I love baby showers, but don’t love when the hostess is sweating over the stove while everyone else is gushing over mini socks. Baby shower tables should have snacks that are easy to grab, look cute, and don’t take the hostess down to the wire last-minute to prepare.
Think about: single-handed snacks, easy to clean napkin desserts, and several “wow” look in the front but really easy ‘put together’ trays and you can decide to bring those or not. I’m sharing 35 recipes I’d bring in a heartbeat, along with some that I’ve learned to never take near a white couch.
Contents
- 1) Caprese Skewers
- 2) Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
- 3) Smoked Salmon Bites
- 4) Deviled Eggs
- 5) Cheese Pinwheels
- 6) Chicken Salad Croissants
- 7) Mini Quiches
- 8) Cheese Straws
- 9) Stuffed Mini Peppers
- 10) Spinach Artichoke Dip
- 11) Whipped Feta Dip
- 12) Party Meatballs
- 13) Chicken And Waffle Bites
- 14) Bruschetta
- 15) Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup
- 16) Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 17) Veggie Platter And Dip
- 18) Mini Baked Potatoes
- 19) Ham And Cheese Sliders
- 20) Mini Taco Cups
- 21) Hummus Phyllo Cups
- 22) Shrimp Cocktail Cups
- 23) Crab Rangoon Dip
- 24) Garlic Knots
- 25) Mini Sausage Rolls
- 26) Cornbread Muffins
- 27) Fruit Salad Cups
- 28) CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES
- 29) Mini Cheesecakes
- 31) Crispy Treats
- 32) Brownie Bites
- 33) Sugar Cookie Cutouts
- 34) Mini Cupcakes
- 35) Yogurt Parfait Cups
- Pantry & Tools I Reach For When Hosting a Shower
1) Caprese Skewers
I’ll be honest, I have been calling these my last minute snack idea for parties because they look a little too fancy for my liking. Skewer cherry tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls with basil, balsamic glaze added right before serving is a great idea. If you can find good tomatoes, you will most likely succeed. I once saw someone “just grazing” and take three in a row, which I think is the highest praise you can give a snack.
2) Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
These have a really nice old-timey feel and give the impression that an aunt brought out a nice platter. Cream cheese, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper are blended and spread on soft bread, then topped with thin cucumber slices. The crusts are removed and they’re cut into triangles or fingers. They are nice snacks and help keep the balance when your dessert table is wild.
3) Smoked Salmon Bites
These are the cucumber and cream cheese bites that look like ‘I have my life together’ even if you made them in your pajamas. The cucumbers are sliced into thick rounds and have cream cheese and then on top of that, and folded slices of smoked salmon, fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon. They are only good for about an hour or two which is when people are standing around in the game chat. If someone doesn’t like fish, you can make a batch with tomato and everything bagel seasoning.
4) Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are the life of the party: they are always in demand, and they start conversations, and disappear the quickest. To make some, hard boil eggs. Once done, cut them in half and mix the yolks with some mayonnaise, mustard, and , vinegar or pickle juice. Use a pipe or a spoon to refill and sprinkle some paprika. I have learned that I have to make more than I expect, because people take “just one” and, later come back as if they forgot to grab some.
5) Cheese Pinwheels
This might be a bit of a compliment but pinwheels are kind of old fashioned. You can buy or make pimento cheese to spread onto the tortillas and then roll them up, chill, and cut them into slices. With all the cheese, they slide everywhere and a tiny fork is all you need to make them class. They’re great to eat while talking to people so no fancy eating is required.
6) Chicken Salad Croissants
This is one of those bites that makes guests feel taken care of, like, “oh, there’s real lunch here.” Keep the chicken salad Celery, lemon, and a touch of Dijon are always good compliments to the chicken salad. Also, please don’t slather the chicken salad in mayo! Be sure to keep the croissant from getting soggy by adding a touch of lettuce. I like to serve these in two rounds so the second set still has a fresh from the bakery vibe.
7) Mini Quiches
Mini quiches are like insurance that you can eat! They are hearty, warm, and can even be left out of the fridge. To make these tasty treats, create a dough circle using pie dough. muffin tin and are filled with eggs, spinach and feta with a hint of nutmeg. Don’t worry if they deflate a little bit, everyone’s do. They are perfect, especially if the shower begins to get to the territory of “people are actually hungry now”.
8) Cheese Straws
These have a certain class and make your kitchen smell amazing for an hour. Simply twist some puff pastry and sprinkle in some grated cheddar (or Parmesan) cheese, and a little bit of pepper and Dijon mustard for spice. Don’t forget to bake it until golden brown and crunchy. I have had guests stand next to the tray and “arrange” it by taking half of them.
9) Stuffed Mini Peppers
They’re crunchy, creamy, and oddly addictive. It is like a great bagel drive, but in a snack format. Grab some mini sweet peppers, slice them in half, and fill them with cream cheese. Then, top with everything bagel seasoning. Make sure to keep those cool until they’re ready to serve. If you’re looking for something gluten-free that doesn’t feel like an apology, these are perfect.
