12 July 4th Recipe Ideas

Whether you are having family and friends over for a July 4th celebration or it’s just you and one other, these recipes can help you get things started. I’m posting some of my favorite recipes that I like to use for family gatherings so I hope you find something you like as well.

Appetizers:

These are just a few appetizers that are always a hit at my house.

Layered Cheesy Refried Black Bean Dip

This can actually be a meal in itself. This dip is great for noshing thru the day or evening. It can be put together the day before and just throw it in the oven right before serving.

Deviled Eggs

I know, some might say these are a side not an appetizer. These always seem to disappear before the meal arrives. So whether you choose to have them before or during your July main feast, enjoy.

Pigs In A Blanket

These little sausages wrapped in bacon are quite addictive. They are easy to make. You might want to have plenty on hand because these little guys disappear pretty fast.

The Main Deal

These are great if you really don’t feel like grilling out or the weather doesn’t cooperate, but you want something that is just as pleasing.

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

These are the most pinned and viewed on this site. These are the next best thing to grilled hot dogs. They are so delicious and the only way hubby and I cook our hot dogs. So if you don’t want to grill out this 4th or you have too many things going on the grill, throw these in the air fryer and you will not be disappointed.

Pizza Hot Dogs

These are the best of both worlds, hot dogs and cheesy pepperoni pizza. These are easy to put together and let the oven do the rest. You can make as many as you like and clean up is easy, just one baking dish.

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers with Sautéed Onions

BBQ, Bacon and cheese…need I say more. These are cooked in a cast iron skillet, but these will be great cooked on the grill as well. The bacon can also be cooked in a cast iron skillet on a grill if you are feeling that grilling need.

Cheese Stuffed Chorizo Burgers

These are cheesy, messy and oh so delicious. These will please any carnivore at your gathering. The chorizo is mixed with ground beef to give the patties a nice extra flavor. This recipe was originally cooked in a cast iron skillet, but can also be done on the grill as well.

The Sides

Every main dish needs a just as worthy side kick.

Dad’s Cheese Potatoes

My dad made these a lot to go with grilled chicken or steaks. If you are a potato lover, this kicks potatoes up a notch with gooey cheese and bacon. These can be cooked in a cast iron skillet or on a baking sheet. These are even better cooked in a cast iron skillet on the grill. The smoke from the grill adds another layer of flavor to the tasty potatoes.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Smoky Parmesan Cilantro Butter

These turn ordinary corn on the cobb into something special. These are great for if you don’t feel like heating up the grill because they are cooked in the air fryer. The corn still gets a little of those charred bits, then it’s coated in a butter mixed with smoky paprika and chili powder with parmesan cheese and cilantro.

Nina’s Baked Mac and Cheese

This post was originally posted for Thanksgiving a few years ago, but let’s face it, mac and cheese goes well at any holiday gathering. My grandmother always made this when we would all come together as a family. This is a cheesy macaroni bake, or macaroni pie as some call it, that you will see at a lot of gatherings down here in the south. This always disappears fast so you can double it if you need to. Feel free to add any other variety of cheeses and make it your own.

Corn Salad

This side dish is easy to make and tastes so unbelievably good. I know just looking at it it might not seem all that wow worthy, but trust me it is. There is corn, chili cheese Fritos…yes, I said Fritos, cheese, mayonnaise and a few other ingredients all blended together to make your taste buds sing. It can be prepared ahead of time, just add in the Fritos right before serving.

Desserts

Chocolate Pudding Cake

This cake is a chocolaty delight. It’s so easy. You don’t have to be a master at cake making. It takes a simple boxed cake mix, chocolate pudding, and a few other ingredients and turns this dessert into a crowd pleaser. It’s even better with some vanilla ice cream on the side.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe July 4th. May you eat lots and enjoy the time that is spent with family and friends.

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Oven Roasted Potatoes with Pancetta

Potatoes are a great side dish that goes with so many meals. When I need a side dish, I love to grab a few spices, some butter…..because there’s always butter…..and mix them with some chopped potatoes. Throw them into the oven and you have something that is almost as good as the main meal.

These oven roasted potatoes with pancetta are indeed a delicious side dish. You might find yourself grabbing a fork and eating more of these than the main meal. Let’s just say there were many of these delectable potatoes that didn’t make it to the table. These are easy to make and take no time at all to throw together. These are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a tasty blend of sage and Rosemary roasted in butter and olive oil. The pancetta adds a nice salty flavor that blends well with the herbs. Fresh grated Parmesan is sprinkled in adding even more flavor to these swoon worthy potatoes.

