full-blown meal.
Appetizers are a great way to get some food in everyone and still have time to do other things. This one is great for a moment’s peace because the kids don’t leave the deck table. Each of the children has their own bowl of nacho chips (Doritos work great, or even pretzels for the adults and to change up the flavor) to dip into this melted, cheesy goodness that is sprinkled with bacon and pepperoni.
And even better is that you have a choice of fillings, same as with a pizza, so you can change it up every time you make it or keep it the same. There is something to suit everyone.
This is not your average crockpot recipe but then again, who wants to be generic right, how boring. I found this appetizer slow cooker recipe while on the hunt for lunch box snack ideas and thought this is perfect for serving on the table next to a large pitcher of homemade lemon iced tea in the summer.
A perfect picky dish to make a lot of so you have enough to split between a couple of bowls if people are spread around.
It does however require some attention and which is why I was initially hesitant, but it looked so good I tried it anyway. And I am so glad I did, it was amazing. Bot at all the flavor profile I expected, but brilliantly tasty.
Be sure to have the ingredients list to hand when heading to the shops next time as some of them are a little specific and may not necessarily be in the pantry most days.
I particularly like the fact that the ingredients are coated in a flavored butter mix, butter is one of my favorite ingredients and can bring richness to the dish and is so much healthier than using oil.
A simple dish with minimal effort but which packs a punch on taste.
The sweet and sour balance in this recipe is divine and has a sophisticated feel to it. Great for when you are having the neighbors over for drinks and pre-dinner snacks and is so quick and easy to make.
For this you can add a lot of flavor and spice into the minced meat, I like to be generous with this part as it can get lost sometimes with the pineapple, and I want them to complement each other. Once the ground beef is mixed I also give them a good sear, almost charring them, in a hot skillet with garlic butter and olive oil to lock in the flavor and juices and keep all that moisture in the meat.
Add them to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients (not the pineapple) and leave them on low for several hours. In the last half, an hour add the pineapple, give the mix a quick stir, and voila, a finger-licking good dish.
Serve in a big bowl with toothpicks and you can count on the guests hovering around the food table, a winning recipe to try this summer season.
It doesn’t get easier than this. You can use one type of potato or a variety of spuds and add flavor, shape, and size to make the mix that much more interesting.
And, using red and white potatoes also adds a pop of color against the fresh herbs at the end, I always use freshly chopped parsley.
These healthy crockpot appetizer recipes are what summer is all about, simplicity combined with great taste. You don’t want to have the stove running all day filling with hot steam while you try to boil multiple batches of potatoes for the family that is coming over later for a BBQ, and we don’t have the time.
A one-pot wonder that needs no supervision and leaves your hands free to set up the rest of the decorations and tend to the kids who always need something. You can get them involved (and keep them occupied for a few minutes) by getting them to grate the parmesan into a bowl, and then later they can sprinkle it over the potatoes with the parsley.
Give the dish a generous seasoning (we always use pink Himalayan salt) for a subtle color spin and to enhance the flavor of the overall dish.
You may not have considered pulled pork an appetizer option but it is one of the most versatile ingredients you could want in your fridge and goes with so many dishes.
The pork can be piled into taco shells and topped with salsa and shredded lettuce, stuffed into brioche rolls with caramelized red onion with an olive-decorated toothpick (yes, just like in the food magazines), and even in wraps with coleslaw and sliced into pinwheels for one-bite snack food.
There are so many things you can do with this simple recipe, and you can tweak and edit it depending on who is being served, whether adults or kids. A portion of perfect comfort food that fits all ages and is completely family-friendly.
My husband likes to swap out the BBQ sauce for a chili-spiced BBQ version to add a nice kick to the mix when the kids are not eating with us, and it goes great with chilled beers making it a great choice for game days when he has the boys over to watch the football.
What good is a party or a get together if you don’t have a chip and dip station, and chips are plenty in the shops, but nothing beats a great tasting, homemade dipping sauce, and this is the one you want to try the next time you are invited somewhere.
When your time is of the essence and you know you won’t make it to the shops in time to grab a few snacks then take a look in your fridge. You more than likely have all of these ingredients already in the fridge drawers and all you need is to pop them into the slow cooker while you rush around the house trying to tidy up to some extent.
