These graduation party foods are at the top of their class.
It's time to toss that graduation cap in the air, because school is out and that mean's it's time to party (and get to snacking!!). Celebrate the end of the school year by whipping up some of our favorite party-ready graduation foods to earn you an A+ with your guests, like Nashville hot chicken dip, sheet-pan Italian subs, and a copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake for dessert. Whether you plan on gathering with a crowd or just a small group to celebrate, we've rounded up 45 of our favorite appetizers, main meals, and desserts to help you pull off the best graduation party ever.
The future (and these delicious party foods) are newly on your graduate's horizon, but that doesn't mean it should be hard work getting your party ready. What could be easier than making a batch of sliders? It doesn't get any better than our Hawaiian roll sliders, Philly cheesesteak sliders, and naturally, these shredded chicken parm sliders.
Celebrating for high schoolers or younger? We have tons of fun non-alcoholic party drinks and mocktails perfect for pouring up for your graduates. Our virgin raspberry mango "margarita" slushies are bright and refreshing, no matter your age. And if you're congratulating the 21+ crowd, we have plenty of big-batch co*cktails that will be sure to please any crowd.
On a time crunch? Try some of our favorite super simple last-minute appetizers. And if you need something extra special to finish off the meal, try one of these show-stopping cakes.
1
Oven-Baked Ribs
Let’s set the scene: You've got an intense craving for saucy, tender ribs, but don't have access to a grill. Heartbreaking, we know, but that's where these BBQ oven-baked ribs come in to save the day. By cooking low and slow, you can make tender, fall-of-the-bone ribs in the comfort of your own kitchen. Paired with our signature homemade BBQ sauce, these tender ribs are the meal to make to celebrate your grad.
Get the Oven-Baked Ribs recipe.
2
Sheet-Pan Italian Subs
Hoping to bring sandwiches to feed your potluck crowd, but don't want to spend all morning assembling them? This sheet-pan hack is for you! Overlapping the bread slices means you can fit more onto the sheet pan, and don’t worry—the melty Provolone and pressing these down (sort of like a massive DIY panini press) makes sure they still hold together.
Get the Sheet-Pan Italian Subs recipe.
3
Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad
Whether you’re
meal preppinglunch for the week, joining a summer potluck, or just want to enjoy an easy meal, you can’t go wrong with a pasta salad. It can come in so many different forms—there’s the classic
Hawaiian-style mac salad, a bright, vinegar-based
Italian pasta salad, or even inventive versions using
crispy ramen noodles! But this pasta salad draws inspiration from one of Texas’s most iconic dishes: cowboy caviar.
Get the Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad recipe.
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4
Pigs In A Blanket
There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
5
Piña Colada Lasagna
Need an easy summer dessert? Enter this easy no-bake piña colada lasagna. It's got a base of coconut and graham cracker, layered with a coconut cream cheese, shortbread cookies, and pineapple Jell-O, echoing its namesake frozen drink.
Get the Piña Colada Lasagna recipe.
6
CPK Italian Chopped Salad
California Pizza Kitchen may be famous for BBQ Chicken Pizza, but the Italian Chopped Salad is the unsung hero on their menu. An exuberant jumble of lettuce, chickpeas, turkey, salami, tomatoes, and cheese, all tossed in an Italian mustard-herb vinaigrette, this is one salad that might actually tempt us to put down the pizza in favor of the greens.
Get the CPK Italian Chopped Salad recipe.
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7
Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs
We know what you’re thinking, “... grilled celery?” We were doubtful too. But it tastes even better than it sounds. Glaze the kebabs with more Buffalo sauce, grill until the cauliflower is tender, then drizzle with blue cheese dressing. Hard to imagine a better excuse to throw a BBQ.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs recipe.
8
Fruit Popsicles
In the heat of summer, nothing satisfies quite like a fruit popsicle. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet.
Get the Fruit Popsicles recipe.
