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Easy food recipes for baby shower


20 Easy-to-Make Baby Shower Food Ideas

Leave the guests wanting for more with these easy and tasty delicacies.

Image: Shutterstock

You cannot plan a baby shower without some finger-licking food. To help you plan a memorable event, we have some of the best baby shower food ideas to share with you. These food suggestions will leave your guests with delicious snack options and make you a loving host.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out our list to explore some delectable meal options for your guests, varying from finger foods to appetizing mains. Trust us; your guests will love them!

Easy Baby Shower Food Recipes

You need not pull off a Michelin-star restaurant menu to please your guests. Simple and easy, yet comfortingly delicious food can be enough to impress your guests. So, here are a few easy baby shower food ideas.

1. Lasagna grilled cheese bites

These bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches have a tangy twist to them. This is one of the snacks your guests would not mind having a second and even third time.

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise or butter
  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • ½ jar of marinara sauce (26oz)
  • One container ricotta (14oz)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella

How to:

  1. Spread mayonnaise or butter on one side of each bread slice.
  1. On the other side spread marinara sauce, add a dollop of ricotta and spread evenly, then sprinkle mozzarella on top of each slice.

Related: 19 Healthy And Easy Finger Foods For Kids

  1. Now, close the sandwich by placing one slice over the other.
  1. Heat a cooking pan and add half a spoon of oil, and fry the sandwiches on both sides until crisp golden brown.
  1. Once they are cooled, cut into triangular pieces and serve them. If you wish to serve them later, then place them in an oven preheated to 200°C.

Related: 20 Healthy And Easy Egg Recipes For Kids

  1. It’s important to let it cool before cutting them else the ricotta and mayo will ooze out making a mess.

Serves: 24

Preparation time: 30min

2. Fruit kebabs

Image: Shutterstock

This vitamin packed snack is healthy, colorful and is a great refresher during summers. If there are kids among your guests, then impress them with fruits cut in different shapes, which they will love to eat.

You will need:

  • 10 raspberries
  • 10 hulled strawberries
  • 10 tangerine segments
  • 10 peeled, cubed mango
  • 10 peeled, cut pineapple chunks
  • 10 peeled and cut kiwis
  • 10 green grapes
  • 10 red grapes
  • 17 blueberries
  • Lemon juice (optional)

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 15min

How to:

  1. Take a wooden skewer and thread a raspberry, a hulled strawberry, a tangerine segment, a cube of peeled mango, a chunk of peeled pineapple, a chunk of peeled kiwi, a green grape, and a red grape.
  1. Thread all the skewers in a similar order, and put a bowl of lemon juice next to the skewers, for guests who wish to have something tangy.
  1. Arrange all the skewers in order and ask the guests to help themselves.

3. Italian pasta salad:

Image: Shutterstock

This salad is fresh, healthy, and colorful when you add a variety of vegetables. You can also add your choice of meat if you like. This dish is super easy to make and tastes better when prepared two hours before the guests arrive.

You will need:

  • 16 oz tri-color rotini pasta
  • ½ cup diced green bell peppers
  • ½ cup diced orange bell peppers
  • ½ cup red bell peppers
  • 1 pint halved grape tomatoes
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • ⅓ cup diced red onions
  • 8oz chopped salami
  • 1 cup Italian vinaigrette dressing
  • ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How to:

  1. Cook the pasta and immediately transfer it into chilled water. This gives them a rich texture. Add salt and a little oil to boiling water.
  1. Add all the chopped ingredients in a large bowl, then add the dressing and toss well so that the ingredients are coated well with the salad dressing.
  1. Refrigerate the salad for two hours before serving.

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20min

4. Cheesy pizza bombs

Image: iStock

There is a burst of flavor in each bite of these easy cheesy pizza bombs! It’s an excellent appetizer and easy to handle. Serve them to your guests and amaze them with this treat.

You will need:

  • 1 tube crescent roll dough
  • 2 sticks white string cheese (cut into 4 even pieces)
  • One jar pizza sauce
  • 32 slices of pepperoni
  • 2 tbsp dried Italian herbs
  • 8-Muffin tin

How to:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  1. You can either spray the muffin tin with cooking spray or just apply melted butter with a brush so that it doesn’t stick.
  1. Use a roller pin to flatten the dough and cut it into eight small triangles that fit into the muffin mold.
  1. Place one triangle in each of the molds of the muffin tray.
  1. Now add a spoonful of Pizza sauce into each of the triangular pieces of the dough.
  1. Add two slices of pepperoni on top of the Pizza sauce, then add one string cheese slice and add two more pepperoni slices on top. Repeat the same for all the other pieces.
  1. Fold the dough ends to close it completely, like a dough ball.
  1. Sprinkle Italian herbs and cheese on top, and bake for 10 minutes.

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 12min

5. Guacamole deviled eggs

Image: Shutterstock

This is a common appetizer and can be made in many ways. Here is a recipe that combines guacamole and deviled eggs.