10) Spinach Artichoke Dip
Always remember that adding a warm dip to your spread elevates it. With just one dip you can make it look like you put out a ton of food. To make the spinach dip, combine spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, and some mozzarella, and then bake until bubbling and brown. It is good with baked chips, regular chips, crackers, and even bread. I’ve done a number of parties and I’ve seen a lot of people say they will just try it, and somehow they find themselves coming back every few minutes to the dip.
11) Whipped Feta Dip
This is my favorite party food because it takes no time to prepare. Combine the feta with Greek yogurt or cream cheese and whip until fluffy. Once that’s done, drizzle honey and sprinkle pistachios on top. For some extra fun, add some pepper and lemon zest. This dip gives you wine bar vibes and you will end up trying to recreate it at home. In this case, it actually works.
12) Party Meatballs
I would say the sauce is probably something that shouldn’t exist, but… Toss frozen or homemade meatballs in a slow Throw some grape jelly and chili sauce in the cooker and let it all melt into a sticky, tangy glaze. Set out some toothpicks and watch the tray clear out like it owes some money.
13) Chicken And Waffle Bites
These are ideal for a baby shower. Use toaster waffles or homemade mini waffles. top with bite-size cooked chicken tenders, and drizzle a little bit of maple syrup just before you serve it. Just a pinch of flaky salt If you are worried about a mess, we could offer the maple syrup on the side for dipping.
14) Bruschetta
Bruschetta, even when it’s pouring rain outside, always reminds me of summer! Finely chopping the tomatoes then mixing them with basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and a bit of balsamic vinegar is the first step to success. Tomate soup is the perfect pair for a gooey grilled cheese and dip for some extra fun! Finally, spoon the mixture of goodness onto the baguette slices, and voilà! Be careful with timing though. If you do it too early, the bread will get soggy and sad 🙁 I personally think it’s more fun to put the tomato mixture in a separate bowl and let guests decide how much they want. Less pressure, more crunchy, juice goodness!
15) Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup
People seem to enjoy this like they are getting a big hug. This is a comfort food classic, but it does have a twist. We make grilled cheese sandwiches, then they are pressed and cut into perfect little squares. We make little cups of tomato soup for them to dip their sandwiches in. The first time I did this, I was NOT prepared for how many cups to bring, and I filled them like a crazy coffee shop barista.
16) Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These are sweet, salty, and a bit showy which is why they always disappear. Take some pitted dates, stuff them with almonds (or goat cheese), wrap them in some bacon, and bake them until the bacon is nice and crispy. Let them cool for a few minutes so no one burns their mouths because they will be so eager to grab one. Being that they are rich, a small batch would be a very long way for the average consumer.
17) Veggie Platter And Dip
A bright veggie platter is the social
Lubricant of party tables: gives hands something to do. Blend some parsley, chives, basil, mayo or yogurt, and lemon, garlic, and anchovy if you like. Then, dunk everything you can. Cut the vegetables into different shapes to make it look like there is a lot. This is great for all the sugar free people, or the sugar free people that are just pretending.
18) Mini Baked Potatoes
These are just loaded baked potatoes, but they come in a two bite size for some strange civility. Roast some baby potatoes until they are tender, then smash or cut them in half and add a dab of sour cream, a bit of chives, and a sprinkle of bacon if you like. They are actually just as good cold. I’ve served them at showers where most of the apps were sweet, and people really seemed to appreciate it.
19) Ham And Cheese Sliders
Honest, they are the first ones here to help set up the chairs. Ham and Swiss (or cheddar) get layered in sweet rolls. brush with buttery mustard glaze, and then bake them until the cheese is melted. Afterward, serve them warm in individual portions. They don’t have to be fancy, as long as people enjoy them, that’s the goal.
20) Mini Taco Cups
Mini taco cups are a fun addition to the menu. To prepare them, take small tortillas, press them into a muffin tray, and bake them until crunchy. Once they are ready, fill them with your choice of seasoned meat, beans, or other toppings. To keep the toppings crunchy, add lettuce and salsa right before serving. If you are the host, you will like that they are easy to clean up and will not create a wandering salsa spill!
21) Hummus Phyllo Cups
Phyllo cups are perfect to achieve an instant “catered” look. To prepare them, take store-bought cups and fill them with hummus. Then, top each with chopped roasted red peppers, a sprinkle of parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil. They are easy to prepare, and they can be made in large quantities without losing your sanity. If you have picky eaters, keep the toppings simple or let the hummus do the work.
22) Shrimp Cocktail Cups
Shrimp Cocktail is a Clean fancy party food. Buy prepared shrimp (not raw) they are sold for a short period cooked. Place them in small cups with cocktail sauce and a half slice of lemon ready to go in a cup. This makes everything neat and organized. No one will have to stand around a communal bowl. If someone doesn’t like seafood, they can opt out without any judgement.
