Whether you live in the south or you find yourself pining for the comfort foods made famous here, this list of Southern Appetizers will be your go-to list of starters!
Southern foods in the USA are a category unto themselves.
This area of the country became home to a unique combination of people groups from Native Americans to Europeans, and Africans.
Such diversity is sure to bring out exceptional flavors and ingredient combinations when it comes to cooking.
The frying of food originated with the need to preserve wild game but has since become a hallmark of Southern food.
The most popular dishes associated with Southern food could quite possibly be fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, crawfish boil, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, red beans and rice, chicken and dumplings, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, collard greens, banana pudding, peach cobbler, pecan pie and don’t ever forget the sweet tea!
With all that in mind, we are focusing our list today on Southern appetizer recipes.
You will see many of the items listed above in various forms and some new ones are included as well.
Some of my favorite recipes on this list are; Mom’s Classic Southern Deviled Eggs, Mississippi Sin Dip, and Southern Sausage Balls.
We even included a popular copycat recipe that you definitely don’t want to miss. #12
Southern food appetizers are tasty and filling since there is no messing around in these kitchens, where their sole job is to feed the people!
So, if you are looking for something hearty and satisfying, look no further than a good ole’ Southern appetizer!

1. Southern Pecan Cheese Wafers
When it comes to Southern finger foods, these Pecan Cheese Wafers are truly unique!
They look like cookies but they taste like crackers!
A savory surprise if you will.
They include butter, Worcestershire sauce, flour, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, cheddar cheese, and pecan halves.
Mixing and refrigerating can be done one day with the forming of balls, adding pecans, and baking being completed in the next day or two.
2. Shrimp And Grits Bites
Grits and Southern appetizer recipes go hand in hand.
Here your mini muffin tin will be used to spoon in precooked grits and baked.
After cooking and seasoning the shrimp stovetop, you can prepare your serving plate with the grits mini muffins each topped with a cooked shrimp, butter sauce, and a bit of fresh parsley.
SO good!
3. Mini Southern Tomato Pies
Southern food appetizers are often smaller versions of regular Southern recipes.
Here is the perfect example of that!
“Mini” tomato pies made with your regular size muffin tin simply need a puff pastry, several kinds of cheese, mayo, tomatoes, and basil.
It is super important to slice, salt, and dry out the tomatoes before adding them to the muffins!
Layers were created to give each bite a fantastic texture!
4. Southern Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese spread is a classic Southern appetizer!
It’s tangy and cheesy and creamy and fantastically dippable or spreadable.
Pimentos, a type of chili pepper, come in a jar so they are easy to keep on hand.
Mixing together cream cheese, mayo, spices, pimentos, and shredded cheddar couldn’t be easier!
Some have even been known to put this pimento cheese on top of a burger!
5. Mom’s Classic Southern Deviled Eggs
As traditional Southern appetizers go, these are always popular with nary a leftover to be found!
I’m talking of course about Southern deviled eggs!
Smooth and creamy and seasoned just right!
Bright yellow and completely irresistible!
The mix is made with egg yolks, mustard, mayo, sweet pickle relish, salt, and pepper!
Toppings could be anything from paprika to sriracha to pimientos to bacon!
6. Southern Appetizers: Mini Shrimp + Grits
For a bit of upscale Southern hospitality, some Southern appetizer recipes need a fancy serving goblet and utensils.
This shrimp and grits appetizer starts with making the grits and adding salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese.
Separately cook the shrimp with lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning.
Fill each cup or goblet with the grits and top with several shrimp and a sprinkle of chives.
Beautiful and elegant!
7. Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs
Meatballs in Southern appetizer recipes are so richly flavored and addictive!
Slow cooker or stovetop preparation directions include hot pepper peach preserves, BBQ sauce, chili sauce, whiskey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt.
This is the stuff blue ribbons are won for!
Toothpicks are all that’s needed for serving!
8. Mississippi Sin Dip
Southern food appetizers include several dips.