You will need:

  • 9 large eggs
  • 1 pitted and halved avocado (only ripe ones)
  • 2tbsp sour cream
  • 1 ½ tbsp lime juice
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped tomato
  • ¼ cup scallions
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cilantro to taste
  • Jalapeno, diced and de-seeded

How to:

  1. Boil the eggs for 20 minutes, then shell them, cut into halves and remove the yolk.
  1. Add the yolk in a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix until it forms a creamy texture.
  1. Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and top the egg halves.
  1. Serve the spicy, tangy deviled eggs to your guests.

Serves: 18

Preparation time: 30min

6. Sausage bites

Image: iStock

These bite-sized appetizers are easy to make, and your guests would simply love them.

You will need:

  • 1 tube pizza dough
  • 40 cocktail sausages
  • ¼th cup salt
  • 1 tbsp flaked salt

How to:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  1. Take out the pizza dough and cut it into as many long strips as there are cocktail sausages.
  1. Now, wrap the sausages in the pizza dough stripes. Make sure you tuck or pinch the ends inside so that they do not open up.
  1. Take 4-6 cups of water in a pan, add salt, and let it come to a boil. Turn off the heat once done.
  1. Drop the wrapped sausages into the water and let them sit until they float on their own, later remove them and place them on a baking sheet. You can brush them with butter on either side.
  1. Bake the sausages for 10-12 minutes until they become golden brown and the sausage is cooked through.
  1. Once done, remove them from the oven, sprinkle flaked salt and serve.

Serves: 40

Preparation time: 30min

7. Bacon jalapeno poppers

These are addictive and make the perfect food for a baby shower party.

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 18 medium-sized jalapenos
  • One pack 8oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar
  • 2 thinly sliced green onions
  • 18 slices of bacon (cut in half)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder

How to:

  1. Crank up the oven to 325°F.
  1. Wash the jalapenos and remove the ends.
  1. Slice them into lengthwise halves and remove the seeds and membranes.
  1. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, shredded cheese, green onions, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  1. Fill the jalapeno halves with the cheese mixture.
  1. Wrap the bacon around the jalapenos and secure it with toothpicks.
  1. Pop them into the oven and bake for one hour until bacon is crispy.

Serves: 36

Preparation time: 1hr 30min

Baby Shower Mini Food Recipes

Want to serve finger foods, but do not want to miss out on some of the mom-to-be’s favorite dishes? Here is how you can create the most interesting mini versions of them.

8. Mini banana cream pies

Image: Shutterstock

These no-bake pies are extremely easy to make and take less time to prepare and is super delicious too.

You will need:

  • 6 mini Graham cracker shells
  • 8oz whipping cream
  • 2 medium bananas
  • 2oz Graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup Banana instant pudding

How to:

  1. In a bowl, beat the whipping cream for about 4-6 minutes. And fill it into a piping bag.
  1. Add two tablespoons of the banana pudding into each Graham cracker shell, then line each shell with five slices of banana.
  1. Sprinkle Graham cracker crumbs on top, and pipe the cream in the center.
    1. Add an extra piece of banana on top and garnish with some more Graham crackers crumbs.
      1. You can top up with sweet shredded coconut for that extra flavor.

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10min

9. Slider style mini burgers

Image: Shutterstock

These mini burgers are bite-sized and make the perfect appetizers for the baby shower.

You will need:

      • 2lb ground beef
      • 1.25oz onion soup mix
      • 2tsp cooking oil
      • ½ cup mayonnaise
      • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
      • 24 dinner rolls split equally into two
      • ½ cup sliced pickles

How to:

      1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
      1. Heat a large skillet and add two teaspoons of cooking oil, now add the ground beef and onion soup mix and stir until the beef cooks to evenly brown.
      1. Drain the excess grease if any and take it off heat. Add the mayonnaise and cheddar cheese and mix well.
      1. On a baking tray, spread the baking sheet and arrange the bottom portion of the dinner rolls.
      1. Spread the beef and cheese mixture on the dinner rolls, and cover it with the other half. Now, cover all the burgers with an aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes.
      1. Once the burgers are baked and the cheese melts, add the sliced pickles and serve.

Serves: 24

Preparation time: 50min

10. Mini mac and cheese bites

Image: Shutterstock

Convert the good old Mac and Cheese into bite-sized appetizers and see them disappear in seconds.

You will need:

      • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
      • 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
      • 2tbsp butter
      • 2tbsp all-purpose flour
      • ½tsp onion powder
      • ½tsp garlic powder
      • ½tsp salt
      • 1-¾ cup milk
      • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
      • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
      • ¾th cup baking mix
      • 2 large eggs (beaten)

How to:

      1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
      1. Take a muffin tray and sprinkle bread crumbs in each of the muffin tins.
      1. In a skillet add butter, flour, onion, garlic powder, and salt and mix well.
      1. Now, add the milk while stirring continuously, let the mixture boil for 3 minutes.
      1. Add the cheddar and Swiss cheese and mix until all the ingredients come together.
      1. Remove it from heat and add the biscuit mix, eggs, and bread crumbs mix and then add the elbow macaroni.
      1. Now take a spoonful of this mixture and add them into the muffin tray, and add some cheddar cheese and bread crumbs on the top.
      1. Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and serve hot.
      2. You can tailor these bites by adding jalapenos, herbs, and spices of your choice or mashed bacon.

