Planning a baby shower is lots of fun – especially when it comes to brainstorming food ideas. Whether you want foods that match your baby shower theme or classic, crowd pleasing baby shower snacks, you’ve come to the right place.
We’re sharing more than 30 of the best sweet and savory ideas for your baby shower. You’ll find plenty of quick, easy, and flavorful recipes as well as a few recipes that are sure to be a show stopper.
While it’s always easy to order a few trays of food from your local restaurant or grocer, there’s something extra special about homemade snacks and treats.
Making the food yourself shows how much you care about the guests and the mom-to-be. Plus, homemade snacks tend to be fresher, healthier, and more flavorful than store-bought options.
But planning a homemade menu doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’re going to go through a few tried and true tips for planning the perfect baby shower menu and then we’ll share over 30 sweet and savory baby shower snacks that your guests are sure to love.
Tried and True Tips for Planning the Perfect Baby Shower Menu
While it’s best to make slightly more food than you think you’ll need, no one wants to be left with far too much food at the end of a party. Here are a things to remember when planning your party menu:
1. Figure out how much food you need before you plan your menu.
I personally like to have a lot of variety when I’m hosting a party…even if it’s just a small gathering. And while it’s nice to make enough of every single recipe for every single guest, it’s also a great way to make sure you end up with way too many leftovers.
You can read my detailed guide showing how much food for a party is just right, or you can download my cheat sheet at the bottom of this post. It helps you calculate exactly how much you need of each type of food and includes everything from drinks and ice, to appetizers and cake.
Once you know how much food you need, it’s time for the fun part…planning what you’re actually going to serve!
2. Serve a mixture of flavors
Planning your baby shower menu isn’t just about picking what looks prettiest. You want to make sure you have a good variety of flavors. Aim to have at least one recipe that fits into each of these categories:
- Sweet – For example, cookies, brownies, candy…this doesn’t need a lot of explaining.
- Salty foods like
- Sour foods can be straightforward (think pickles and olives), or more subtle (Lemon bars or Cranberry Curd Bars)
2. Include a variety of textures
You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a range of textures planned for your party menu:
- Crunchy foods like wonton taco cups, candied pecans, or apple pie spiced pretzels
- Soft foods like easy stuffed mushrooms and
- Creamy recipes such as dips and spreads.
By serving a mix of sweet and savory snacks, as well as foods with different textures, you’re sure to create a well-rounded menu that everyone will enjoy.
3. Pick foods that are easy to eat while you mingle
Remember to include foods that are easy to carry on appetizer plates and to eat while mingling. It’s best if most of your baby shower snacks are small, one or two-bite foods and aren’t too saucy messy.
4. Changes in Seasons = Changes in Tastes
Sunlight and temperature have a significant impact on our tastes and appetites. In summer, you’ll need to provide more lightweight appetizers like chicken salad and finger sandwiches.
In cooler months, you’ll probably need heavier foods like taco cups and stuffed mushrooms. This list of fall appetizers for a crowd is another great read.
5. Consider what time of day your party will be held.
Parties that are hosted anytime during the hours of 11am to 1pm or after 5 in the evening should include enough food to equal a full meal. That could mean serving heavier appetizers like meatballs and mini sandwiches, or could simply mean including a wider variety of foods.
If you’re hosting a party in the afternoon, you can often include lighter fare such as mini quiches, snack mix, and apple roses.
6. Serve a mixture of fresh, make-ahead, and store-bought snacks
Save yourself time (and sanity), and avoid planning a bunch of baby shower snacks and appetizers that need to be prepared at the last minute.
The best way to do this is to make a few appetizers that can be frozen in advance and reheated or defrosted a day or two before your party. Then add in some easy fresh recipes you can pull together the day of your party.
7. Don’t forget the drinks!
While it’s easy to focus on the food , don’t forget to include plenty of fluids in your party planning, too. We’ve got a fabulous list of baby shower drinks right here.
8. Most importantly, think about the guest of honor
What foods does mom-to-be love? Or, does she have any food dislikes or allergies? You’ll definitely want to make sure you have at least a few snacks and desserts that she’ll enjoy. Don’t forget to also find out if she’s had any particular cravings or aversions to foods. You don’t want to accidentally make mom-to-be feel sick at her own party.
If you’re not sure what foods she likes, ask her friends or family. They should be able to give you some good ideas.
