15 Southern Appetizers You'll Want To Make All Year Long

Adding a taste of authentic American cuisine is easily accomplished when you start your meal with a Southern appetizer. It's a simple way to bring down-home spirit to the table, no matter what the rest of your menu features. And when you can incorporate small-bite starters that double as comfort food classics, you can make quick work of getting your spread ready.

But what qualifies as a Southern appetizer? Are there specific dishes that hold up better as finger food or early bites that you can set out before the main meal? It turns out that authentic Southern cuisine has a slew of mouthwatering possibilities for your appetizer course. It's just a matter of finding the right recipes for the job.

It just so happens that these 15 clever creations from Mashed's own culinary crew make the perfect Southern appetizer collection. From savory favorites like hush puppies and fried green tomatoes to more unique offerings like Nashville hot chicken dip and crunchwrap-style BBQ quesadillas, these Southern appetizers capture the spirit of the South in a delicious array of tastes and textures.

Whether you get it from the grocery store or grab it out of your garden, squash is an excellent ingredient for making a crispy, Southern-fried amuse bouche. It's easily recognized as the cousin of the fried zucchini you know and love from fast casual restaurants.

There's flexibility in the recipe, which means you can use Italian squash or zucchini, whichever you find available. A mix of cornmeal and panko used as a base for the breading provides a range of textures in each bite. And using avocado oil gives a unique flavor that lends gourmet panache.

When it comes time to dip your fried squash slices, there's no limit to the possibilities; try traditional ranch or blue cheese dressing, or mix Buffalo sauce with plain yogurt for a lighter option. And of course, good ol' ketchup or barbecue sauce always work, too.

Recipe: Southern-Style Fried Squash

You'd have a hard time naming a more representative Southern appetizer than fried green tomatoes. Not only has it been a down-home favorite for generations, it also became a public culture phenomenon thanks to the 1990s film with the same name. That cinematic success turned a whole new audience onto a different way to enjoy American dining.

Ever since the trend caught on, we've seen fried green tomatoes become a quaint nod to a more rustic way of considering this humble fruit in its unripened state. Finding green tomatoes near you might be the biggest challenge in this recipe. Since they're not always readily available, it could turn out to be a seasonal appetizer for you.

For the batter, a mix of egg and buttermilk with panko and cornmeal crumbs provide a rich breading that fries up crisp and golden. A quick six minutes in a frying pan with vegetable oil and you have one of the most savory Southern appetizers ever invented. Enjoy them with a remoulade, or an easy blend of sour cream and relish to add even more tasting notes.

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

If you've never thought of frying corn before, you may need more Southern cuisine in your life. A combination of sweet kernels and savory mix-ins creates a one-of-a-kind dish that will get any homespun meal rolling in the right direction. Once you get a taste of corn in its fried state, you might never see it as a cob-only vegetable again.

And speaking of corn on the cob, this recipe allows for either that or frozen corn kernels to make the prep even easier. The magic ingredient that infuses the corn in the pan with every bit of smoky goodness you'd expect in a Southern appetizer? Bacon grease — though if you have none handy, you can always use butter. There's also a bit of sugar to add extra complexity.

The finished dish is a great adornment for crackers or corn chips. If there's any left over when the main course arrives, move it down the table to accompany whatever your central dish is.

Recipe: Southern Fried Corn

Of course you're going to find corn fritters among a list of Southern appetizers you can't do without. Who could resist a platter of crispy patties made with frozen or canned corn, delicately fried the old-fashioned way? They're perfect for enjoying on their own or serving as a base for chutney or sour cream, much like fried potato pancakes.

It's more than just corn flavoring these crunchy cakes. There's also paprika, red chili, spring onions, and garlic to turn up the warm elements while allowing the sweetness of the corn to do its magical thing.

Make sure your fritters are thin enough to get crispy when they take their hot oil bath. You can drain them on a paper towel to make sure the excess oil is removed before serving.

Recipe: Crispy Corn Fritters

What better Southern appetizer can there be then bite-size bits of batter deep fried until they're crispy and brown? Hush puppies are usually paired with fish or other seafood dishes, but their versatility makes them a great finger food to set the mood before you bring out the bigger creations.

