40 Mother's Day Appetizers That Are Perfect for Spring
A great way to start brunch, lunch, or dinner.
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If you're hosting Mother's Day this year, you'll need to be prepared with a well-rounded menu. Of course, that should include spring drinks and sweet treats to complete the meal, but don't forget about the starters, too. After all, kicking off your Mother's Day brunch, afternoon lunch, or Mother's Day dinner with party dips and fresh salads are a great way to make Mom feel special.
Many people will be opting for breakfast on Mother's Day, so you'll find some appetizers that are perfect for getting your morning started. For instance, there's the cutest doughnut-studded fruit skewers and everything cucumber-smoked salmon bites that taste just like a bagel! If you'd rather let Mom sleep in on Sunday, there are some tasty bites to try before your Mother's Day lunch. There are even some retro appetizer ideas like deviled eggs and bite-sized sandwiches that would be perfect for an afternoon tea or a picnic in the park.
If you're looking for an elegant way to kick off dinner, the Waldorf salad is retro classic your mother will fall in love with all over again while the arancini are fitting for a big Italian dinner. Whichever one you choose, Mom will appreciate the effort, especially if you serve it with a batch of fruity Mother's Day cocktails. So, go ahead and pull out all the stops with these easy Mother's Day appetizers no matter the time of day.
White Bean Dip
This dip is a lot like hummus, except it's smoother and creamier with a garlicky kick. It has a lot of fresh herbs, which really complement all those spring veggies for dipping.
Get Ree's White Bean Dip recipe.
Green Goddess Salad
Celebrate spring and Mom at the same time with this extra crunchy salad. Making the creamy dressing from scratch only takes a few minutes and is worth every second of that effort.
Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits
Ranch lovers, this one is for you. Light and fluffy angel biscuits are taken to the next level with rich and creamy buttermilk and everyone's favorite ranch seasoning.
Asparagus Salad
Make spring asparagus shine by tossing it with bacon, parmesan, walnuts, radishes, fresh herbs, and a lemony vinaigrette. It's the perfect combo of refreshing, tender, salty, and crunchy.
Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip never goes out of style! Let your favorite appliance do most of the work for you and even keep it warm throughout the celebration.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
This appetizer combines two beloved classics (stuffed mushrooms and crab puffs) into one elegant, irresistible bite. Serve them hot with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Carrot Ribbon Salad
Try a different way to eat carrots! Toss ribbons with a creamy lemon-tahini dressing and then sprinkle salty pistachios on top for a light and colorful starter.
Get Ree's Carrot Ribbon Salad recipe.
Spinach Puffs
Inside flaky puff pastry shells, you'll find a cheesy, herbaceous mixture of chopped spinach, cream cheese, feta, shallots, and dill. They assemble so easily in a mini muffin pan.
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Bloody Mary Dip
Turn your favorite brunch cocktail into a zesty dip! For an adult party, add a splash of vodka for extra tanginess or leave it out if you've got non-drinkers. Either way, don't forget the olives on top.
Get the Bloody Mary Dip recipe.
Radish Salad
Crisp and refreshing, this salad is a mixture of radishes and cucumbers sliced up thin with a light, zesty dressing. It only takes 15 minutes to bring it all together.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
Hushpuppies
Hushpuppies are basically little crispy fried balls of cornbread with an extra kick thanks to cheddar cheese and jalapeños. They only take a few minutes to fry up, too!
Get the Hushpuppies recipe.
Whipped Goat Cheese
You can whip this tangy, tasty dip together in just a few minutes. It's topped with a crunchy layer of pancetta and panko bread crumbs that will taste so good with seasonal veggies.
Get Ree's Whipped Goat Cheese recipe.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Seasonal asparagus spears and salty prosciutto are a match made in snacking heaven! It's almost as if they're wrapped in bacon, but a little bit fancier.
Get the Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus recipe.
Brunch Charcuterie Board
Talk about a show-stopper! This epic charcuterie board has everything you need to munch on for a Mother's Day brunch. It even has various jams, pimento cheese, biscuits, and bacon.
Get the Brunch Charcuterie Board recipe.
Air Fryer Okra
This Southern favorite gets extra crispy thanks to your air fryer. It also means you don't have to mess with heating up a pot of oil, either. It's a win-win!
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
Spring Pea Tart
This recipe starts with flaky puff pastry so you know it's going to be good. Layer on an herby goat cheese spread and lots of spring veggies to really make the dish pop.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Tart recipe.
Whipped Feta Dip
Feta lovers will go crazy for this light and creamy dip. It can be finished with olive oil and cracked black pepper or drizzled with honey for those who like the combination of sweet and salty.
Get the Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is a retro classic that is still enjoyed today. One bite and you'll know why: Our version is chock full of crunchy apples, sweet grapes, and toasted walnuts all tossed in a subtly sweet, creamy dressing.
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Shrimp Dip
Pull this make-ahead shrimp dip out of the fridge to enjoy on Mother's Day. It's cool and refreshing, and fits the bill no matter if you're going the backyard cookout route or throwing Mom an elegant feast.
Get the Shrimp Dip recipe.
Avocado Salsa
Is Mom a big fan of guac? Treat her to something different this year with a bowl of avocado salsa. With diced avocado, tomato, onion, poblano, cilantro, and jicama, this crunchy, chunky dip will become her new favorite.
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
Homemade Lemonade
Peaches and Cream Shortcakes
Strawberry Pavlova