30+ Baby Shower Snacks, Appetizers and Desserts for a Crowd
Planning a baby shower and looking for some new food ideas to add to your celebration? Look no further! These snacks, both sweet and savory, are sure to be a hit with guests. Many of them can be made quickly and are good for a small group of close friends or can be made in bulk to feed a crowd!
Savory Snacks & Appetizers
These dishes are a mix of appetizers, dips, and salads that can be mixed and matched for your party.
You can also add a main dish to these like easy sandwiches, baked chicken, or a roast ham. Or, stick with the small bites!
Wonton Taco Cups Recipe
Looking for a fun and easy appetizer idea? You're going to love crunchy wonton taco cups. These little taco bites are made from wonton wrappers that are baked in the oven until golden brown and crispy. They're then filled with layers of seasoned beef or chicken and gooey cheese, and topped with your favorite taco toppings. Yum!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 18
Cranberry Brie Bites
Sweet and tangy cranberries with buttery brie and crescent rolls dough come together to make a delicious appetizer that is sure to impress. Hosting in spring or summer? Substitute the cranberry sauce with peach or blueberry preserves for a seasonal treat.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 24
Loaded Baked Potato Bites
Crispy oven baked potato slices are piled with cheese, sour cream, bacon pieces, and green onions for a the best appetizer to feed a crowd.
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 50
Warm Crab Dip
Loaded with fresh crab, creamy cheese, and plenty of spices, this warm crab dip recipe is the perfect easy appetizer that is guaranteed to wow your guests.
Apple Pie Spiced Pretzels
Looking for quick and easy snacks? These delicious apple pie spiced pretzels only take a few minutes to make and are perfect for an easy-to-munch party snack.
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4.5 cups
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe (Microwave + Meatless)
Mmmmm. I love this easy stuffed mushrooms recipe! It's the perfect recipe to adapt for vegetarian and vegan guests, and no one has to know that they're made in the microwave.
Prep Time: 27 minutes
Serves: 12
Ham and Broccoli Quiche Bites
These mini ham and broccoli quiche bites are the perfect appetizer for your baby shower! Made in a mini muffin tin these little ham and cheese quiche cups are easy to make ahead and so delicious.
Prep Time: 65 minutes
Serves: 36-48
Crockpot Apple Butter Meatballs with Bourbon
Looking for a delicious party appetizer that will wow your guests? It's time to try Crockpot Apple Butter Meatballs with bourbon and BBQ sauce! Full of warm spices and just a hint of sweetness, this is a super easy recipe with a completely unique flavor that isn't too messy for a group.
Prep Time: 2 hrs minutes
Serves: 35
Heart Shaped Charcuterie Board
Learn how to make an epic heart shaped charcuterie board filled with savory treats. We've even got extra suggestions for ingredients to use - including the one thing to always leave off of a charcuterie tray.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Million Dollar Dip
Perfect for any gathering or celebration Million Dollar Dip is an easy, make ahead appetizer loaded with cheese, sour cream, ranch and bacon. Yum!
Caramelized onion galette
With the rich flavors of caramelized onions and parmesan cheese, this caramelized onion galette is the perfect appetizer for your next party.
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Chicken Salad in Puff Pastry Cups
These two bite appetizers are perfect for showering a mama-to-be with love. Make your own chicken salad or use store-bought!
Prep Time: 1 hr 5 minutes
Serves: 20
Ground Beef & Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
This appetizer is really easy to make in bulk and in advance. They’re a great baby shower appetizer but make sure to take the time to caramelize the onions for added flavor.
Prep Time: 55 minutes
Serves: 24
Chicken Salad with Grapes, Strawberries, and Apples
This chicken salad with grapes is a quick and easy meal that features a creamy dressing, delicious fruit, savory chicken, and an extra special crunch!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 8
Greek Layer Dip
This Greek Layer Dip is so delicious that it doesn’t even need seven layers. Four layers of fresh, colorful, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients are served in small mason jars for the cutest single servings.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6
Easiest Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
These cucumber finger sandwiches are the perfect bites for a baby shower. Easy to make ahead and simply delicious!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
RELATED>>>FIND MORE FINGER SANDWICH RECIPES LIKE THIS RIGHT HERE
Honey Goat Cheese Balls
Honey Goat Cheese Balls are a simple, festive appetizer. Soft goat cheese is formed into balls and rolled in a mixture of honey, apricot preserves and pecans. You can easily switch up the nuts and preserves to create different flavor combinations!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8
Phyllo Cup Appetizers (Apple, Bacon + Cheese)
Update your baby shower spread with these phyllo cup appetizers filled with cheese, apples, and bacon. They’re a savory modern take on a cheeseball and crackers.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 15
Sweet Treats & Desserts
What’s a party without dessert? Nothing that’s what! In lieu of a traditional cake why not try out a new dessert - or make a dessert bar with several dessert ideas. Try some of the fun cupcakes or go all out and try the extra special champagne cake!