Before you mistake this recipe for the same old hush puppies you're familiar with, you should know that you can incorporate a variety of ingredients to tailor the flavors to your taste. Toss in chopped onions or jalapeños for earthier versions, or take things in a sweet direction by incorporating chocolate chips and cinnamon. Since these bites are essentially fried dough, there's almost nothing you can't add to make your appetizer dreams come true.

A word of caution: Be sure to match the sauce you serve with your hush puppies to the flavor profile. Salted caramel sauce might be great with chocolate chip hush puppies, but it might clash with a savory herb version. If you have more than one type on the table, make sure your guests know which are which.

Recipe: Homemade Hush Puppies

Unlike the caviar that rich folks eat, Texas caviar is a Southern delight that everyone can get behind, no matter your income level. The flexibility of the dish makes it an ideal addition to your table during the appetizer course, though it's welcome to stay through the main course as a sneaky side dish.

One of the most enticing aspects of Texas caviar is that there's no cooking involved. All you need is a can opener, a kitchen knife, and a big bowl and you can conjure up a batch in as little as 15 minutes. It's as easy as opening cans of black-eyed peas and corn kernels, chopping tomatoes and avocados, and snipping onions and herbs before giving everything a shake of red wine vinegar. Then, all that's left is the mixing.

You can use your caviar as a pre-dinner salad, serve it with tortilla chips as a chunky salsa, or provide street-size corn tortillas for guests to make their own tacos. Add a bowl of shredded cheese for sprinkling on top and a dab of sour cream, and you're all set.

Recipe: Easy Texas Caviar

Okra is one of those Southern foods that sometimes puzzles anyone who hasn't learned how to appreciate it. When it shows up stewed in gumbo and soups, it can create a slimy, unpleasant texture that doesn't tell the whole story. But when fried, it becomes a fantastic finger food that's perfect for dipping in all kinds of sauces.

Unlike other fried Southern favorites, okra doesn't get a batter coating before hitting the heated oil. All it takes to get the little pods all hot and ready is a little slicing and a quick sizzle in the pot. The finished pieces offer a crunchy texture with a deeper flavor than okra would have on its own. And because they cook quickly, you avoid the slimy goo stage that so many people dislike.

Keep your finished bites unadorned, sprinkle on a little sea salt, or offer your guests a creamy mayo-based dipping sauce to make things more elegant. No matter what you choose, these fresh nuggets are a win for your table.

Recipe: Crispy Fried Okra

You can't call your Southern meal complete without a basket of buttermilk biscuits. Use Cracker Barrel's fan-favorite recipe to create light and fluffy bakes that kick your dining off with a sweet starter. They're a familiar favorite that guests will recognize and enjoy even more for being freshly homemade.

You don't have to be an expert baker to come up with a batch of supremely tasty biscuits. The recipe utilizes Bisquick, butter, sugar, and buttermilk to make easy work of creating your dough. After a bit of kneading to incorporate the ingredients, you can roll and slice your biscuits to get them ready for baking.

The finished bakes can be taken in a sweet or savory direction, depending on what your meal calls for. Or try both by offering hot honey butter, dill spread, and chocolate gravy to let guests experiment on their own.

Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Biscuits

Fans of Nashville hot chicken will flip their feathers for a dip version that's a perfect dinner or lunch intro. Equal parts pub fare and party favorite, you can often find similar dips at potluck and tailgating parties. And the best part is that it pulls so many different flavors into a single creation, it's like having an entire meal wrapped up in a single appetizer creation.

Cayenne, brown sugar, and paprika come together for a sweet-spicy combo that gives the dip its kick, while cream cheese, butter, and Greek yogurt help keep things cool. And giving the chicken a little tingle in the background? Chopped pickles with a little brine added in. It's every great Southern layer you could ever hope for.

Have fun with your dippers for this one. The textures and flavors pair just as well with sliced vegetables as with chips or crackers. It also makes an excellent spread for street-size tortillas, giving your appetizer table a DIY tidbit station.

Recipe: Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

Head west with your Southern appetizer options by cooking up a batch of quesadillas stuffed with barbecue chicken. If that wasn't a tasty enough prospect, these slice-and-serve wedges have a secret hidden layer: a taco shell that turns them into a Taco Bell-style treat.