Serves: 36

Preparation time: 45min

11. Mini cinnamon rolls

Image: Shutterstock

These mini Cinnamon rolls are the best if you are planning a tea-time baby shower.

You will need:

      • ⅔ cup whole milk
      • ⅓ cup maple syrup
      • ⅓ cup softened butter
      • 1 large egg
      • ¾ tsp salt
      • 3 cups bread flour
      • ¼ ounce active dry yeast

Topping

      1. ½ cup packed brown sugar
      1. 2tbsp bread flour
      1. 4tsp ground cinnamon
      1. 6tbsp cold butter

Maple icing

      • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
      • 3tbsp melted butter
      • 3tbsp maple syrup
      • 1-2tsp whole milk

How to:

      1. Place the first seven ingredients in a bread machine and knead.
      1. Once done, place the dough onto a floured surface and roll it into two 12×7 rectangles.
      1. Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon powder, and cold butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
      1. Sprinkle half of the mixture over the two triangles and roll them up in jelly-roll style and pinch to seal the ends.
      1. Now, cut each roll into 12 slices each. Put them on a greased baking pan, cover and leave for about 20 minutes.
      1. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
      1. In another small bowl add all the ingredients of maple icing and spread it over the warm rolls.

Serves: 24

Preparation time: 60min

12. Mini phyllo cups

Image: Shutterstock

These taco seasoned beef filled cups will be a surefire hit at your party.

You will need:

      • 1lb lean ground beef
      • ½ cup finely chopped onion
      • 1oz taco seasoning
      • ¾th cup of water
      • 1-¼ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
      • 2 packs of frozen phyllo tart shells

How to:

      1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
      1. In a skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until and drain any excess grease.
      1. Now stir in the taco seasoning, add water and bring it to a boil.
      1. Reduce the heat and let it cook for 5 minutes, uncovered.
      1. Remove from the heat and add the cheese blend and mix thoroughly.
      1. Take a baking pan and place the phyllo shells on it and fill each with a spoonful of the beef mixture.
      1. Place the tray in the oven and bake them for 6 minutes.
      1. Add some more cheese blend on top and bake for 2-3 minutes.

Serves: 30

Preparation time: 40min

13. Mini chicken pot pies

Image: Shutterstock

These mini pot pies are easy to make, and they are so good that your guests would want some more.

You will need:

      • 1½ cups cubed cooked chicken
      • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
      • 16oz chopped mixed vegetables (onions, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, potatoes, celery, and cauliflower florets)
      • All-purpose flour to roll the biscuits
      • 12oz refrigerated biscuits
      • ½ cup shredded cheese

How to:

      1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a muffin tray with butter.
      1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix all the vegetables and the soup and chicken.
      1. On a flat surface, flatten the biscuits and place them in the muffin mold of the tray and press the sides to form a cup.
      1. Fill one-third of each cup with the chicken and vegetable mixture, press gently so that it settles, add two teaspoons of cheese on top of each.
      1. Place them in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Serves: 5

Preparation time: 40min

14. Chocolate dipped S’mores

Image: Shutterstock

These s’mores are dipped in chocolate and will take your guests into a state of euphoria.

You will need:

      • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
      • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
      • 1 pack of graham crackers (quartered)
      • 1 cup marshmallow creme
      • 14oz milk chocolate for dipping

How to:

      1. In a saucepan, add whipping cream and boil it. Add it to the milk chocolate chips. Stir it until it forms a smooth mixture.
      1. Melt marshmallows in a bowl. Now spread the chocolate mixture on half of the graham crackers and marshmallow creme on the other half.
      1. Place the chocolate crackers on the top of the marshmallow crackers.
      1. Dip one end of the combined crackers into a bowl of melted milk chocolate and place it on a baking sheet until the chocolate settles.

Serves: 43

Preparation time: 55min

Budget Baby Shower Food Recipes

Can’t spend on an exorbitant menu for the shower? Here are some budget options you may like.

15. Veggies and black bean dip

Image: Shutterstock

This is not only light on the pocket but also one of the best options for health conscious guests and refreshing and easy to make. You can either serve veggies, nachos, or pita bread with this dip.

You will need:

      • Assorted vegetables of your choice (chopped into long pieces)

Black bean dip

      • 2¼oz cans of black beans
      • ¾th cup of salsa
      • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
      • 2tsp fresh lime juice
      • 1tsp ground cumin
      • 1tsp water
      • ⅛tsp salt
      • ¼ cup chopped cilantro

How to:

      1. In a food processor, add all the ingredients but cilantro, and blend into a smooth paste.
      1. Now add the chopped cilantro and pulse until it is just mixed.
      1. Serve this yummy dip with your assorted vegetables.

