The 18 Best Lake Snacks To Enjoy On The Dock

Southern Living Mango Black Bean Salsa in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips on the side
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Looking for delicious and portable snack ideas for your next lake adventure? Discover a variety of easy-to-make recipes and snack ideas perfect for enjoying at the lake. Whether you're heading to the lake for the day or for the weekend, these snack recipes will keep everyone fueled up and satisfied all day long.

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Boat Dip

Southern Living Boat Dip ready to serve with tortilla chips

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Coming together in just 5 minutes, this dip packs plenty of flavor without taking too much time away from enjoying your time at the lake. You may even want to consider a double batch, depending on the size of your crowd.

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Charcuterie-Board Snack Mix

Southern Living Charcuterie-Board Snack Mix in a bowl to serve

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

As the name implies, this snack mix recipe was inspired by ingredients that often make up a charcuterie board, but in a transportable way that you don't have to worry about keeping in the fridge.

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Ranch-Cheese Crackers

Southern Living Ranch Cheese Crackers in a bowl to serve

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Give boxed cheddar cheese crackers a tasty upgrade with the addition of ranch dressing mix, which makes everything better. Both kids and adults will gobble them up.

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Turkey BLT Pinwheels

Southern Living Turkey BLT Pinwheels in a lunchbox to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

These cute pinwheels are a more substantial snack that can still be enjoyed on-the-go. Homemade Creamy Basil Mayo, in-season tomatoes, and crispy bacon make them anything but ordinary.

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Brown Butter Blondies

Brown Butter Blondies

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

There should always be at least one sweet treat on the lake day snack menu! Think of these blondies as a cross between brownies and chocolate chip cookies.

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Texas Caviar

texas caviar in a bowl

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Make this dip the day before you'll be digging in and let the flavors develop as it sits in the fridge overnight.

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Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sausage balls are a great snack because they're crave-able from morning to night. Plus, they require just 3 ingredients to make.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Deviled eggs make a great lake snack because they're portable, can be made ahead, and are sure to disappear from the platter quickly!

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Watermelon, Cucumber, And Feta Salad

watermelon, cucumber, and feta recipe

PHOTO: HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: LYDIA PURSELL; FOOD STYLING: TONI BROGAN

Watermelon is a delicious lake snack on its own, but it also shines in this fresh salad that's super refreshing on hot summer days.

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Nuts And Bolts

Nuts And Bolts

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

There's just something about homemade snack mix near the water. Plus, this portable snack can be enjoyed on the boat, too.

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Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Showing up to any lake day with a casserole dish of these sliders will ensure you get invited back again and again. We prepared these sliders with ham and Gruyère cheese, but you can you any combination of meat and cheese you like.

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts
Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Think of this snack as a handheld version of tomato pie. Frozen puff pastry sheets serve as the base and help the tarts come together easily.

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Hasselback Sausage Bites

Southern Living Hasselback Sausage Bites on a platter to serve with dipping sauce

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

No grill is required to whip up these crowd-pleasing sausage bites. While the sausage itself is packed with plenty of flavor, the dipping sauce adds even more.

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Monster Cookies

Southern Living Monster Cookies on a surface to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When you can't decide what kind of cookie recipe you want to whip up, Monster Cookies come to the rescue. They combine the best ingredients from a variety of cookies including oats, toffee, chocolate chips, and more.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad
Jen Causey

Few things are as refreshing as a bowl of fruit after a day spent by the lake. Simply mix, chill, and serve.

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Mango-Black Bean Salsa

Southern Living Mango Black Bean Salsa in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips on the side

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

This homemade salsa comes together with just 7 ingredients and just requires a little bit of stirring. Fresh mango is the perfect addition for summertime to make salsa just a bit brighter and more refreshing,

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Homemade Cookies-And-Cream Ice Cream

Southern Living Cookies and Cream Ice Cream in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Not only will ice cream be a fun treat to help cool off on a hot lake day, but making it homemade will be a fun activity the whole family will love.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Peppers

Southern Living Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Peppers on a blue platter to serve

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Stuff store-bought (or homemade!) pimineto cheese into Peppadew peppers for a poppable and lake-friendly way to enjoy the classic snack.

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