1Crab Cake Bites
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE 2Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels
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3Muffuletta Pizza
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREThis pizza has the same components as its namesake muffuletta sandwich (with a chewy-crisp crust standing in for the sesame roll!) but is arguably even simpler to make, portion, and serve to a big crowd. Make it for a casual dinner OR a Mardi Gras bash, and watch everyone freak out.
Get the Muffuletta Pizza recipe.
4Southern Fried Oysters
Lucy schaeffer Long before the creation of fried oysters, oysters were considered a poor man’s food because they were so abundant in the waters off the East Coast of the United States. They were first breaded and fried in the Western Hemisphere in the mid-19th century and have since been upgraded with a crispy, crunchy cracker crust. TMYK!
Get the Southern Fried Oysters recipe.
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5Paczki
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREPaczki (pronounced something like puhnch-kee) are a traditional Polish dessert typically prepared on Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) as a way to use up all the rich ingredients typically given up for Lent. If you're looking for a decadent treat, these dense jelly donuts should be next on your baking list.
Get the Paczki recipe.
6Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7New Orleans-Style Beignets
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE 8Pecan Pralines
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCEPralines are a delicious Southern caramel-like candy made with sugar, butter, vanilla, and some form of dairy (like heavy cream or evaporated milk, which is our choice). You can make them with any nut, but pecan is classic.
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
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9Air Fryer Okra
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNEThis fried okra is delicious, crispy, and just a , thanks to your air fryer. You'll toss the long, slender green pods with a Cajun-spiced cornstarch coating, which allows oil to adhere to the okra and makes each bite deliciously crunchy. We bet you'll be making batch after batch.
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
10Lobster-Shrimp Cakes
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11Funfetti Dip
PHOTO; ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLIST; MAKINZE GOREThis Funfetti cake-inspired dip tastes just like the Dunkaroos you grew up with. 😍 It's perfect served with everything from pretzels to Nilla wafers... you could even try it with fruit.
Get the Funfetti Dip recipe.
12Hush Puppies
Ethan CalabreseHush puppies—or fried balls of savory cornmeal batter—are a welcome addition to any seafood spread or fried food feast. These golden, crispy bites are so easy to make, they're the perfect last-minute appetizer for all your game day festivities.
Get the Hush Puppies recipe.
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13Hot Crab Dip
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREOkay, we'll say it: Hot crab dip belongs in the party dip hall of fame. Packed with melty cheese and sweet, tender crab meat, this rich dip may seem extra-fancy, but it's so easy to whip up. It's the perfect last-minute app to throw together with minimal effort and is best served hot straight out of the oven!
Get the Hot Crab Dip recipe.
14Fried Okra
TARA DONNEFrying it really is the best way to enjoy okra. Dredging it in buttermilk and cornmeal, then frying it in a small amount of oil achieves an extra-crispy and golden crust you'll love. Don't want to fry it? Try it in your air fryer instead!
Get the Fried Okra recipe.
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15Chocolate Mint Moon Pies
Hearst Owned 16Spicy Grilled Shrimp
Parker feierbachThe best part about these skewers? The sweet and spicy sauce doubles as a marinade and a glaze—don't forget to reserve some for basting the shrimp while it's on the grill!
Get the Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe.
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17Crab Cake Egg Rolls
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAMThese two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out side all into one platter-friendly package. Fresh jumbo lump crab gets tossed with scallions, panko, a little bit of mayo, and Old Bay seasoning, then snuggly wrapped in a wonton wrapper before taking a dunk in hot oil until golden brown.
Get the Crab Cake Egg Rolls recipe.
18Bourbon Balls
Andrew bui If you’re looking for a boozy treat to get the party started, these bourbon balls are calling your name. Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn.
Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.
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19Air Fryer Crab Cakes
ANDREW BUICrab cakes are the best because you get all the deliciousness of crab without all of the tedious, messy work of pulling meat from the shells. Since you're already skipping that mess, go even further and skip the pan-fry too. These are the ideal dish to cook in the air fryer, because you can get that perfect crispy texture without oil-logged cakes.
Get the Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe.
20Sausage Balls
Ethan calabrese In many households, sausage balls are a classic holiday appetizer. But many of you might be thinking: Wait, what even is a sausage ball?! The answer: savory, cheesy bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your Mardi Gras party.
Get the Sausage Balls recipe.
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