The Most Elegant and Delicious Baby Shower Appetizers

There are so many directions you can take when throwing a party for expecting parents. Whether the main affair will be a bagel brunch, a themed luncheon, or a simple sandwich spread, you'll find plenty of ideas for appetizers here to whet your guests' appetites.

A few things to keep in mind as you plan: As with any gathering, it's nice to offer a range of foods that appeal to an array of tastes and dietary restrictions, including vegetarian and gluten-free. In this particular case, you may also want to skip foods that pregnant people are commonly advised to avoid, such as high mercury fish or raw fish, raw eggs, and processed meat (it's best to check with the parent-to-be first to see if there's anything specific they're not eating).

In this gallery you'll find options to suit any baby shower. In the "things on toast" category, there's an heirloom tomato bruschetta, smoked salmon on crackers, crostini featuring artichokes and Parmesan, and chicken salad that's great over toasted bread or sturdy crackers. We've also got dips aplenty, from a Green Goddess one rich with avocado and buttermilk to a miso-tahini dip to hummus that incorporates roasted beets and white beans.

There are also some delightful snacks, like spicy roasted chickpeas and deviled eggs loaded with fresh herbs. If you're looking for more substantial apps, try teriyaki meatballs or mini frittatas; you can easily double both recipes if need be.

If you're hosting the big event, select a variety of different options that will appeal to all guests, but especially to the parents-to-be. And, as always, we suggest setting out a few appetizers that can be served at room temperature before guests arrive, that way any hungry attendees can serve themselves before the main meal.

Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

You can use any variety of tomato you'd like to make these bruschetta, but we think a mix of heirlooms is especially nice. Red onion and basil give this appetizer additional flavor and are terrific complements to sweet tomatoes.

Green Goddess Dip with Endive

In this vibrant dip, creamy avocado and buttermilk pair nicely with fresh herbs and avocado. Don't be scared off by the anchovies; they add a savory, salty flavor that's not fishy.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

Consider adding a bowl of these chickpeas to the buffet table for guests avoiding gluten, as well as vegans, and, well, everyone who just loves a crunchy, spicy snack.

Chive Blini with Creme Fraiche, Quail Eggs and Tarragon

Bite-size blini are topped with chives, a dollop of rich crème fraîche, diminutive quail eggs, and trout roe in this elegant appetizer.

Miso-Tahini Dip

Here's a lovely nutty-flavored dip that's great with asparagus if it's in season; if it's not, any vegetable you like will work, such as carrot sticks or snap peas.

Deviled Eggs with Relish

A touch of sweet-tangy relish and a finishing sprinkle of paprika take classic deviled eggs from good to great. They'll be the first to disappear from the appetizer table.

Roasted Beet-White Bean Hummus

This brilliantly-hued hummus fits the bill, whether you're going for a pink theme or just love sweet, earthy roasted beets. Creamy white beans stand in for the usual chickpeas.

Homemade Cheese Straws

Store-bought cheese straws are usually tasty, but they can't rival the homemade version. For a variation, try rolling the puff pastry in poppy seeds, paprika, or sesame seeds.

Creamy Broccoli-Spinach Dip

To make this refreshing update on spinach artichoke dip, you swap in fresh broccoli florets for canned artichokes. And since this version is served at room temperature, you don't even have to turn on the oven.

Speedy Smoked Salmon Crackers

Another pink option, these two-bite crackers combine cream cheese, salmon, and buttery crackers. They get a little kick from horseradish and sliced radishes.

Teriyaki Meatballs

A quick and easy teriyaki sauce of soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar glazes flavorful mini meatballs seasoned with garlic, ginger, and scallions.

Artichoke Parmesan Crostini

These easy-to-make crostini come together in a flash; plus, you can prepare the components ahead of time and just assemble them before serving.

Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing

A lighter take on chicken salad, this preparation relies on avocado instead of mayo, and you can spoon it onto crackers or toast for a lovely appetizer.

Mini Frittatas

These little egg bites are adaptable in two ways: you can use any vegetables you like, from bell peppers to spinach to chopped asparagus. We also like that you can make them whenever is convenient, then just reheat them briefly before you're ready to serve them.