How to Make Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
Apple pie is awesome, but how gorgeous are these apple rosettes. And with this step by step photo tutorial, they're also simple to make.
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 5
Easy Candied Pecans
This quick and easy candied pecans recipe uses only 6 ingredients and is ready to eat in less than 45 minutes. They make the best sweet and crunchy party snack to have scattered in bowls around your party.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Soft and Chewy Almond Macaroons
Soft on the inside with just the right amount of crunch, these almond macaroons are completely irresistible.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 12
Pecan Crescent Cookies
This pecan crescent cookies recipe is passed down from my little old Italian step-grandmother, and they're completely addictive. The cottage cheese cookie dough is tender and flakey, and there's just enough nut filling to add extra flavor and a bit of bite.
Prep Time: 65 minutes
Serves: 60
Red Velvet Cookies with Cake Mix
Easy red velvet cookies made with cake mix are soft, delicious, and beautiful. They're the perfect choice if you're looking for a colorful last minute dessert recipe.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 24
Strawberry Lemon Bars
Packed with fresh, sweet strawberries, filled with tart lemon juice and topped with a pretty pink strawberry lemon glaze, this is a simple but tasty recipe that is sure to please.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 12
Easy Coconut Cherry Angel Food Cake Bars
This 3 ingredient recipe is so easy to make and tastes amazing. The pink color is adorable for a girls baby shower, but it can also be adapted with blueberry pie filling for a boy's baby shower.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 20 bars
Strawberry Fruit Dip with Cream Cheese
Homemade strawberry fruit dip with cream cheese is a quick and easy recipe that's always a hit. Not to mention, the pretty pink color is a perfect addition to a girly baby shower.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 10-12
Rosewater Cupcakes
These easy vegan rosewater cupcakes are soft, delicate, floral and so unique! Made with rosewater and a simple rose and vanilla buttercream!
Prep Time: 37 minutes
Serves: 9
The Easiest Mini Cherry Cheesecake Bites
These Mini Cherry Cheesecake bites feature a delicious cheesecake filling, cherry pie topping, and cookie crust. They’re semi-homemade and a cinch to throw together!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 48
Lemon Beehive Cupcakes
These Lemon Beehive Cupcakes are as delicious as they are stunning. A perfect additon to any party – they make a yummy treat for baby showers, themed birthdays, picnics and more!
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 12
Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes Recipe {with strawberry crunch topping}
These strawberry crunch cupcakes are delicious, sweet, and totally addictive. They are a wonderful treat for baby showers or parties!
Prep Time: 42 minutes
Serves: 12
Southern Banana Pudding with Meringue
This homemade southern banana pudding is pure nostalgia with layers of homemade pudding, banana slices, vanilla wafers, and topped with my foolproof fluffy meringue that will NOT weep or deflate.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 10
Champagne Cake with Champagne Italian Meringue Buttercream
This delicate, moist Champagne Cake is packed with flavor, filled with strawberries, & iced with Champagne Italian Meringue Buttercream. It's the perfect celebration cake.
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Serves: 18
Homemade treats and finger foods are a great way to show your guests that you care and that you put thought into every detail of your party, from the moment they walk in and see the baby shower decorations, all the way to the last of the baby shower games. Thankfully there are plenty of easy baby shower snacks you can make that everyone will love.
We hope that this list of 30+ baby shower snacks has given you some ideas for what to make for your next gathering. So whether you’re looking for something sweet, savory, or a little bit of both, there’s something here for everyone.
Grab Your Free Printable Cheat Sheet Here
Don’t forget to download our free cheat sheet to find out how much food you need to make for your guests. With this guide, you’ll be able to plan and prepare everything ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy the party too!
Simply fill out the form below, and I’ll send it right over to you.
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