40 Mother's Day Appetizers Mama Will Love

These starters are a tasty way to celebrate Mom.

By

Kaitlyn Yarborough

Updated on September 4, 2024

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

Come Mother's Day, show the special women in your life how much you care about and appreciate them with a spread of the most tasty snacks and appetizers. Finger foods help encourage plenty of chit-chat and quality time, and you're able to prolong the loving spring occasion as long as the bites keep coming.

These appetizer recipes are easy to make and don't take too much time. Set up everything buffet-style, and feel free to throw in a build-your-own mimosa bar or shortcake bar, so everyone can make their treats to their liking. These appetizers will be bringing everyone back to the table to grab more, so don't be afraid to make extra. These Mother's Day recipes will satisfy the toughest critic and best home cook: Mama. Here are the best Mother's Day appetizers to make this year.

01 of 40

Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

Southern Living Million Dollar Deviled Eggs on a platter to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

While the classic recipe for this appetizer is always great, treat Mama to an extra special version that's worth a million dollars. It has the creamiest filling thanks to one ingredient: butter.

02 of 40

Fava-And-Whipped Feta Bruschetta

Southern Living Fava-and-Whipped Feta Bruschetta on a tray ready to serve — Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

You can prep the fava beans for this colorful appetizer in advance making them even easier to throw together just before serving. Mama is worth the effort this impressive appetizer takes to pull together.

03 of 40

Radishes With Miso-Sesame Butter

Southern Living Radishes with Miso-Sesame Butter on a platter to serve — Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This colorful and impressive springtime appetizer comes together in just 10 minutes. Plus, you'll need just six ingredients.

04 of 40

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Pretty much any food can be made more delicious when served atop a baguette slice, asparagus included.

05 of 40

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Classic stuffed mushrooms are always a crowd-pleaser and will likely disappear quickly. Luckily, this recipe makes 30.

06 of 40

Rosalynn Carter's Cheese Ring

Rosalynn Carter's Plains Special Cheese Ring - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Celebrate Mama with a favorite recipe of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The strawberry preserves are optional, but we recommend adding them for best results.

07 of 40

Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring Crudités

Southern Living Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring CruditÃ©s on a serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Artichokes steal the spotlight in this cheesy dip where they stand on their own instead of being combined with spinach. Fresh spring veggies add both color and flavor.

08 of 40

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Southern Living Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Asparagus is not only a great side dish, but can also be served as an appetizer when wrapped in prosciutto. This recipe can easily be doubled for a larger crowd.

09 of 40

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

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

You'll be amazed at how perfectly balanced the flavors are in this grabbable appetizer. Plus, they're pretty too.

10 of 40

Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls — Southern Living

What would a brunch be without sausage? Ditch the patties and go with easier-to-eat sausage balls—and this update to the classic adds pimiento cheese.

11 of 40

Cheese Puffs With Ham Salad

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

Retro ham salad meets its match with crunchy homemade cheese puffs. You can make the cheese puffs ahead of time and freeze until Mother's Day.

12 of 40

Mini Potato Skins

Mini Potato Skins — Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This popular potato dish is equally welcome at brunch as it is at dinner, thanks to the addition of bacon. We recommend using baby Dutch yellow potatoes for this appetizer.

13 of 40

Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

smoky black eyed pea hummus — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Your family will love this extra Southern spin on hummus. And you'll love that it comes together in just 5 minutes.

14 of 40

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

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

These cheesy little bites have just enough crunch thanks to phyllo pastry shells. The convenient frozen base helps them come together easily.

15 of 40

Bacon Bites

Bacon Bites — Molly Bolton / Southern Living

You know it's going to be a great meal when it starts with this three-ingredient snack. Especially when bacon is one of those ingredients.

16 of 40

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts

Muffin Pan Tomato Tarts — Alison Miksch

These pretty little bites are like mini tomato pies, but they're so much easier to make. And easier to eat!

17 of 40

Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Deviled eggs are practically a requirement at Southern gatherings in the spring. Make them ahead of time so you can spend more time with Mama on Mother's Day.

18 of 40

Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins

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

These sweet bites will be the first to disappear off the table when served as an appetizer at Mother's Day brunch.

19 of 40

Warm Cheese Box Bites

Warm Cheese Box Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

These cheesy bites are truly an appetizer dream. They'll be loved by both kids and adults.