There's a bit of prep work involved with this appetizer. You'll need to pre-cook the chicken and mix-ins to create the filling before it goes into the quesadillas. Then, you'll have to build out each quesadilla by layering vegetables, cheese, and your chicken filling with the hidden taco shells.

Once assembled, the folded tortillas get another trip to the frying pan to toast up the exteriors. The finish product is a fast food classic turned into an appetizer that will ring the dinner bell in a fresh and fancy way.

Recipe: Crunchwrap-Style BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

There's no question that these two-bite seafood gems can turn any occasion into a celebration. The spicy remoulade sauce that goes with these Cajun crab balls gives a fiery kick to a seafood favorite.

If crab balls are new to you, think of them as a seafood version of a meatball. Bits of crab meat merge with Cajun seasoning, pepper and onion, and crushed Ritz crackers in place of breadcrumbs. Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce are also on hand to create a sophisticated blend.

The remoulade uses Dijon and Worcestershire to echo the flavors of the crab balls, with mayonnaise and parsley adding even more flavor and fragrance. Add fresh lemon wedges on the plate, and watch your guests go wild for these bite-size wonders.

Recipe: Cajun Crab Balls with Perfect Spicy Remoulade

They may be traditionally made from leftover pieces of pork, but these BBQ cracklins are anything but an afterthought. In fact, with their smoky essence and wildly crunchy texture, these appetizers may become the centerpiece of your whole spread.

This time around, you'll be using pork belly specifically cut with the skin on the outer edge to make your cracklins. The frying you'll give them turns them into nuggets not unlike chunks of bacon. A finishing rub of brown sugar and warming spices complete the Cajun makeover that turns them into a perfect Southern appetizer.

Serve your cracklins with a bit of homemade ranch dressing or a squeeze of barbecue sauce to provide maximum country impact. You'll have your guests eating out of your hands right from the get-go.

Recipe: Southern BBQ Pork Cracklins

Biscuits stuffed with savory ham and cheese are the perfect Southern appetizer that eats like a full-fledged meal. How else can you describe a doughy roll flavored with pork and gooey cheddar? Sure, they'll get your meal up and running, but they're also memorable enough to join the rest of what you're serving.

You don't have to be restrained with the sorts of ham you use in these biscuits. Though a classic country or honey-baked ham lends authentic Southern vibes, prosciutto or even deli ham serves the purpose just as well. To make sure the pairing is proper, be sure to use cheddar cheese no matter what you pick.

These tasty biscuits need nothing to adorn them. But if you want to be a little extra about it, combine a little pickle relish with some mayonnaise for a spread that goes perfectly in the center.

Recipe: Buttery Ham and Cheese Biscuits

When your Southern taste leads you closer to the southwest, you can look forward to corn jalapeño fritters to whet your appetite. They're not difficult to make, and they provide a warm, crispy treat to fire up your family or your guests before the big meal.

Frozen corn kernels do the trick for these fritters, as does shredded Mexican cheese and a little bit of lime juice added to the batter. Each scoop of batter gets a quick fry for a couple of minutes in a skillet, with a smash-down to flatten the fritters and give both sides a crispy golden finish.

The cooling yogurt dip is an easy mash up of Greek yogurt, cucumbers, and seasonings that counteract the heat of the jalapeños without dimming the fire entirely. Make your fritters bite-size and you'll have the perfect combination of dipper and dip to fill pre-dinner plates without filling up your guests too much.

Recipe: Corn and Jalapeño Fritters with Cooling Yogurt Dip

Fried pickles have joined mozzarella sticks and hot wings as some of the most popular bar bites on the menu. But these tangy tidbits were first imagined by Southerners who figured out that frying them added intriguing texture. Now, you don't have to depend on a restaurant visit to deliver the zesty goodness into your life. You can make them yourself to give your dinner a perky kickoff.

Think of these as part of the fried zucchini family tree. The difference is that pickles have much more liquid and require a bit of care when applying the batter to make sure it doesn't slide off. With a bit of Mexican seasoning, the finished slices end up tongue tingling and spicy.

If you happen to favor a lighter version of fried pickles — which also go great in a sandwich as well as being a tasty appetizer — you can try the air fryer recipe instead. It's the same incredible blend with a crisp modern twist.

Recipe: Deep Fried Dill Pickles
Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Pickles