Simple, Stylish & Delicious: The Case for Skewers at Your Next Summer Party

There’s something magical about summer entertaining in Los Angeles. The weather’s warm, the produce is peaking, and everything feels a little more relaxed, especially when friends gather outside with a chilled drink in hand. But if you’ve ever hosted a garden party, beach picnic, or casual backyard get-together, you’ve probably asked yourself: What foods are good for a summer party that don’t require hours in a hot kitchen or a hundred forks to clean up later?

Enter: skewered food. These small-but-mighty bites are ideal for hot weather hosting because they tick all the boxes, they’re easy to prep, easy to serve, and easy to eat. Plus, there's just something fun about foods on a stick!

We’re sharing a few make ahead skewer appetizers that pair seasonal ingredients like cherries, goat cheese, strawberries, brie, and mozzarella with fresh herbs and flavorful drizzles. But before we get into the recipes, let’s talk about why easy cold appetizers like these should be on every host’s radar this summer.

Why Skewers Are the Star of Summer Entertaining

1. Effortless to Prep and Serve
Skewers are the ultimate low-effort, high-impact appetizer.

• Minimal ingredients required
  
  

• No need to cook (unless you want to grill!)
  
  

• Assemble in under an hour
  
  

• Easy to serve straight from the fridge
  
  

2. They Keep Their Cool

Perfect for the heat, make ahead skewer appetizers stay fresh and delicious without needing to be reheated.

• Ideal for hot-weather gatherings
  
  

• No need for warming trays or ovens
  
  

• Can be served cold or at room temperature
  
  

3. Pretty by Design

Skewers are an easy way to bring color and beauty to the table.

• Showcase vibrant seasonal ingredients
  
  

• Look great on grazing boards
  
  

• Add instant visual interest to any table
  
  

4. No Utensils, No Problem
These easy cold appetizers are mess-free and fork-free.

• Guests can eat with one hand
  
  

• Less cleanup for you
  
  

• Great for outdoor or picnic-style settings
  
  

5. Customizable for Any Palate

You can tailor your skewer ideas to suit any dietary needs or flavor profiles.

• Sweet or savory
  
  

• Vegetarian or meat-filled
  
  

• Classic like caprese skewers or totally unexpected
  
  

Our Skewer Ideas For Summer Entertaining

At Simple Life Things, we’re all about unfussy entertaining with a stylish edge. These skewer combinations are just that, simple ingredients with standout flavor.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Summer Skewers

These little bites are peak summer — fresh, bright, and just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

Ingredients:

• Fresh cherries (I pit 6 at a time with my favorite cherry pitter)

• Goat cheese

• Drizzle of honey

• Fresh mint leaves

• Skewers or cocktail picks

Instructions:

1. Pit your cherries (bonus points for doing all 6 at once with my favorite cherry pitter!).

2. Gently slice them open, just enough to make room for the filling.

3. In a small bowl, mix goat cheese with a light drizzle of honey.

4. Carefully stuff each cherry with the honeyed goat cheese.

5. Thread onto skewers or cocktail picks, and garnish with fresh mint in between the 2 stuffed cherries.

Serve chilled — and watch them disappear fast.

Marinated Mozzarella Caprese Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 container of marinated mozzarella ciliegine or plain mozzarella ciliegine

• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

• Fresh basil leaves

• Balsamic glaze (optional)

• Skewers or toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Drain the marinated mozzarella slightly, but don’t rinse — keep that flavor!

2. Assemble each skewer:
       – 1 marinated mozzarella ball 
       – 1 folded basil leaf
       – 1 cherry tomato
   

3. Repeat until you’ve used all ingredients.

4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using plain mozzarella ciliegine just before serving, if you like a little extra zing.

Serve chilled for the perfect no-fuss appetizer that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Strawberry + Brie + Mint + Balsamic Glaze Skewers

A little sweet, a little savory, and totally summer-ready — these skewers are as pretty as they are delicious.

Ingredients:

• Fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

• Brie, cut into bite-sized cubes

• Fresh mint leaves

• Balsamic glaze

• Skewers or cocktail picks

Instructions:

1. On each skewer or pick, layer one half of a strawberry, a cube of brie, and with na little a mint leaf in between.

2. Repeat as desired, depending on the size of your skewers.

3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.

Perfect for warm evenings, easy snacking, or that little something extra on a summer board.

These skewered app recipes work beautifully on their own, or you can serve them as part of a larger appetizer spread with olives, nuts, and sliced bread or with one of our delicious cheese platters. 

Hosting Tips: Making Skewered Food Work for You

Want to take your make ahead skewer appetizers to the next level?

Here are a few of our go-to tips:

• Assemble ahead: Make your skewers up to 6 hours before serving. Cover with a damp paper towel and store in the fridge.
  
  

• Use short skewers or cocktail picks: Easier to handle and perfect for single bites.
  
  

• Serve on something beautiful: Use a marble board, vintage tray, or wooden cutting board to instantly elevate your presentation.
  
  

• Mix and match: Combine fruit-forward skewers with savory options like antipasto or grilled vegetable skewers for variety.
  
  

• Keep things chilled: Especially important for cheese or fruit. You can place your serving board over an ice pack covered with a napkin to keep things fresh longer.
  
  Check out a few of my favorite things for crafting simple, stunning summer skewers right here!

When it comes to easy cold appetizers that deliver on taste, presentation, and ease, skewers are a clear winner. They’re stylish, versatile, and endlessly delicious. Best of all? They let you focus on what really matters, being present with your guests instead of running back and forth to the kitchen.

So whether you're planning a full-on bash or a last-minute gathering, these skewer ideas will help you serve up something memorable without the stress. Because at Simple Life Things, we believe great entertaining doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be thoughtful, seasonal, and shared.