Serves: 2 cups

Preparation time: 15min

16. Pink brownies

Image: Shutterstock

These are the perfect addition to a pink or flamingo themed baby shower.

You will need:

      • 1 box strawberry cake mix
      • 2 large eggs
      • ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
      • ½-¾ cup white chocolate chips

How to:

      1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
      1. In a larger bowl add the cake mix, eggs, and oil and mix until it becomes a smooth paste.
      1. Then add chocolate chips and stir well.
      1. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray lined with greased parchment paper.
      1. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes off with a few crumbs.
      1. Once it is cooled, refrigerate for some time and then cut into bars and serve.

Serve: 10

Preparation time: 20min

17. Vegetable chili

Image: Shutterstock

This is the vegetarian version of the famous chili.

You will need

      • 2tbsp olive oil
      • 2 bell peppers (diced)
      • 1½ cup medium yellow onion
      • 1 cup peeled and diced carrots
      • 1½ cups zucchini chopped
      • 1½ cup corn
      • 1 can dark red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
      • 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
      • 1½tbsp minced garlic
      • 1 can diced tomatoes
      • 1 can tomato sauce
      • 1 can vegetable broth
      • 2tbsp chilli powder
      • 2tsp ground cumin
      • ½tsp ground coriander
      • ¼tsp cayenne pepper
      • Salt and black pepper

How to:

      1. In a large pot, add olive oil and heat it on medium-high flame.
      1. Add the chopped onions, bell peppers, and carrots and sauté for three minutes.
      1. Next, add the garlic and sauté for two more minutes, now add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
      1. Bing the mixture to boil and reduce the flame to medium-low, cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
      1. Add the Zucchini and simmer for ten minutes. Next add corn, kidney beans, and black beans and let it boil for two more minutes.
      1. If it thickens, add some more broth and adjust the consistency.
      1. Serve hot with the toppings of your choice.

Serves: 7

Preparation time: 45min

18. Waffle ice cream sandwiches

Image: Shutterstock

These are delicious, and you can serve a variety of toppings like decorative candies, sprinkles, crushed nuts, coconut, granola, etc., within your budget.

You will need:

      • One 28oz box waffle mix
      • Waffle iron
      • 1 tub vanilla ice cream

Toppings

      • Maple syrup
      • Roasted nuts
      • Fresh berries

How to:

      1. Take a large bowl, add the waffle mix, make it into a smooth batter by adding water.
      1. Pour the batter into the sections of the waffle iron and cook until they are golden brown and set them aside.
      1. Open the tub of ice cream and dump the block of ice cream and cut it into 1- inch thick slices.
      1. Once the waffles cool down, cut them into desired shapes and sandwich the ice cream between two waffles.
      1. Press the sides of the sandwich into your favorite toppings and serve them chilled to your guests.

Serves: 14

Preparation time: 30min

Related: 27 Best Sandwich Recipes For Kids

19. Tortilla pinwheels

Image: Shutterstock

With this recipe, you can serve a large crowd, and within the budget too.

You will need:

      • 6 spinach tortilla wraps
      • 6 tomato tortilla wraps
      • ½ pound jalapeno turkey, thinly sliced
      • ½ pound roast beef, thinly sliced
      • 7½oz chive onion cream cheese
      • 7½oz jalapeno cream cheese
      • 6oz baby spinach

How to:

      1. Take one tortilla wrap and spread the cream cheese evenly on it.
      1. Arrange the meat all over the tortilla wrap, and sprinkle the greens on the top.
      1. Start from one end and tightly roll the tortilla to form a log, wrap it, and let it set.
      1. When your guests arrive, take out the rolls, slice them, and serve.

Serves: 20

Preparation time: 30 min

20. Vegetable fried rice:

Image: Shutterstock

This is another recipe which you can make at once and serve a large number of guests.

You will need:

      • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
      • 3 cups cooked rice
      • 12oz packed, frozen stir-fry vegetables
      • ½ cup water
      • 2tbsp soy sauce
      • 1tbsp sesame oil
      • A pinch of sugar
      • 1-2 eggs (beaten)

How to:

      1. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the cooked rice and fry it for five minutes, until each grain is separated and fried.
      1. Next, add the vegetables and stir for 19 minutes, until the vegetables are half-cooked.
      1. In a small bowl, combine water, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Add this mixture to the rice and mix.
      1. In another pan, add a spoon of oil, and the beaten eggs and scramble them, with some seasoning if you prefer.
      1. Now add the scrambled eggs to the rice and mix so that it gets evenly distributed.
      1. You can serve this rice while hot.
      2. You can add mushroom, bell peppers, french beans, carrots, etc., according to your taste, availability.