23) Crab Rangoon Dip
This is like the best part of takeout, but without the oil stain on the bag. Mix soft cream cheese, crab, and chopped scallions. minced garlic worcestershire sauce and mix well. Bake until bubbling. Serve with crispy wonton chips (baked chips are also fine). Because of the richness, you may also want to offer a fresh fruit platter or something else crisp and clean.
24) Garlic Knots
Just the aroma draws people in! You tie the pizza dough and bake the knots, then finish with a drizzle of melted butter, garlic, parmesan, and parsley. Warm marinara on the side makes them It’s a good thing baby shower desserts don’t need to be perfect! Knots can be lopsided and people still eat them! No one is grading the baby shower on how good it looks.
25) Mini Sausage Rolls
They are so yummy! When you start eating them, you won’t want to stop! Simply wrap sausages or some seasoned ground pork in puff pastry and bake until golden brown. You can even then cut them into bite-sized pieces. Mustard is a good dip, but not necessary. If you are putting a varied group of people in front of a table, these will help keep it organized.
26) Cornbread Muffins
Mini cornbread muffins feel warm and welcoming. It feels like you welcoming someone into your kitchen rather than just catering an event and putting food out. Bake mini muffins and serve with some whipped honey butter. They are great with chili, or soup, or even just on their own. Go for what you like – I like it sweet so would add more sugar, but some people like it less sweet so adjust to your audience.
27) Fruit Salad Cups
Seasoned fruit salad probably isn’t what people want, but they are worth it! Mix the fruit with some lime juice, honey, and ripped up mint leaves. It will be a nice break after three cookies and a few cheddar crackers.
28) CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES
There is a type of romance around chocolate-covered strawberries. What is funny is that they take about fifteen minutes to make. All you have to do is melt some chocolate and dip strawberries into it. Let them set on parchment paper. Drizzle white chocolate on top for a nice extra touch. Once I served these and a guest said, “These feel expensive.” It was funny because the fanciest thing used was a microwave.
29) Mini Cheesecakes
Mini cheesecakes also help keep dessert classy. There are no messy slices and no leaning tower of dessert plates. To make mini cheesecakes you make the graham cracker crust, put the cream cheese filling on top, and then bake them in a muffin tin. If you want to skip the baking step, you can set the cheesecakes in jars instead. You can top them with berries, chocolate ganache, or lemon curd. If they last in the fridge overnight, it’s a miracle during party week.
30) Lemon Bars Lemon bars Dessert bars have lots of color and are not just the usual wall of sweetness, and they need a shortbread crust and a lemon custard filling. They are served chilled, and are easily cut into small portions, so little bite sizes. Everyone loves the option of �just a bite� of dessert, but then powder sugar goes everywhere.
31) Crispy Treats
Crispy treats are good, but having crispy treats made with brown butter creates even better flavor. The marshmallows are mixed with the now brown butter, and then mixed with the cereal. And don�t forget a pinch of flaky sea salt right before you press it into the pan.
32) Brownie Bites
Mini muffins are the best option for portioned dome shaped brownies. Also, don�t bake them all the way so they ruin the fudginess. The best idea is to put a chocolate chip on top before baking.
33) Sugar Cookie Cutouts
To be honest, I just find these boring. shower cookies You can create some pretty cool cookies and pretending that you are an artist, but remember that most of your efforts are going to be wasted. You can do a little bit of care, coat your cookies in a pastel glaze, and add some decorations but don’t get crazy with them. Your goal is to have these cookies done before midnight to avoid adding decorations like tiny polka dots with a toothpick that will take hours to do. If you quickly bag a few cookies at the end, they’ll even work as a favor.
34) Mini Cupcakes
Mini cupcakes make it easy to avoid the question “do I want an entire cupcake?” Simply bake vanilla mini cupcakes and top with strawberry frosting made with freeze-dried strawberries or even just a spoonful of jam. They are cheerful, easy to transport, and are super easy to set out in rows for display. Personally, I am happy to offer one frosting option that isn’t too sweet, as I think sugar fatigue is a very real thing.
35) Yogurt Parfait Cups
Although there are three types of brownies, the parfait cups help make the whole spread feel lighter. Layer Greek yogurt with berries and granola To keep the granola as crunchy as possible, separate it from the rest of the ingredients until serving time. A tiny drizzle of honey is all you need. These are great to have ready to go as people are waking up and are nice as an emotionally calming morning shower.
Pantry & Tools I Reach For When Hosting a Shower
The set that gives the table a designed look without labor on the part of the host. Affiliate links: if you purchase through them, HomeViable earns a small commission at no cost to you.
- MALACASA 3-Tier Porcelain Serving Tray Set. The display piece that takes a tray of mini cheesecakes from “buffet” to “actually planned this.
- Wuyituart Tulip Cupcake Liners. The tulip-fold liners give the mini cupcakes, brownies, and cheesecakes that bakery-window look without any extra effort.
- ThermoMaven Instant-Read Meat Thermometer. Catches the party meatballs at safe-to-serve, the bacon-wrapped dates at deep-golden, and the chicken salad starting protein at the right pull point.