Here’s what you need:

*2 pounds small red or Yukon gold potatoes (unpeeled) cut into about 1 inch cubes

*2 TBS butter; melted

* 1 TBS. olive oil

*2 tsp. dried sage or more to taste

*2 tsp. dried rosemary or more to taste

*1 1/2 tsp. onion powder or more to taste

*1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder or more to taste

*salt and pepper to taste

*1/2 cup diced pancetta

*Fresh grated parmesan to taste

*chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°

In a large roasting pan add all of the ingredients except the parmesan and parsley; toss until well mixed.

Cook for 30 minutes stirring at least once. If the potatoes look like they are drying out add more butter or olive oil.

Turn the oven temp up to 425° and continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes stirring halfway thru cooking time. When potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, take out of the oven.

Place in a serving bowl and top with fresh parmesan and parsley.

Serve and Enjoy!

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Black Bottom French Vanilla Ice Cream Pie

Original post date: July 7 2020

Revised Date: June 15 2022

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are at, but down here in the South, summer is already here. This week has been in the high 90’s with the heat index of triple digits. *whew* So now that the days are getting warmer, there is nothing better than some cold, flavorful ice cream. But why stop there, how about an ice cream pie. This Black Bottom French Vanilla ice cream pie is rich and satisfying with sweet, cool French vanilla ice cream and an Oreo pie crust that has been smothered in luscious chocolate syrup. But that’s not all, it’s then topped with more chocolate syrup and fluffy whip cream.

My mom used to make this for my birthday when I was a kid and to this day I still get a craving for it. She used white chocolate mousse, but it’s harder to find now so I substituted French vanilla. You can choose what ever flavor you wish as well. There is no baking required and this is something that the whole family can make. The hardest part to this, is waiting for the pie to chill before eating.

Here’s what you need:

*1 chocolate pie crust; I used an OREO pie crust

*chocolate syrup

*French vanilla ice cream

*whip cream

Take out the ice cream about 10 to 15 minutes to soften.

Lay out the chocolate pie crust, pour and spread the chocolate syrup on the bottom of the pie crust; just enough to cover it.

Place in the freezer for about an hour or until chocolate syrup has thickened.

Scoop out some of the vanilla ice cream and place into the pie crust.

spread the ice cream until smooth.

Cover and freeze for 2 hours. Cut and serve with chocolate syrup drizzled over the top and top with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

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Rotisserie Chicken Salad

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. It’s time for back yard gatherings, picnics, and spending more time with family and friends and less time in the kitchen. This chicken salad is so tasty and satisfying and can be put together in no time at all.

I like using a rotisserie chicken for my chicken salads. It’s so much faster and adds a little more flavor so I only have to add a few ingredients. This is tasty in a sandwich, a wrap or even by it’s self with some nice crackers and fruit on the side.

Here’s what you need:

* rotisserie chicken

*1/2 cup mayonnaise to start; add more to taste

*cracked pepper to taste

*1/2 tsp. dried dill weed and add more to taste

*1/4 tsp. celery seed and add more to taste

*1 TBS parsley or more to taste

Remove all of the meat of the chicken from the bones and discard the skin. You should get approximately 3 cups.

Chop into desired size pieces.

Place the chicken into a large bowl and add in the mayonnaise and the seasonings.

Mix all of the ingredients together. Taste as you mix and add more mayonnaise and seasonings if desired.

Chill for 30 minutes or more in an air tight container.

Serve on your bread of choice for sandwiches or scoop some out and serve with crackers.

Enjoy!

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Air Fryer Bacon

I’ll admit it. I have a weakness for bacon. Bacon makes almost everything better, am I right? Cooking bacon can get a bit messy, but I found cooking it in the air fryer alleviates that. It doesn’t splatter all over the stove and it takes less time to cook than it does in the oven. It’s also great for when you’re cooking a big weekend breakfast and have homemade buttermilk biscuits in the oven (or my skillet buttermilk biscuits) and more breakfast goodies going on the stove, but no room to cook those tasty strips of heaven. So who is ready for some bacon?

Here’s how to cook it in the air fryer:

Preheat air fryer at 350°

Place bacon in a single layer in the basket.

If the strips are too long you can cut it in half.

Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes depending on how crispy you like it.

Check after 2 minutes to make sure the bacon is still flat. The fan can sometimes blow the bacon a bit and if it does, just place them back in a single layer.

When the bacon is done, carefully remove with tongs and drain on paper towels if necessary.

If you need to cook the bacon in batches, drain out the bacon grease before cooking another batch.

*Note*

Cooking times may vary depending on the size and the brand of your air fryer.

Enjoy!

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