easy desserts on the bbq

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21 Crowd-Pleasing BBQ Desserts

Try one of these recipes for your next cookout.

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

These BBQ-friendly dessert recipes are the perfect sweet ending to summer meals (or tailgating parties) enjoyed with friends and family. From delicious pies and cobblers that make the most of seasonal fruits to ultra-fudgy brownies, s'mores cereal treats, and over-the-top cake bars, these desserts are guaranteed to be a hit.

S'mores Rice Krispie Treats

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Enjoy all the indulgent flavors of traditional campfire s'mores—sans the sticky mess— with these easy, hand-held treats . Make them in only 10 minutes by combining melted marshmallows and butter with Rice Krispies cereal, graham crackers, and chocolate chunks. The recipe doubles or triples very easily.

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Strawberry Cupcakes

The Spruce Eats

Moist, tender strawberry cupcakes bursting with sweet summer berry flavor, topped with luscious strawberry buttercream frosting and chopped fresh berries, are an inspired way to enjoy this popular summer fruit and create an pretty dessert for backyard buffet tables.

Ultimate Brownies

Jeremy Samuelson / Getty Images

Fudgey, dense, and chocolatey as all get-out, these are the ultimate brownies to serve at summer parties. Use good-quality, unsweetened baker's chocolate for rich-tasting, cake-like brownies that are rich enough to stand on their own without frosting.

Amazing Pineapple Meringue Pie

Keller & Keller Photography / Getty Images

Pineapple meringue pie is a summery, tropical take on the traditional lemon pie. Use a store-bought frozen crust to make this easy pie, filling it with divinely sweet and tangy pineapple curd, and topping it with fluffy clouds of fresh meringue , which you bake until peaks are beautifully browned.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Strawberry shortcake ice cream bars are the perfect sweet treat for hot days. Coat strawberry ice cream with crunchy sugar cookies and strawberry pieces for a from-scratch version of the popular ice cream truck bar that is even better than the original.

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Slab pie is perfect for large gatherings. Rather than make multiple pies to ensure everyone gets a piece, this one is made in a sheet pan. The recipe includes a traditional homemade crust and is filled with mixed berries. Use fresh or frozen berries, or switch out the fruit if you like.

Strawberry Cheesecake

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

Bring a classic strawberry cheesecake to the cookout and it will be gone before you know it. The recipe begins with a homemade graham cracker crust., which is filled with a combination of cream cheese and ricotta. Finish it off with a fresh strawberry compote, and dessert is ready!

Instant Pot Brownies

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Brownies are always a crowd-pleaser, no matter what the occasion. Making these rich, gooey, nut-studded brownies in the Instant Pot means you don't have to turn the oven on at all--perfect for a summertime barbecue. The brownies are finished off with a shiny ganache and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

Blueberry Grunt

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter 

Grunts are stovetop cobblers, and they're great for showing off summer fruit. This blueberry grunt is easy to make and feed a small crowd. Served warm and topped with cold vanilla ice cream, it's a summertime treat. It's the perfect way to end a meal of grilled meat and veggies.

Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake

This shortcake recipe is perfect for when you are craving this quintessential summer berry dessert but don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Bisquick mix makes preparing the biscuits a cinch, and you still get that traditional flaky base to top with juicy strawberries and homemade whipped cream that your guests will love.

Classic Magic Cookie Bars

The Spruce Eats / Claire Cohen

These "magically" delicious cookie bars are a popular bake sale treat that are always welcome at cookout parties. Make them with layers of graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, chopped pecans, flaked coconut , and sweetened condensed milk.

No-Churn Ice Cream

You can't go wrong with a cold scoop of ice cream. This no-churn recipe only takes a few ingredients and doesn't require a fancy ice cream maker. Fold in toppings like chocolate chips or chunks, cookie crumbles, or sprinkles, or top with chocolate, fruit, or caramel sauce.

Funfetti Cake Bars With Chocolate Glaze

Scrumptious cake bars exploding with rainbow sprinkles and drizzled with melted chocolate on top are sure to be a hit with kids at backyard gatherings. Adding candy sprinkles to the batter, as well as on top, makes these tasty, portable treats colorful through and through.

One-Bowl Brownies

The Spruce Eats / Laurel Randolph

Please fans of both boxed brownies as well as rich homemade versions with this chewy yet sophisticated recipe . The batter includes espresso powder which intensifies the chocolate flavor. A sprinkling of sea salt at the end is a special finishing touch.

Key Lime Bars

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Key limes are a true summer delight. They are also the star ingredient in these chilled tangy bars with a crunchy graham cracker crust and a fluffy, lime-infused custard filling. They're even more summer-friendly than key lime pie.

Texas Sheet Cake With Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Hailing from the Lone Star State, Texas sheet cake is big, rich, and assertively chocolatey. Including buttermilk in the batter, along with cocoa powder and a few other baking ingredients, makes for a wonderfully moist cake. Top with chocolate buttermilk frosting and watch it disappear!

Vegan Cherry Cobbler

ideabug / Getty Images

Treat vegan guests to a delicious dairy-free cherry crisp with all of the comforting flavor you crave in a cobbler. Make the filling a day ahead using frozen cherries. Then on party day, use your food processor to assemble the vegan cobbler topping, which includes soy milk and soy margarine. Serve warm, topped with dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

Oodles of fresh blueberries go into this stunning fruit pie that you can make with a prepared frozen crust for a fabulous buffet centerpiece. Sour cream adds a tangy flavor to juicy, fresh berries, and the no-fuss pecan streusel topping is easier to make than a classic rolled pastry.

Winning Lemon Bars

Lovely lemon bars are refreshing, tart, sweet, and tangy all at once. Bake up a crowd-pleasing batch with this recipe that needs fewer than 10 ingredients, and takes only an hour, making it a great party contribution when you get a last-minute invite.

Mini Cheesecakes With Vanilla Wafer Crust

Miniature cheesecakes infused with tart-sweet grapefruit juice, topped with grapefruit sections, and finished with a delectable strawberry glaze make a stunning, gourmet-style dessert for summer parties. Allow at least two hours for chilling these desserts in the fridge before serving.

Fresh Peach Cobbler

Celebrate the juicy goodness of summer peaches by baking up a fresh peach cobbler for BBQ parties. This classic version is nicely spiced with cinnamon and baked under a delicious, buttery biscuit topping. Sprinkle the top with a little cinnamon-sugar before baking if you like, for added crunch, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

• Super Bowl Recipes

90 Easy BBQ Cookout Desserts for a Crowd

Easy cookout desserts for a crowd! These fun summer dessert ideas are perfect to share at your BBQ cookouts, picnic potlucks, and summer parties.

Summer is one of the most fun times of the year, and the summer cookouts means LOTS of delicious food.

The weather is sunny and bright, and we’re ready to enjoy outdoor parties with family and friends.

We get to enjoy all the summer holiday BBQ food , snack on some tasty summer appetizers with family and friends, and enjoy summer cookout and picnic recipes !

There are so many fun summer flavors to crave, and we can’t forget to celebrate with dessert.

After all, no gathering, party, or potluck is complete without something sweet!

I put together a list of the very best cookout desserts, so you have tons of ideas for sweet treats to make and share.

This list of crowd-pleasing summer cookout desserts includes ideas for:

• Cold and creamy no-bake potluck dishes
• Fun summer cookies
• Easy make-ahead recipes
• Amazing pies and crumbles with seasonal fruit
• Kid-friendly recipes
• Sweet dips and no-bake cheesecakes

There’s truly something for every type of celebration – and every dessert-making ‘skill level.’

You will be so inspired to make something sweet to bring to your next barbecue party.

Okay, let’s dive into these tasty cookout desserts!

(☀️ Looking for more delicious summer recipes? Try one of these unique kabob recipes , easy and quick summer dinners , crowd-pleasing cookout side dishes , or fun summer charcuterie boards !)

Best Cookout Dessert Ideas

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is an old-fashioned Southern, no-bake dessert that is always super popular at potlucks, picnics, BBQs, and summer parties.

Featuring a buttery pretzel crust, followed by a light cream cheese layer, and mouthwatering strawberry Jell-O topping filled with more strawberries!

Truly the perfect blend of salty and sweet!

Summer Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Celebrate summer with these delicious and fun homemade summer sugar cookies.

Topped with a cream cheese frosting, these summer cookies are such a fun activity when it’s too hot to go outside.

No Bake Banana Split Cake

Banana Split Cake recipe is an irresistible and easy no bake dessert.

It combines the classic look of a banana split into a cake with sweet creamy layers of whipped cream, cream cheese and banana pudding.

The graham cracker crust is a perfect soft texture to pair with the nostalgic flavors.

No Bake American Flag Cheesecake

This adorable No-Bake American Flag Cheesecake is the perfect dessert for all those summer holidays.

No need to heat up your oven, since it gets refrigerated instead of baked.

Blueberry Strawberry Pie

Blueberry strawberry pie is summer in a slice. It stars a flaky, buttery crust and a sweet fruit filling.

It's a fun recipe that can be made with fresh or frozen berries!

S'mores Icebox Cake

The ultimate summer no-bake dessert is this chocolatey, gooey, toasty, & creamy S'mores Icebox Cake.

Layers of graham crackers, marshmallows creme, & chocolate pudding are the best way to bring the s'mores-making indoors.

Old-fashioned Peach Cobbler

The search for an easy Old Fashioned Biscuit Peach cobbler is over!

The juicy fruit that makes its own syrupy sauce as it bakes and a simple biscuit topping that is buttery and crisp.

It's out of the oven in an hour, perfect for seasonal peaches, but it also works with frozen ones.

Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Kabobs

Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Kabobs are the perfect sweet treat for a backyard barbecue. They’re made on skewers, giving that BBQ cookout feel.

Use storebought chocolate donut holes rather than baking your own cake pops, and you’ll have them assembled in minutes!

No Bake Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake

Creamy, fluffy and deeply rich, this no-bake Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake is all the things sweet dreams are made of.

Chocolate cookie crust, a whole pound of strawberries, silky smooth cream cheese and sumptuous chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Truffles with Oreos

Made with just 4 ingredients (plus sprinkles,) these delicious and easy no-bake white chocolate truffles are sure to bring smiles at your next festive get-together!

Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza

Indulge in this delectable Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza, adorned with dreamy cream cheese frosting and generously topped with a medley of your favorite fruits, all drizzled with an irresistible glaze.

It’s so good you’ll want to make it for every occasion - or no occasion at all!

Easy Ice Cream Cake

This easy Ice Cream Cake is the perfect treat for any summer celebration.

In between each layer of ice cream, you’ll find ribbons of hot fudge sauce and caramel sauce, along with salty peanuts for a bit of crunch.

With its simplicity and irresistible flavors, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.

Red, White and Blue Funfetti Dip

Celebrate the stars and stripes with this patriotic Red, White and Blue Funfetti Dip!

Only 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes to whip this delicious kid friendly treat that everyone will LOVE to dip their graham crackers, vanilla wafers, pretzels and so much more into!

Easy No-Bake Strawberry Tiramisu

Strawberry Tiramisu is an easy no-bake dessert made with juicy strawberries, mascarpone cheese, and ladyfinger biscuits.

With just a handful of everyday ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a fantastic make-ahead party dessert that everyone will love!

Mini Smores Pies

If you are looking for an easy and classic dessert that's perfect for afternoon snacks, BBQs and 4th of July then these Mini S'mores Pies have you covered.

They use just three ingredients and are ready in about 10 minutes.

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

Transform a boxed cake mix into these delightful Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes.

This easy dessert brings all the flavors of the classic dessert into individual-sized treats.

3 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream is a no-churn recipe, so there's no need for an ice cream maker.

Simply combine the ingredients and freeze!

The strawberries are roasted to bring out their flavor and mixed with cream cheese creating the perfect cold treat with swirls of strawberry cheesecake goodness!

