These are my best pool party foods for hosting an awesome summer get-together outside for all of your family and friends. From boneless chicken wings to mango salsa with chips, these dishes are always a hit with both kids and adults. You could be celebrating a special occasion or just hanging out outside- these recipes are perfect.
If you're looking for more party recipes to try, see my posts on the best cocktails for a party, summer side dishes, and grill recipes.
Jump to:
- 1. S'mores Board
- 2. Hot Dog Bar or Hamburger Bar
- 3. Baked Huli Huli Chicken
- 4. Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
- 5. Grilled Corn On The Cob
- 6. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- 7. Sausage Dogs
- 8. Franks and Beans
- 9. Lil Smokies Pigs In A Blanket
- 10. Boneless Chicken Wings
- 11. Mango Salsa (with chips)
- 12. Caprese Flatbread
- 13. English Muffin Pizzas
- 14. Cucumber Vinegar Salad
- 15. Berry Parfait Greek Yogurt Popsicles
- 16. Pineapple Pie Bars
- 17. Amish Sugar Cookies
- 18. Strawberry Pineapple Lemonade
- 19. Pink Vodka Lemonade
- Best Tips For Choosing Summer Pool Party Food
- 🥕🥐🥔 More Party Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 19+ Best Pool Party Foods: Chicken Teriyaki Skewers +More Recipes To Make!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
When it comes to planning a pool party, I believe that the food menu plays a huge role in creating a fun party. The key is choosing side dishes that are easy to eat, can be outside in the heat, and keep your guests happy as they swim.
I've created a list of poolside snacks that have the perfect balance between light, refreshing flavors, and savory goodness. Your guests are sure to be coming back for more, no matter which recipes you choose.
1. S'mores Board
A s'mores board is the ultimate dessert to enjoy alongside the pool with a large crowd, as it's portable and easy to throw together. Also, it's easily customizable and can be filled with fun and tasty ingredients that everyone will love!
2. Hot Dog Bar or Hamburger Bar
Whether you have a grill in your backyard or there's one at the community pool, a hot dog bar is a classic option for a pool party! You can build a limitless flavor combination, and everyone will have fun building their own perfect hot dog.
Another great choice is an all-inclusive hamburger bar! It's the perfect solution to feeding a crowd and can be low-budget too!
3. Baked Huli Huli Chicken
There's something extra special about enjoying a Hawaiian-inspired dish while catching rays next to the pool. My baked Huli Huli chicken dish features tender chicken thighs marinated in a Hawaiian BBQ sauce for a delicious island-infused flavor!
4. Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
These chicken teriyaki skewers are simple to prepare, making them another great option to serve by the pool. They're loaded with sweet and savory flavors from an easy homemade marinade - all you have to do is let the meat soak in it overnight (or a few hours before), then toss them on the grill!
5. Grilled Corn On The Cob
Corn on the cob is a summertime staple, so it's no surprise that it made this list of pool party foods! For this recipe, all you have to do is smother your corn with melted garlic butter and let your grill do the rest of the work.
6. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
A chicken salad is the perfect light and healthy food option for guests to snack on as they take breaks from dipping into the water. It's easy to throw together and can be made in advance so that you can focus on other party planning needs!
7. Sausage Dogs
Sausage dogs are another convenient option for a pool party, as guests can easily hold and enjoy them without the need for utensils! This recipe features Polish sausages (although bratwursts are tasty, too) cooked on the stovetop for just 10 minutes.
8. Franks and Beans
Franks and beans (aka pork and beans) is a classic, comforting dish that is enjoyed by kids and adults alike! Not only is it filled with incredible flavor, but it's also easy to make with ingredients you might already have in your pantry!
9. Lil Smokies Pigs In A Blanket
This incredibly popular appetizer is another great finger-food option to share with your friends and family by the pool! Serve your pigs in a blanket with various dipping sauces, and watch how quickly they disappear.
I like to pair them with my easy Cajun dipping sauce, honey mustard sauce, or honey BBQ sauce!
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
10. Boneless Chicken Wings
These boneless wings are double-coated to achieve an extra level of crunchiness and can be tossed in everyone's favorite wing sauce! All you need is some chicken breasts, seasonings, flour, and eggs for this easy recipe.
11. Mango Salsa (with chips)
What's better than snacking on a fresh fruit salsa with homemade tortilla chips on a hot summer day? It's a vibrant and refreshing dish that will keep everyone full enough while they cool off in the pool.
My fresh pineapple salsa would also be a delicious option if you prefer pineapple over mango.
12. Caprese Flatbread
A caprese flatbread offers a light and refreshing flavor profile with sliced tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and a sweet balsamic glaze! My recipe will make 2 flatbread pizzas, which is around 8 servings, so there's plenty to share!
13. English Muffin Pizzas
If you are expecting guests that are bringing kids to the pool party, then these fun English muffin pizzas are an absolute must-try! They're easily customizable and especially great when everyone prefers different toppings.
14. Cucumber Vinegar Salad
A cucumber vinegar salad is everything you'd want on a hot summer day; a dish that's light, crunchy, sweet, and chilled! This tasty recipe features cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion soaked in a marinade of water, white vinegar, salt, sugar, dill, and olive oil.
