40 Host-Approved Recipes For A Southern Baby Shower

These baby shower food ideas will make hosting this memorable day easy and fuss-free.

By

Patricia S York

Updated on June 18, 2024

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

As any Southern host knows, putting together a baby shower goes way beyond decorating your home with balloons and Instagrammable backdrops and onesie-crafting tables. Often a brunch or luncheon, a baby shower is really only as good as its menu—and finger food is the name of the game. Serving a snackable spread of baby shower food not only keeps the atmosphere fun and casual, but it makes sure everyone has plenty of time to talk to the expecting mama.

As we're passing around newly opened tiny onesies, we're passing around bite-sized nibbles and dips, too. From our easy-to-make bites, like deviled eggs and tomato tea sandwiches, to our miniature brunch recipes for goat cheese quiche and Ham Delights, these baby shower food ideas will make hosting this memorable day easy and fuss-free. Check out these best-ever recipes for baby shower food—and get to prepping!

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Cheddar Shortbread Crackers

Cheddar Shortbread Crackers — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

These crisp, buttery crackers are a slightly fancier version of traditional cheese straws.

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Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Think of these mini sandwiches as a party-ready take on the classic BLT.

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Ham Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

You can't go wrong topping this timeless ham-and-biscuit duo. Serve with our Creole Mayonnaise.

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Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Smoky Field Pea Hummus

We love to incorporate favorite Southern ingredients in new and different ways. This hummus recipe uses black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas.

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Fried Deviled Eggs

Fried Deviled Eggs — Micah A. Leal

Wow the crowd with this new take on the traditional Southern deviled egg hors d'oeuvre. A mixture of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates its fried crispy coating.

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Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing

Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing — Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you want to add a light palate cleanser to the baby shower menu, look no further than this salad recipe.

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Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Buttery Chive-and-Mustard Drop Biscuits — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Give your buttermilk biscuits a special makeover with whole-grain mustard, fresh chives, and Parmesan cheese.

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Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

These mini grits casseroles add a festive touch to any spread. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the grits the night prior to serving, and then bake the casseroles before everyone arrives.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Pairing salty bacon with buttery crackers is about as fail-safe as it gets. They're a match made in hosting heaven.

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Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

You won't find a salad that tastes more fresh, fun, and delicious than this summer-ready recipe.

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Herbed-Goat Cheese Spread

goat cheese spread — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This ain't your mama's pimiento cheese—but she'd still approve. We turned your basic cheese spread up a notch with goat cheese.

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West Indies Crab Salad

West Indies Crab Salad — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This little-known Southern salad—it is believed to have originated in Mobile, Alabama—will be a winner at any baby shower, coastal or otherwise.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Filled with mushrooms, Gruyére cheese, and a little thyme, these mini savory bites make a great fit for a baby shower brunch.

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Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche — Alison Miksch

You've never had quiche quite like this one. Made with a grits "crust," it makes for a hearty addition to a brunch spread.

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

By using a mix of multicolored cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls, this simple salad becomes super easy to serve at a luncheon or shower.

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Deviled Potatoes

Deviled Potatoes — Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Consider these hors d'oeuvres a cross between deviled eggs and potato salad.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Deviled eggs simply can't be beat.

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Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Crustless Ham and Spinach Quiche — Antonis Achilleos

Consider this crustless quiche your baby shower savior. It feels fancy and tastes amazing—but is so easy to make. A bag of frozen chopped collard greens eliminates prep time.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad — Jen Causey

Every brunch or shower needs the quintessential fruit bowl, and this recipe goes above and beyond with a dressing of orange juice, honey, and fresh mint.

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Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Bacon

Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Bacon — Callie Nash

Pair small bites of this elevated grilled cheese with shooters of our Roasted Tomato Soup for a comforting treat to serve your expecting mama.

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Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Tomato Tea Sandwiches — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

The Southern hosts that came before us would approve. This classic tomato sandwich only requires a few ingredients, but that's all it needs.

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Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines

Deviled Egg Salad and Asparagus Tartines — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This fresh take on finger sandwiches is much more eye-catching (and delicious).

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Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Grandma's retro ham salad gets twirled up for luncheons with this pretty presentation. Plus, you can make the cheese puffs ahead of time.

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Ham Delights

Ham Delights — Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

These cheesy sliders are practically required at any Southern shower or luncheon. This recipe is so easy to throw together and double or triple if you're serving a large crowd.

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Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese

Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Pepper jelly and cream cheese is an iconic Southern pair on appetizer boards, and Chef Adam Evans just upped the ante on it by adding seasoned crackers and pan-fried shrimp.

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Mamau's Cheese Straws

Mamau’s Cheese Straws — Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Is it really a Southern shower if there's not a tray of cheese straws on the table?

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Crudités Platter

Curdités Platter — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Leave it to Nashville entertaining expert Katie Jacobs to put together the most gorgeous spring appetizer platter we've ever seen. This colorful dish is an easy way to make eating healthy fun for any kids in attendance.

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Pigs In A Blanket

Pigs in a Blanket — Will Dickey

This pigs in a blanket recipe replaces the usual crescent dough with puff pastry to get an ultra-crisp and delicate bite that's a little more elevated for a shower.

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Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These pear tarts look impressive, but they're so easy to pull together. A tip from the Test Kitchen: If you want to make the tart a bit sweeter, skip the pepper and brush the pears with apricot jelly before baking.

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Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins

Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Instead of running by the doughnut shop before the baby shower brunch, make these easy doughnut hole muffins that will delight everyone.

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Caesar Salad Bites

Caesar Salad Bites — Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Throwing together an appetizer has never been so easy than with these healthy salad bites.

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Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls — Southern Living

We know every Southern host has a sausage ball recipe, but we just changed the game with the addition of pimiento cheese.

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Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts — Alison Miksch

Instead of slicing a tomato pie and risking a mess or everyone not getting their share, serve up these personal-size tomato tarts.

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Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

These cheesy bites are the ultimate make-ahead appetizer for a busy host. Refrigerate the day before or freeze them for up to three weeks.

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Hot Brown Party Rolls

Hot Brown Party Rolls — Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom created this Kentucky-inspired recipe for a Derby party, but they're delicious and easy to make for any gathering.

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Mini Muffuletta Sandwiches

Mini Muffuletta Sandwiches — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The entire platter of these mini sandwiches will be gone in a flash.

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Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Instead of your usual sausage balls with breakfast sausage, this dressed-up version uses spicy chorizo and sweet potatoes for complex flavor.

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Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Cherry tomatoes are in abundance during the summertime, and this easy recipe is our Test Kitchen's new favorite way to use them.

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Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

It's amazing how much flavor is packed into a recipe with so few ingredients (and that looks this beautiful!). "Perfect combinations of flavors. My family loved it. Very light and fresh!" wrote one reviewer who gave this recipe five stars.

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Cheeseburger Casserole

cheeseburger casserole - southern living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Satisfy your burger cravings with this cheesy, crispy casserole. It's more portable than a tray of burgers so it's perfect for parties.

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