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8 Fun Recipes to Make with Your Family for the 4th of July

8 Fun Recipes to Make with Your Family for the 4th of July

The Fourth of July is a great time to start making new recipes with your family. Due to the warmer weather and the unique dishes you can make, there are endless opportunities to be creative. If you are looking for a few new ideas to try, you have come to the right place. While hotdogs and hamburgers are great for the Fourth of July, sometimes we want to try something different.

Growing up, my family was vegetarian. My mom was a vegetarian from the age of ten, and she raised my sisters and me as vegetarians. Since we were different from most families, my mom had a knack for creating new and unique recipes. Whether you are vegetarian or not, you can still try your hand at a few new recipes this summer holiday.

The recipes below come from myself, as well as various websites and creators. If none of them look like something you want to try, you can always do a little research of your own for dishes that look more appetizing to you and your family. It is also beneficial to purchase a cookbook or to look through a family cookbook. Both of these things will help you come up with new ideas for your Fourth of July meals.

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  • Boy eating burger 4th fourth of july cookout

    1. Veggie Burgers

    A super fun recipe to try this year with your family for the Fourth of July is veggie burgers. They are very easy to make and are filling, delicious, and healthy. If you are used to having hamburgers, you might be hesitant to try a veggie burger, but give it a chance. It might become your new favorite dish for cookouts.

    There are many brands of veggie burgers, but I recommend Boca and MorningStar Farms. Both of these brands have never disappointed my family, and I'm sure they will be instant classics with yours. The way you make a veggie burger depends on whether you are going to microwave, bake, or grill it. Most packages will give you directions; however, rest in knowing that they will take twenty minutes at most.

    This is great for a holiday such as the Fourth of July. In addition to your veggie burger patty, you will also need hamburger buns, lettuce, cheese, and other vegetables and sauces. My mom specifically liked onions on her veggie burger, so maybe this will be a great addition to your own burger. Be creative and allow your children to build their veggie burgers with various toppings.
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  • Friends eating food cookout 4th fourth of july cookout

    2. Boneless Chicken Parmesan Bites

    If vegetarian foods are simply not on the menu today, I understand that too. Maybe trying boneless chicken Parmesan bites will be right up your alley. My sister has been a fan of boneless chicken bites ever since she started eating meat, and they have significantly helped in her daily protein needs. If you need protein in your diet, boneless chicken Parmesan bites are the way to go.

    A great recipe can be found here at With Peanut Butter on Top. In total, this recipe only takes 35 minutes. You can make it while your children play in the pool or cool off from another outdoor activity. Give this recipe a try and see how much your children will be asking for boneless chicken Parmesan bites throughout the rest of the summer.

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  • hot dog cookout fourth 4th of july

    3. Cheesy Hot Dogs

    Yet again, I was raised vegetarian, so I have never had a real hot dog. However, whether you are a vegetarian or not, you can make this recipe. If you are a vegetarian, use vegetarian hot dogs, and if you are a meat eater, use regular hot dogs or turkey dogs. In either case, they will be a hit with your family.

    Hot dogs can be boiled or they can be grilled. My family used to always boil our vegetarian hot dogs, but choose which cooking method you like best. Since it is the Fourth of July, it might be ideal to cook them on the grill. The only difference you need to add to your original hot dog recipe is to put some shredded cheese on the top of the hot dog as this will add a new twist to a family favorite.

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  • Memorial Day Family Party

    4. Homemade French Fries

    Once you have picked out your main dish, you will want to have a side dish. A perfect side dish for the Fourth of July is homemade French fries. While some parents are not keen on allowing their children to have French fries, they can actually be quite healthy if they are cooked in the oven and homemade. My family and I have made homemade French fries many times, and in my opinion, they are better than fast food fries and more nutritious.

    The recipe my family and I use for homemade French fries comes from Cookie and Kate. While this recipe took longer to make than it did to consume, it is a wonderful recipe. Try making this recipe with your family for the Fourth of July and get them involved with the prep. Instead of it only being mom in the kitchen, the entire family can help.

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  • Family cooking together in kitchen with son

    5. Homemade Pita Chips

    Another side dish to make with your family for the Fourth of July is homemade pita chips. Homemade pita chips are a personal favorite of mine, as they were a recipe my sister and I made many years ago. There is something different about homemade pita chips compared to store-bought potato chips. While store-bought pita chips can be good, they are not warm and fluffy like homemade pita chips.

    A recipe for homemade pita chips can be found here at Two Peas and Their Pod. Once again, it is important to enlist your family's help so that they can partake in the fun of cooking. Allow your younger children to help with smaller tasks, such as passing paper towels, and ask older children to help with cutting or chopping. Ask your spouse to help you as well and turn the kitchen into a fun family event. Once you are done baking the pita chips, the party can continue by enjoying homemade pita chips.

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  • Frozen bananas dessert food

    6. Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas

    After your main meal, it is fun to have a special dessert. A family favorite could be found in chocolate-covered frozen bananas. I did not like bananas very much when I was a child, but this changed once I was older. Maybe your children are the same. Bananas can be introduced to your children through a yummy and fun dessert, such as chocolate-covered frozen bananas.

    A great recipe can be found on B + C's website. This recipe is fairly easy to make, and even younger children will be able to help. Adding this festive dessert to your menu for the Fourth of July will help your children try new foods as well as learn how to make new foods. Children can pick up on more than we know and this includes remembering recipes for future use.

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  • Fourth 4th of July patriotic cupcakes

    7. Stars and Stripes Cupcakes

    Another festive dessert recipe for the Fourth of July is Stars and Stripes cupcakes. As someone who has a major sweet tooth, I can share that your entire family will love this Fourth of July themed cupcake dessert. Cupcakes are always a good idea for celebrations as they are easier to pass out and clear up than cutting a cake. While there is nothing wrong with cake, cupcakes are easier for children to manage.

    A recipe for Stars and Stripes cupcakes can be found on Food Network. This recipe will call for a little more time than other recipes, but it will be worth it to have homemade cupcakes for your family. The entire recipe makes 12 cupcakes; therefore, add on or subtract from the recipe depending on how many cupcakes you want to make. If you only want to make half a dozen, cut the recipe in half, and if you want to make two dozen, double the recipe. 

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  • Happy family Fourth of July American flags patriotic cookout

    8. Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Sandwiches

    A final recipe to make with your family for the Fourth of July is red, white, and blue ice cream sandwiches. Most of us have fond memories of eating an ice cream sandwich by a pool, but we don't have to keep these things as only memories. We can bring these memories to life by reliving them with our children. These types of memories last a lifetime and will bring joy to you and your child's heart when you remember memories of sharing special dishes and desserts together.

    Food Network has another great recipe for this dessert, which can be found here. This recipe is very quick and easy, which is great if you are short on time. By using pre-bought ice-cream sandwiches, you will drizzle the sandwiches with red, white, and blue candy melts. Your children can help with this recipe and decorate their ice cream sandwiches. Whether they want to make it look like an American flag or create their own unique design, it will be a fun treat to make as well as to eat.

    Happy cooking and baking!

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    Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.