No-Bake Blueberry Cream Pie

With its delicious and sweet creamy cheesecake filling and luscious, juicy fresh berries, this easy no-bake Blueberry Cream Pie makes for the ultimate summertime indulgence.

Red White and Blue Pretzel Salad

If you’ve never had pretzel ‘salad,’ you’re in for a real treat.

Layers of creamy cheesecake filling, colorful gelatin and a crunchy pretzel crust form the perfect union of flavor and texture.

Sourdough Strawberry Shortcakes

There's no better way to celebrate summer fruit than with this Sourdough Strawberry Shortcakes recipe.

The shortcakes are made with flaky sourdough discard biscuits, fluffy whipped cream, and juicy strawberries.

Homemade Banana Pudding

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding from scratch is a quick and easy dessert.

Rich and creamy vanilla pudding, combined with layers of crunchy vanilla wafers and perfectly ripe bananas, it’s easy to assemble and packed with flavor.

It’s always a favorite at any gathering, potluck, picnic, or summer holiday.

Lemon Icebox Cake

There’s nothing more refreshing than a no-bake summertime dessert like this Lemon Icebox Cake.

The lemon cream filling is light, airy, and creamy. It gets layered between crisp cookies that soften up enough to slice but still give the cake a contrast in texture.

Patriotic Brownie

This Patriotic Brownie with fruit looks like a Fourth of July cake and is the perfect festive addition to your summer holiday celebrations.

It’s super easy to whip up, thanks to storebought brownie mix, frosting, and fresh berries.

Strawberry Dip

Strawberry Dip combines fresh strawberries, whipped topping, and tangy cream cheese to create a delicious dessert dip that’s perfect for summer.

It’s cool, creamy, and refreshing and loaded with fresh strawberry flavor!

No-Bake Peach Delight

Smooth, sweet, and creamy cheesecake atop a perfect, graham crust that has been piled high with fresh peaches.

With just one bite, you'll know why this family favorite dessert is called Peach Delight!

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

These Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches are a classic summer treat! Ice cream is sandwiched between two perfectly chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and decorated with a variety of toppings.

Lemon Brownies

Chewy, soft, and fudgy Lemon Brownies are a crowd favorite for any occasion!

Made with a box of cake mix and topped with a lemon glaze, they only have a few ingredients, and come together fast.

Strawberry Apple Crisp

With a buttery oatmeal streusel topping and perfectly ripe strawberries and apples, this Strawberry Apple Crisp is the perfect summer dessert.

It just needs a scoop of vanilla ice cream to take it to the next level!

Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake

Philadelphia Cheesecake is made with a super easy 5 ingredient no bake cheesecake filling. If you've got 5 minutes, you can whip this up!

Watermelon Popsicles

For a kid-friendly, frozen treat, try these homemade Watermelon Popsicles! They are made with simple, fresh ingredients and don’t require any added sugar.

Lemon Tres Leches Cake

Lemon Tres Leches Cake is a tangy and bright twist on the traditional Tres Leches cake recipe.

Lemon Curd and Lemon Zest add a delicious citrus flavor to this decadent, fluffy, creamy, and ultra-moist lemon cake that’s sure to indulge and impress!

Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

Slow cookers are a great way to make delicious Apple Crisp without heating up your kitchen!

Add a few simple ingredients to the slow cooker before dinner and your dessert will be perfectly ready just in time.

3-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream

With only 3 simple ingredients you can make this delicious no-churn Strawberry and Yogurt Ice Cream.

It has a creamy texture and is also very natural and nutritious - ideal for satisfying sweet tooth on those warm days of the strawberry season.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

If you’re a peach lover, then you’re going to love this easy Peach Cobbler Pound Cake!

The brown sugar topping, combined with the peaches is absolutely delicious, and the rich buttery cake is moist and dense and just so tasty!

Lemon Lime Icebox Pie

Lemon Lime Icebox Pie has a pillowy texture and a delightful kick of citrus. It’s light and fresh, easy to make, and looks stunning.

Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats

Super cute and fun, these unique rice krispie treats have the layered look of the American flag.

Jello-o mix provides the fun color combination, and a little bit of added flavor. Everyone will be so impressed that you made these!

Lemon Delight

Lemon Delight is a creamy, dreamy layered lemon dessert with sweet cream cheese, lemon pudding, and a buttery walnut crust.

Also known as Lemon Lush, this light and refreshing recipe makes enough for a crowd and is perfect for sharing.

Strawberry Pie with Jello

When faced with extra seasonal fresh strawberries, this beginner-friendly Strawberry Jello Pie is a crowd-pleaser that will disappear quickly!

With a flaky crust, a sweet, well-balanced filling and lots of strawberry flavor, it keeps well for several days.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake is a delicious and tender bundt cake filled with blueberries and lemon and topped with a lemon glaze.

It’s packed with bright flavor and makes a beautiful presentation.

Homemade Dippin’ Dots

Homemade Dippin’ Dots are almost as much fun to eat as they are to make!

This dessert is a combination of the things that make life fun: delicious ice cream, fun textures, playing with food, and best of all, an element of danger.

Strawberry Brownies

Strawberry Brownies are made from cake mix and a fun and colorful dessert that is SO simple to make.

All you need is 3 ingredients to make these chewy and moist pink brownies.

Lemon Raspberry Cookies

Lemon Raspberry Cookies are soft, fluffy, buttery, and bursting with the delicious flavors of fresh lemon and raspberries.

Super quick and easy to make and everyone loves them!

Blackberry Dump Cake

Blackberry Dump Cake is a simple cobbler-like recipe with juicy blackberries and a buttery, cakey topping made from cake mix.

An effortless dessert that is indulgent and delicious!

Pink Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

You will love how quick and easy these Pink Strawberries are to make in your microwave, with no special equipment.

Best of all, you only need 4 simple ingredients!

Rhubarb Cheesecake Pie with Shortbread Crust

With an easy pressed-in crust that tastes like a buttery shortbread cookie, this pie is filled with layers of sweet-tart rhubarb and creamy cheesecake.

Finished with a thin topping of sweetened sour cream, it’s absolutely delightful!

White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies

White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies are irresistibly indulgent dessert bars that combine the creamy sweetness of white chocolate with the tangy burst of raspberries.

They boast a soft and chewy texture, complemented by the contrasting flavors of the rich white chocolate and the bright, fruity notes of raspberries.

No-Bake Red White & Blue Jello Cheesecake

This easy, light and fluffy no-bake patriotic cheesecake with a delightful blue layer in the middle and red on top.

It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends at holiday potlucks, BBQs, and cookouts.

Easy S’mores Bars

Super Easy S’mores Bars have cookie dough made with crushed up graham crackers, then layered with milk chocolate and mini marshmallows.

They taste just like s’mores, but without the bonfire. Best of all, they’re ready in just 30 minutes!

Coconut Lemon Bundt Cake

Featuring the amazing flavor combination of tart lemon and sweet coconut, this pretty Coconut Lemon Bundt Cake is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Once sliced, a bright yellow lemon curd center is revealed, a beautiful contrast to the snow-white coconut coated cake.

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars have a buttery pecan shortbread crust topped with creamy cheesecake filling and then finished off with a sweet and tangy homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

White Chocolate Puppy Chow

Looking for a White Chocolate Party Mix recipe that you can customize for the holidays (or any time)? This is it!

You’ll be the hit of the party when you show up with this festive treat.

Lemon Blueberry Blondies

Lemon Blueberry Blondies are made with fresh lemon zest, juicy blueberries, and topped with sweet lemon icing, each bite is like blueberry lemon heaven.

They’re so easy to make - no mixer required!

Monster Cookie Icebox Cake

Packed full of chocolate, peanut butter and cream, this Monster Cookie Icebox Cake tastes just like an ice cream cake from the local parlor!

It includes every delicious aspect of a monster cookie, including the oatmeal, chocolate, m&ms and peanut butter.

Lemon Meringue Pie

This Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe has the creamy lemon filling and airy meringue topping you know and love.

But a secret ingredient adds an exotic touch that sets it apart from other recipes.

Raspberry Tiramisu

Raspberry Tiramisu is an ultra-delicious dessert made with fresh raspberries, raspberry liqueur, and raspberry jam!

It’s truly a delightful and fruity twist on the classic tiramisu that you’ll want to make all spring and summer long!

Pink Buttercream Cupcakes

Pink Buttercream Vanilla Cupcakes are the perfect blend of light, fluffy vanilla sponge topped with smooth, vibrant pink frosting.

Ideal for special occasions or as a charming treat, these cupcakes add a splash of joy and elegance to any table.

Orange Cream Angel Food Cake

Orange Cream Angel Food Cake is a light, flavorful cake and perfect for a spring or summer dessert.

With its refreshing citrus and vanilla flavors, this cake is reminiscent of a Creamsicle!

Peach Streusel Cake

This tasty Streusel Cake topped with soft fresh peaches might just become your new favorite way to use fresh peaches.

Serve it on its own, a la mode or simply with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!

Raspberry Jello Cheesecake

Creamy no-bake Raspberry Jello Cheesecake features a fluffy and pretty pink raspberry cheesecake filling atop a buttery graham crust.

It has vibrant flavor and color, and looks so pretty on your summer dinner table.

No Bake Coffee and Donut Tiramisu Cake

Get your coffee and donut fix all in one delicious dessert with this easy no-bake Tiramisu Cake.

An easy icebox cake with only a few ingredients, this dessert recipe is the ultimate cool, make ahead treat for summer gatherings.

Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip is the easiest snack, appetizer or dessert and takes a fresh fruit tray to the next level.

It’s so simple to make, with just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes! Watch this sweet and creamy dip disappear at your next potluck, picnic, holiday party or birthday celebration.

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe is a sweet vanilla blueberry cake topped with a generous layer of crumb topping.

Great for breakfast or for dessert!

Patriotic Pretzel Rods

Easy and fun to make, these red, white, and blue pretzel rods will add a festive touch to your patriotic table or meal!

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Cake is vanilla sponge cake with layers of whipped cream and strawberries in the middle.

It’s the easiest way to serve strawberry shortcake to a crowd!

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

You cannot go wrong with any lemon dessert, and these Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are so good and SO easy - just 4 ingredients!

They’re soft and chewy thick cake-like cookies, packed with lemon flavor and topped with an easy lemon glaze.

Easy Blueberry Lemon Cobbler

Blueberry Lemon Cobbler is so easy to put together, and made with simple ingredients.

The combination of blueberries and lemon is the best part, and it’s extra amazing when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little bit of whipped cream.

Apricot Tart

Apricot Tart is a sweet pastry crust filled with apricot preserves and a no-bake cheesecake filling, topped with fresh apricots.

Cool, creamy, and delicious, with fantastic flavors and very little oven time, you'll find yourself making this again and again!

Easy Homemade Lemon Ice Cream

This Easy Homemade Lemon Ice Cream is a simple and refreshing dessert that's made with just 4 simple ingredients.

It's lighter than custard style ice cream and way easier to make because there are no eggs.

Bursting with sweet, tangy goodness and ready to freeze in 30 minutes.

Mixed Berry Angel Food Cake

Mixed Berry Angel Food Cake is a simple homemade version of the grocery store staple.

With only a handful of ingredients, this fluffy, marshmallow-y cake pairs perfectly with a quick mixed berry compote for a cheery summer celebration dessert.

Red White and BlueBerry Cheesecake Trifle

This no-bake trifle is a delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion.

It is made with layers of homemade whipped mascarpone cheese filling , strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and NILLA Wafers.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake with Bourbon Glaze

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake is a delicious cinnamon-peach pound cake with a gooey brown sugar top, drizzled with a vanilla bourbon glaze. It’s serious summer comfort food!

Creamy Lemon Cheesecake With Poppy Seed Crust

Creamy Lemon Cheesecake with Poppy Seed Crust is a must-try if you are bored with traditional cheesecake recipes and want the ultimate flavor combination.

