Make-ahead summer snacks for pool parties that are light (with some protein), and great for outdoor snacking.
It’s cooking-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot, and you’re beating the heat by being in the pool with a bunch of people.
Awesome!
Whether it’s a planned or impromptu pool party, you need some quick, refreshing pool party snacks you can make ahead of time to offer everyone’s grumbling bellies.
You know, the kind that keeps your kitchen from turning into an easy-bake oven around 2:00 p.m. when everyone has a case of the munchies?
Make Ahead Summer Snacks for Pool Parties
Make these poolside snacks the morning of, or even a day ahead of time. Then just pull them out as guests get hungry.
1. Trail Mix Rice Krispies Treats™
After swimming for a few hours, I get hungry. Like, I can feel my stomach churning air.
What I love about this treat is that it’s filling (with the added protein) but still feels light.
Because who wants something heavy out in the heat (especially if they’re going back in to swim afterward)?
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 package (10 oz., about 40) Marshmallows
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
- Crunchy peanut butter, Nutella, or other nut spread of your choice
- Trail mix or nuts of your choice
To make a batch:
- Make a batch of Rice Krispies Treats™ using the original recipe (I use parchment paper in the pan for easy removal later in the recipe).
- Allow them to cool. Then take the whole block out of the pan and slice the entire thing crosswise, in half.
- Spread crunch peanut butter or Nutella on one half. Then top it with as much trail mix or your favorite nuts as you’d like (for me, that’s Maple Walnuts – hands down my favorite healthy Dollar Tree snack).
- Press the other half firmly back on top, and cut it into small squares.
YUM.
2. Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Kebabs
Here’s another super-simple snack you can make ahead of time and store in the fridge until you + your other pool buddies need a little something to eat.
Ingredients:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Store-bought (or homemade) pesto
- Mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves (optional)
- Wooden skewers
To make a batch:
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, crosswise
- Thin the pesto sauce with some olive oil
- Make the kebabs by piercing each wooden skewer with a pattern of basil leaves (if using), cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls.
- Drizzle the plate with the pesto sauce.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Voilà!
3. Mexican Watermelon Cups
We lived in El Paso, Texas, for about the last four years (just 18 minutes from the border).
One afternoon I got to taste these Mexican fruit cups at a birthday party – I can’t tell you how delightful it was!
It’s such a great poolside snack.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon, cantaloupe, and any other melon or fruit (like mango, pineapple, etc.) you want to munch on (I’ve also seen cucumber sticks)
- Tajín Chile Lime seasoning
- Limes
- Plastic cups for individual serving
To make a batch:
- Cut up the watermelon and other fruits you’d like into strips that fit into plastic cups.
- Arrange the fruit strips into however many cups you’d like.
- Drizzle a little lime juice over each.
- Put a dash of Tajin over each cup (to taste).
4. Banana Split Parfait on a Plate
I went on a business retreat at this beautiful inn in the Shenandoah Valley earlier this year.
And one of the treats they had at breakfast? Were these healthy banana splits.
I thought it was super cute, so I got inspired to make my own version as a light snack for the pool.
Ingredients:
- Bananas (1 for each person)
- Granola (your choice)
- 1 box of Cheesecake instant pudding
- 2 cups of milk
- Any extra toppings you want (mini chocolate chips, coconut flakes, raspberries, etc.)
To make a batch:
- Make the cheesecake instant pudding mix according to instructions. Allow to cool in the fridge and set.
- Put the instant pudding mixture into a condiment squeeze bottle like these (if you want to get a nice look – if not, you can just spoon it over).
- Slice bananas in half crosswise.
- Squeeze the pudding mixture over bananas (or spoon it over).
- Sprinkle with granola, and any other toppings you wish.
5. Energy Balls
I love how poppable these things are.
And, mostly healthy!
Some fun & yummy recipes include:
- Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- High Protein Monster Energy Bites
- Almond Butter Energy Balls
- Chocolate Date Energy Balls
Hint: these also freeze well.
6. Healthy Apple Donuts
I have no idea who first thought to slice apples and make dessert donuts out of them…but I’m sure glad they did.
Refreshing AND sweet, at the same time.
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Vanilla or Plain Greek yogurt
- Toppings (sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc.)
To make a batch:
- Slice up your apples crosswise, about ¼ inch thick (you can soak them in water to keep them from browning too soon).
- Put your toppings in separate mini containers with a spoon in each.
- Set it up so that people can grab an apple slice or two with tongs, slather on some Vanilla Greek Yogurt with a spatula, then spoon on the toppings they’d like.
7. Cheese Grape Toothpicks
Ready for the simplest, two-ingredient poolside snack around?
You pick out some fresh grapes and pair them with a piece of cut-up cheese.
Put one of each on a toothpick, and that’s it! Really easy finger food for pool parties.
8. People Puppy Chow Trail Mix
People Puppy Chow itself is not very healthy…but add in some nuts and trail mix?
Well, it’s the best of both worlds (or at least “healthy” where poolside snacks are concerned).
To make a batch:
- Make the Puppy Chow recipe through this link.
- Buy your favorite Trail Mix (I love PB Monster by Target).
- Mix the two together in a big bowl.
Use a cute scoop from the Dollar Tree for self-serving.
9. Mini Waffle Sandwiches
Mini waffle sandwiches are such a fun alternative to regular sandwiches.
And everyone can create their own.
Ingredients:
- Batch of waffles (or pancakes)
- Greek yogurt, Nutella, peanut butter, whipped cream cheese, or any other spread(s) you want
- Fillings like sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, jams, etc.
To make a batch:
- Make the waffles or pancakes.
- Cut them in quarters so that they’re mini.
- Put each filling in a container, with a spoon for serving
Something different and fun for the pool.
Keep the poolside snacks for kids and adults easy, fresh, and satisfying by picking several from this list and making them ahead of time.