3 Patriotic Snacks That Will Make Your Fourth of July a Total Blast

If there’s one thing that people can agree on, it’s the unifying phenomenon of good food shared with family and friends. And these three dishes are quick, easy, and sure to be a total blast at your Fourth of July get-together.

1. Firecracker Shrimp 

It never hurts to add a little heat to your Fourth of July plans. Try The Tacklebox Southern Seafood and More on Bellflower Blvd. But if you’d rather cook yourself, try this firecracker shrimp recipe that is a snap to make and ready to eat in 20 minutes. Bam!

2. Bomb Pops

When your holiday plans start heating up, a trip to Cravings Ice Cream at 9429 Alondra Blvd. in Bellflower is a delicious way to keep your cool. But if you’re keeping things close to home, try this recipe for homemade Bomb Pops , flavored with coconut milk, maraschino cherry juice, and blue-raspberries.

3. All-American Hot Dogs

According to experts, Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day. Unless, of course, you are competitive hot dog eater Joey Chestnut , who holds the record for eating 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes at the annual Nathan’s July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest! It’s his 12th title to date, and he currently holds the Nathan’s Hot Dogs Champion Mustard Belt.

As for the rest of us amateurs, we can feast on a more casual fare of festive wieners, adorned with all of our favorite hot dog toppings. Or you can take it up a notch with this recipe for Firecracker Hot Dogs .

If you are hosting a Fourth of July celebration, these simple yet spectacular dishes will add some patriotic pizzazz to your festivities. From zesty shrimp and cool, icy treats to new and festive spins on hot dogs, your Fourth of July party will be a total blast, with great food and memories made to last.