This one called Mississippi Sin is served in a hollowed-out bread bowl of your choosing.
The dip itself is made of cooked ham, cream cheese, sour cream, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and cheddar cheese.
Serve alongside crackers or veggies.
9. Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
Five ingredients are all it takes to make this Southern appetizer of pecan Brie bites!
Quick and easy are two words I look for when choosing what recipes to follow!
Phyllo shells, butter, brown sugar, bourbon, Brie, and pecans.
My only advice is to make more than you think you will need because these bites go fast!
10. Million Dollar Dip
A second dip, the Million Dollar Dip, has made its way onto my traditional Southern appetizers list.
This creamy savory dip includes slivered almonds, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, green onion, garlic, and Hellman’s Mayonnaise.
It can be made ahead and pairs nicely with carrot sticks, celery, crackers, large corn chips, or pretzels.
11. Southern Fried Okra
When it comes to Southern finger foods, many ideas come to mind that could serve as appetizers or sides.
Fried okra is most definitely one of them!
The secret is that the okra is soaked in an egg and buttermilk mixture before being breaded in a combination of cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you love until it is golden brown!
Watch that timer!
12. Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles
Fried pickles are another fine example of Southern finger foods!
This is a copycat recipe that is simple to make and only takes just a few minutes to do.
This recipe goes light on the breading, using only cajun seasoning and flour allowing the pickles to be crunchy, tangy, and amazing!
After drying the pickle slices, coat both sides and fry in oil until slightly brown.
Drain on a paper towel and serve up with any dip you’d like!
We also included the recipe for the dipping sauce as well.
13. Collard Greens Dip
Okay, okay, I know.
Another dip.
But come on, if you have never had collard greens, the best way to try them out is in a Southern food appetizers dip!
Spicy tomatoes are the highlight here!
Cook up those collard greens in an ovenproof skillet in olive oil, and add in shallots and garlic.
Next, add sour cream, mayo, salt, flour, Monterey Jack cheese, parmesan cheese, Rotel tomatoes, and bake.
Looks a lot like a spinach dip!
14. Mini Chicken And Waffles Party Bites
My friend, this Southern appetizer is maybe the easiest of all time!
Chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A placed atop a mini Eggos waffle drizzled with a syrup made from pepper jelly and maple syrup.
Stick a toothpick in each one and these will literally fly off the serving platter!
Sure there are longer, fancier recipes that require a lot of work and time in the kitchen.
I opted for this approach as I knew you would approve!
15. Southern Sausage Balls
In the South, folks like the traditional Southern appetizers like sausage balls with cheese, sausage, and bread.
But there is one new ingredient in this recipe to shake your world up a bit!
Cream cheese.
That’s right.
This recipe combines ground sausage, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and Bisquick.
If you are from another corner of the country or the world, these are a definite must-try!
The bottom line
Southern appetizer recipes are fun to make and delicious to eat!
Grips, dips, deviled eggs, or sausage balls, all these Southern food appetizers will keep your guests intrigued and their taste buds happy!

15 Easy Southern Appetizers
Y'all, these 15 Southern Appetizers will keep your guests beggin’ for more and their taste buds so happy!
Ingredients
- Southern Pecan Cheese Wafers
- Shrimp And Grits Bites
- Mini Southern Tomato Pies
- Southern Pimento Cheese
- Mom's Classic Southern Deviled Eggs
- Southern Appetizers: Mini Shrimp + Grits
- Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs
- Mississippi Sin Dip
- Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
- Million Dollar Dip
- Southern Fried Okra
- Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles
- Collard Greens Dip
- Mini Chicken And Waffles Party Bites
- Southern Sausage Balls
Instructions
- Skim through our Southern Appetizers list.
- Select the recipe you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!
Barb
Saturday 23rd of March 2024
I’ve deleted my account. You make it too difficult because of the listing of recipes. It’s much easier to do an internet search for recipes than to try and use your email. You need to find great recipes and send them out separately. A listing of 100-150 recipes in an email makes no sense. Who has time to sit and review all those recipes.