Each luscious slice has crunchy and earthy poppy seeds, tangy refreshing lemons, and velvety cream cheese.

Cherry and Apple Crisp

What happens when you combine sweet cherries, crisp apples, and buttery oatmeal streusel?

You get a delicious Cherry and Apple Crumble with rich fruit flavor! So easy compared to other baked goods, just chop, mix, and bake.

French Cherry Clafoutis

Cherry Clafoutis is a classic French cherry dessert made with a flan-like batter.

The perfect use-up for fresh summer cherries, you can also use canned or frozen cherries to make it even easier

Strawberry Peach Cobbler

Homemade Strawberry Peach Cobbler made in a cast-iron skillet is a classic American recipe.

Fresh fruit and a biscuit topping crust make the perfect southern old-fashioned cobbler dessert, with hints of cinnamon to complement the sweet peaches, tart strawberries, and hint of vanilla.

Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake

This delicious, not overly sweet Strawberry Yogurt Cake could not be easier to make and comes out beautifully moist every time thanks to the yogurt and olive oil.

With just a few simple ingredients it is a breeze to throw together.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Fresh strawberries and tart rhubarb pair wonderfully together under an almond oatmeal crisp topping.

Best of all, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp takes just 15 minutes to prep before baking!

Peach Cake is a buttery cake topped with peaches slices and cinnamon sugar. Best of all, this simple cake takes just minutes to make!

Strawberry Lattice Pie

Strawberry Lattice Pie has an easy lattice pie crust, paired with a tangy strawberry filling. It looks stunning and tastes even better.

Homemade Angel Food Cake with Lemon Ganache

Perfectly baked and literally award-winning, this easy Homemade Angel Food Cake is light and airy with a citrus kick lemon ganache drizzle.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies taste just like shortcakes in cookie form!

With fresh juicy strawberries and buttery shortbread crumbs, these strawberry cookies are perfect for any occasion from spring to summer and beyond.

Butterfly Cupcakes

Classic British Butterfly Cupcakes look beautiful for summer! They’re easier than you’d think, and have a fun raspberry jam surprise inside.

North Carolina Lemon Pie

Tart and creamy North Carolina Lemon Pie is the ultimate Southern dessert.

Fluffy whipped cream on a tangy lemon curd filling and a unique saltine cracker crust - the sweet & salty dessert you need in your life!

Strawberry Pound Cake

Strawberry Pound Cake has fresh strawberries folded into a sour cream pound cake and topped with a strawberry cream cheese glaze. It will definitely be a hit at your next party!

Easy Blueberry Shortcake

This Blueberry Shortcake recipe is one of the quickest desserts you can make.

Only 4 ingredients are needed for this, and the hardest part about this recipe is resisting the urge to dig in!

Key Lime Pound Cake

Key Lime Pound Cake combines the richness of a pound cake with the zesty freshness of key lime pie.

It has a citrusy burst of lime juice and zest, and a simple lime glaze on top that adds a sweet and tangy finish.

Coconut Mango Cookies

Mango Cookies are the perfect dessert for mango lovers! Each chewy cookie is packed with coconut and a mango curd center.

Make these tropical-flavored cookies year-round with frozen or fresh mango!

Lemon Bar Cake

If you love a classic lemon bar you will love this lemon bar cake!

It’s baked with a shortbread crust on the bottom, filled with tart lemon curd, and topped with a lush cream cheese frosting. It's basically a lemon bar in cake form!

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

Delicious, summer-inspired Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes are covered with rich cream cheese frosting and strawberry crunch crumble topping.

Bursting with flavors reminiscent of our favorite childhood strawberry shortcake bars, these homemade cupcakes are the ultimate dessert to share with family and friends.

Strawberry Trifle

A Strawberry Trifle is a lovely summer dessert that’s best made ahead of time.

In this version, layers of angel food cake, fresh berries, and a creamy no-bake cheesecake filling make a dessert just as pretty as it is delicious!

Ready to try some easy BBQ dessert ideas?

I hope this lis of fun summer cookout dessert recipes has given you tons of inspiration for what to make and serve at your next summer BBQ party.

From easy make ahead, no-bake desserts, to satisfying baked goods using fresh summer fruit, there are just so many delicious ideas to choose from!

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Looking for the ultimate sweet ending to your BBQ? Take a break from the grilling, and keep reading to discover 27 of the tastiest BBQ desserts (plus easy recipes). 

1. Rum And Caramel Bananas

First up, we have these heavenly rum and caramel bananas. When teamed with a small serving of vanilla ice cream, these are guaranteed to go down a treat at your BBQ.

In just 25 minutes, including prep time, this unique dessert can be ready to serve, and it only requires a few simple ingredients, including bananas, treacle, rum, ice cream, sugar, and butter. Add in a dash of coconut for an extra exotic edge. 

2. BBQ Banoffee Trifles

These BBQ banoffee trifles are the definition of moreish. Baking your bananas brings out all the sweetness you could ask for, and when stuffed with chocolate fudge, your guests won’t be able to get enough!

These will take just 30 minutes to create, and they’re packed full of gooey, tasty goodness. Expect plenty of ginger, rum, fudge, bananas, chocolate, and mascarpone in this recipe! 

3. Loaded Brownies

Everyone loves brownies, so why not treat your guests to these decadent loaded brownies? After a full day of eating meat and heavy carbs, the rich texture of these brownies is a real palette cleanser.

When we say rich, though, we’re not joking – you may only be able to eat one or two of these before getting full, but they’ll still go down a storm. These are a dessert to remember. 

4. Strawberry Shortcake Icecream Bars

If you fancy serving your guests something a little lighter, check out these strawberry shortcake ice cream bars.

With just 30 minutes of prep and four and a half hours of freezing time, you can put a spin on this timeless classic and serve up a dessert that’s sweet, crunchy, cold, and not too heavy – in other words, perfect for the whole family.

Throw in a helping of fresh strawberries for extra flavor.  

5. No Churn Ice Cream

In the peak of the summer heat, what better way to round off your BBQ than with a generous helping of ice cream? Although making ice cream yourself can be quite a chore, this no-churn ice cream is simple, delicious, and great for those on a budget.

This no-churn ice cream takes 30 minutes to prep and 5 hours to freeze, and it’s full to the brim with chocolate, nuts, and cookie crumbs. However, you can add or omit anything you want to this ice cream, so feel free to make it your own. 

6. Fruit Salad

Next up, we have an all-time family favorite – fruit salad. If you’ve been doing nothing but eating for the whole day, you’ll need something light to wash down your meat with.

This fruit salad is the perfect recipe. This simple mix of kiwi, mango, pineapple, grapes, berries, orange, and honey can be served on its own or with a side of ice cream (see also ‘ 25 Tastiest Kiwi Recipes ‘).

All you need to do is chop your fruit and leave it to macerate in the fridge if you have time! 

7. Summer Berry Trifle

If our fruit-based recipes are grabbing your attention, it’s time to take a look at this summer berry trifle.

This light, refreshing, and gorgeously layered trifle can be made in just 30 minutes, and it’s SO good, you’ll be coming back for more every time.

Made with a decadent blend of fresh fruit, whipped cream, cream cheese, vanilla extract, biscuits, and jam, there’s no dessert more iconic than a trifle. 

8. Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one dessert we can’t get enough of, so why not treat your guests to this pecan pie cheesecake? Creamy, crispy, sugary, and crunchy, this recipe has a bit of everything, and it can be ready to go in just an hour and a half.

Not bad for cheesecake time!  This recipe serves twelve, and your cheesecake will be full to the brim with biscuits, pecans, double cream, undertones of cinnamon, and plenty of brown sugar. So what’s not to love? 

9. Key Lime Bars

If you love putting a spin on classic recipes, why not try making these key lime bars? To make these bars, you’ll need a little more time to spare.

These require 15 minutes of prep, 20 minutes of cooking, and four hours in the fridge, so here’s your warning to plan ahead.

With plenty of lime, sugar, crackers, butter, and condensed milk, these key lime bars are the perfect balance between refreshing and moreish. Your guests will love them. 

10. Easy Eton Mess

This iconic English dessert is simple to prepare, and it offers an unmatched taste experience of all things creamy and crunchy. Plus, it’s no bake, and it can be ready to serve in just 25 minutes!

Like all Eton messes, this one is loaded with raspberries, strawberries, sugar, cream, mascarpone cheese, and store-bought meringues. This is a memorable way to wash down your meat-based meals in style, and your guests will love you for it.

11. Cookies And Cream Fridge Cake

The cookies and cream combination has stood the test of time, and here, it comes to life once more to create a super sweet, belly-busting fridge cake that doesn’t even need to be cooked.

This fridge cake can be prepped in just 20 minutes, but plan ahead – you’ll need to let this chill for at least 24 hours before serving.

Brimming with double cream, chocolate, cream-filled sandwich cookies, vanilla extract, and icing sugar, this cake is simultaneously light and filling, and it never fails to hit the spot. 

12. BBQ Banana Split

If you still want to put the BBQ to good use, why not try making these BBQ banana splits? Simply slice your bananas down the middle, stuff them with fudge, wrap in foil, and leave them to heat on the BBQ for 25 minutes.

Once they’re done, unwrap and serve with a dollop of ice cream, whipped cream, cherries, and nuts. Bon appetit! 

13. S’mores Dip

S’mores are a true campfire classic. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are or where you come from; we can all agree that there’s just something about toasted marshmallows that’s comforting, nostalgic, and downright delicious.

This s’mores dip puts a twist on this campfire classic, and it requires just a few simple ingredients, including mini marshmallows, milk, and milk chocolate. Serve with biscuits, strawberries, or pineapple chunks, and don’t forget the skewers!

This s’mores dip can be made in just 15 minutes, so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to give your guests a BBQ dessert to remember. 

14. Simple Lemon Tart

Sometimes, all you need is a citrussy hit to wash down your meal with. This simple lemon tart is the ultimate BBQ crowd pleaser, and it’ll take you just over an hour to prepare.

What’s more, this recipe serves a massive 16 people, so you’ll have more than enough to share with your guests! Packed with simple yet tasty ingredients like butter, sugar, and lemon, this tart is a timeless classic that your guests will love you for. 

15. Millionaires Cheesecake

If you want to serve up something slightly more indulgent, this millionaires cheesecake is one recipe you need to know about.

It’s hard to find anything bad to say about any millionaires recipe, and this cheesecake variation takes this classic sweet treat to a whole new level.

You can create this cheesecake in just over an hour, and it’s bursting with more chocolate, cream, sugar, and butter than you can shake a stick at! Filling, creamy, and devilishly moreish, this is one dessert you NEED at your BBQ. 

16. Easy Blueberry Pie

Moving away from the chocolate-based recipes, let’s take a look at this simple blueberry pie. Pie may not be your first choice of dessert for a BBQ, but this one is light, airy, and refreshing, with those blueberry overtones packing a real fruity punch.

Serve with a helping of vanilla ice cream to make this dessert even lighter.

You can make this pie in an hour and forty-five minutes, and it’s loaded with flavors your guests will love, like cinnamon, blueberry, cream, and salt and sugar to balance the sweet and savory. 

17. Pavlova

Next up, we have another infamous dessert to share with you – the pavlova. You can find pavlova at any restaurant, dinner party, or birthday event, and now, it’s time to bring it to the BBQ.

This pavlova features a gooey marshmallow center below its crispy shell, and believe it or not, you’ll only need five ingredients to make it, including cornflour, sugar, egg whites, lemon, and vanilla extract.

This can be made in just over an hour, and it’s so versatile that you can throw on whatever toppings you like. Get ready to wow your guests. 

18. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

If your all-day meat feast has left you craving a bite-sized sweet treat, it’s time to serve up these chocolate-covered strawberries. Ready in just 15 minutes, including prep time, these heavenly sweet treats couldn’t be easier to prepare.

