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With Father’s Day just around the corner, you may be wondering what to get your dad this year. If he enjoys good food, one of these Father’s Day gift ideas for foodie dads could be a welcome surprise. You could even go one step further and treat him to a home-cooked Father’s Day dinner with all his favourite food.
If you’re planning to treat your dad this Father’s Day, take a look at our top 20 recipe ideas we think your dad will love.
Starters
Avocado egg rolls with chipotle ranch dipping sauce: a Tex-Mex take on the classic egg roll, these irresistible appetisers from Taste and Tell blog are crispy, spicy and full of flavour.
Individual seven layer dips: if your dad loves watching the big game with a bowl of chips and dip, you can make his favourite snack into a fun appetiser with these individually-portioned seven layer dips by The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Mini mac and cheese pies: who doesn’t love mac and cheese? This simple and satisfying recipe from The Curvy Carrot makes a family favourite into a bite-size appetiser with a deliciously savoury cheese and ritz cracker crust.
Buffalo chicken waffle bites: for dads who like their food with a bit of spice, these loaded waffle bites from Real Mom Kitchen are a real treat. Made with hot buffalo chicken sauce for a fiery kick.
Main courses
If your dad loves his grill, why not try a Father’s Day barbecue? There are so many dishes that taste better on the grill, you’ll be spoilt for choice with these Father’s Day grilling recipes.
Spaghetti and meatballs: a true classic, spaghetti and meatballs is simple, flavourful and satisfying. Take this family favourite to the next level with the ultimate spaghetti meatball recipe from Bon Appetit, made from scratch with fresh, tasty ingredients and perfectly seasoned herby meatballs.
Mozzarella grandma pizza: we love this simple New York-style grandma pizza pie recipe from Bon Appetit. This recipe makes a great pizza in a conventional oven, and there’s a link showing you how to make your own simple dough from scratch.
Baked ziti: this ultimate creamy pasta bake from Bon Appetit uses a Parmesan béchamel sauce instead of the traditional ricotta cheese, to prevent the dish drying out in the oven. The result is an ultra creamy, gooey pasta dish, with a mix of béchamel and spicy tomato sauces, and pieces of salty pancetta.
Air fryer pork chops: if you’re lucky enough to have an air fryer, this recipe from Delish makes the best pork chops ever. Sometimes chops can dry out in the oven, but the air fryer cooks them so quickly they stay moist and tender on the inside, with a deliciously crispy crust.
Maple bacon salmon: a perfectly cooked salmon with crispy skin is a thing of beauty. Take things to the next level with a sprinkling of maple-candied bacon pieces, courtesy of this tasty fish dish from Delish.
Caprese chicken: simple but full of flavour, this vibrant dish from Delish pairs mozzarella chicken with grape tomatoes cooked in balsamic vinegar. The fruitiness of the tomatoes and the acidity of the vinegar cut through the richness of the cheese perfectly, and it’s all finished off with a handful of fragrant basil.
Beef and bacon meatloaf: another classic with a difference from Bon Appetit, this is meatloaf given the gourmet treatment. A seasoned stock adds flavour and keeps the meatloaf moist and juicy, and the whole thing is wrapped in bacon for the ultimate in meaty decadence.
Sweet potato and black bean tostadas: these fully-loaded tostadas from Cookie and Kate are sure to be a hit with all the vegan dads out there. Filled with delicious Mexican flavours, this hearty dish is flavourful and satisfying without the need for animal products.
Spicy lentil vegan sloppy joes: another vegan friendly recipe for eco-warrior dads, this dish from Naturally Ella is a delicious twist on an old family favourite. Fragrant, spicy lentils add depth of flavour to the dish, while keeping its meaty texture.
Vegan BLT: our third vegan option is this gourmet sandwich from Half Baked Harvest. The ‘bacon’ is made from flaked coconut flavoured with maple syrup, soy sauce and liquid smoke for a salty, sweet and slightly smoky flavour. If your dad is vegetarian rather than vegan, you can add an optional fried egg.
Side dishes
Potato and apple gratin with smoked pork: perfect as a luxurious side dish or main course, this recipe uses the classic combination of sweet apple and salty pork to make an irresistible gratin.
Coleslaw salad: the ultimate crunchy coleslaw, this dish is the perfect partner for gourmet sandwiches, burgers and grilled meats.
Mexican corn and bean salad: simple, brightly coloured and flavourful, this dish goes great with Mexican-inspired mains.
Grilled corn cob with herb butter: everyone’s favourite cookout side - chargrilled corn, dripping with rich, herby butter. Perfect if you decide to have that barbecue.
Desserts
Lemon bars: make the most of the hot weather with these zesty lemon bars, made with fresh lemon, a light pastry case and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Arcimboldo fruit and flower jelly: another great summer dessert, this refreshing jelly is filled with a cornucopia of fruits, arranged in eye-catching layers and garnished with edible flowers.
Coconut rice with mango slices: our final fruity dessert is a simple Asian-inspired dish made with sticky rice, coconut milk and ripe mango slices. Perfect for eating in the garden on a hot summer’s day.
For even more dessert ideas, check out these 9 desserts for a sweeter Father’s Day
Drinks
To complement our top 20 Father’s Day recipes, why not try one of these delicious cocktails?
Negroni: enjoyed as a pre-meal aperitif, this sophisticated Italian cocktail is made with dry ingredients to stimulate the appetite. Mix equal parts of dry gin, red vermouth and Campari, and garnish with slices of blood orange.
Manhattan cocktail: an elegant American classic, the Manhattan is a dry blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and angostura bitters, garnished with a maraschino cherry on a cocktail stick.