As it does all the slow cooking while you get dressed and iron clothes for the kids, you only need to pop it into a container as you head out the door to your friend’s house. Serve next to a big bowl of crisps and people will be dipping in the sauce all day. It is rich and creamy and has a velvety texture that makes you feel good, who knew a humble cheese dipping dish had so much to offer. Win-win.
When I told my husband I am adding these to the buffet snack table he pulled a face. Ha. Not because he doesn’t like carrots, he is a big fan of vegetables, but more because he thought other people wouldn’t want to eat veggies as a snack food.
But then I pointed out the simple crudité platter that has adorned thousands of tables over the years and he knew I had a point. With this dish, I wanted to try a new version of that platter, and it was a huge success I was surprised.
The honey is the perfect pairing for the carrots that soak up the sweet nectar and cinnamon giving the dish a cozy feel that is light yet filling. You can serve these hot or cold, I served them in a warmer dish which I prefer, and go great dipped into sauces too.
Such a quick and elegant looking side dish which is now a frequent visitor to our events food table. A must-try for your guests, and always works wonders as a side dish for dinner to get the kids eating more vegetables. A winner all around.
This appetizer dip went so well with the cocktail sausages on the weekend at the BBQ that the children say they would have it as a meal, and they are not wrong. It was fantastic.
I am constantly on the lookout for recipes or dishes that incorporate veggies in a not so obvious way, the less the kids see the better, and this was one of those successes (and now on my go-to list of vegetarian recipes for the dinner rotation menu).
It is packed with cheese, and creamy cauliflower and the slow cooker does all the work while you carry on with your day. I put a big bowl of this in the middle of the sausage platter and it goes down a treat, we almost always need to refill it, so that is a winner in my (recipe) book for sure.
And it goes just as well with sliced peppers or celery sticks, and even carrot sticks for a completely vegetarian option. Often I stir in sweet corn just before serving to add that extra punch of yellow and to give a nice texture element to the dish.
These are the greatest invention ever, and yes they are essentially mini hash browns, but who doesn’t love a hash brown? They are always part of the takeaway food order when the little ones are in the car.
So, I had to have them on the table for the start of the summer BBQ we were having at our house on the weekend. And, I didn’t have to do any work, a dish that needs zero supervision is always going to be at the top of my party food recipe list.
Pop the frozen (this is important so they don’t end up mushy and you are left with a crockpot of mashed potato), tater tots, into the crockpot, sprinkle generously with your seasoning packet, two are always welcome, and only add more depth to the dish, and set on low to cook.
Occasionally stir them so they all have a chance to crisp up on the edges and throw them into a serving bowl. If you double the recipe portion you could make two versions of the tater tots with two different toppings.
One I like is just grated cheese because it is a true crowd-pleaser and no one will say no to a cheese-covered potato ball, and the other is more gourmet with cream cheese dollops and fresh salsa (and a squeeze of lime when no one is looking to add a bit of zest and freshness, of course).
This is a great way to serve your version of a surf and turf (meat and fish) and is packed full of flavor and ingredients. And the colors of the end dish are beautifully appetizing making this a pleasure to prepare.
It is similar to a paella but in the crockpot and with a Spanish and African spice influence.
Everything goes into the cooker, minus the rice and shrimp, and is left to simmer gently for several hours till the chicken is tender and cooked through. Add the shrimp and the instant rice (or cooked rice if using normal grain, but you need to cook it separately and add it in cooked) and leave for 20-mins while the shrimp get pink and the rice absorbs all that flavored liquid and swells with goodness.
Just listening to it makes your mouth water.
A big platter of this goes a long way and dishes so easily that every spoon has a bit of each ingredient, and why the guests are usually coming back for a second helping.
Appetizers are the quickest and easiest way to feed a crowd, and on a budget too as there are plenty of wallet-friendly options.
Start your hot weather season with this great collection of crockpot appetizer recipes for light summer dishes, your events will be filled with fantastic tasting food that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but in reality, they are effortlessly delicious.
And for even more fun dishes check out our blog for recipes to suit all your celebrations. Now every gathering can be enjoyed with great friends and tasty food.
Born and raised in South Africa and being immersed in the rich culture, Candace soon found a passion for all things food related. Exploring and experiencing new flavors and taste profiles she pursued her career as a qualified chef in silver service specialized in fine dining.