You’ll only need three ingredients (almonds, strawberries, and chocolate) to make these, and they’re so good that you may need to whip up an extra batch to be on the safe side! 

19. Italian Tiramisu

If we asked you to name your favorite Italian dessert, it’d probably be tiramisu. There’s just something about this decadently layered dessert that keeps us coming back for more, and it’s perfect for all occasions – including your very own BBQ.

There are so many variations of tiramisu, but we love this simple, no-fuss recipe the most. This will take you 30 minutes to prep and 3 hours to cool, and it’s bursting with hints of coffee, rum, sugar, and plenty of layers. 

20. Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon lovers, listen up – this lemon meringue pie is a must-have dessert for your BBQ! This glorious pie is simple to prepare, but it does require several steps, so be sure to plan this pie ahead of time.

Loaded with lemons, biscuits, butter, vanilla extract, and more, this heavenly sweet pie is light enough to have you coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds, if you didn’t overdo it at the grill). 

21. Banoffee Cream Pudding With White Chocolate Crumble

Banoffee and white chocolate? Yes, please. This banoffee cream pudding with white chocolate crumble will need to be made at least four hours ahead, but if you have the time to spare, this is one dessert you’ll DEFINITELY want on your BBQ menu.

This pudding strikes the perfect balance between creamy, crispy, chocolatey, and sweet, and it can be served on its own or with an extra helping of ice cream (if your stomach is brave enough). There’s only one word to describe this recipe – heavenly. 

22. Chocolate And Mint Cheesecake

We all love a bit of cheesecake. So, why not try your hand at this chocolate and mint cheesecake?

Mint chocolate is one food combination that never fails to hit the spot, and when it’s layered in a creamy cheesecake, it’ll become one of the most memorable desserts you’ll ever experience.

This cheesecake will take you just over two and a half hours to prep (including chilling time), and it’s bursting with flavor and creamy goodness. So go on; you know you want to. 

23. Mango Fool

Now for something a little light and fruity with this tangy mango fool. This low-fat, high-flavor dessert is healthy and deliciously moreish, but because it’s all fruit based, it won’t fill your guests up too fast.

This recipe features almond bread, vanilla custard, cheese, and plenty of mangoes, and it can be ready to serve in just half an hour. Get ready to round off your BBQ with this iconic fruity punch. 

24. Strawberry Jam Ripple Ice Cream

If ice cream is the only thing on your brain, why not try making this strawberry jam ripple ice cream?

This ice cream will take you 15 minutes to prepare and 3 hours to freeze, and it’s so simple and adaptable that you can change it in whatever way you want!

This particular recipe serves eight people and is full of flavor, with the strawberry jam and lemon zest taking center stage. Serve on its own, with your favorite cake, or throw in some extra fruit to make it lighter. The world is your oyster.  

25. Chocolate Hazelnut Dessert Glass

Not every BBQ needs to end on a fruity, creamy note. If you want to finish off your feast with one last injection of filling food, treat your guests to these chocolate hazelnut dessert glasses.

This no-bake recipe is simple to create, and it only requires a few simple ingredients, such as mascarpone, wafers, chocolate, and hazelnut spread.

In this recipe, each glass holds up to 500ml of chocolate hazelnut dessert, so make sure you have room to spare in your stomach for this unparalleled sweet treat!

Layered, creamy, and super chocolatey, this is every chocolate-hazelnut lover’s dream. Serve with a sprinkling of nuts for that extra wow factor. 

26. Apple Crumble

Now it’s time for another timeless classic – apple crumble. If there’s one thing we know for certain about apple crumble, it’s that it never misses.

Whether you want a hearty winter warmer or a fruity, crunchy dessert to round off your summer meal, this recipe is perfect the whole year round, and it suits any occasion – even your BBQ!

This iconic dessert will take you just over an hour to create, and this recipe keeps it simple. Traditional Bramley apples and cinnamon, sugar, butter, flour, and lemon – it’s everything you need to create this foolproof dessert.

Serve with vanilla ice cream to finish your BBQ on a high. 

27. Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake  

If you want your BBQ to be a real belly-buster of an evening, finish things off with this hot chocolate fudge cake. I mean, just look at it!

Ready in just 40 minutes, this is undoubtedly the creamiest, richest, and most delicious hot chocolate fudge cake you will EVER eat.

This recipe serves nine people, so you’ll have plenty to go around, and it uses simple ingredients, including milk, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Although you can eat this on its own, we’d recommend throwing in a side of vanilla ice cream, so you’re not tempted to eat the whole thing in one go. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good dessert to serve with hamburgers .

Hamburgers are notoriously heavy and savory, so we’d recommend serving something light to round off your meal. Instead, try opting for something like ice cream, a fruity cheesecake, or anything citrus-based to cleanse the palette. 

What Foods Are Best For Barbecue? 

At a BBQ, the possibilities are endless. Aside from traditional meat like beef, chicken, and pork, you can serve sides including corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad, summer fruits, crisps and dips, and more. 

What Dessert Goes Well With Pulled Pork? 

Pork is versatile, and a versatile main requires a versatile dessert. We’d recommend anything fruity, such as citrus sorbet, pineapple pie, or fruit cobbler. Desserts like brownies and chocolate cake also go well when served with ice cream. 

The Bottom Line 

At a BBQ, the enjoyment doesn’t need to end when the grilling stops. Keep the fun and flavor alive with 27 of the tastiest BBQ desserts! 

Looking for the perfect dessert to round off your summer BBQ with? Click here to discover 27 super tasty BBQ desserts, including easy recipes.

Ingredients

Rum And Caramel Bananas

BBQ Banoffee Trifles

Loaded Brownies

Strawberry Shortcake Icecream Bars

No Churn Ice Cream

Fruit Salad

Summer Berry Trifle

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Key Lime Bars

Easy Eton Mess

Cookies And Cream Fridge Cake

BBQ Banana Split

S’mores Dip

Simple Lemon Tart

Millionaires Cheesecake

Easy Blueberry Pie

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Italian Tiramisu

Lemon Meringue Pie

Banoffee Cream Pudding With White Chocolate Crumble

Chocolate And Mint Cheesecake

Strawberry Jam Ripple Ice Cream

Chocolate Hazelnut Dessert Glass

Apple Crumble

Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake

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75 Best Desserts to Bring to a BBQ

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These are the 75 best desserts to bring to a BBQ! Including Banana Pie Poke Cake, Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, Death by Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake, Frog Eye Salad, and more.

Regardless of the kind of event you’re attending, there’s something here for you!

After years of writing about desserts, I can confidently stand behind these recipes as crowd-pleasers that will disappear before the party ends. You’ll overhear people asking, “Who made the ______?”

Some of these are better for multigenerational parties while others are more appropriate for kids or adults, but I’m confident you can find several options that will work regardless of the kind of gathering. Birthday party? Fourth of July ? Housewarming? Graduation? There’s something for everyone in here!

Read on to learn my absolute favorite choice for any party — a certified hit — as well as some tips on last-minute ideas.

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What is the best dessert to bring to a BBQ?

When I’m heading to a BBQ or any type of potluck, Rice Krispie Treats are almost always my go-to recipe.

They’re quick and easy to whip up, the ingredients aren’t expensive, and you can easily make a really big batch to feed a lot of people– and everyone likes them!

Plus, if you stick to my Perfect Rice Krispie Treats recipe , they are generally safe to eat for a wide range of food sensitivities and allergies (replace the butter with coconut oil or any kind of nut butter to make them dairy-free). 

Here are some fun Rice Krispies Treats recipes:

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Toffee snickerdoodle rice krispie treats.

• Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispie Treats
• Toasted Marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats
• Butterscotch Butterfinger Rice Krispie Treats

What’s a great last-minute dessert for a BBQ or potluck?

Lucky for you, last minute is my specialty! I’ve already covered rice krispie treats, so here are a few more dessert recipes that are fabulous if you are in a pinch for time :

• Snickers Caramel Apple Salad – quick, easy, and also doubles as a side dish!
• Golden Grahams S’mores Bars
• Gourmet S’mores – if there will be a fire at the BBQ, just pick up ingredients for s’mores on the way!
• Grab a gallon of vanilla ice cream and whip up a quick batch of this Homemade Chocolate Syrup to go on top.
• Strawberry Jell-O Salad
• Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip – slice up some apples and strawberries, and grab a pack of graham crackers for dipping!

What should a guest bring to a BBQ?

If the host hasn’t asked you to bring something specific, but you feel uncomfortable arriving empty-handed , try one of these Desserts & Sides ideas:

• Butter Dip Biscuits
• Grilled Pineapple
• Cream Soda Ingredients

Lemon Jell-O Cake

• Caramel Apple Pie Bars
• Fruit Pizza

Frog Eye Salad

Brookies Recipe

Red Velvet Brookies

Peanut Butter Brookies

Fudgy brownie on top, peanut butter cookie on the bottom. It's ultimate dessert perfection.

Peach Pie Monkey Bread

French Silk Pie Bars

Vanilla Crazy Cake

Blackberry Praline Crumble

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Banana Pudding Cake

Mini Pecan Pies

Southern Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Butterscotch Pecan Pie

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

M&M Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mom's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Reese's Pieces Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Apple Spice Cake with Maple Cinnamon Glaze

Cinnamon Peach Cake

Grandma's Pig Cake

Milk Chocolate Toffee Brownies

M&M Brownie Cookies

4th of July Funfetti M&M Pudding Cookies

Chocolate Cake with Coca-Cola® Recipe

Lazy Day Cookie Cake Bars

Easy Peach Dumplings

Golden Grahams S'mores Bars

Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce

Grandma's Chocolate Trifle

Red Velvet, White, and Blueberry Cheesecake Trifle

Classic Chocolate Chip Blondies

Monster Cookie Blondies

Sugar Cream Pie

Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Salted Honey Custard Pie

Brownie Pie

Chocolate Chip Banana Bundt Cake

Perfect Rice Krispie Treats

Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars

Watermelon Rice Krispie Treats

Lemon Meringue Cake + Father's Day Food

Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars

Browned Butter Brownies

Swig Cookies

Oprah's Favorite Brownies

Butterscotch Blondies

Best Jello Salad

Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake

Strawberry Pie

Homemade Strawberry Pie

Cake Man Raven's Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Big Batch Chocolate Chippers

Grandma's Monster Cookies

Chocolate Chess Pie

Buttermilk Pastry Pie Crust

Easiest All Butter Pie Crust

No Rolling Press-in-the-Pan Pie Crust

Cinnamon Burst Apple Crisp

Best Ever Apple Crisp

Caramel Filled Snickerdoodles

Quick and Easy Peach Cobbler

Death By Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

S'mores Cookie Bars

Nutella Brownie S'mores Cookie Bars

Cherry Cheesecake Fluff Salad

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65 Sweet Drinks and Smoothies

Snickerdoodle crumble donuts recipe, 8 thoughts on “75 best desserts to bring to a bbq”.

Wow! What a delicious collection! Thanks for including my Raspberry Pudding Bars.

Thanks for linking up 3 of my recipes – the Milky Way Chocolate Cookie Crumble Bars, the Ultimate Brownies, and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache! I appreciate it!

Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday and that you’re doing some bbq’ing!

Your round-ups are so fun! Thanks for sharing!

drooling! completely drooling! I love your round-ups, I always find SO many amazing ideas. And my recipes are always included, it makes me smile. 🙂 I am LOVING that cake batter brownie snack cake!

Thanks Sally! Your comments always make me smile!!

i seriously should not look at these at night because your roundups always make me have the late night munchies!! Fantastic round up!

I’m glad I just had some milk and cookies because I would’ve been in serious sweet hunting mode right about now! Great round up!