The list of baby shower food ideas has many refreshing and quirky dishes with their presentations. These recipes include various appetizers, main courses, desserts, and finger foods to offer your guests. However, you may want to replace certain food items with suitable alternatives to suit your dietary choices based on your requirements. So either create a simple meal plan or design an elaborate one that suits your ideas and the guests’ requirements for the party.

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Sanjana did her graduation in Pharmacy from Andhra University and post graduation in management from GITAM Institute of Management. It was during her first job, she recognized her skills in writing and began working as a freelance writer. Later, she completely moved into content writing and began working as a full-time content writer. Sanjana's articles in MomJunction cover topics related to...
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Seeemaa Budhraja is a Delhi-based dietitian and nutritionist. She specializes in weight and lifestyle management. She is a healthy recipe designer, works as a health motivator and wellness coach as well. She has worked as a slimming head with one of the top organizations in India. She excels in therapeutic diets for various lifestyle-related diseases. This renowned nutritionist is a...
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Simple Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget

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Inside: You want to host an amazing baby shower, but you don’t want to spend hours preparing or shell out a small fortune? We’ve got you! Here are tips to save money, plus several super simple baby shower food ideas.

Planning a baby shower? The costs can add up quickly if you aren’t careful. And the category that’s most likely to wreak havoc on your budget is FOOD.

So if you want baby shower food ideas that won’t break the bank, keep reading! We’ve got several tips to help you plan a baby shower menu on a tight budget.

We’ve also rounded up several real examples of simple baby shower food ideas where you can control the costs by preparing them yourself or saving time by buying prepared foods.

Let’s get started.

Related: How to Throw a Perfect Minimalist Baby Shower

9 Tips to Save Money on Food Costs When Planning a Baby Shower

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Here are several ideas you’ll want to use to slash your food costs in half (or more!) when planning your baby shower menu.

(If you just want actual recipe and food ideas, skip to the next section.)

1. Avoid mealtimes for big savings.

The biggest way to cut costs on food when planning a baby shower is to time it right — aka not during a meal time.

A more economical option is to put out a nice selection of snacks and/or desserts for guests to enjoy.

2. Find a co-host and split the cost.

Simple math here: divide the cost in half (or thirds!) and your out-of-pocket expenses shrink. If you and another family member or friend — or even a group of friends! — can co-host a shower, it eases the financial burden on everyone.

There’s no need for a five-course meal or a dozen different desserts, especially if you’re planning a low-key affair. Keep your menu simple and streamlined to save money (and your sanity!).

When you avoid mealtimes, your costs already go down. But don’t make the mistake of then overdoing the appetizers.

You could do a few simple appetizers and 1-2 desserts. Or you could do JUST desserts (I’ve never seen a baby shower without desserts, which is why I didn’t suggest just appetizers).

4. Presentation matters.

This tip goes hand in hand with the above point. A inexpensive and/or simple menu doesn’t have to be boring, and presentation can make even the most basic spread look fabulous.

Pinterest is your BFF here. Get inspired and re-create a beautiful spread on a budget.

Guests will never know you didn’t spend that much! 

Related: The Best Baby Shower Verses for a Baby Shower (and how to incorporate them)

5. Be your own caterer.

Having an event catered is expensive. No question about it. Plan to prepare and serve the food yourself (or recruit family and friends to help!) for a budget-friendly baby shower.

6. Skip the alcohol.

It goes without saying…alcohol ain’t cheap. If you want to plan a baby shower on a tiny budget, skipping the cocktails is one way to go.

If you can’t see yourself nixing alcohol from the menu, do your research and find some festive (yet cost-effective) drink recipes to offer guests.

Stick to water with fruit, an easy punch recipe and of course, coffee.

7. Shop around to find the best price on food and supplies.

Food can be bought for a fraction of the cost at discount stores (like Aldi!) and still tastes every bit as good. You can also shop in bulk — usually at a lower price per unit — at warehouse stores like Costco.

When shopping for supplies (paper plates, napkins, streamers, etc), be sure to check your local dollar stores for huge bargains.

8. Consider making it a potluck (see creative ideas!).

No one says you need to shoulder the burden of baby shower costs alone. You can take it beyond splitting the costs with one or two friends.

Is your crowd a tightknit group of family and friends coming together to celebrate a new baby? If so, it’s totally appropriate to ask everyone to bring along a side dish or dessert.

Don’t want to go this route? That’s okay.

Here’s a fun alternative to try instead: Ask guests to bring classic pregnancy craving foods along. Then, set up a “cravings table” for everyone to sample from.

You can provide a few additional items, but make the cravings table the focus of the event.

Another trendy and easy idea is to do a charcuterie board theme. Get 4+ friends to bring various ingredients. You can divide and conquer, with one person covering 1-2 categories (you don’t need all of these to make it work):

  • Deli Meats
  • Cheeses
  • Spreads &Dips
  • Fruits
  • Olives & Pickles
  • Nuts & Crackers
  • Chocolate

Make and serve these simple vanilla cupcakes as your one dessert to go with it.

