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tomato avo summer salad e1467239324820
tomato avo summer salad e1467239324820
Lifestyle

21 Easy Summer Recipes That Don’t Require You to Heat Up Your Kitchen

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at PITT chapter.

Cooking your own food tends to be cheaper and healthier than buying prepared food, but cooking becomes complicated in the summer. Many student apartments do not have air conditioning, and using the oven or stovetop can heat up small kitchens quickly. To get around this problem, here is a collection of recipes for breakfast, dinner, dessert, and everything in between, requiring no heat.

1. Overnight Oats

summer

Photo by Kassie McIntyre

The superhero of college breakfasts, overnight oats are cheap, easy, tasty, versatile, and quick. Check out the vast array of Spoon recipes here. 

2. Yogurt Parfait

summer

Photo by Maggie Harriman

The hardest part of making a yogurt parfait is choosing what to top it with. Strive for balance with fruit, nuts, seeds, and maybe even homemade granola.

3. Smoothies

summer

Photo by Christin Urso

Although they are traditionally seen as breakfast foods or snacks, college students are 100% allowed to make a smoothie and call it dinner.

4. Black Bean and Mango Salad

summer

Photo by Rose Gerber

This black bean and mango salad tastes like summer in a bowl and is a balanced meal, so you don’t have to feel guilty about spending only 10 minutes on dinner.

5. Tuna Tartare

summer

Photo by Julia Murphy

One way to avoid cooking is being brave enough to eat raw fish. Try it out with this easy tuna tartare.

6. Watermelon, Mint, and Feta Summer Salad

summer

Photo by Libby Perold

Turn your watermelon into a complete meal (by college standards) with some feta and fresh herbs. Instagram it to show everyone you’re classy af.

7. Breadless Tuna Salad in an Avocado Bowl

summer

Photo by Jocelyn Hsu

Using no heat and minimal dishes, this 3-ingredient tuna salad is the ideal college snack.

8. Arugula Parmesan Salad

summer

Photo by Mackenzie Barth

Get your daily greens (and cheese) in with this arugula parmesan salad.

9. Mason Jar Burrito Bowl

summer

Photo by Grant Sorbo

This Chipotle-esque mason jar burrito bowl can easily be made into a salad or actual burrito, no cooking required. Use chicken that’s already been cooked or leave it out for a completely heat-free meal.

10. Tomato and Avocado Summer Salad

summer

Photo by Pippa Leigh

Maximize your daily veggie intake with this refreshing chopped salad.

11. Avocado Chicken Salad

summer

Photo by Paige Pulaski

Desperate times call for desperate measures (canned chicken). Dress it up with almonds, avocado, and grapes. Or, make a more basic version.

12. Waldorf Salad

summer

Photo by Tess van Donkelaar

All this Waldorf salad requires is chopping and mixing. Perfect for busy, hot days.

13. Caprese

summer

Photo by Bernard Wen

Basil, tomato, mozz, balsamic. What else do you need? Eat it as a saladas a wrap, or throw in some strawberries.

14. Gazpacho

summer

Photo by Amanda Shulman

It’s like a smoothie but vegetables. Keep your cool with this blended soup.

15. “Raw” Pad Thai

summer

Photo by Tess van Donkelaar

It’s a lot of slicing and dicing, but this “raw” Pad Thai recipe involves zero heat.

16. Hummus

summer

Photo by Kendra Valkema

Hummus is way more than just a dip. Sure, you can eat it with vegetables and chips, but you can also put it on sandwiches, wraps, and salads for a yummy protein boost. Basic recipe here.

17. Guacamole

summer

Photo by Hannah Cooper

Whip up some traditional guacamole, throw in mango for a twist, or even mix it with hummus. Eat it with chips as a snack, or not.

18. Smoked Salmon Dip

summer

Photo by Margaret Block

If you’re entertaining or just feeling bougie, throw together some of this smoked salmon dip in no time flat.

19. Cannellini Bean Dip

summer

Photo by Andrea Leelike

If you’re stuck in a hummus rut (if that’s even a thing), try out this cannellini bean dip instead.

20. Banana Ice Cream

summer

Photo by Amanda Shulman

Looking for a healthy cold dessert? Banana ice cream is super easy to whip up. Don’t forget the toppings!

21. Mango Ice Cream

summer

Photo by Amelia Weller

If you’re not a huge fan of bananas, try this homemade mango ice cream instead.

Rose G.

PITT '19