Tropical Summer Party Hits: Delicious Dishes for Your Next Gathering

Hosting a summer party? Don't let the heat stop you from bringing homemade, refreshing, and delicious dishes to impress your guests! This article will guide you through two perfect summer party dishes: Grilled Pineapple Salsa and Best-Ever Mozzarella Sticks. Whether you’re looking to add some tropical flair to your next gathering or serve up something comforting, these recipes are sure to be a hit!

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

A perfect blend of sweet and spicy, this Grilled Pineapple Salsa is a tropical twist for any summer party setting. It's fresh, vibrant, and a must-have to make the perfect summer dip or topping!

Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1 inch pieces 1 Tbsp olive oil for brushing 2 peaches, chopped 1 jalape?o 1/2 onion, chopped Juice of 1 lime Salt 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Steps

Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush pineapple with olive oil and grill until charred on both sides. Set aside to cool then chop into bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, mix pineapple, peaches, jalape?os, onions, and lime juice. Season with salt and garnish with cilantro.

Best-Ever Mozzarella Sticks

While this dish might take a bit of effort, the result is certainly worth it. Best-Ever Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside and melty on the inside, perfect for any summer gathering.

Ingredients

6 mozzarella sticks 1 cup bread crumbs Salt 1 Tsp black pepper 2 large eggs, well-beaten 3 tbsp all-purpose flour Marinara sauce for serving

Oven Method

Freeze mozzarella sticks until frozen solid at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 400° and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set up a breading station: Place panko, eggs, and flour in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season panko generously with salt and pepper. Cover frozen mozzarella sticks in flour, dip in egg, then panko, back in egg, and finally in panko. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to ensure cheese doesn’t ooze. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Air Fryer Method

Freeze mozzarella sticks until frozen solid at least 2 hours. After 3 hours, set up a breading station: Place panko, eggs, and flour in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season panko generously with salt and pepper. Cover frozen mozzarella sticks in flour, dip in egg, then panko, back in egg, and finally in panko. Arrange frozen, breaded mozzarella sticks in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Cook on 400° for 6 minutes or until golden and crisp on the outside and melty in the center. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

My summer gatherings wouldn't be the same without a homemade cole slaw and a peach pie. These traditional treats always seem to add a nostalgic charm to any summer picnic or backyard gathering. I encourage you to try these dishes and elevate your summer gatherings with these delicious and refreshing options!