9. If you can’t avoid a meal, consider a self-serve buffet.

Another affordable option could be a buffet-style menu. Here are a few ideas:

  • Brunch – Include breakfast pastries, a fruit platter, and a coffee bar (see if you can borrow a Keurig!). A waffle bar with toppings could be another fun option.
  • Tacos – Set out taco meat, hard and soft shells, cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes.
  • Salad – This might consist of different types of lettuce, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, cheeses, and an assortment of dressings.
  • Soup – Borrow some slow cookers and make big batches of several types of soups to serve. You can also include soup fixings like shredded cheese and a variety of breads, croutons or crackers.

There are so many options. This crowd-pleasing choice will save both money and time.

Simple Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget: From Appetizers to Desserts

The key to keeping these items low budget is to apply the above tips.

Remember you only need 2-3 appetizers (make sure on is vegetarian friendly!), and 1-2 desserts max. Only do more if it truly brings you joy.

You don’t need to go crazy, and you don’t need to please everyone. Although I will recommend asking the mom-to-be what her favorite appetizer is and any diet restrictions, and make sure to include it.

These are grouped by category, with several recipes for each one. Hopefully you can find a few things that work for your event.

1. Crockpot Meatballs

These are SO easy to make! Just dump frozen meatballs in a crockpot, add a sweet or savory sauce of your choice, and boom, done.

Put a bowl of toothpicks next to the crockpot, and call it a day.

If you need specific recipes, here are a few that look delicious (#1 is esp. easy and delicious!):

  • Crockpot Grape Jelly & BBQ Meatballs
  • Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs
  • Best Crockpot Meatballs

For more easy crockpot ideas, from meats to dips, THIS post has great ideas.

2. Chips & Dip

This can be a super easy category with both hot and cold dip options, depending on the season and/or your budget.

  • Pita chips with layered hummus dip (warning: lots of chopping)
  • Tortilla chips with guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or 7 layer dip
  • Pita or Tortilla chips with an easy hot dip

3. Fruit & Dip

Sensing a theme yet? Dips can be super easy. You can get them pre-made at Costco or your local grocery store, or you can make them yourself.

Popular pairings for fruit are:

  • caramel dip with apple slices (bathe these in lemon water)
  • cream cheese fruit dip with strawberries
  • melted chocolate with strawberries or pineapple

4. Bread & Dip/Spread

This can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Grab a baguette or pita bread, slice it up and pair it with one of these dips.

Here are some recipe ideas:

  • Herb & Olive Oil Dip
  • Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Beer Cheese Dip (with bread bowl)

5.

Veggie Tray (with dip, of course!)

Make sure to include a couple different dips, such as hummus and veggie dip.

With this option, go easy on yourself and buy the dips from the grocery store. Your time is valuable, and the savings is negligible.

Of course, if you have a favorite homemade veggie dip that you think kicks the store version’s butt, by all means, go for it!

6. Chicken or Egg Salad Sliders

Chicken salad or egg salad are great options to make in advance that keep well in the fridge. You can also opt to pre-buy these (I’ve seen chicken salad at Costco!).

Pair with Hawaiian sweet rolls.

You can put the sandwiches together in advance, but I recommend keeping them separate and let your guests make their own to eliminate soggy leftover sandwiches.

7. Cold Salads

Another easy to prepare in advance option, OR purchase them from your local prepared food section.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Easy Creamy Potato Salad
  • Amish Macaroni Salad
  • Easy Greek Salad

Although for this one, I highly recommend going with the prepared food options. So easy, and the cost-savings of doing it yourself is probably negligible.

8. Cookies or Bars

Cookies can be super complicated, but they don’t need to be. You don’t need royal frosting, decorated like an artist cookies.

Try simple sugar cookies without frosting, cut into baby shower shapes. Or go with a simple dessert bar for an even easier dessert.

Related: 15 Things to Do at a Baby Shower Besides Games

9. Cupcakes

You don’t get much easier than cupcakes. Go with a simple vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting for maximum ease (you can dye it pink or blue if you know baby’s gender).

You can even get by without purchasing frosting tips by using a gallon-sized ziplock bag to pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.

10. Candy

Candy is a super simple way to make a dessert table look colorful and pretty. Borrow some glass vases and bowls to put these on display.

Choose colors and candies based on theme. Buy in bulk to save money, but going with candy can save you so much time, too!

You could even offer little favor bags at the candy table for guests to put together a to-go bag. Getting favors and food done in one fell swoop just makes sense. Plus it’s clutter-free!

You Might Also Like: Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Favors for a Sustainable Shower

Don’t Be Afraid to Host a Simple Baby Shower

As you can see, there are so many ways to cut costs when planning the menu for a baby shower.

It doesn’t need to be a super expensive endeavor. Your guest of honor will so appreciate the time and effort you put into celebrating her special day.

She’s probably not going to look back on her baby shower and think, man, I wish the hosts had worked harder on that baby shower food. She’ll look back and remember WHO was there, and maybe what gifts she received.

So don’t be afraid to divide the work if at all possible, and keep it simple.

