27 BEST New Orleans Appetizers ⚜️

These 27 New Orleans appetizers are just what you need to make yourself feel like you are down in The Big Easy!

Whether for Mardi Gras celebrations or just to have a taste of the flavorful cuisine that has come together in the region, all of these appetizers are what you need for a delicious way to get your party started!

Let the good times roll with this collection of appetizers that will help you feel like you are partying down in the French Quarter.

There is a nice mixture of Creole and Cajun, southern, and soul food in these apps giving you a nice blend of flavors in each appetizer you try!

Some special recommendations include Hot & Cheesy Jambalaya Dip, Po Boy Crostini, and a French Quarter Cheese Ball.

You also can’t go wrong with New Orleans Food Truck Fries since potatoes in any form are always a great choice for keeping guests happy!

Even if some of these finger foods are new to you, you will want to give them a try.

These will blow you away from how incredible they taste and how much they add to your party or dinner.

Prepare a few of these for Mardi Gras and you can rest assured your guests will be satisfied and happy!

1. Crawfish Deviled Eggs

Even though this recipe is super quick to prepare, it will be a fan favorite.

No one will have to know how easy it was to prepare it after they taste all of the New Orleans flavors throughout it.

Even if you tend to shy away from spicy foods, this can be made more mild so you can still enjoy the flavors without worrying about the heat.

2. New Orleans Muffuletta Skewers

We all love Muffuletta sandwiches but they are not the most suitable choice for party foods.

These skewers can make it perfect for grabbing one and being able to mingle with all of the party guests.

They are also solid as a lighter way to enjoy the sandwich as a side dish.

3. Creole Fried Pickles

Crispy fried pickles with your favorite dipping sauce is always tasty but adding in a bit of Creole seasoning can take it up to the next level!

These are easy to eat, not only by how portable they are but also how good they taste!

As long as you use dill, bread and butter, or sweet pickles, you will get an amazing result in your fried pickles!

4. Southern Crab Beignets

Beignets are typically a sweet deep fried pastry but these crab beignets can make them a great way to serve a NOLA style appetizer at your next party.

If you can get the freshest lump crab meat you can find, you ensure that each bite of your fried beignets are full of the best crab flavor.

Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, these beignets are a great way to get some more crab in your meals!

5. Kicked Up Creole Sausage Balls

Every occasion is made better by serving this variation on classic sausage balls!

This features Creole seasoning, Creole mustard, and some green onion to make it tastier and more fun than your traditional sausage balls.

Watch as your unsuspecting guests take one bite and taste all of the extra goodness added in!

6. Hot & Cheesy Jambalaya Dip

Even as a game day snack, this dip is what everyone will reach for in your appetizer spread.

Chicken, sausage, and tons of melty cheese star in this dish.

But the Creole seasoning is exactly what gives it the extra spice making it fitting for a Mardi Gras party!

7. Louisiana Crab Cakes

While you may love Maryland style crab cakes, the Louisiana version is also a wonder to behold!

These are breaded and fried in oil with some extra spiciness inside which sets them apart from its northern sibling.

Make your own spicy chili sauce for these too as the perfect dip for your crab cakes!

8. Oysters Rockefeller

Created as an alternative to escargot in New Orleans, this is an excellent alternative for when someone may not want escargot but is craving something rich and luxe in taste.

It only takes about half an hour to prepare this special oyster appetizer that will make your guests feel like they are enjoying a fancy and classy snack.

These are excellent served before any special holiday gathering or dinner party, making them a new way to elevate your party to the next level.

9. Cajun Sausage Bites

Andouille sausage is incredibly popular in Cajun cuisine making them exactly what is needed for your next party.

The spicy dipping sauce that goes with these bites is simple to make but exactly what is needed for the bite sized snack to have a little extra kick!

There is no way these won’t be all gone by the end of the night from everyone enjoying them!

10. Shrimp Cocktail With Sriracha Remoulade

The shrimp may be what your guests get excited over seeing but one taste of this spicy remoulade and they will be looking for everything they can get their hands on to dip in the creamy sauce.

You might be surprised to learn that most of what you need for the remoulade is probably already in your kitchen!

With a little bit of a kick from the sriracha, this is the sauce you need to serve at your next party for a little extra excitement in your appetizer selection!

11. Crawfish Bread

One bite of a piece of this bread and you will taste an explosion of Louisiana crawfish, garlic, and gooey cheese.

After sauteeing your crawfish and veggies, add in your cheese and mayo and extra goodies and spread this mixture all throughout your sliced loaf of bread.

After baking your bread, you will have a toasty snack full of amazing flavor that will surprise everyone!

12. Spicy BBQ Shrimp

Just like the famous appetizer that Ruth’s Chris prepares, this is a winning appetizer to get your dinner party started with!

Prepping this only takes about ten minutes and cooking it is only 15 so as long as your butter sauce has been frozen, you can get this ready in a flash.

Give yourself a taste of the luxury restaurant’s popular appetizer at home.

You won’t want to go out and order this after learning how simple it is to make at home!

13. Cajun Roasted Chickpeas

This may be a light and simple snack but the flavors are far from simple!

