Check out these recipes or poolside party menu ideas for filling your plate with healthy options this summer. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It’s summer and that means it is time for partying by the pool. Whether you are throwing the party or just looking for something delicious to bring, these ideas and recipes are sure to meet all your poolside party menu planning needs.
Salads
There are few pool party options that are better than a salad. Light, fresh, and full of delicious ingredients, salads are easy to put together and almost everyone can find something they like when presented with a selection of salads. Before choosing a recipe, check with the host to find out if there will be refrigeration available or the food needs to be room temperature ready. It is also good to inquire about how long the food will be out so you can pick an option that will be great tasting and safe for the entire time it needs to be served. Here are some great salad recipes that are pool party perfect.
- Apple Pear Salad
- Armenian Cucumber Tomato Salad
- BBQ Pork Salad with Summer Fruit and Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Melon Cucumber Salad
- Tri-Colored Penne with Cherry Tomatoes and Cheese
Finger Sandwiches
Pool parties aren’t always about big burgers or barbeque and even when they are, there are some people who prefer lighter fare. This means there is always room for some small finger-style sandwiches on the pool party table. You can stick with the standard selection of meats, cheeses, and breads or mix it up a bit with some of these fun sandwich fillings. Just make sure you are following food safety guidelines for any food containing meat, cheese, dairy, or other ingredients requiring refrigeration.
- Cucumber Sandwiches
- Asian Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Desert Chicken Salad
- Grandma Gertie’s BLT
Chips and Dips
There is no reason you can’t bring a selection of these traditional party foods, especially if guests will be grazing the food table rather than sitting down for a meal. If you are worried about having things at room temperature, skip any dips that are cream-based and swap in something else. Here are some delicious dips that are sure to please even the pickiest pool party-goers.
- Cantaloupe Basil Salsa
- Chicken Enchilada Dip
- Corn and Black Bean Salsa
- Jalapeño Pepper Dip
- Artichoke Dip
Veggies and Fruit
Few things hold up better on hot summer days than a veggie and fruit tray. Check the farmer’s market or grocery produce section for a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies grown right here in Arizona and then slice, dice, and chop them into bite size servings. Arrange everything on a tray and consider adding in a dipping sauce or two and you are done. Think outside the box by including some of these unusual options on your tray.
- Kiwi slices
- Orange sections
- Cucumber rounds or slivers
- Cantaloupe squares
- Tomato slices
- Pineapple chunks
Cakes and Cookies
There is always room for some sweet treats on the pool party food table and these foods are generally fine without refrigeration. You can easily make your cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it to cut down on the time it takes to make home baked goodies on the day of the party.
- Banana Nut Cake
- Applesauce Spice Cake
- He-Man Cowboy Cookies
- Nuts Over Brownies
- Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake
Pie
Nothing says summer like pie on your plate and what better way is there to finish off your poolside party menu than with some sweet and tasty home baked pie. You can fill your pie with fresh fruit, fruit filling, or even something savory. Many pies will also hold up fine without refrigeration although you will need to keep any whipped toppings on ice.
- Apple Raspberry Pie
- Strawberry Cheese Pie
- Greek Cheese Pie
- Grandma Howard’s Apple Pie
- Arizona Sunshine Lemon Pie
Delicious Desserts
Dessert is always a popular choice because there are so many options and everyone loves it. If cake, cookies, and pie aren’t your thing, try one of these other delectable desserts for your contribution to the perfect poolside food table.
- Apple Crisp
- Arizona Melon Dessert
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Cheerios and Trix Treat Bars
- Christy’s Yummy Gooey Bars
Related articles
- 8 Tips for a Perfect July 4th Picnic (fillyourplate.org)
- May is the Month for BBQ (fillyourplate.org)
- Tis the Season to Grill Safely (fillyourplate.org)