Mardi Gras Appetizers to Celebrate the Carnival Season

Recipe: Mini Muffulettas

You can easily make these Mini Muffulettas the day before the party. Just assemble, place in zip-top plastic freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight. Store-bought craft paper and simple twine create clever sandwich wrappers.

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes With Garlic-Chive Sauce

Garlic-Chive Sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice add zesty flavor to Mini Crab Cakes.

Recipe: Creole Shrimp Deviled Eggs

These deviled eggs have a Creole flavor and are perfect as a Mardi Gras appetizer.

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Skewers

These mini shrimp skewers pack all the flavor of a Creole shrimp boil into a few bites.

Recipe: West Indies Crab Salad

This recipe originated in Mobile, Alabama, the city where Mardi Gras began.

Recipe: Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies

You’re going to love this twist on classic hush puppies that has a bit of a kick from Andouille sausage.

Recipe: Easy BBQ Shrimp

The key to this easy shrimp appetizer is in the tangy marinade.

Recipe: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs

There’s always a welcome place for a tray of deviled eggs at Southern parties, and this sandwich-inspired spin is delicious.

Recipe: Lump Crab Mornay

This creamy dip will bring you right to the bayou.

Recipe: Oysters Rockefeller

Created by Jules Alciatore at the famed New Orleans restaurant Antoine’s, Oysters Rockefeller dates back to 1899.

Recipe: Shrimp-Stuffed Mirlitons

There is actually a festival in New Orleans dedicated to the mirliton, and if you haven’t tried this interesting squash, this recipe is the perfect primer.

Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Adapt these quick skewers to an appetizer portion with mini skewers.

Recipe: Crawfish Cakes

This spicy Louisiana riff on crab cakes will be a fun surprise for guests. Make your crawfish cakes mini and serve with toothpicks for a grab-and-go appetizer.

Recipe: Roasted Oysters with Bacon-Saltine Topping

Bacon is an amazing complement to Gulf oysters, which look beautiful on a platter with coarse sea salt to prevent them from wobbling around and retain heat.

Recipe: Shrimp Rémoulade Deviled Eggs

Southerners will never turn down a platter of deviled eggs, and this Creole version was made for Mardi Gras.

Recipe: Crawfish Dip

The slow cooker makes hosting so much easier because you can both make and serve this dip in it.

Recipe: Crab Cake Hush Puppies

If you thought hush puppies couldn’t get any more addicting, try this recipe out.

Recipe: Spicy Shrimp with Jalapeño Cornbread and Aïoli

This incredible dish from JoAnn Clevenger of Upperline in New Orleans can be adapted to a mini appetizer version by making small portions and sticking them with toothpicks.

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce

The best part about these pretty little crab cakes is that they can be prepared up to five days in advance.

Recipe: Deviled Crab Melts

If you love crab but are burnt out on crab cakes, these crunchy crostinis are our new favorite way to serve it.

Recipe: Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs

Sprinkled with Cajun seasoning and brushed with a hot sauce mixture, your Louisiana friends will love these kebabs, which you can put on mini skewers for easy serving.

Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip

Get your seafood fix with an updated version of your retro crab dip recipe.