5 Delicious Appetizers for Your Grill or Pizza Oven

Whether you're wanting to give guests something to snack on before the main course, or you're looking for some interesting appetizers that can stand out on their own during your at-home happy hour, these grill- and pizza oven-friendly hors d'oeuvres are perfect for any occasion.

So, preheat your grill or stoke those flames, because we guarantee you'll be hungry and ready to give a few of these sweet, savory, and totally unique recipes a try by the time you finish this article

Baked Bruchetta

• 1 garlic head, whole
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chiffonaded
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, divided
• 12 slices baguette, 1/2-inch thick

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the top 1/3 off of the garlic head—just exposing the cloves—then place on a sheet of aluminum foil, and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Wrap the foil tightly around the head of garlic, and bake for 1 hour or until tender. Let cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine tomato, basil, 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, then set aside. Once the garlic has cooled to the point it can be easily handled, squeeze the cloves out of the skins and mix the roasted garlic, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese in another small bowl. 

Arrange sliced baguette pieces on a baking sheet, then spread garlic cream cheese mixture over one side of each slice, and top with a sprinkle of parmesan. Bake in your pizza oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown, and top with tomato mixture and remaining cheese before serving.

View the original recipe here.

Foil Packet Cheesy Potatoes

It doesn't get much easier than this! All you need is: 

View the original recipe here.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Spicy. Creamy. Savory. This appetizer has all the elements of a real crowd-pleaser! All you need is: 

• 8 jalapeño peppers
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 green onion minced
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 16 bacon slices

Cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise. For milder poppers, use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and membranes before stuffing; for spicier poppers, leave the seeds and membranes in tact. In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, green onion, garlic powder, and cheddar, then stuff into the jalapeño halves. 

Once the peppers have been stuffed with the cream cheese mixture, wrap each popper in a slice of bacon, secure with a toothpick, and refrigerate for an hour.

Place jalapeños on the grill and cook for 6 minutes on medium-high or until bacon is crisp on one side, then flip. Reduce heat to medium-low, then continue to heat through until bacon has cooked all the way through and the cheese has melted.

View the original recipe here.

Baked Tortilla Pizzas

If you want pizza without ruining your appetite before the main course, this thin, crispy, low-carb version is exactly what you're looking for. All you need is:

• 1 10 inch tortilla
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
• 8 slices pepperoni

Just like crafting a normal pizza, spread your sauce over the tortilla, then top with cheese and pepperoni. Slide your creation into your pizza oven and bake until the tortilla has crisped up and the cheese has melted, or for about 2-4 minutes. 

Don't have a pizza oven? Heat up a cast iron pan on your grill, then build your pizza in the pan according to the same instructions listed above. Leave on the grill until the tortilla has crisped up and the cheese has melted, then slide onto a plate to cut and serve.

View the original recipe here.

Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Rum Sauce

Have a bit of a sweet tooth? This delicious treat can work as both an appetizer and a dessert. All you need is: 

• 1 large pineapple
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon cream of coconut
• 2 tablespoons coconut rum
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon butter

View the original recipe here.

Of course these recipes can work on any grill or in any pizza oven, but we think they'd taste just a little bit better if they were prepared in a custom outdoor kitchen. If you'd like to take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level, click the banner below to check out our outdoor kitchen design guide. If you still have a few questions give us a call at (888) 747-4554 or contact us online. We’d love to help you!