The bold taste comes from the homemade spice blend and hot sauce you toss the chickpeas in.

If it is a little too hot for you, you can switch out your hot sauce for olive oil and lower the amount of cayenne or red pepper flakes you add in.

14. Creole Cream Cheese Wonton Cups

These cute wonton cups are absolutely full of Creole and Cajun flavor ensuring that even one small bite of this snack will leave your tastebuds happy!

This is a nice way to mix American-Chinese wontons with Creole flavors in one appetizer.

There is also a special sauce for these wonton cups that is a little spicy, a little sweet, and a lot of tasty!

15. Hush Puppy Corn Dog Bites

This family friendly bite sized snack is perfect for kids and adults to enjoy together.

Chances are you have yet to try hush puppy corn dogs making this a unique new party food for you and your guests.

Even without the Cajun dipping sauce these are a special snack, but the sauce definitely makes it that much better!

16. Dirty Rice Egg Rolls

Here is another great blend of Asian and Cajun foods!

With bacon, sausage, and a jalapeno mixed into the dirty rice, these egg rolls are an amazing fusion style appetizer.

A little bit of the Cajun dipping sauce can really complement everything in the egg rolls, but even without it the egg rolls will taste amazing!

17. New Orleans Food Truck Fries

These baked fries can make you feel a little bit better about your eating choice instead of deep frying your fries into oil.

Some Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and your favorite Creole seasoning make your fries so memorable and something you will find yourself craving for days!

No matter what type of dinner or party you may be having, fries will always be a loved addition and with the special additions to them, this recipe will be the talk of the town!

18. Oyster Patties

This lavish appetizer was the star of many New Orleans parties in recent years.

It may sound old-fashioned but the Oyster Patties are more timeless than anything!

Flaky puff pastries and smoky bacon make this an amazing choice for your next evening of hosting guests.

19. Shrimp Ceviche

Although ceviche is more common in Latin America, with the popularity of seafood in New Orleans, it seems only fitting to make a New Orleans style version of the classic dish!

Authentic ceviche uses raw seafood but to make it safer for eating at home, try to poach your fish for about one minute in salted boiling water to eliminate the bacteria and parasites that might be present.

20. Mardi Gras Muffaletta Fritters

Here’s another one bite way to enjoy the New Orleans classic sandwich: Muffalettas.

All of your favorite parts of the muffaletta sandwich are chopped into small pieces and mixed together into a pate within some homemade flaky dough to house all of the deliciousness together into a bite sized appetizer!

21. Andouille Sausage Bites

All you need is four ingredients to make this extra delicious appetizer perfect for holiday get-togethers that need a little New Orleans flair.

All you need to do is cook your Andouille sausage, cut your cheese, and skewer your sausage and cheese with some cranberry sauce drizzled on top!

Considering how easy this recipe is, you will be amazed by the turn out!

22. Po Boy Bruschetta By Paula Deen

Turn your favorite po boy into an Italian inspired appetizer that will make everyone a fan!

Bacon drippings help add a crust on your catfish giving it a beautiful brown color and a crispy exterior.

Top your baked crostini with cheese, bacon, scallions, and some flaky catfish for an amazing party friendly way to enjoy po boys!

23. Crab & Artichoke Beignets

Between the spicy jalapeno remoulade sauce and the sweet crab and artichoke filled beignets, it is hard to decide which part of this is better.

Together, they make a mouth-watering appetizer that will have your guests going crazy for more!

If you are new to cooking beignets, rest assured that they are a lot easier to make than you may believe, meaning that even beginner cooks can try their hand at this special appetizer.

24. French Quarter Cheese Ball

Equal parts sweet and savory, this cheese ball will be a huge hit the next time you serve it.

Each bite gets some crunch from chopped pecans and some sweetness to balance the creamy cheese from the brown sugar.

I would recommend making a large serving of this since it will be gone before you know it!

25. Spicy Shrimp & Sausage Skewers

Between your skewers and a special dipping sauce, you only need six ingredients to pull everything together!

This should take no time to make on the grill and with the homemade dipping sauce, you will be proud of yourself for pulling together this delicious appetizer in such little time with few ingredients!

Plus, you’ve got to have some Cajun-style desserts to top it all off, right, sha?

26. Crabmeat Ravigote

Despite the variations of this recipe you may come across, the key ingredients include capers, vinegar, shallots, and fresh herbs.

As an appetizer, this is great served in fresh endive leaves so they can nibble on this with their hands without needing utensils.

Adding in some Creole tomatoes or serving this atop of toasted French bread can make it more filling but even enjoying it straight gives you a yummy appetizer to snack on.

27. Alligator Bites

Alligator is a popular protein in southern Louisiana so of course some appetizers will include this yummy meat!

These bites will end up tasting like a spicy variation of fried chicken bites!

It may be surprising for those who are unfamiliar with alligators but the result is an incredibly delicious bite sized snack.

The bottom line

New Orleans appetizers are bold and flavorful and can turn any party or dinner into a memorable occasion with how great these foods taste!

These will pleasantly surprise your guests with all of the southern Louisiana flavors packed into each bite!

Here’s even more ragin’ Cajun Appetizers!