Your Grandkids Will Go Crazy For These 10 Patriotic Independence Day Snacks

Do you enjoy making festive foods for your grandkids? I do, too (especially Christmas treats, which I will save for another day, hehe)! That said, you know I couldn’t let Independence Day pass without whipping up a few delicious and patriotic treats that are so easy to make, the grandkids can even help! Here are my ten favorites – enjoy (and have a blessed 4th of July)!

1. Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

– 1 cup strawberries, sliced
– 1 cup blueberries
– 1 cup watermelon, cut into stars using a cookie cutter
– 1 cup marshmallows (optional)

Directions:

1. Wash and prepare all the fruits.
2. In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, blueberries, watermelon stars, and marshmallows.
3. Gently toss the ingredients together until well-mixed.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

2. American Flag Pizza

Ingredients:

– 1 pre-made pizza dough
– 1/2 cup pizza sauce
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup sliced black olives
– 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
– 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven according to the pizza dough package instructions.
2. Roll out the pizza dough into a rectangular shape.
3. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Arrange the black olives, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to create the American flag design on top of the cheese.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for the time indicated on the pizza dough package or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

3. Firecracker Popcorn

Ingredients:

– 10 cups popped popcorn
– 1 cup white chocolate chips
– Red and blue food coloring
– Red and blue sprinkles

Directions:

1. Place the popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
2. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl according to the package instructions.
3. Divide the melted white chocolate into two equal portions.
4. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion of the melted white chocolate and stir until well combined.
5. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the other portion of melted white chocolate and stir until well combined.
6. Drizzle the red and blue colored chocolate over the popcorn in a random pattern.
7. Sprinkle the red and blue sprinkles over the popcorn.
8. Gently toss the popcorn to coat it evenly with the colored chocolate and sprinkles.
9. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

4. Star-Spangled Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

– 12 chocolate chip cookies
– Vanilla ice cream
– Red, white, and blue sprinkles

Directions:

1. Take two cookies and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bottom side of one cookie.
2. Place the other cookie on top of the ice cream, bottom side facing down, to create a sandwich.
3. Press the edges of the sandwich gently to help the ice cream adhere to the cookies.
4. Roll the sides of the ice cream sandwich in the red, white, and blue sprinkles until the ice cream is coated.
5. Repeat with the remaining cookies and ice cream.
6. Place the ice cream sandwiches on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Berrylicious Lemonade

Ingredients:

– 4 cups cold water
– 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Directions:

1. In a pitcher, combine the cold water, lemon juice, and sugar.
2. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the mixed berries to the pitcher and gently muddle them with a wooden spoon to release their flavors.
4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with extra berries, if desired.

6. Patriotic Popsicles

Ingredients:

– 2 cups coconut water
– 1 cup strawberries, sliced
– 1 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. Fill popsicle molds one-third of the way with coconut water.
2. Drop a few slices of strawberries into each mold.
3. Freeze for about 1 hour or until partially set.
4. Add another layer of coconut water to fill the molds two-thirds of the way.
5. Drop a few blueberries into each mold.
6. Insert popsicle sticks into the molds.
7. Freeze for another hour or until fully set.
8. Remove from the freezer and run warm water over the molds to release the popsicles.

7. Grilled American Hot Dogs

Ingredients:

– 4 hot dog buns
– 4 beef hot dogs
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/4 cup diced red onion
– Ketchup, mustard, and relish for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through and grill marks appear.
3. Toast the hot dog buns on the grill for a minute or two.
4. Place a grilled hot dog in each bun.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and diced red onion on top.
6. Serve with ketchup, mustard, and relish.

8. Firework-Inspired Cupcakes

Ingredients:

– 1 box vanilla cake mix
– Red and blue gel food coloring
– White frosting
– Assorted sprinkles and edible glitter

Directions:

1. Prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package instructions.
2. Divide the cake batter into three bowls.
3. Leave one bowl plain, tint one bowl with red food coloring, and tint the other bowl with blue food coloring.
4. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
5. Spoon a small amount of each colored batter into each cupcake liner, creating layers of red, white, and blue.
6. Use a toothpick to gently swirl the colors together for a marbled effect.
7. Bake the cupcakes according to the package instructions.
8. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them with white frosting.
9. Decorate with assorted sprinkles and edible glitter to resemble fireworks.

9. Watermelon Pops

Ingredients:

– 1 small seedless watermelon
– Popsicle sticks

Directions:

1. Cut the watermelon into thick slices, about 1 inch thick.
2. Use a knife to make a small slit in the rind of each watermelon slice.
3. Insert a popsicle stick into the slit, making sure it goes about halfway into the watermelon.
4. Place the watermelon pops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Freeze for at least 2 hours or until the watermelon is firm.
6. Remove from the freezer and serve as refreshing fruit popsicles.

10. Flag-Inspired Parfait

Ingredients:

– 1 cup vanilla yogurt
– 1 cup strawberries, diced
– 1 cup blueberries
– Granola or crushed graham crackers

Directions:

1. In a clear glass or cup, layer a spoonful of vanilla yogurt at the bottom.
2. Add a layer of diced strawberries on top of the yogurt.
3. Add another layer of vanilla yogurt.
4. Top with a layer of blueberries.
5. Repeat the layers until the glass is filled, finishing with a layer of blueberries.
6. Sprinkle granola or crushed graham crackers on top to resemble the stars of the American flag.
7. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Conclusion

These recipes are not only delicious but also perfect for celebrating Independence Day with the grandkids. Enjoy the festive treats, and God bless, from your friend, Devoted Grandma.