You’ll save a ton, enjoy the shower itself more, and no one will know the difference.

Read Next: 25 Inexpensive Baby Shower Gifts – Both Practical & Affordable

Amy Thetford

Amy is a freelance writer and blogger who homeschools her tribe of tiny humans while pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. She is fueled by coffee and the desire to do ALL. THE. THINGS. She has the attention span of a squirrel, though somehow manages to make it through each day with everyone fed and happy (well, mostly happy! Ha!) while striving to make every tomorrow better than the last. You can hear more of what she has to say over at Real Talk with Amy, where she blogs about all things motherhood.


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What dishes to include in the children's menu to make it tasty and healthy

In winter, vulnerable children's immunity needs to be strengthened by any available means. And for this, you should add as many healthy dishes with a shock portion of vitamins to your daily diet as possible. Mostly it is vegetables in all possible variations. They are good to bake and stew, serve as a side dish, make soups and even delicious desserts based on them. This topic is dedicated to our selection of recipes.

Soup classic

Chicken soup with vegetables is the perfect embodiment of a balanced vitamin meal for a child. To prepare it, take 2 chicken thighs, pour 3 liters of water and leave to cook over low heat for half an hour. In the meantime, we will make a ruddy frying of the onion, carrot and celery stalk in a saucepan. Just don't overcook the vegetables. As soon as they soften, pour 3 potatoes into cubes and fry for another 5 minutes.

Strain the finished broth and pour the contents of the pot. When the potatoes are completely cooked, lay 50-60 g of egg noodles, salt and pepper the soup to taste, add fresh herbs. Grind the cooled chicken thighs and also pour into the pan. It remains to bring the soup to readiness and let it brew under the lid.

Peppers with a surprise

For the second, offer your child hearty stuffed peppers. Let's start with the filling first. To do this, cook until half cooked 100 g of rice. While it is quietly boiling in a saucepan, we pass the onion into cubes and grated carrots until golden brown. We mix the frying with semi-cooked rice and 300 g of any minced meat, which the child likes best. Add a little salt and dry herbs, knead the mass with your hands. We cut off the caps of 4-5 medium-sized bell peppers, remove the seeds and partitions, fill with minced meat and put upright in a wide pan.

Now let's fill it. Stir in 300 ml of hot water, 3 tbsp. l. tomato paste and thick sour cream, put salt and black pepper. Pour the stuffed peppers in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat under a lid for 40–45 minutes. At the end, put the bay leaf and keep the peppers without fire under the lid for a quarter of an hour.

Fish delicacy

In winter, meat in the children's diet is especially important to alternate with seafood. Grilled red fish with sauce is just what you need. We rub the lime zest on a fine grater, squeeze the juice from the fruit and mix everything. Shred 5-6 sprigs of cilantro. We cut the onion into a small cube. Mix citrus juice with zest, herbs and onions. Lubricate 5 portioned pieces of salmon with marinade, leave for 15 minutes.

It is better to cook such fish in a grill pan in order to preserve the maximum of nutrients. Fry the salmon on both sides until golden brown stripes appear. Light yogurt sauce is perfect for it. Chop as finely as possible 1 tbsp. l. capers, a clove of garlic, 2-3 sprigs of tarragon. Add 100 g of natural yogurt, juice of half a lemon, season with salt and black pepper. Little gourmets will be pleased, especially if you serve fish on wooden skewers.

Potatoes with vegetable vitamins

Experience shows that children prefer potatoes to many other vegetables. And therefore, you won’t have to persuade them to eat baked potatoes for a long time. We wash 4 oblong tubers in water, wipe dry, grease with oil and bake whole with the skin in the oven at 220 ° C for 45–50 minutes.

Let's make the salad while the root vegetables are ready. Cut 6-8 cherry tomatoes into slices, fresh cucumber into half circles, red onion into half rings. Do not forget to pour boiling water over the onion to remove unpleasant bitterness. We chop 5-6 sprigs of parsley, mix with vegetables, salt to taste, season with Greek yogurt.

We cool the finished potato tubers, cut off the side part and remove part of the core, we will also mix it into the salad. We fill potato boats with salad and decorate with lettuce leaves.

Curd breakfast

All food for children in the cold season should be healthy, and desserts are no exception. In this regard, the traditional cottage cheese casserole is a win-win option for all occasions.

Whisk the egg vigorously with 1 tbsp. l. sugar and a pinch of salt. Add 300 g of cottage cheese with a fat content of at least 9%, 1 tbsp. l. semolina, 0.5 tsp. baking powder and a pinch of vanilla. We knead the resulting mass well and leave it for 10-15 minutes so that the semolina disperses. If desired, you can put a grated apple, a handful of raisins, banana slices or dried berries here.

Lubricate ceramic molds with oil, sprinkle with ground breadcrumbs and fill with curd mass. We put them in the oven at 180 ° C for about half an hour. This cottage cheese casserole can be prepared for breakfast. Just let it cool down properly, garnish with mint and serve with sour cream.