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Our favourite desserts for barbecue season

by Malou Herkes

published on 23 June 2020

If you’re planning an al fresco spread this weekend, you may want a fruity, zesty or refreshing dessert to round it all off. Whether it’s barbecue-baked bananas, a palette-cleansing granita or a seasonal fruit showstopper, we’ve put together a list of our favourite summery desserts to serve at a barbecue.

Roasted Treacle Toffee Bananas

If you’ve gone to the trouble of firing up the barbecue, why not maximise its use and cook dessert on it too? With a “lovely, gooey, sweet, brown-sugary centre”, these treacly bananas are loaded with sugary vanilla butter, wrapped in foil and thrown on the barbecue until you’re ready for pudding. Serve with cream or ice cream for indulgent afters.

From the book

Grill it with levi.

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Orange Flower Water Peaches with Rosemary, Almonds and Cream

Make the most of peaches while they’re in season by lighlty caramelising them on the barbecue and serving them with fragrant orange blossom and plenty of tart crème fraîche.

The Green Barbecue

Mojito Granita

A fresh, zesty and cooling dessert is the perfect end to a sizzling barbecue feast. You can’t go far wrong with a granita, especially when there’s rum involved – put it together in minutes, then pop in the freezer until you’re ready to eat. 

Feelgood Family Food

Yotam Ottolenghi: Max and Flynn’s Lemon Sorbet

Continuing with the fresh and zesy theme is this colourful lemon and hibiscus sorbet from Ottolenghi SIMPLE . Served in hollowed lemons, the vibrant pink sorbet looks as impressive as it tastes.

Macerated Apricots with Amaretto and Toasted Almonds

Fancy something cooling but don’t want to make ice cream from scratch? Elevate your favourite shop-bought vanilla ice cream with macerated apricots, amaretto and flaked almonds.

My Simple Italian

Pimm’s Fruit Salad

An easy dessert that’s quick to prepare and refreshing enough to round off a barbecue spread, this fruit salad celebrates summer berries, peach, apples, citrus and even cucumber. Leave to macerate in homemade Pimm’s syrup and serve with mint leaves.

A Salad for All Seasons

Mary Berry’s Fruit Kebab With Lemon Dip

Kebabs don’t just have to to be made up of meat or vegetables. In this simple recipe, Mary Berry serves skewers of seasonal fruit with a creamy, lemony dip.

Mary Berry Cook and Share

Quick Berry Crostata

This quick crostata couldn’t be easier to whip up and makes the most of any seasonal berries you can get hold of. Serve with vanilla ice cream or plenty of pouring cream.

Notes From A Small Kitchen Island

British Summertime Stack

“If I could bottle up England in the summertime and bake it? This would be it”, says Georgina of this celebration cake that layers sponge cake with strawberry Pimm’s compote, meringue, fresh berries and vanilla cream. Decorate with fresh mint and edible flowers for a real summer showstopper. 

Stirring Slowly

Almond and Strawberry Tart

Make the most of British strawberry season and celebrate them on top of this sticky almond tart. Finished with flaked almonds for a lovely summertime centrepiece.

Ducksoup Cookbook

Jamie Oliver’s 5-ingredient Pineapple Carpaccio

Thin slices of pineapple, topped with fresh mint, olive oil (yep – it works!), blueberries, lime and coconut yoghurt make for a healthier dessert reminiscent of holidays and sunnier climes. 

5 Ingredients Quick & Easy Food

Andi Oliver’s Coconut and Lime Cheesecake

A chilled, make-ahead cheesecake is the perfect end to any barbecue. We love Andi Oliver’s super summery version with coconut, lime and mango.

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Ottolenghi’s Sumac-roasted Strawberries with Yoghurt Cream

A twist on the classic British summertime dessert of strawberries and cream, this recipe from Ottolenghi features strawberries roasted in citrussy sumac and served with double cream whipped with Greek yoghurt.

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Top 31 Best BBQ Desserts

Published: Apr 7, 2023 · Modified: Mar 6, 2024 by Katalin Nagy · This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads. Please read our Disclosures.

Ever wonder what dessert to serve at a BBQ or if you are a guest, what best desserts to bring to a bbq? I've got you. These are the best BBQ desserts for a crowd, from fruity desserts and boozy desserts to chocolate desserts and all that's in between. I chose these easy BBQ dessert ideas because they have the best Summer flavors and will taste great served after BBQ food. Plus, they are all reliable recipes with step-by-step instructions that you can trust.

Best BBQ Dessert Recipes

1. raspberry lemonade cheesecake, 2. chocolate ice cream bar, 3. strawberry charlotte cake, 4. mango mousse cake, 5. napoleon cake, 6. caramelized banana upside down cake, 7. strawberry crunch cake, 8. espresso brownies, 9. fraisier cake, 10. strawberry cheesecake, 11. tiramisu cups, 12. palmiers, 13. strawberry galette, 14. peach cobbler, 15. brownies with cream cheese frosting, 16. raspberry cheesecake cookies, 17. pistachio ice cream bar, 18. panna cotta, 19. tiramisu, 20. basque burnt cheesecake, 21. brownie blondies, 22. tiramisu cupcakes, 23. strawberry pavlova cake, 24. wine mousse parfait with peach, 25. boozy orange aperol spritz cake, 26. meringue key lime pie, 27. rum-soaked grilled pineapple, 28. peanut butter and jelly traybake, 29. coconut lime cheesecake mousse, 30. banana split, 31. raspberry and pistachio semifreddo, bbq dessert recipes faqs, related bbq desserts.

Raspberry Lemonade cheesecake is silky, summery, and ultra-creamy. Tangy lemon cream cheese filling and tangy raspberry compote fill a cookie crust garnished with freeze-dried raspberries for the ultimate luxurious taste. Imagine refreshing raspberry lemonade but in a no-bake cheesecake format! Surely it's not one to miss.

Serving lemon desserts after a BBQ meal is refreshing; everyone loves them.

When I think of BBQs, I think of summer. And when I think of summer, I think of ice cream. Ice cream bars are one of the best BBQ desserts, as guests can pick them up and mingle; they are fun and informal.

Ice cream bars are the perfect dessert for BBQ party events! Believe it or not, my recipe is made from just four simple natural ingredients; they take only 10 minutes to make. Plus, no ice cream machine. They really are shockingly easy!

Strawberry desserts always work well at BBQs, and this no-bake French Strawberry Charlotte cake looks so professional and impressive. Fluffy ladyfingers and incredibly silky crème mousseline pair beautifully with delicious fresh strawberries. Although it looks worthy of a French patisserie shop window, it is one of the easiest cakes to make. Undoubtedly, even beginner bakers can do it.

A delicious   buttery sponge layer and the airiest yogurt-based mousse loaded with fragrant mangos! Tropical fruit desserts for a BBQ are my favorite. This is one of the easiest, most refreshing cakes ever that is very well balanced in sweetness. And what's more, making this Mango mousse cake is extremely easy, but it looks fancy and impressive on the plate, one of the most delicious summer bbq desserts!

Napoleon cake is a showstopping dessert to share. Puff pastry is buttery, crunchy, and delicious and tastes amazing piled in a tower with silky pastry cream between layers. You can coat this easy Napoleon cake in an extra light layer of cream and finely crushed puff pastry pieces, or for a summery touch, garnish this puff pastry layer cake with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Puff pastry desserts are always popular with guests, too.

Moist yogurt cake topped with caramelized banana topping is so sticky and delicious you won't be able to get enough. First, a sliced banana is placed on the bottom of a cake pan, and the cake batter is poured on top.

The cake is flipped over to a serving plate after baking, and the caramelized bananas, which were initially to be at the bottom of the cake, now become a beautiful and decorative topping that also tastes incredible. Therefore, it's known as an "upside-down cake."

Serve banana pudding with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to really highlight the sticky caramelized banana flavors.

The fruitiest, crunchiest, creamiest BBQ dessert ever. Both kids and grown-ups will adore it. You will seriously fall in love with this easy-to-make delicious Strawberry Crunch Cake. Three layers of sponge cake, cream cheese frosting, and an unbelievably tasty strawberry shortcake crust made from Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries. What's not to love?

Give guests a pick-me-up dessert after BBQ food with espresso brownies! Decadent chocolate BBQ desserts always go down well. A rich coffee flavor makes these brownies taste amazing and smell even better. And what's more, they are easy to share around at BBQ parties but make lots of them; they disappear fast.

The queen of strawberry desserts. You might recognize the signature half-strawberry decoration around the cake, making Fraisier cake look hard to make. When in fact, it is very easy. It is simply two layers of genoise sponge, vanilla-flavored Créme mousseline, and strawberries! No doubt, hosts can impress guests with this strawberry dessert.

Who doesn't love a no-bake dessert? You don't even need to turn the oven on to make this cheesecake recipe, so it's undoubtedly one of the easiest BBQ desserts. Silky ultra-creamy cheese filling meets a strawberry compote inside the crunchy, sweet Graham cracker crust.

Time poor, but love Tiramisu? Sometimes, we all need a shortcut. So, try my easy version; it's another one of my favorite easy no-bake desserts for a BBQ that comes together in 15 minutes and only uses a few simple ingredients. Furthermore, individual tiramisu parfaits look cute in serving glasses (and no one has to share).

I love Palmiers because they are just so simple and take minutes to make. Palmiers are a 2-ingredient recipe that comes together so fast! Seriously, you won't believe how easy they are. But they taste great with coffee, are super crunchy, and have that signature rich butter taste of puff pastry .

The most perfect Spring and Summer pie! A galette is one of the easiest summer or Spring desserts to make for a BBQ, but it's also an extremely tasty dish and one of my favorite French pastries . Strawberry galette is loaded with fruit and has a crispy crust with the perfect texture.

Serve the galette warm with ice cream, or it tastes just as good cold, so you can make it ahead of time. It's so versatile.

Make the most of peach season when the fruit is extra ripe and flavorful because ripe summer peaches make the best BBQ desserts. Peach cobbler with pie crust is a classic summer dessert with juicy peaches and a flaky, buttery pie crust .  Sweet and fruity, juicy yet crisp. Surely, it's a winner?

You simply have to try these melt-in-your-mouth brownies with cream cheese frosting! Especially if you're looking for a chocolate dessert for a BBQ. Moist, gooey   brownies are baked to perfection and elevated even further with a tangy cream cheese frosting.

Brownies are crowd-pleasers. But these brownies are a step above!

Raspberry cheesecake cookies have it all. Fresh cookies with raspberries, stuffed with cream cheese filling and sprinkled with cheesecake crust made from Graham crackers.

You might think that chocolate chip cookies are all there is. But do you love cheesecake? Love raspberries? And love cookies? In conclusion, these cheesecake cookies are for you. They are divine!

I guarantee that homemade pistachio ice cream bars will go down a storm at your BBQ. The pistachio white chocolate coat has the most perfect snap to it, and you wouldn't ever believe the creamy texture is possible without an ice cream maker.

Also, I have found that store-bought pistachio ice cream often does not have any real pistachio taste, whereas this recipe is so deliciously nutty as it contains homemade pistachio butter . And I'll repeat once more, no ice cream maker is required!

Coconut panna cotta with passion fruit is light, refreshing, and a perfect dessert for a BBQ. Bursting with coconut flavor, tropical fruit flavor, and creamy texture, this is a personal favorite. But as fancy as it looks, making Panna cotta is totally doable for beginners.

Panna Cotta is incredibly quick and easy with only simple ingredients, and what's more, this recipe is dairy-free.

The Italian classic, the perfect make ahead BBQ dessert! I could eat Tiramisu every day. Make a large dish of Tiramisu and serve all of your guests, this is certainly one of the best easy summer desserts for BBQ! And as Tiramisu is served chilled and needs time to rest, hosts can make it early and then forget about it until it's time to serve.

BBQ food is hands-on, so BBQ desserts that take off pressure can surely only be good.