20 of 40

Smoked-Fish Dip

Smoked-Fish Dip — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This fancy dip is a wonderful opportunity to present smoked fish as an appetizer.

21 of 40

Spicy Cheese Twists

Spicy Cheese Twists — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

It's hard not to love the addition of Gouda cheese and thyme to these crispy cheese straws. A touch of cayenne adds just the right amount of spice.

22 of 40

Hot Crab-And-Artichoke Dip

Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

You know a dish is going to be good when it includes fresh crab meat and Old Bay seasoning on the ingredient list.

23 of 40

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls — Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Mama won't even be offended that you didn't use her old sausage balls recipe when she tastes this spicy take on the classic.

24 of 40

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

Instead of serving pepper jelly and cream cheese for the crowd to continuously dip into, try these crackers that everyone can individually pop on their plates.

25 of 40

Homemade Chicken Salad

Homemade Chicken Salad on a white plate with lettuce leaves, tomatoes, and crackers — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chicken salad is always welcome. Whether served with crackers or on white bread, it's sure to be a hit with Mama.

26 of 40

Creamy Avocado Dip

Creamy Avocado Dip — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

This lightened-up dip recipe won't spoil your crew's appetite before the big meal.

27 of 40

Bacon Deviled Eggs

Bacon Deviled Eggs — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

According to Test Kitchen Pro Ann Taylor Pittman, "A good deviled egg is one with a well-seasoned, firm filling." This recipe's filling is both, thanks to a heaping of thick-cut bacon.

28 of 40

West Indies Crab Salad

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

This flavorful crab salad originated in Mobile, Alabama, and we're sure your Mama is going to request it again next year.

29 of 40

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise — Victor Protasio

We turned your favorite tomato sandwich into an adorable snack the whole family will gobble up.

30 of 40

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini

Creamy Spinach-Ricotta Crostini — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

These creamy crostinis are topped with a homemade spinach-ricotta mixture and topped off with a piece of thinly sliced prosciutto.

31 of 40

Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This is our go-to, super-easy appetizer for any type of gathering, any season. Not only are they delicious, but they require just five ingredients.

Baked Brie Bites

32 of 40

Deviled Potatoes

Deviled Potatoes — Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

This recipe brings together two appetizer favorites. Deviled eggs and potatoes…who wouldn't love this two-bite wonder?

33 of 40

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

These Ritz cracker snacks bring all the flavor in just one bite. Swiss cheese, ham, and mild pepper jelly are sandwiched between buttery crackers. Plus, a bit of a cornichon adds a sweet and tart flavor to the sandwich.

34 of 40

Jalapeño Popper Dip

jalapeno popper dip in a skillet with beer and tortilla chips — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

This savory and spicy dip will be loved and devoured by your guests. Serve with your favorite dippers: think tortilla chips, crudité, and crostini.

35 of 40

Whipped Goat Cheese With Smoky Bacon Jam

Southern Living Bacon Jam on top of whipped goat cheese with crostini to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A smoky bacon jam is poured over fluffy whipped goat cheese and served with toasted crostini in this savory 30-minute appetizer. Crowds will begin to form around this bowl at the party, and you can't say we didn't warn you.

36 of 40

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Southern Living Cucumber Tea Sandwiches on a serving platter with a small plate of sandwiches beside — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Perhaps no dish says "spring luncheon" more than a pretty tray full of tea sandwiches. You should serve these within four hours of making them for optimal quality.

37 of 40

Mini Caprese Bites

Southern Living Mini Caprese Bites on a platter to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser

These delicious bites are a great way to start any brunch off on a happy note. They only take 20 minutes to put together and are simply addictive. (Good thing the recipe makes 32 bites, so you won't have to worry about running out!)

38 of 40

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Mini Chicken Pot Pies — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

These mini chicken pot pies pack in all the flavors from the classic comfort dish you desire into a two-bite crescent roll pocket. And in just an hour? You simply can't beat it.

39 of 40

Pimiento Cheese Flatbread

Southern Living Pimento Cheese Flatbread on a board to serve with extra pimento cheese — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

With just five ingredients, plus a few pantry-staple seasonings, you can make this delicious pimiento flatbread. Then, because there's no such thing as going overboard with pimiento cheese, we serve some alongside the sticks for dipping.

40 of 40

Herbed Goat Cheese Spread

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

Impress Mama with this 5-minute appetizer that is still special enough for the occasion. Serve it with sliced baguette, crackers, or sturdy vegetables.

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