Now that it’s officially Carnival season, you know what that means: Mardi Gras is just around the corner. So if you’re planning on throwing a party, you’ve got to have tons of beads and masks for decoration, a king cake (complete with good luck baby!), and enough Cajun-inspired food to feed your whole crowd… Speaking of, if your party is more of the, say, pigs in a blanket-type than a sit-down dinner, these sweet and savory Fat Tuesday appetizers (like our muffuletta pizza) are for you. They’ll keep you from getting stuck in the kitchen, are sure to get any kind of party started, and will keep the good times rolling all night long.
Every appetizer spread benefits from a little variety, and Mardi Gras is no different. You could just put out some chips and dip and call it a day, but it’s Mardi Gras, so over the top is always better. That means multiple options, people! We took inspiration from classic appetizers we know and love, then gave them New Orleans-, the South-, and all things Cajun and Creole-inspired twists. Looking for flavorful, creamy dips? Try our hot crab dip, our jambalaya dip, our Funfetti dip, or our Louisiana shrimp dip. Want more bite-sized options? Check out our shrimp po’boy sliders, our lobster-shrimp cakes, our boudin balls, or our fried okra.
Speaking of frying, we get that it’s not always feasible to pull out a massive pot of oil, so we’ve included a number of air fryer recipes for you here too. Our air fryer okra, crab cakes, and scallops get just as crispy as their counterparts, with half the work.
And don’t forget something sweet! Our beignets, king cake truffles, pecan pralines, and chocolate mint moon pies would all be perfect nestled in among your savory spread.
Want more Mardi Gras inspiration? Check out our favorite Mardi Gras foods, drinks, and desserts too.
1
Crab Cake Bites
Turn the classic seafood dish into the cutest bite-sized app with these crab cake bites. Ready in a little over 30 minutes, these bites are the easiest way to add the fancy factor to any Mardi Gras party.
Get the Crab Cake Bites recipe.
2
Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels
These mussels will make you rethink if mushrooms are the only things that should be stuffed this Carnival season. Make your own cornbread or use store-bought—these are so good, no one will mind either way.
Get the Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels recipe.
3
Muffuletta Pizza
This pizza has the same components as its namesake muffuletta sandwich (with a chewy-crisp crust standing in for the sesame roll!) but is arguably even simpler to make, portion, and serve to a big crowd. Make it for a casual dinner OR a Mardi Gras bash, and watch everyone freak out.
Get the Muffuletta Pizza recipe.
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4
Southern Fried Oysters
Long before the creation of fried oysters, oysters were considered a poor man’s food because they were so abundant in the waters off the East Coast of the United States. They were first breaded and fried in the Western Hemisphere in the mid-19th century and have since been upgraded with a crispy, crunchy cracker crust. TMYK!
Get the Southern Fried Oysters recipe.
5
Paczki
Paczki (pronounced something like puhnch-kee) are a traditional Polish dessert typically prepared on Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) as a way to use up all the rich ingredients typically given up for Lent. If you're looking for a decadent treat, these dense jelly donuts should be next on your baking list.
Get the Paczki recipe.
6
Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are THE appetizer we make for every party, and while our classic recipe is great, sometimes we like to switch it up a bit. Enter French boursin cheese. It adds a little something to these that’ll have your guests coming back for more.
Get the Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
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7
New Orleans-Style Beignets
Want to celebrate Mardi Gras from the comfort of your kitchen? Make beignets. Liberally dusted in confectioners’ sugar, these pillowy deep-fried doughnuts will transport you to Bourbon Street in just one bite.
Get the New Orleans-Style Beignets recipe.
8
Pecan Pralines
Pralines are a delicious Southern caramel-like candy made with sugar, butter, vanilla, and some form of dairy (like heavy cream or evaporated milk, which is our choice). You can make them with any nut, but pecan is classic.
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
9
Air Fryer Okra
This fried okra is delicious, crispy, and just a , thanks to your air fryer. You'll toss the long, slender green pods with a Cajun-spiced cornstarch coating, which allows oil to adhere to the okra and makes each bite deliciously crunchy. We bet you'll be making batch after batch.
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
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10
Lobster-Shrimp Cakes
This recipe was adapted from the new 20th anniversary edition of Patti's cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About. You can make smaller patties to serve as an appetizer or side, or form larger portions for a more substantial dinner.
Get the Lobster-Shrimp Cakes recipe.
11
Funfetti Dip
This Funfetti cake-inspired dip tastes just like the Dunkaroos you grew up with. 😍 It's perfect served with everything from pretzels to Nilla wafers... you could even try it with fruit.
Get the Funfetti Dip recipe.
12
Hush Puppies
Hush puppies—or fried balls of savory cornmeal batter—are a welcome addition to any seafood spread or fried food feast. These golden, crispy bites are so easy to make, they're the perfect last-minute appetizer for all your Mardi Gras festivities.
Get the Hush Puppies recipe.
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13
Hot Crab Dip
Okay, we'll say it: Hot crab dip belongs in the party dip hall of fame. Packed with melty cheese and sweet, tender crab meat, this rich dip may seem extra-fancy, but it's so easy to whip up. It's the perfect last-minute app to throw together with minimal effort and is best served hot straight out of the oven!
Get the Hot Crab Dip recipe.
14
Fried Okra
Frying it really is the best way to enjoy okra. Dredging it in buttermilk and cornmeal, then frying it in a small amount of oil achieves an extra-crispy and golden crust you'll love. Don't want to fry it? Try it in your air fryer instead!
Get the Fried Okra recipe.
15
Chocolate Mint Moon Pies
Beads are common to be thrown from Mardi Gras floats, but to catch a moon pie? Now that's special. You won't believe how satisfying the combo of cookie, marshmallow, and chocolate can be, especially with this chocolate mint twist.
Get the Chocolate Mint Moon Pies recipe.
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16
Spicy Grilled Shrimp
The best part about these skewers? The sweet and spicy sauce doubles as a marinade and a glaze—don't forget to reserve some for basting the shrimp while it's on the grill!
Get the Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe.
17
Crab Cake Egg Rolls
These two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out side all into one platter-friendly package. Fresh jumbo lump crab gets tossed with scallions, panko, a little bit of mayo, and Old Bay seasoning, then snuggly wrapped in a wonton wrapper before taking a dunk in hot oil until golden brown.
Get the Crab Cake Egg Rolls recipe.
18
Bourbon Balls
If you’re looking for a boozy treat to get the party started, these bourbon balls are calling your name. Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn.
Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.
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19
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are the best because you get all the deliciousness of crab without all of the tedious, messy work of pulling meat from the shells. Since you're already skipping that mess, go even further and skip the pan-fry too. These are the ideal dish to cook in the air fryer, because you can get that perfect crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.
Get the Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe.
20
Sausage Balls
In many households, sausage balls are a classic holiday appetizer. But many of you might be thinking: Wait, what even is a sausage ball?! The answer: savory, cheesy bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your Mardi Gras party.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
