15 Festive Mardi Gras Snacks

hot muffuletta dip on crackers
Photo: Abbey

Whether you're setting up on a parade route or celebrating at home, you need food in your stomach to make the most of your Fat Tuesday festivities — and not just to sop up the alcohol in your Mardi Gras drinks. From Cajun appetizers like fried hushpuppies to cheesy, melty muffuletta dip, these Mardi Gras snacks will give you a taste of New Orleans.

01 of 15

Popcorn Shrimp

fried shrimp with ketchup on the side
pelicangal

Shrimp are a Louisiana staple, and small, deep-fried Popcorn Shrimp are almost too easy to snack on.

02 of 15

Cajun Crabmeat Au Gratin

cheesy crabmeat dip on a cracker
SouthernBelle

"Growing up in Louisiana, we were raised on seafood. This authentic Southern crab dish is a favorite in my family," recipe submitter Dennis Morazan says. Reviewers recommend serving this indulgent Cajun Crabmeat Au Gratin as a dip with crackers or bread.

03 of 15

Fried Okra

Fried Okra slices
Gem Smith

Even okra naysayers will want to snack on our Fried Okra. Coated with seasoned cornmeal and cooked to golden perfection, it's not slimy like stewed okra.

04 of 15

Muffuletta Sandwich

muffuletta sandwich quartered and served on two dishes
fabeveryday

Cut this massive New Orleans sandwich into four or more servings, and your whole krewe can enjoy it as a snack.

05 of 15

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Baked Jalapeno Poppers on a white plate
bd.weld

Louisiana has a palate for spice. If you don't, never fear. Cream cheese and shredded cheddar turn down the jalapeño heat.

06 of 15

Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies on a blue plate
Victor Protasio

Crunchy on the outside, delicate on the inside, fried balls of seasoned cornmeal hush picky eaters. Parents, you'll want to save this recipe.

07 of 15

Praline Strips

Praline Strips topped with pecans
Dorris

Pralines — a Louisiana confection made of nuts, sugar, butter, and often cream — get made over as a snack with the help of graham crackers.

08 of 15

Boudin Balls

Boudin Balls on a white plate
Chef John

Traditional boudin consists of rice, ground pork, seasoning, and vegetables, stuffed into pork casing. Here, you're making boudin from scratch (no need for casing) and rolling it into balls. Coat 'em in flour before frying them to a crisp.

09 of 15

Cajun Sweet Potato Fries

sweet potato fries in a cast iron skillet
Buckwheat Queen

Louisiana is one of the top sweet potato growers in the United States, so turning them into fries and topping them with hot sauce, paprika, and other spices just seems natural.

10 of 15

Alligator Fingers

Alligator Fingers with two dipping sauces and broccoli
thelevywasbri

Don't let Alligator Fingers intimidate you! This tender, mild meat tastes like chicken and sort of like white fish, too. Battered and fried, it makes an exciting, kid-approved alternative to chicken fingers.

11 of 15

Beignets

stack of beignets topped with powdered sugar
catherine.drew

Topped with powdered sugar, these fried pastries provide the perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

12 of 15

Crawfish Boulettes

crawfish balls with toothpicks on a white dish
Soup Loving Nicole

"Boulettes is French for 'little balls.' These combine the naturally sweet taste of crawfish tails with the Cajun 'Trinity' of onions, bell peppers, and celery, with an extra kick from the Cajun seasoning," recipe submitter Chef Bayou says. Thank goodness for frozen crawfish tail meat.

13 of 15

Hot Muffuletta Dip

hot muffuletta dip on crackers
Abbey

Peppered up with salami, provolone, green olives, and pickled veggies, this hot, cream cheese-based dip recreates the taste of this classic New Orleans sandwich.

14 of 15

Cajun Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

mushroom caps stuffed with crab stuffing
rthorn

Reviewer trustyfedora replaced seafood seasoning with gumbo filé (powder made from ground, dried sassafras leaves) to add Creole flavor to these bite-sized stuffed mushrooms.

15 of 15

Niki's Famous Crawfish Dip

cream cheese and shrimp dip in a glass
Smye Sarrel

New Orleans native and recipe creator Niki Mouton credits crab boil seasoning for this creamy crawfish dip's top-rated flavor.

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