Cake with an orange mood

Even homemade cakes can be charged with vitamins and made extremely healthy. Spicy carrot cake is just such a case.

In one container, mix 130 g flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 70–80 g of sugar, 0.5 tsp each. cinnamon and ground ginger, a pinch of vanilla and nutmeg. In another container, beat 2 eggs with 80 ml of vegetable oil, pour 300 g of grated raw carrots. We combine dry and liquid bases, carefully knead the dough until a homogeneous consistency.

Fill buttered muffin tins with it and bake in the oven at 180°C for 40-45 minutes. When the carrot muffins cool down, they will taste even better. Serve a healthy dessert with whipped cream, and there won't be a crumb left.

Health cocktail

Almost all children drink milk with pleasure. Why don't we make a strawberry and banana milkshake?

Grind 200 g of fresh strawberries in a blender and rub the resulting mass through a sieve to get rid of small seeds. Mash a large ripe banana with a fork into a thick gruel. We combine strawberry and banana puree, add honey and vanilla sugar to taste, beat everything until a smooth consistency is obtained. Pour in 400 ml of milk and continue whisking until a fluffy foam appears. Pour the cocktail into tall glasses, decorate with mint petals and treat the children. Don't forget the colorful straws. It is much more pleasant to sip a thick fragrant cocktail through them.

This is the vitamin menu we propose to prepare for your children. For more fun ideas, check out the recipes page from Eat at Home readers. And what vitamin dishes do you prepare for your child? Share branded recipes in the comments and tell us what helps you keep children's immunity normal.

150 dishes with step by step photos

Recipes according to GOST for children in kindergarten from 1 to 7 years. Proven recipes with step by step photos, calories and cooking time. Breakfasts for children, lunches, dinners

Breakfast like in kindergarten Porridge like in kindergarten Soups like in kindergarten Second courses like in kindergarten Side dishes like in kindergarten Kindergarten vegetable recipes Desserts and pastries like in kindergarten Salads like in kindergarten

Children are often reluctant to eat in kindergarten. The food is unusual, not homemade, “strange”.

But it often happens the other way around: “I want it to be like in a kindergarten!”. If this is your case, then this collection of kindergarten-style recipes is perfect for you and your child. Read more

Quince has a pleasant aroma and delicate fruity taste, and can be used to make a variety of dishes, including delicious desserts.

With or without apples, with jam or sour cream, these pancakes are good for everyone.

Sauerkraut soup like in kindergarten is recommended for older children.

Kindergarten-style cheese omelette is a wonderful breakfast for the whole family. Due to the presence of cheese in the recipe, the omelet is not bland, so parents will also like it.

Oranges are citrus fruits that we see on the shelves of shops all year round.

Fish baked in an omelette like in a kindergarten - a dish that is absolutely predictable in taste.

So many parents experience their children's dislike for vegetables, and this is often frustrating.

Adding another great soup to my kindergarten recipe box. Bean dishes are always hearty and healthy, and green peas, moreover, not only cook quickly, but also please with their beautiful green color.

After a year, the children's menu expands significantly and one of the first dishes that are introduced into the diet of babies is puree soups.

Pretty satisfying, thanks to potatoes, and fresh, thanks to cucumber, the salad will surely appeal to children.

In winter and spring, it is recommended to introduce dried fruits into the children's diet, since fresh fruits at this time of the year contain much less vitamins and nutrients.

Another salad in the piggy bank of recipes according to the kindergarten's technological maps.

From the age of about a year, fruits are introduced into the child's diet. Of course, if a child has few teeth and still cannot chew pieces, then we can only talk about fruit purees.

I would never have thought that rabbit meatballs like in kindergarten can be so tender and juicy!

Carrots stewed with rice and prunes, like in kindergarten - hearty, tasty, slightly sweet and, thanks to prunes, very fragrant dish.

Almost everyone remembers this pasta and cottage cheese casserole, it was a frequent guest on the tables in many kindergartens.

Boiled pasta baked with eggs, as in kindergarten, is suitable not only for a children's table, but can also be an interesting side dish for people on a diet (suitable for diets No. 3, No. 4c, diets No. 6, 7, 8, 10 , 11 and 15).

Soup-puree from zucchini, like in kindergarten, turns out to be very tender, calm, pleasant to the taste.

How many children love cauliflower? I don't know them :) Usually, the very smell of boiled cauliflower already drives the children out of the kitchen, but not in this case.

Fish patties with vegetables baked like in kindergarten - quite an interesting dish.

Delicious and fragrant garnish with a golden crust is potatoes baked in sour cream, like in a kindergarten.

Now even small children know that it is healthy to eat vegetables, but few people realize that the color of these vegetables is also of great importance.

Delicious, hearty and healthy chopped chicken fillet with scrambled eggs and vegetables, cooked like in a kindergarten, the whole family will like it.

Using the most common and familiar products in every kitchen, let's cook krupenik like in kindergarten.

Learn more