SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
These are the 75 best desserts to bring to a BBQ! Including Banana Pie Poke Cake, Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, Death by Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake, Frog Eye Salad, and more.
Regardless of the kind of event you’re attending, there’s something here for you!
After years of writing about desserts, I can confidently stand behind these recipes as crowd-pleasers that will disappear before the party ends. You’ll overhear people asking, “Who made the ______?”
Some of these are better for multigenerational parties while others are more appropriate for kids or adults, but I’m confident you can find several options that will work regardless of the kind of gathering. Birthday party? Fourth of July? Housewarming? Graduation? There’s something for everyone in here!
Read on to learn my absolute favorite choice for any party — a certified hit —as well as some tips on last-minute ideas.
Related Recipe Collections.
- 100 Impressive Birthday Cakes
- 100+ Weight Watcher Friendly Desserts
- 80 Cheesecake Recipes
FAQs
What is the best dessert to bring to a BBQ?
When I’m heading to a BBQ or any type of potluck, Rice Krispie Treats are almost always my go-to recipe.
They’re quick and easy to whip up, the ingredients aren’t expensive, and you can easily make a really big batch to feed a lot of people– and everyone likes them!
Plus, if you stick to my Perfect Rice Krispie Treats recipe, they are generally safe to eat for a wide range of food sensitivities and allergies (replace the butter with coconut oil or any kind of nut butter to make them dairy-free).
Here are some fun Rice Krispies Treats recipes:
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Toffee Snickerdoodle Rice Krispie Treats
- Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispie Treats
- Toasted Marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats
- Butterscotch Butterfinger Rice Krispie Treats
What’s a great last-minute dessert for a BBQ or potluck?
Lucky for you, last minute is my specialty! I’ve already covered rice krispie treats, so here are a few more dessert recipes that are fabulous if you are in a pinch for time:
- Snickers Caramel Apple Salad – quick, easy, and also doubles as a side dish!
- Golden Grahams S’mores Bars
- Gourmet S’mores – if there will be a fire at the BBQ, just pick up ingredients for s’mores on the way!
- Grab a gallon of vanilla ice cream and whip up a quick batch of this Homemade Chocolate Syrup to go on top.
- Strawberry Jell-O Salad
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip – slice up some apples and strawberries, and grab a pack of graham crackers for dipping!
What should a guest bring to a BBQ?
If the host hasn’t asked you to bring something specific, but you feel uncomfortable arriving empty-handed, try one of these Desserts & Sides ideas:
- Butter Dip Biscuits
- Grilled Pineapple
- Cream Soda Ingredients
- Lemon Jell-O Cake
- Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Fruit Pizza
- Frog Eye Salad
75 Best Desserts to Bring to a BBQ
Fudgy brownie on top, peanut butter cookie on the bottom. It's ultimate dessert perfection.
Brookies Recipe
Red Velvet Brookies
Peanut Butter Brookies
Peach Pie Monkey Bread
French Silk Pie Bars
Vanilla Crazy Cake
Blackberry Praline Crumble
Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie
Coconut Cream Pie
Banana Pudding Cake
Mini Pecan Pies
Southern Pecan Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Butterscotch Pecan Pie
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Mom's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Reese's Pieces Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Apple Spice Cake with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
Cinnamon Peach Cake
Grandma's Pig Cake
Frog Eye Salad
Milk Chocolate Toffee Brownies
Chocolate Cake with Coca-Cola® Recipe
Lazy Day Cookie Cake Bars
Easy Peach Dumplings
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Golden Grahams S'mores Bars
Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce
Grandma's Chocolate Trifle
Red Velvet, White, and Blueberry Cheesecake Trifle
Classic Chocolate Chip Blondies
Monster Cookie Blondies
Sugar Cream Pie
Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Salted Honey Custard Pie
Brownie Pie
Chocolate Chip Banana Bundt Cake
Perfect Rice Krispie Treats
Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars
Watermelon Rice Krispie Treats
Lemon Meringue Cake + Father's Day Food
Toffee Snickerdoodle Rice Krispie Treats
Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars
Browned Butter Brownies
Swig Cookies
Lemon Jell-O Cake
Oprah's Favorite Brownies
Butterscotch Blondies
Best Jello Salad
Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake
Strawberry Pie
Homemade Strawberry Pie
Cake Man Raven's Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Homemade Oreo Cookies
Big Batch Chocolate Chippers
Grandma's Monster Cookies
Chocolate Chess Pie
Buttermilk Pastry Pie Crust
Easiest All Butter Pie Crust
No Rolling Press-in-the-Pan Pie Crust
Cinnamon Burst Apple Crisp
Best Ever Apple Crisp
Caramel Filled Snickerdoodles
Quick and Easy Peach Cobbler
Death By Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
S'mores Cookie Bars
Nutella Brownie S'mores Cookie Bars
Cherry Cheesecake Fluff Salad
Crazy Cake
