Looking for cool new ways to beat the heat this summer? Food can actually make you feel cooler and happier if you choose the right recipes. Light, refreshing and even frozen treats, fruity summer salads, light and healthy meals should all be part of your summer cooking repertoire. Pretty and suer to be super popular at your next pool party or outdoor picnic, these 37 summer recipes are all keepers. Whether you are cooking for a crowd or just prepping a casual meal at home, you will fall in love with these yummy summer favorites. Complete with step by step tutorials, you can’t go wr0ng with these snacks, desserts, pops and grill ideas.
1. Berry Lemonade Popsicles
Do you love best summer snacks? This berry lemonade popsicles recipe is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the berry lemonade popsicles. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Thefirstyearblog has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
2. Rainbow Fruit Cups
I am a big fan of an easy tutorial, and this rainbow fruit cups recipe is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Myfrugaladventures at the link.
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3. Strawberry Tea Sandwiches
This strawberry tea sandwiches recipe is simple, quick, and exactly the homemade treats I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Southernladymagazine to see every step.
4. Strawberry Milk Ice Pops
Why not try a copycat recipe the easy way? This strawberry milk ice pops recipe makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Sprinklebakes for the complete recipe.
5. Galaxy Ice Cream Sandwiches
Galaxy Ice Cream Sandwiches – yes please. This one delivers on step by step instructions without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Abajillianrecipes’s full tutorial for all the details.
6. Frozen Yogurt Berry Bites
This is an easy recipe, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the yogurt berry bites. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Happinessishomemade has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
8. 2-Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bites
Give this 2-ingredient banana chocolate chip ice cream bites recipe a try the next time you want recipe ideas. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stucke a treat you will want on repeat all summer long. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Thebakermama to see every step.
9. Cranberry Lemon Bites
Katalysthealthblog nailed it with this cranberry lemon bites recipe – dinner ideas, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the cranberry lemon bites. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Katalysthealthblog for the complete recipe.
10. Passion Tea Lemonade Popsicles
My family always asks for seasonal recipe ideas like this, and this passion tea lemonade popsicles recipe is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Thefirstyearblog’s full tutorial for all the details.
11. DIY Gummy Bear Popsicles
Ever crave fall recipe ideas? This diy gummy bear popsicles recipe is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
13. Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mousse
This greek yogurt chocolate mousse recipe is quick, easy, and a real win for an easy tutorial. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Myfussyeater to see every step.
15. Strawberry Brownie Skewers
Strawberry Brownie Skewers? Sign me up. This is a copycat recipe done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Onelittleproject’s full tutorial for all the details.
17. Frozen Rainbow Fruit Kebabs
From a quiet night in to a full house, this frozen rainbow fruit kebabs recipe works if you love an easy recipe. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the rainbow fruit kebabs. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Eatsamazing at the link.
18. Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Apple Bites
Try this chocolate peanut butter granola apple bites recipe next time you’re after easy recipes. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Thecomfortofcooking to see every step.
20. Banana Peanut Butter Bites
Around here, this banana peanut butter bites recipe disappears fast whenever I make seasonal recipe ideas. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Sugarbeecrafts’s full tutorial for all the details.
23. Easy Frozen Yogurt Bites
This easy frozen yogurt bites recipe is fuss free and delivers on an easy tutorial. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Eatingonadime to see every step.
24. Grape Poppers
No need to overthink homemade treats – this grape poppers recipe is refreshingly simple. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Thisgrandmaisfun for the complete recipe.
26. Frozen Mango Kiwi Raspberry Pops
I do not think I will ever get tired of step by step instructions like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Skinnytaste has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
27. 3-Ingredient Matcha Ice Cream
Weeknight, weekend, or a crowd – this 3-ingredient matcha ice cream recipe covers an easy recipe either way. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Whatgreatgrandmaate at the link.
29. Copycat Trader Joe’s Gone Bananas
Credit where it is due – Theviewfromgreatisland really delivers on an easy tutorial, this copycat trader joe’s gone bananas recipe included. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Theviewfromgreatisland for the complete recipe.
30. Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark
We go through homemade treats like this quickly at my house, and this frozen yogurt fruit bark recipe is a favorite. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the yogurt fruit bark. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Courtneyssweets’s full tutorial for all the details.
31. Frozen Pineapple Ice Pops
Craving a copycat recipe without much effort? This frozen pineapple ice pops recipe has you covered. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Eatsamazing has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
32. Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas
Count me as a fan of an easy tutorial – this pan fried cinnamon bananas recipe is proof. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck up soft and caramelized in the skillet with just a dash of cinnamon and a little butter. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Dizzybusyandhungry at the link.
33. Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies
This strawberry lemonade crinkle cookies recipe is about as easy as homemade treats gets. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the lemonade crinkle cookies. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Blessherheartyall to see every step.
35. Homemade Gummy Bears
Homemade Gummy Bears for the win. This is an easy tutorial at its easiest. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Kirbiecravings’s full tutorial for all the details.
36. Jello Homemade Shaved Ice
There is a reason I keep making homemade treats like this one. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Tipsfromatypicalmomblog has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
37. Cucumber Noodle, Watermelon, and Feta Salad
Big party or just for yourself, this cucumber noodle, watermelon, and feta salad recipe nails a copycat recipe. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Twopeasandtheirpod at the link.