9
Reuben Pinwheels
If you love meaty, savory, tangy Reuben sandwiches, then these crispy Reuben pinwheels are the easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ve been searching for. Made with store-bought buttery puff pastry and layered with corned beef, gooey Swiss cheese, creamy thousand island dressing, and crunchy sauerkraut, these bites have everything you love about the classic sandwich in a party-ready shape.
Get the Reuben Pinwheels recipe.
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10
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is the ultimate side dish blank canvas. You get to pick the noodle shape, mix-ins, and dressing, so it’s not surprising that we have over 50 different recipes for it. This time around, pasta salad gets a Mediterranean twist, showcasing some of my favorite flavors from that corner of the globe. And the best part—although pasta salad is usually thought of as a side, the added protein from the chickpeas will make this easy to turn into a main.
Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
11
Best Baked Beans
When it comes to year-round American cuisine, baked beans could quite possibly be looked at as one of the most classic side dishes. They’re sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make. Not to mention, they’re a one-pot wonder! Throw in the fact that one batch feeds a small crowd and that most of the cooking is done unattended in the oven, and you have a winning dish that’ll be a staple for all your family gatherings for years to come.
Get the Best Baked Beans recipe.
12
Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
Need a flavor-packed dip to really amp up your Super Bowl party? This Nashville hot chicken-inspired dip brings the heat and MORE. Beware—this is for major spice fans only.
Get the Nashville Hot Chicken Dip recipe.
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13
Best Classic Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and this one is the best. Based off of my dad's recipe, it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of my potato salad pet peeves. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is the recipe for you.
Get the Best Classic Potato Salad recipe.
14
Peach Bruschetta
Summer is that beautiful time of year when both peaches and tomatoes are in season and peak quality, and this easy appetizer celebrates that. Tossing the fruit with just a little salt and olive oil makes the fruit shine and keeps things tasting fresh and sweet. Ready in 30 minutes, this is a great appetizer to serve at a no-frills summer dinner party, but could easily make a great lunch as well with minimal effort.
Get the Peach Bruschetta recipe.
15
Grilled Beer Brats
It takes almost zero cooking skills to get perfectly charred brats topped with flavor-packed caramelized onions and peppers. First, the brats get burnished on the grill, then they finish off in a simmering beer bath alongside the veg. Use whatever beer you like to drink, but not IPAs (India Pale Ales), which are brewed to be hoppy (i.e., bitter).
Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe.
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16
Hawaiian Roll Sliders
Hawaiian rolls are a guilty pleasure of ours: They're buttery, soft, and full of just-sweet-enough flavor. These sliders, layered with ham, Swiss, and caramelized onions, will quickly become a MUST at any celebration.
Get the Hawaiian Roll Sliders recipe.
17
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state—you can find it all over the islands nestled alongside classics like , huli huli chicken, or an ahi tuna poke bowl. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to potlucks and BBQs all spring and summer long.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
18
Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Dairy Queen’s classic ice cream cake is king in the realm of frozen desserts, but our copycat recipe is coming for the crown. Starring that signature ribbon of fudge and chocolate cookie crunchies sandwiched between vanilla and chocolate ice cream, this homemade version of this iconic treat is equally easy to make and delicious to eat.
Get the Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake recipe.
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19
Classic Pico De Gallo
Whatever your party needs, this pico de gallo recipe will save the day. Looking for the easiest last-minute appetizer for your potluck party? The freshest addition for your nachos spread? A fast, simple snack to munch on all week long? Pico de gallo is the answer. Bright and acidic with just a kick of heat, this just might be the easiest dip to prepare (and devour). All it takes to make is chopping your ingredients and tossing them together—that's it! In 15 minutes, you'll have an easy, satisfying app on your hands that will boost any and every meal it's served with.
Get the Classic Pico De Gallo recipe.
20
Pinwheel Sandwiches
These pinwheels are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for any party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice. See, simple!
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
