These Mother's Day Appetizers Are Perfect for a Spring Celebration
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Planning a Mother's Day celebration this year? You'll need to be prepared with the perfect Mother’s Day menu. Of course, that should include spring drinks and sweet treats, but don't forget about the starters, too. After all, kicking off your Mother’s Day dinner—or even your Mother's Day brunch—with party dips or a fresh summer salad is a great way to make Mom feel special. There are even some ideas for deviled eggs and bite-sized sandwiches that would be perfect for an afternoon tea or a picnic in the park. So, go ahead and pull out all the stops with these easy and elegant Mother’s Day appetizers.
Many people will be opting for breakfast on Mother's Day, so we've made sure to include some appetizers that are perfect for getting your morning started. For instance, there's cinnamon roll monkey bread, the cutest donut-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 or dinner, too. 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 direction you choose, Mom will appreciate the effort, especially if you serve it with a batch of fun, fruity Mother's Day cocktails.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Pinwheels have been a classic starter for years, so they might make mom a little nostalgic. But she'll definitely be impressed by this new variation that adds herby ranch seasoning to the gooey cheese and salty ham filling.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
Creamy deviled eggs get a punchy flavor boost from the addition of chopped dill pickles and dill pickle juice. It's anything but boring!
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs recipe.
Avocado Dip
This dip is light, creamy, fresh, and packed with aromatic herbs. Its perfect for dipping crunchy spring vegetables or pita chips throughout the day.
Get the Avocado Dip 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.
Olive Tapenade
This briny, colorful condiment only takes 10 minutes to make! It'll dress up a charcuterie board or make crostini with goat cheese taste even better.
Get the Olive Tapenade 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.
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.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
A basket of these cheerful muffins will brighten up any holiday table. The crumb topping and lemon glaze give them just the right amount of sweetness.
Get the Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins 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.
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.
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.
Tea Sandwiches
These tasty tea sandwiches are the perfect little nibble for Mother's Day. Treat your mother to some with her afternoon tea.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Arancini
If a big Italian feast is your mother's wish, begin by frying up irresistible arancini. These rice balls are stuffed with cheese and begging to be dunked in marinara.
Get the Arancini 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.
Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers
These fun skewers turn Mother's Day brunch into the ultimate celebration! Finish each one off with a sprinkle donut hole for a cute twist.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers recipe.
Million Dollar Dip
Whether you serve it before brunch, lunch, or dinner, this addictive dip will be an instant hit. It's full of crunchy almonds, smoky bacon, cheese, and onions.
Get the Million Dollar Dip recipe.
Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts
These radish tarts look fancy, but they're super easy. Just arrange thinly-sliced radishes on a baking sheet, then spread puff pastry with cheese and place it right on top of the radishes.
Get the Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts recipe.
Hot Corn Dip
Ree's cheesy corn dip is better than any gift you could buy your mom. Pull it out of the oven hot and bubbly, and scoop it up with tortilla chips before Mother's Day dinner.
Get Ree's Hot Corn Dip recipe.
Gougères
A special day like Mother's Day calls for extra-special appetizers. These cheesy puffs pair perfectly with a glass of bubbly. Plus, they can be made ahead of time and frozen!
Get the Gougères recipe.
Strawberry Arugula Salad
This colorful spring salad is loaded with sweet strawberries, peppery arugula, crumbled feta and toasted pecans. It's a delightful way to kick off any spring meal.
Get the Strawberry Arugula Salad recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Whether you're taking mom on a picnic or hosting brunch at home, deviled eggs are always a hit! They're one of Ree's favorite ways to kick off a meal.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Spinach Dip
It's cool, it's creamy, and it'll be gone in minutes! Luckily this recipe makes a big batch of dip.
Get the Spinach Dip recipe.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Mom will love how pretty (and scrumptious) this crostini is! The combination of sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and tangy balsamic really sings!
Get Ree's Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
For a fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls, this monkey bread version will have everyone reaching for another bite! It's the sweetest way to kick off your family brunch.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
Share this bright and beautiful dip with the goddess mom in your life for a fun snack that's worth scooping. Serve it up with pita chips, tortilla chips, or even bagel chips!
Get the Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip recipe.
Buttermilk Biscuits
You can serve these golden biscuits with just about any meal. Try them for brunch with honey and butter or at dinner time with ham or chicken.
Get the Buttermilk Biscuits recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Not only is this salad cool, crisp, and refreshing, but it can also be made in advance. Prep it the day before, then stir in the herbs just before serving.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Dill Dip
There's so much flavor in this simple, creamy dip. That's because the sour cream and mayo are mixed with a little pickle juice, plus lots of dried dill, parsley, minced dried onions, and garlic.
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Easy Baked Brie
Cheese-loving moms will appreciate this ooey-gooey baked brie! It uses honey and sea salt but you can also add a sprinkling of chopped nuts if that's something your mom will like.
Get the Easy Baked Brie recipe.
Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites
This party starter is just like an everything bagel, only without the bagel! It's light, crisp, and loaded with all that flavor you know and love.
Get Ree's Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites recipe.
Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup
Serving fruit salad in pretty cups like this is an easy way to impress mom. Plus, the grapefruit-vanilla syrup will give it a lovely sweet and tart flavor.
Get Ree's Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup recipe.
Whipped Deviled Eggs
Fresh dill is used in both the whipped yolk filling and on top as a garnish. It's delicate, flavorful, and so pretty.
Get Ree's Whipped Deviled Eggs recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Not just for cowboys! We're renaming this one to cow-girl caviar for your Mother's Day celebration.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Spring Salad with Radishes
This crisp spring salad is tossed with a dressing recipe that Ree got from her Aunt Trish. It's shaken together in a jar with lemon juice, paprika, garlic, and parmesan.
Get the Spring Salad with Radishes recipe.
Cream of Asparagus Soup
This light and creamy soup might just be the prettiest way to start your Mother's Day dinner. It looks so elegant with the pieces of asparagus on top.
Get Ree's Cream of Asparagus Soup recipe.
Popovers
Popovers are crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside, and they're incredibly light and airy. Plus, they just look darn impressive.
Get the Popovers recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Between the fresh strawberries and lemony poppy seed dressing, this spinach salad is perfect for spring!
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Cheesy Asparagus Tart
This spring tart is quick and easy to make thanks to refrigerated pie crust. Use two crusts and press them together to fill a whole sheet pan!
Get Ree's Cheesy Asparagus Tart recipe.
Beet Hummus
To give this hummus it's pretty pink hue, cooked beets are blended in to the mixture of chickpeas, lemon juice, and spices.
Get the Beet Hummus recipe.
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