31 Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget

Throwing a fun, memorable party to celebrate the new arrival in your life doesn’t have to break the bank. With a few simple decorations and a tasty menu, you don’t have to compromise on quality — it just takes a little planning. 

To keep your guests, the mom-to-be and the baby happy, the food needs to be a priority. From mini quiches to a s’mores bar, the food options for a baby shower are endless. Throw the ultimate celebration with these baby shower food ideas.

Table of contents:

• Appetizers
• Desserts

1. Ham and cheese sliders

Category: Appetizers

Ham and cheese sliders are easy to make and don’t require too many ingredients. These sliders are perfect for mingling with the mom-to-be.

2. Pulled pork buns

Category: Appetizers

Pulled pork sliders are another popular snack for baby showers. Make sure you don’t skip out on the barbecue sauce!

3. Turkey and cheddar pinwheels

Category: Appetizers

With pre-made pizza dough, deli turkey slices and cheddar cheese, you can make this comforting finger food. Your guests will love chatting and munching on this easy-to-make food for a baby shower.

4. Tomato and broccoli mini quiches

Category: Appetizers

Quiches are sophisticated but surprisingly cheap to make, and they don’t require too many ingredients. For this version, use ripe, sliced tomatoes and broccoli florets for the filling.

5. Hummus and roasted veggie toast

Category: Appetizers

Spread homemade or store-bought hummus on bite-sized toasted bread and top with an assortment of roasted veggies. Dress up these bites by adding festive toothpicks.

6. Build-your-own chili

Category: Appetizers

If you’re looking for more filling baby shower food ideas, chili is the way to go. Set up a station and let your guests add their own toppings.

7. Potato skins with bacon

Category: Appetizers

Hollowed-out baked potatoes, bacon and sour cream make the perfect appetizer. They’re easy to eat and packed with flavor. You can also use sour cream alternatives if you don’t already have some in the house.

8. Summer pasta salad

Category: Appetizers

For something lighter, serve individual portions of pasta salad. Just toss fusilli and whatever veggies are in season with olive oil and a pinch of salt.

9. Deep-fried pickles

Category: Appetizers

Pickles are a popular snack among many moms-to-be. Satisfy their cravings and set out a plate of deep-fried pickles with ranch dressing on the side.

10. Babies in a blanket

Category: Appetizers

Give pigs in a blanket a twist. Wrap the dough around the sausage so it looks like a swaddled baby and add chocolate sprinkles for the eyes.

11. Grape jelly wieners

Category: Appetizers

Toss mini sausages in a grape jelly and ketchup mixture, then serve on toothpicks. Your guests will love munching on these appetizers while playing baby shower games.

12. Barbecue meatballs

Category: Appetizers

Another hearty appetizer, meatballs doused in barbecue sauce are a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to serve this snack with extra sauce for dipping.

13. Tater tot casserole

Category: Appetizers

Tater tot casserole is pretty inexpensive to make — but always yummy! Use a blend of affordable cheeses to take this comfort food to the next level.

14. Chicken salad sandwiches

Category: Appetizers

Spread chicken salad on soft white sandwich bread, then cut into halves or quarters. Serve with an olive and a toothpick on top to complete this appetizer.

15. Pesto chicken tea sandwiches

Category: Appetizers

Grilled chicken and basil pesto is another great combination. Cut the sandwiches into quarters so they’re easier to eat.

16. Hamburger empanadas

Category: Appetizers

Pie crust and hamburger meat can be turned into delicious empanadas. Salsa makes for a great dipping sauce.

17. Cheese pizza bites

Category: Appetizers

Make pizza bites using a cupcake tin, pizza dough, pizza sauce and shredded cheese. Your guests and the mom-to-be won’t get enough of this snack!

18. Chips and guacamole bites

Category: Appetizers

Pre-fill tortilla chips with a dollop of creamy guacamole for a convenient and easy-to-make appetizer. One bite isn’t enough when it comes to this tasty appetizer.

19. Caprese skewers

Category: Appetizers

This refreshing and tasty appetizer only requires a few ingredients and simple steps. Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves to a skewer and serve with balsamic vinegar.