15. Berry Parfait Greek Yogurt Popsicles
These delicious popsicles combine Greek yogurt with fresh berries, honey, and granola for a delightful dessert that will cool you off! They only require a few minutes of prep work, so you could make them the night before your party if desired.
16. Pineapple Pie Bars
No pool party is complete without a delightful dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth, and these pie bars will do the trick! These pineapple pie bars have the flavor of a pineapple cobbler, all in an easy-to-eat dessert bar.
17. Amish Sugar Cookies
Amish sugar cookies are another incredibly easy dessert to prepare for your poolside gathering! They're sweet, tender, and will practically melt in your mouth.
Feel free to serve them as is or add your favorite flavor of icing or frosting on top! My family especially enjoys these cookies with my Funfetti buttercream frosting, strawberry cream cheese frosting, or chocolate icing.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
18. Strawberry Pineapple Lemonade
Your summertime parties would be incomplete without a cold and fruity beverage to keep your family and friends hydrated. This amazing strawberry pineapple lemonade recipe has the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors!
It's not only a beverage that's age-friendly, but it's also easy to customize if your guests prefer a sweeter version!
19. Pink Vodka Lemonade
If you're looking for a super easy cocktail to add to your pool menu, this pink vodka lemonade is just the thing! It's always gotten me rave reviews when I've shared a pitcher with my friends at summertime events.
Plus, you can easily make a virgin version to share with the kids or swap out ingredients based on your personal preferences.
Best Tips For Choosing Summer Pool Party Food
Here are my favorite tips for choosing some fun and delicious recipes to serve at your next pool party.
- Keep it casual. Since pool parties are usually more of a laid-back event, choose casual foods. Think of serving a few finger foods like sandwiches, burgers, or pinwheels.
- Consider the heat. During the summertime, your food could be sitting outside in the heat for a while. Because of this, you'll only want to choose foods that can handle the heat and won't spoil too fast. Consider bringing a cooler with ice to the pool to store your food and drinks in.
- Keep it light. Fresh and lighter foods are good options since everyone will be getting in and out of the pool. Try serving fresh fruit or a simple salad. Grilled meats and vegetables are a great choice, too!
- Pick easy-to-eat options. For a successful pool party, it's important to pick foods that are easy to eat with one hand. Try sliders, kabobs, fruit and veggie trays, chips and dips, or even a sushi roll.
- Don't forget the drink. Keeping your pool party guests hydrated with a variety of drink options is crucial. Plan on bringing a cooler with water bottles, soda, or juice. Or make a few pitchers of homemade lemonade or iced tea. A big batch of a summery cocktail would be fun and festive for adults.
- Include a dessert. Tasty desserts like fruit salad, popsicles, or ice cream sandwiches are great options to keep everyone cool. A DIY sundae bar with vanilla ice cream and various toppings is a fun idea!
Now that you have many options to choose from to make your next pool party a success, which one are you most excited to try? Leave a comment down below if you have any questions and let me know what you think!
🥕🥐🥔 More Party Recipes
- Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower - A delicious, vegetarian snack or side dish that's made with a few simple ingredients!
- Pasta Salad - This easy pasta salad is another great poolside option to share with your friends and family!
- Sour Cream Chip Dip - If you're like me, then you love a delicious dip that's easy to make and can be shared with a crowd!
- Air Fryer Meatballs - These air fryer meatballs are a delicious appetizer that is ready to serve in just 15 minutes!
- Potato Salad - This potato salad is easy to whip up and can be customized to suit your family's preferred tastes!
- Hatch Chile Guacamole - This hatch chile guacamole is a refreshing appetizer that has a kick of heat and smoky flavor!
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📖 Recipe Card
19+ Best Pool Party Foods: Chicken Teriyaki Skewers +More Recipes To Make!
Ingredients
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ginger (fresh, peeled, and chopped - or ginger paste - or use 1 teaspoon dried or ground ginger)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (fresh, minced garlic clove - or use 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoon green onion (chopped - optional)
Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless - trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Marinate The Teriyaki Chicken
- Whisk ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoon green onion, 1 tablespoon ginger , 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon garlic together in a small mixing bowl until well combined.
- Add the 2 lbs chicken thighs and turn the meat until it's well coated.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Grill The Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Remove the marinated chicken teriyaki from your fridge, uncover, and add the optional 2 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir to mix until everything is evenly distributed.
- Place the chunks of chicken onto skewers. You can then strain the leftover marinade into a saucepan and bring it up to boil to make the glaze, or use the optional ½ cup teriyaki sauce.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, grill the skewers, brushing them with the glaze or teriyaki sauce, for about 4-5 minutes per side (or until the internal temperature reads 165°F / 74°C).
- Remove the skewers from the grill and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can always use low-sodium soy sauce if needed.
- If you don't have any rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar will make the best replacement. White wine vinegar is also a great substitution. Check out more substitutions here.
- You can use ground ginger instead of fresh as long as you reduce the amount. You'll want to use 1 teaspoon of dried (or ground) ginger per tablespoon of ginger paste or fresh ginger.
- One teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic.
- You'll want to let your chicken marinate for at least 2 hours before grilling. The longer you leave the chicken to marinate, to more flavorful it will become!
- To store: Store any leftover skewers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat your chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
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