Fourth of July recipes: Fun food ideas from grilling to baking (2024)

Idaho Potato CommissionPatriotic Idaho® Potato Fire Pots

July 4th, Independence Day, is the major holiday of the summer. Entertaining for this holiday, however, can be as simple as grilling up some good quality meats and fresh vegetables, rounding up some tasty side dishes and providing plenty of beverages. If you are going with the flag theme, baking a flag-inspired cake or cookies would be a decorative and tasty addition.

But some hosts can't resist an opportunity to showcase unexpected touches in conversation-piece dishes and over-the-top effects. Imagine setting out a cake topped by a cascade of sparklers, or serving party potatoes, baked and stuffed to bursting, then topped with savory shredded mounds and deep fried into a dish that resembles exploding fireworks (recipe below). Here are a few show-stopping ideas for the host who loves to make an impression.

Fourth of July grilling

If life is good and money's flowing freely, you can inspire awe among your guests by watching a $40 to $60 bottle of tequila go up in smoke. Literally.

The folks at of Tequila Avión suggest using the award-winning tequila not for drinks, but for soaking wood chips to place in a fire-proof container. Tuck these chips into the grill, and the company promises that meats with the resulting tequila-smoked flavor will be worth the expense. However, internet discussions among grilling fanatics will show that the jury is still out on whether it's better to just drink the whiskey, beer, tequila or any other alcoholic beverage that one might consider for soaking and smoking. If anyone tries tequila smoke, I'd love to know what you think of the result.

Wilton Spritz Stars and Bars Cookies

Fourth of July desserts

Bakers might already be familiar with all the ideas and holiday-themed supplies available at wilton.com. Easy Fourth of July dessert options include cookie-cutter-shaped brownie stars decorated with red, white and blue icing. For those who prefer more of a challenge, there's the Red, White and True Blue Checkerboard Cake. The Spritz Stars and Bars Cookies are shaped by a cookie press and have details piped on using the Candy Melts with a topping of sprinkles.

A related tip: Star-shaped cookie cutters are a great food decorating tool. Don't just use them for baked goods. Small cutters can press out star-shaped chunks for mixing into fruit salads. Try larger ones to trim the cheese slices that will top grilled burgers.

More ideas

At hgtv.com, there are lots of holiday party tips.

hgtv.comBottles of berry sodas in a white bin keep the red, white and blue going.

Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn uses fiery sparklers made for cakes to make an exciting outdoor dessert presentation. Sparklers are illegal in New Jersey, however, so try topping your cake with sparkling fire-free toppers from an area craft store. Flynn also suggests turning unlighted sparklers into place holders or party favors with ribbon and paper tags. Here are a few more of his tips:

- Make your own 4th-of-July ice pops using red or blue fruit juices.

- Choose berry-flavored bottled juices or sodas to keep up with the red and blue.

- Lay out a patriotic picnic setting with colorful blankets and throw pillows.

Fourth of July recipe

Patriotic Idaho® Potato Fire Pots
12 servings

For potato pots:

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon

2 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons sour cream

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

For topping:

2 cups flour

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

2 cups eggs, beaten (about 6 large eggs)

6 cups shredded Idaho® Potatoes

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Wash and dry potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or steam 15 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut in half crosswise. Trim bottom ends so each half will stand up. Hollow out each half, leaving enough potato along the sides so that the potato stands up and maintains its shape. Mix potato flesh with cheese, egg, bacon, cream and sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stand potato halves upright and pipe in potato mixture, making a small rosette at the top of each potato half.

2. Mix flour with salt and pepper. Dredge filled potato halves in flour. Dip only the top half of each in egg. Stand potato halves upright and sprinkle generously with shredded potato. Shake off excess shreds. Deep fry at 375 degrees until shreds are golden brown, about 4 minutes.

3. Purée all chipotle sauce ingredients. Adjust seasonings. Per serving, spread chipotle sauce on each plate and top with two potato halves.

- Courtesy of Bon Appetit Management Company