20. Buffalo chicken dip

Category: Appetizers

You can never have enough buffalo chicken dip, regardless of the occasion. This slow cooker chicken recipe requires minimal effort, which allows you to spend your time decorating and mingling.

21. Fried mac and cheese bites

Category: Appetizers

Mac and cheese is a warm, comforting and filling baby shower food idea. Make it easier to eat by frying it in balls, and serve with warm marinara or alfredo sauce.

22. Rice crispy treats

Category: Desserts

Rice crispy treats are cheap to make. They only call for margarine or butter, marshmallows and puffed rice. Add a few drops of red or blue food dye for a festive twist.

23. Carrot cupcakes

Category: Desserts

Not into gender-themed desserts? You will probably love carrot cupcakes. Making your own carrot cake is surprisingly easy!

24. Fruit on a skewer

Category: Desserts

Pierce a skewer through pieces of fruit for a healthy snack. Use grapes, bananas, apples and strawberries in season. 

25. Caramel apples

Category: Desserts

In the fall, when apples are abundant, caramel apple slices hit the spot. Elevate this food for a baby shower by adding pink, blue or rainbow sprinkles.

26. Waffle bites

Category: Desserts

Waffle mix is inexpensive, so why not make waffle bites to serve at a breakfast potluck? Cut a waffle into fourths and top with fruits, caramel or chocolate.

27. Decorated sugar cookies

Category: Desserts

Take old-fashioned sugar cookies to the next level by decorating them. All you need is icing, food dye and a piping bag.

28. Ice cream sundaes

Category: Desserts

Sundaes are perfect for summer baby showers. Choose two to three ice cream flavors and let your guests pick their toppings — pretzels, caramel drizzle and chocolate chips are just a few options.

29. S’mores bar

Category: Desserts

Set up a s’mores bar for a fun DIY dessert. You’ll need graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows. Don’t forget skewers and a few candles for toasting!

30. Colorful chocolate-covered strawberries

Category: Desserts

Jazz up traditional chocolate-covered strawberries with pink or blue icing to stick to the gender theme. Elevate this baby shower dessert with matching sprinkles.

31. Cake pops

Category: Desserts

Transform cake pops into baby rattles with ribbons and sprinkles. This dessert also makes the perfect party favor for your guests.

How to throw a baby shower on a budget

Now that you have a few baby shower food ideas, let’s jump into our cost-cutting tips for throwing a wonderful celebration on a budget.

1. Don’t host at mealtimes

If you host a baby shower at mealtimes, you’ll have to serve full meals, which can be expensive. Throw your baby shower between meals instead so you can serve only appetizers and sweet snacks. Try to plan your celebration for 2 p.m., which is a popular time for these events.

2. Keep the guest list small

On average, guests eat around five pieces of food at baby showers. The more people you invite, the more food you’ll have to prepare and costlier the event will be. Keep the guest list more intimate to surround the mom-to-be with her closest loved ones.

3. Ask guests to bring food or drinks

If you still want a full party but can’t afford to feed everyone, ask your guests to bring food or drinks. It will be a baby-shower-meets-potluck type of event, which can be a lot of fun.

4. Choose local, seasonal ingredients

The cheapest food for a baby shower is food that’s local and in season. Research what fresh produce is the cheapest, then come up with recipes using those ingredients.

5. Stick to a menu theme

Following a themed menu can help you pinch pennies. For example, if you’re using chicken for an appetizer, make sure to include it in another snack. This way you don’t have to buy as many ingredients and end up saving money.

6. Ditch the fully stocked bar

Choose one or two drinks to serve — preferably non-alcoholic for baby showers. No need to keep a bunch of spirits and mixers on hand. For example, you can get creative with types of whiskey or stick to mocktail recipes.

7. Make your own decorations

DIY the décor using things you already have at home. Visiting a thrift store can also help you throw a stylish baby shower for cheap.

Save time and money with online ordering

You probably have a clearer picture of what you’ll serve at your budget-friendly baby shower, right? Now comes the fun part: creating invites, making a playlist and decorating the space. What’s not so fun is doing the grocery runs — fortunately, you can leave that to Instacart. Order everything you need with just a few clicks and focus on the party. You may also want to check out current deals from our retailers.