Make a burnt Basque cheesecake, and everyone will love you. Seriously, it tastes that good. And what's more, burnt cheesecake is so easy! Basque Burnt cheesecake is a crustless cheesecake baked at a very high temperature to get that iconic burnt, aka caramelized, crust on top.

It has the creamiest, most amazing custard-like texture, but you don't use. a water bath. So one could definitely say this is a hassle-free dessert for BBQ parties.

The best of both worlds. You get the rich chocolate taste of brownies but with a contrast of blondies in the same pan. Pass around a plate loaded with brownie blondies and watch them vanish. Fudgey, gooey and delicious. In conclusion, bake them.

Cupcakes are so easy to serve at barbeques. Guests can grab and go, and they look pretty too. Certainly, you'll get through a few of these though, so bake a few batches! All the flavor and creaminess of Tiramisu are baked into a bite-sized dessert.

And you won't believe how good the mascarpone frosting is coated in cocoa powder.

Fresh berries, cream, and meringue make for a light dessert for BBQ events. But although it's simple, pavlova cake is incredible. It has the taste, the texture, and the looks. Surely it ticks all the boxes?

Make the meringue part ahead of time and load it with whipped heavy cream and fresh berries before serving for optimum crunch.

A very grown-up dessert! Serve wine mousse parfait as an elegant dessert that guests will certainly love. My summer parfait recipe combines New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with my favorite summer fruit, peaches. No one will forget this elegant and unusual BBQ dessert.

I found the perfect adult-only, luxurious boozy summer cake for you. I love Aperol Spritz, and I love cake. So combining both was a lot of fun. This oil-based cake won't harden in the fridge and is super moist and fluffy, and the orange Aperol topping makes it taste exactly like the cocktail but in cake form.

Bring the vacation feeling to your BBQ; it's a must for Aperol lovers.

Who else loves key lime pie? Go one step further and turn it into key lime meringue pie for a tangy, fresh, and delicious BBQ dessert, kinda the interesting cousin of the famous lemon meringue pie. First, prepare a cookie crust. Press the crumbs into the removable bottom of a tart pan and let the whole thing chill up in the fridge. Then top it with zesty meringue that has such brightness from the limes.

The result is a crisp, creamy dessert full of citrus zing that guests will love.

Heavenly, sticky grilled goodness with a warm hint of rum. The caramelized sauce drizzled on top of this grilled pineapple is out of this world. And this delicious BBQ dessert only takes about 20 minutes of total prep time! Any quick dessert for a BBQ is a winner for me.

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra fancy and want to spoil your guests.

Try this delicious twist on the classic American flavor combination of peanut butter and jelly. The texture of these sweet treats is almost like pancakes, but baked in one tray and cut into squares for guests to grab and go. You can also serve them with an extra dollop of jelly, yogurt, and fresh berries on the side. Delicious!

Coconut Lime Cheesecake Mousse is a summer-inspired BBQ dessert. Cream cheese and homemade whipped cream with fresh lime juice, lime zest, and sweetened coconut make for a tangy, rich, and tropical treat with a pina colada taste!  

The entire recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and is certainly pretty enough to share with guests when entertaining.  It's not hard to see why I have added this to my list of best desserts for outdoor party events.

Banana Split is one of the classic simple desserts for barbecue parties. Simply start with a fresh banana. Then, add three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry). Finally, garnish with pineapple, chocolate syrup, and strawberries.

Oh, and don’t forget the whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries that give it a pop of color. Grab a spoon and dig in!

Semifreddo comes together in a loaf pan, so it's super easy, and this ice cream cake looks seriously pretty when sliced up to serve. Rose water adds a fragrant edge that perfectly compliments the pistachio nuts, and the result is an elegant and delicious dessert.

Fruity desserts like strawberry crunch cake or lemonade bundt cake work well after BBQs. Tiramisu cups , chocolate ice cream bars , or strawberry desserts like this Charlotte cake can be also a crowd-pleaser.

Have you tried these recipes?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your desserts turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!

• ▢ Raspberry lemonade cheesecake
• ▢ Chocolate ice cream bar
• ▢ Strawberry Charlotte cake
• ▢ Mango mousse cake
• ▢ Napoleon cake
• ▢ Caramelized banana upside down cake
• ▢ Strawberry crunch cake
• ▢ Espresso brownies
• ▢ Fraisier cake
• ▢ Strawberry cheesecake
• ▢ Tiramisu Cups
• ▢ Palmiers
• ▢ Strawberry galette
• ▢ Peach cobbler
• ▢ Brownies with cream cheese frosting
• ▢ Raspberry cheesecake cookies
• ▢ Pistachio ice cream bar
• ▢ Panna Cotta
• ▢ Tiramisu
• ▢ Basque burnt cheesecake
• ▢ Brownie blondies
• ▢ Tiramisu cupcakes
• ▢ Strawberry pavlova cake
• ▢ Wine mousse parfait with peach
• ▢ Boozy orange Aperol spritz cake
• ▢ Meringue keylime pie
• ▢ Rum soaked grilled pineapple
• ▢ Peanut butter and jelly traybake
• ▢ Coconut lime cheesecake mousse
• ▢ Banana split
• ▢ Raspberry pistachio semifreddo

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• Go to the individual recipes
• Enjoy the most amazing BBQ desserts

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Home › Recipes › Dessert

31 Best BBQ Desserts To Make And Bring This Summer

By Karo @ AllNutritious

on Apr 22, 2020, Updated Apr 18, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy .

Summer barbecues are all about having a blast with the people you love. These BBQ desserts will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth at this year’s summer BBQs!

Sunshine, the smell of charcoal, and the clink of cold drinks; is there anything better? Delicious summer desserts, of course!

Crowd-pleasing, easy desserts that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day in the warm weather is the name of the game.

Table of Contents

What’s good to bring to bbq, best bbq dessert recipes.

When it comes to a BBQ, there are many delicious food options to bring that will satisfy everyone’s cravings. Here are some ideas:

• Grilled meat – This is a BBQ staple. Consider bringing burgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken, or ribs. Marinate the meat ahead of time for added flavor.
• Skewers – Kabobs are another great option. Thread some veggies, like peppers and onions, along with your choice of meat, onto skewers and grill them up.
• Salads – While meat is the show’s star, don’t forget the sides. Bring a refreshing salad, like coleslaw or potato salad.
• Chips and Dip – Everyone loves a good snack, and chips and dip are a great option. Bring a bag of tortilla chips and some homemade guacamole or salsa.
• Fruit – A platter of fresh fruit is always a hit. Cut up some watermelon, pineapple, and berries for a colorful and healthy option.

Remember to bring enough food to share and consider any dietary restrictions or allergies of the guests. With these options and a good dessert, you’re sure to have a successful BBQ next time.

And of course, you can’t forget about the best part… dessert! Let’s dive into thirty-one perfect dessert ideas to cap off your summer barbecue with a bang.

1. S’mores Nachos

Source: budgetdelicious.com

We might as well kick this list off with a bang, right? When you think ‘dessert,’ the word ‘nachos’ may not be the first thing that comes to mind… but this recipe might change everything.

These s’mores nachos are a dessert dip with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Simply dip the crackers in the melted s’mores amalgamation and enjoy.

2. Vintage Strawberry Cake

Source: quichemygrits.com

This vintage strawberry cake takes things to a whole new level! Rich, dense, and topped with addictive strawberry cream cheese, the entire neighborhood will be clamoring for this one.

If you are having a 4th of July party this summer, this cake would be one of the best 4th of July desserts !

3. Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A fruit salad is a classic BBQ dessert. This quick dessert is refreshing, juicy, and cold, the perfect antidote to the heavy flavors and textures of the main meal on a hot summer day.

Best of all, it’s super easy to prepare with simple ingredients and natural sugars for backyard barbecues!

4. Banana Cream Pie

Source: recipesfromapantry.com

Banana cream pie is an old recipe and a good one. There’s nothing wrong with looking to the past for some inspiration! This banana cream pie is crunchy, crispy, and creamy all at the same time.

Topped with some shredded white chocolate, this is bound to impress the whole family at any BBQ. If you want to make this super quick and easy, use pre-made puff pastry for the crust.

5. Fresh Peach Pie

Source: joyfoodsunshine.com

Summer is calling, and peaches are in season! There’s no better way to celebrate these delicious stone fruits than with a baked peach pie.

This recipe highlights all the best parts of eating a peach, bringing out the soft texture and floral flavor. Served with a scoop of ice cream, this will get everyone on board.

6. Vegan Orange Creamsicles

Source: veganhuggs.com

If you’re making dessert for a crowd with some dietary restrictions, don’t worry! You have plenty of options, including these delicious orange creamsicles.

Despite the ‘cream’ in their name, these beauties are vegan. With bright citrus from the orange and the coolness of a frozen treat, these will make you very popular at the party.

7. Traeger S’mores Dip

Source: alicensetogrill.com

S’mores dip is the promised land of all desserts. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining melted marshmallows, gooey chocolate, and crunchy Graham crackers into an irresistible dessert.

It’s also so easy to make! All you need to do is line a baking sheet with the ingredients and fire away. In no time, you’ll have the dessert everyone will be discussing for days to come.

8. Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar

Source: savorthebest.com

Looking for something quick and simple? Take a trip to the tropics with these delicious grilled pineapple spears.

The cinnamon sugar topping makes these sing as it bakes onto the fruit from the grill’s heat. Every bite is juicy, rich with dark sweetness, and yet refreshing. It’s perfect for summer.

If you loved the tropical flavors here, these Hawaiian desserts are sure to please!

9. Traeger Smoked Apple Pie

The only thing better than an apple pie at a barbecue is a smoked one at a barbecue. Smoked apples pick up a delicious woody infusion from the smoke that’s well worth the extra effort.

When you use them in a pie, that pie becomes addictive. Some might even say drool-worthy!

10. Brownie Blondies

Source: thefastrecipe.com

Running low on time and need something kid-friendly? Try out these brownie blondies! That might sound like an oxymoron, but it simply blends the flavor of a blondie with brownie fillings.

These are chewy, buttery, and delightfully dense. They’re the perfect follow-up to a meaty main meal.

11. BBQ Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Cake

Source: bbqingwiththenolands.com

Lemons and blueberries were meant to be together. It’s written in the stars! The light citrus from the lemons and the robust sweetness from the blueberries exist perfectly.

So, imagine those two ingredients in a buttermilk cake. Crumbly, buttery, and utterly addictive, this dessert will quickly become a party favorite.

12. Lemon Brownies

Source: savvymamalifestyle.com

Lemon brownies might sound like an oxymoron, but these citrus brownies prove the concept is possible! The dense little cakes are super moist and tangy, perfect for a summer day.

You might also know these as lemon icebox bars. It’s a vintage recipe that’s held up beautifully over the years, thanks to how easy it is to make!

13. Vegan Fudgesicles

Source: epicveganeats.com

Everyone deserves to enjoy fudgesicles. They’re practically a constitutional right. Thankfully, these vegan fudgesicles exist! They’re chocolatey, dense, and so good on a hot day.

The toasted coconut flakes on the outside make them a thousand times better, thanks to the additional crunch. With no dairy in sight, these are still insanely creamy and smooth.

14. No Bake Blueberry Lemon Ice Cream Pie with Coconut Walnut Crust

Source: eastewart.com

Going the healthy route with dessert doesn’t have to mean letting go of great flavors! This no-bake lemon and blueberry pie proves that you can make a healthy pie and eat it too.

The coconut and walnut crust on this pie is dead easy to make. You might also enjoy these simple 4-ingredient coconut macaroons with chocolate !

15. BBQ Dessert Cake with Cherries

Source: lucismorsels.com

This is a BBQ dessert in the most literal sense because you cook the cake on the barbecue! Use the leftover heat from the grill to bake your cake to perfection.

Grill some cherries on a skewer to add a dark sweetness to the plate. Whipped cream is essential here, so ensure you have plenty of it ready!

This is one of the best fresh cherry recipes for summer!

16. Gluten Free Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze and Fresh Berries

Summer berries, zesty citrus, and creamy kefir? Sign me up! This is a gluten-free option that everybody coming to your next BBQ will enjoy, whether they live gluten-free or not.

Bundt cakes are circular with a hole in the middle, inviting them to be filled with delicious toppings. This one gets the summer treatment, so be generous with your favorite fresh berries!

17. Watermelon Dessert “Pizza.”

Source: healthmylifestyle.com

There’s pizza, there’s a dessert pizza, and then there’s watermelon dessert pizza.

There have been many evolutionary steps that humanity has taken to arrive at this recipe, and I’m grateful for all of them!

The result is a sweet, refreshing take on a dessert pizza that uses watermelon as the base. This is a great way to get your little ones to eat their fruits while making them fun.

18. Cast Iron Orange Olive Oil Upside Down Cake

Source: motherwouldknow.com

If you have a cast iron pan lying around, try this recipe. This is a rich, sweet, fragrant take on an upside-down cake you’ll quickly fall in love with.

This is the kind of recipe you take with you on a trip to the woods. It’s earthy, nature-bound, and perfect for quiet evenings around a fire with your loved ones.

19. Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Source: kiipfit.com

Blend dark sweetness from two ends of the baking spectrum with these tasty cherry brownies.

The baked cherries become even more flavorful because they dry up, lending the brownie some extra chewiness.

These are fantastic for taking to a friend’s place for dessert since they keep so well in a container.

20. Grilled Peaches with Honey Whipped Mascarpone Cream

Source: ramshacklepantry.com

Keep things simple, tasty, and refined with this grilled peaches dessert. Scrub off your grill and lay the peaches face down to bring out even more delicious seasonal sweetness.

Top with airy whipped mascarpone cream for an out-of-this-world treat! These are easy to make, especially since you can whip up the cream beforehand.

21. S’mores Pizza with Sweet Chocolate Cookie Crust

Source: planted365.com

We’ve gone from a s’mores dip to a s’mores pizza! This is a fantastic recipe for kids and adults alike. Everyone at the party can grab a slice of this beautiful dessert.

Enjoy the deep, rich flavors of chocolate alongside melted marshmallows and crumbly crackers. This is a great way to enjoy this fireside favorite.

22. Mixed Berry Cake

Source: laneandgreyfare.com

Mixed berries are a fixture in summer barbecues. From drinks to glazes, they turn up everywhere! So, it makes sense to honor them with this delicious mixed berry cake.

The cake and frosting are light and simple, leaving plenty of room for the dark, sweet berries to shine. Make the cake ahead of time and assemble it at the party for maximum impact!

23. Peach, Almond, and Coconut Galette

Source: dishedbykate.com

A galette is a fancy French version of a tart that uses thin slices of your chosen fruit or vegetable. Ironically, it’s also easier to make than many tin tarts!

This peach, almond, and coconut galette is super crunchy and floral. Perfect for a quick and easy summer dessert.

24. No Bake Vegan Key Lime Bars

Source: foodwineandlove.com

Layered bar recipes are fantastic for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. They ensure everyone can get a piece of the action, packing a ton of flavor into one little square serving.

This key lime version is vegan, so there’s no dairy in sight! That makes these bars light, fresh, and perfect as the finisher at your next BBQ.

25. S’more Meringue Cups

Source: emilyfabulous.com

There’s something so cute about everyone getting their portion of dessert. That – among other things –makes these s’more meringue cups so popular!

Not only do they taste fantastic, but they look amazing. These will do beautifully if you’re ever stuck for a quick and easy gift idea around the holidays.

26. Smoked Chocolate S’mores Cheesecake

Source: stefseatsandsweets.com

You’ve been missing out if you didn’t know you could smoke chocolate before this! Smoked chocolate is smooth, rich, dark, and mellow. The hint of earthiness tips it into luxury territory.

Imagine that flavor packed into a smooth, creamy no-bake s’mores chocolate cheesecake. This dessert is a showstopper and perfect if you want to pull out all the stops!

27. Passion Fruit Bars

Source: balancewithjess.com

Hop on the summer train with these delicious tropical fruit bars. Every bite sings with lush tropical flavors! It’s like sunshine in bar form.

These are super easy to prepare, requiring only five minutes of hands-on time. The rest of the time is for baking and cooling the bars to get them gooey.

28. Banana Split Grilled Dessert Nachos

Source: twohealthykitchens.com

Dessert nachos are a favorite, especially for kids! They’re easy to share and great for enjoying dessert as a community. That’s why I love this recipe for barbecues.

The grilled fruits are super easy to make on a hot barbecue. Have lots of bananas? Check out these best even banana dessert recipes !

29. Ube Cheesecake Bars

Ube is a root vegetable used in both sweet and savory dishes. It gives the dishes a little extra ‘oomph,’ adding some earthiness and robust flavor.

With these buttery cheesecake bars, that combination is perfection! The purple-marbled swirl on top of the bars is also not to be missed.

30. Paleo Vegan Berry Crisp

Source: maryswholelife.com

Living paleo and vegan can be tough when headed to a barbecue, but this dessert will ensure you always have something tasty on hand!

Packed with crunchy and juicy elements to keep your tastebuds interested, this quick and easy dessert tastes amazing.

31. Vegan Frozen Yogurt Bark with Berries

Source: bestservedvegan.com

Finally, we have an ice cream alternative your kids will love! Get a ton of good probiotics and plenty of fruit while enjoying the sweet, cooling, refreshing sensation of ice cream.

This yogurt bark is a genius invention that kids will be leaping on from all directions. Trust me. The adults will be quite fond of it as well.

And with that, we’re done! That’s thirty-one ways to enjoy a BBQ dessert without spending all day in the kitchen (or breaking the bank). Have any of these caught your attention?

Better yet, do you have a go-to BBQ dessert recipe that more people should know? Let us know in the comments below! Check out the rest of All Nutritious for more delicious meal ideas.

You May Also Like:

Healthiest Protein Brownies

Oatmeal Banana Bread

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

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BBQ desserts

From simple fruity desserts that can be cooked on the grill, to show-stopping puds that will impress your guests, our collection of BBQ puddings will ensure your cookout ends on a seriously sweet note.

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25 Delicious BBQ Desserts For Your Next Cookout

Our team independently research, test, and recommend the best products. If you buy through our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

BBQ season is here and you don’t want to show up empty-handed.

You know that your friends and family love the deliciousness of BBQ, but they also love desserts. The problem is that it can be hard to figure out what dessert to bring for a summertime cookout.

We’ve got you covered with this list of 25 amazing BBQ desserts for your next summer barbecue party! These bbq dessert recipes are easy enough for any home chef but will impress even the most discerning palates. And best of all, these treats are perfect for sharing at potlucks or tailgating parties where there’s no oven in sight!

From s’mores brownies to cobblers, we have all the BBQ dessert ideas you could ever need.

Table of Contents

1. S’mores: Classic Version

Recipe From Hersheyland

To make this treat, start by melting milk chocolate in the microwave. Then, top graham crackers with marshmallows and melted milk chocolate. Top it all off with another graham cracker to form a sandwich.

2. Rhubarb Crumble

Recipe From Food Network

The best part about this recipe is that it can be prepared beforehand and then baked at the last minute. So it’s great for those times when you need a dessert that doesn’t require much work.

We’re sure that you will get rave reviews for this dish, so make sure you don’t forget the vanilla ice cream!

3. Banana Pudding

Just grab some vanilla wafers and follow this banana pudding recipe, and you’re really in business!

4. Key Lime Pie

This pie also requires very few ingredients which makes it an easy dessert to throw together!

I’m sure everyone will ask for the recipe when they taste how delicious it is.

5. Banana Split With Vanilla Ice Cream

Recipe From The Kitchen Magpie

Either way that you choose to do it, just be sure that there’s plenty of whipped cream involved!

6. Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

What’s on the dessert table without a chocolate chip cookie? This is one of my favorite summer desserts to make on Memorial Day because it satisfies everyone, plus it only takes about 45 minutes!

7. Easy Graham Cracker Toffee

Recipe From Two Peas & Their Pod

This toffee recipe is so easy, but it tastes amazing. Plus, you can make it using graham crackers or digestive biscuits if you have gluten intolerance!

You can also add raisins or nuts if you’d like! The best part about this recipe is that it only takes 20 minutes to prepare before baking. Now that’s our kind of dessert!

8. Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut butter lovers rejoice! This pie is absolutely delicious. It’s a peanut butter lover’s dream.

9. Pina Colada Cheesecake

Recipe From A Classic Twist

To make this heavenly dessert, you’ll need crushed shortbread cookies and melted butter. Then add cream cheese and coconut milk or cream and stir before putting them into the fridge overnight.

The next day, it’s time to top off this deliciousness with pineapple chunks and more coconut cream!

10. Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting

There’s nothing like brownies and cream cheese frosting to make your mouth water. This recipe is perfect for a potluck because it’s easy to transport and the recipe makes enough for everyone.

The one thing that I love about this recipe is that you use an entire box of brownie mix. That’s the way to my heart!

11. Strawberry Shortcake

The one thing that you have to remember about this recipe is that it does require a little creativity. You’ll need biscuit dough, or angel food cake, juicy strawberries, sugar, and lots of whipped cream.

12. Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are one of the best ways to take advantage of ripe lemons and make a delicious dessert. This recipe is perfect for any cookout, so be sure to bring it along!

These perfect Lemon Bars have just the right amount of citrus flavor with a buttery crust!

13. Peach Cobbler

To make this mouthwatering treat, you’ll need brown sugar, peaches, margarine, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract. The ingredients are simple enough for kids to use.

Make sure you make enough to share, though; everyone will be asking for seconds!

14. Classic Tiramisu

Recipe From NY Times

15. Fresh Berries With Homemade Whipped Cream

Berries are the perfect way to end a cookout because they’re refreshing and delicious. Make sure you make enough to share because your guests will be asking for more.

To make this refreshing summer dessert, all you have to do is rinse a few berries and layer them with whipped cream.

16. S’mores Brownies

Recipe From Confessions of a Baking Queen

If you’re looking for a sweet treat that balances out all those savory flavors, then these bars will do the trick.

As if having two layers weren’t enough already (they are chewy after all), there’s also fluffy marshmallow meringue on top making everything so much more enjoyable than s’mores would typically be!

17. Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love vanilla ice cream sandwiches? These ice cream sandwiches are perfect for any cookout because they’re simple to make and you probably already have the ingredients!

Just buy some chocolate chip cookies or another type of cookie that you like, pick your favorite flavor of ice cream (we recommend Cookies N’ Cream), and assemble. The best part is you don’t even need an expensive ice cream maker to make these homemade ice cream sandwiches.

18. Raspberry Cheesecake

This raspberry cheesecake looks absolutely delicious. All you need is an Oreo crust, cream cheese filling, fresh raspberries, and raspberry jam.

You can substitute fresh blueberries for raspberries if you’d like. But, either way, we promise that this recipe is easy enough for kids to make and will be a nice treat after the cookout!

19. Melted Chocolate Fondue

To make this recipe, you’ll need chocolate chips, heavy cream, fruit (like fresh strawberries), marshmallows, and cookies. Just melt the ingredients together in a double boiler and serve with whatever else you want!

20. Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter balls are great to give to friends and family, but they’re also delicious for any cookout. Just pack them in a container and you’re good to go!

21. Cookies And Cream Pizza

Recipe From 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

This cookies and cream pizza looks like the perfect way to end a cookout with something sweet. Plus, it doesn’t require an oven! Just make sure that everything is ready to go before you serve it; we don’t want anyone waiting for their dessert.

22. Frozen Yogurt Pie With Grahm Cracker Crust

Recipe From Snack Works

23. Fudge Pops

Fudge pops are another great way to end a cookout because they’re delicious and easy to transport. Plus, you can customize them how you want!

To make this delicious treat, you’ll need chocolate fudge (make sure it’s cooled), chocolate ice cream (or any type of ice cream that you like), lollipop sticks, and whatever other toppings you’d like. We bet sprinkles look especially tasty!

24. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake is one of the best desserts, so be sure to bring it along to your next cookout! You can take our recipe or you can find another one that you think looks delicious.

To make this delicious treat, you’ll need vanilla cake mix, butter, brown sugar, pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and pecans. It’s so easy to make! And it shouldn’t take an hour of prep work either – just simple ingredients that anyone can find at your local grocery store.

25. Watermelon Pizza

Recipe From This Mama Cooks

Wrapping Up Your Delicious BBQ Desserts

Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, or even a no-bake dessert, our list has got you covered! We also have more tailgate food ideas that are sure to spice up your party!

Hungry for more?

17 delicious pellet grill recipes for your next bbq, 50+ best blackstone recipes that are easy and delicious, how to grill carne asada: the perfect recipe for an..., bobby pritchard.

Restaurants, Food and Drink | 4 easy-to-prepare treats to serve at your next…

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Restaurants, food and drink | intense bay area heat to crank up even more, and it may last longer than anticipated, restaurants, food and drink, restaurants, food and drink | 4 easy-to-prepare treats to serve at your next summer get-together.

As the summer unfolds, I plan to ask friends to stop by for a glass of wine, some iced tea, or a cocktail. No la-di-da dinner will be in the mix, only some simple nibbles. A bowl of nuts. Maybe some seasoned popcorn. Some cheese and crackers.

And something else. One or two easy-to-prepare things from my kitchen. And once everyone has a glass of choice, I’ll propose a toast to Erma.

Onion Flatbread

This tasty flatbread goes together quickly, especially when using storebought fresh pizza dough. I buy pizza dough in 1-pound plastic bags at Trader Joe’s and find that they work best when used within one or two days of purchase.

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

Parchment paper

All-purpose flour

12 ounces pizza dough

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, see cook’s notes

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Coarse salt

Finely chopped Italian parsley

Cook’s notes: Sometimes I use a shredded cheese labeled “taco blend.” It’s shredded Jack cheese tossed with taco seasoning.

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Lightly dust parchment paper with flour. Press dough into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle. Transfer dough on parchment to a rimmed baking sheet. Rub dough with olive oil. Add cheese and top with onion slices.

2. Bake until browned and cooked through, 10 to 11 minutes. Top with a small amount of salt. And parsley.

Source: Adapted from Food Network Magazine

Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

Crusty, hot, and melty chocolate sandwiches make a decadent snack or dessert, but they can also be cut into daintier portions and nestled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Yield: 2 sandwiches, each cut in half or thirds

Soft unsalted butter

4 slices sourdough French bread or firm white sandwich bread, see cook’s notes

About 2 ounces chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, or 1/3 cup chocolate chips, minis preferred

Coarse sea salt or Maldon flakey salt

Cook’s notes: I use La Brea Bakery’s Country White Sourdough bread, sliced thinly, or Trader Joe’s cracked wheat sourdough bread. Because these bakers’ versions are large I use two slices instead of four; I cut them in half and consider each half a slice of bread.

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread generously. In a skillet big enough to hold them, cook the slices butter side down over medium heat, just until pale gold on one side.

2. Cover two of the slices with chocolate. Flip a naked slice on top, butter side up. Cook, turning the sandwiches as necessary, until chocolate is softened and the sandwiches are browned on both sides. Serve immediately, sprinkled with a pinch of coarse sea salt.

Source: Adapted from “Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts” by Alice Medrich (Artisan, $25.95)

Salmon Rillette

“Rillette” is a French term for a concoction with a spreadable yet chunky texture. Most often rillettes are made with pork or duck, but in this recipe salmon and smoked salmon are the headliners.

Yield: About 4 cups

3 cups water

1 pound skinless salmon fillet

1/2 pound smoked salmon, finely chopped

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

3/4 cup minced shallots

1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons drained capers

2 teaspoons brandy or B&B liqueur

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving: Toasted sliced baguette or crackers or cucumber slices

Garnish: Sprigs of Italian parsley

1. Bring 3 cups water to boil in deep, 12-inch skillet on high heat. Add fresh salmon; reduce heat and poach at bare simmer, turning once, until just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. With slotted spatula, transfer salmon to bowl and cool.

2. Flake poached salmon with fork. Add smoked salmon, butter, shallots, parsley, lemon juice, mustard, capers, brandy, zest, salt and pepper. Stir until well-combined. Pack into 1-quart terrine or bowl. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Serve with bread (toasted, or not), crackers and/or cucumber slices. Garnish with Italian parsley. Provide a small spreading knife.

Source: Adapted from “The Gourmet Cookbook” edited by Ruth Reichl (Houghton Mifflin, $40)

Smashed Baby Dutch Yellow Potato Dippers

The crisp texture and sweet starchiness of smashed oven-roasted Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes is irresistible. Here they are used as dippers for a simple mix of sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasoned salt. Serve the potatoes hot but cool enough to easily pick up. If you prefer, you can provide a spoon for guests to use to scoop up sour cream mixture and place on their smashed potatoes.

1 pound Baby Dutch Yellow potatoes

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon seasoned salt, such as Spike

Kosher salt to taste

Sour Cream Dip

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, such as Lawry’s or Spike

1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot

Garnish: snipped fresh chives

1. For potatoes: preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a Dutch oven or pot, place potatoes with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to boil on high heat; reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes (to test piece with the tip of a pointed knife – it should go in easily, but potatoes shouldn’t be over-cooked). Drain in colander; shake colander to remove excess water.

2. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and seasoned salt; toss to coat potatoes. Spoon potatoes onto prepared baking sheet taking part of the oil along with them — place them in single layer, leaving a space between them. Smash the potatoes to flatten them (keep them mostly whole). I use the bottom of a measuring cup to press them down. Bake until crisp, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt.

3. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and hot sauce. Stir until blended. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Top with snipped chives.

4. Serve potatoes to use as dippers alongside the bowl containing the sour cream mixture or provide a spoon for scooping sour cream mixture..

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her at @CathyThomas Cooks.com.

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15 Make-Ahead Sides That Will Make Every Backyard BBQ So Much Easier

From baked beans to marinated zucchini, these recipes free you up to focus on the main event.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Guests gather around the grill and mill about outside at most backyard barbecues. If the host is running back and forth to the kitchen preparing and serving sides, they miss out on the best parts of the party. By getting the side dishes sliced, diced, and stirred before the party, you are free to spend the party working the grill–or the crowd.

Early preparation also has another added advantage: Many sides actually taste better after they sit for a bit–grains soak in dressings and flavors mingle. Vegetables relax as they marinate, and you can, too, knowing how much easier it will be to enjoy the gathering. By the time guests arrive, your kitchen is clean, the snacks are set out, and there’s nothing left to do but light that grill and ignite the party.

These 15 recipes for hot, cool, creamy, and savory make-ahead barbecue side dishes will have guests impressed not only by their flavor, but by your unflappable hosting skills.

Baked Beans from Scratch

ALLRECIPES / JULIA HARTBECK

Maple syrup and time give this barbecue side dish its signature flavor. The long, slow cooking process adds depth and complexity, which only sink in more as they sit in the fridge for a few days before the party.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Everything is better with bacon–and ranch. Both play starring roles in this updated and exciting twist on the cookout classic. The crunch from crispy bacon takes the texture up a notch while the ranch seasoning intensifies the dressing.

Crisp Marinated Cucumbers

ALLRECIPES / QI AI

Cool off the crowd with these bright, chilled, and crunchy snacks, the perfect foil for rich, hot meat. Celery seeds add unique notes as the slices marinate overnight in the fridge–essentially transforming them into quick-pickles.

Fresh Corn Salad

This simple and vibrant salad brings a burst of color to the table, with the sun-yellow corn, red cherry tomatoes, and green cilantro. Stir in the cheese just before serving to maximize the contrast between the salty feta and sweet corn.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Gluten-free and packed with protein and fiber, this herby quinoa sneaks something a bit healthful onto the table. The longer it sits, the more of the lemony dressing the quinoa soaks up and the better it tastes.

Best Caprese Skewers

The smartest way to keep a caprese salad from going soggy overnight is to serve it on sticks. This hand-held version of the Italian classic stays fresh and looks great on the table.

Watermelon Salad With Feta

Juicy watermelon comes in a grown-up presentation in this refreshing summer salad. The heartiness of the arugula helps keep it looking sharp when made ahead of time, and the red onion adds a surprising tang to the sweet and salty salad.

Easy Coleslaw Dressing

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

This quick-and-creamy dressing takes just a few minutes to stir together, keeps for up to a week, and works in all kinds of ways: poured over store-bought coleslaw mix, as sauce for a BBQ sandwich, or as a dip.

Red-Skinned Potato Salad

Waxy red-skinned potatoes hold their shape through cooking, meaning they stay firm in this salad as they join crunchy celery, bacon, and onion in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise and hard-boiled eggs.

Twenty-Four Hour Salad

Think of this as a party-sized version of the mason jar salad, or perhaps a fresh take on a savory trifle with a great trick: The layer of veggies helps protect the lettuce from exposure to the dressing and air and keeps them from wilting overnight.

Red Cabbage Slaw

This coleslaw gets some extra color and a bit more oomph from the red cabbage and cranberries, plus crunch from the walnuts, all of which come together as it chills with the mayo dressing in the fridge.

Greek Orzo Salad

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Give your gathering a Mediterranean touch with this Greek take on the pasta salad featuring orzo, olives, and marinated artichoke hearts, boosted with crunchy vegetables, fresh and dried herbs, and a hit of lemon juice.

Mom's Best Macaroni Salad

Condensed milk is the secret behind this salad’s ultra-creamy texture. An overnight stint in the fridge allows the macaroni to soak up some of the liquid and makes sure all the flavors completely mesh.

Italian Pasta Salad

A hoagie meets pasta salad in this colorful and bountiful side dish that will keep everyone’s appetite at bay while waiting for the grill. Made ahead of time, the salad’s Italian dressing soaks into the pasta and vegetables for a more cohesive, flavorful dish.

Marinated Zucchini

Despite being a summer vegetable, zucchini is rarely honored with a starring role as a refreshing summer dish, as it is here. Fresh herbs and a bright vinegar dressing make this the perfect no-cook, make-ahead dish for a hot weather get-together.

More Inspiration

• 30 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks
• Our 22 Best Ever Summer Side Dishes
• The 12 Best Barbecue Side Dishes

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The Unexpected Trick to Grilling Better Hot Dogs

Millions of Americans will be eating hot dogs this week. Here’s a streamlined method with a final easy tweak to ensure yours sizzles and snaps.

By Ali Slagle

Ali Slagle grilled over 40 hot dogs to find this smart, streamlined way to celebrate summer.

Freeze a hot dog until it’s solid. That’s the first step to cooking one, according to a video published last month and now viewed tens of millions of times. The icy cold hot dog is then shaved with a vegetable peeler and air-fried into bouncy curls.

In other videos, hot dogs have undergone more extreme treatments: sliced into ringlets and pine cones or slashed with cross hatches and fish scales . Though these preparations promise browned bits and quicker cook times, not all glow-ups are worth the effort.

Recipe: Grilled Hot Dogs

In tests with various brands of hot dogs (including beef, pork, poultry and plant-based) on charcoal and gas grills, and a campfire, on their own and in buns with toppings , the soundest method for consistently snappy sizzled hot dogs was also the most straightforward. Vegetable peeler and TikTok tutorials not required.

The set up is minimal: a flame, a grate and tongs. Same with the method. Here are the three tips to keep in mind.

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