15 "Weird" Southern Snacks We'll Never Stop Loving

From plenty of mayonnaise-laden bites to an interesting leftover cornbread concoction.

Southern Living Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges on a blue platter to serve
Photo:

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

It's no secret that Southerners grow up to be familiar with and fond of plenty of unique recipes that hail from generations of family recipe boxes and community cookbooks, even if there are packets of gelatin involved. In fact, the most interesting Southern recipes somehow end up being the most beloved, and that goes for the "weirdest" of the bunch just as much as the classics.

Whether you recognize these retro snacks or are game to try something new that could be from your great-aunt's archives, everyone should try these 15 favorite "weird" Southern snacks at least once, from mayonnaise-laden bites to an out-of-the-box cornbread concoction.

01 of 15

Southern Tomato Sandwich

tomato sandwiches with mayonnaise

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We're firm believers that those that are vehemently "anti" tomato sandwiches are the ones who have never tried it. The basic formula of a Southern tomato sandwich is soft white bread, mayonnaise, tomatoes, salt, and pepper sprinkled on generously. Typically, the juicy summer delicacy is eaten over the kitchen sink as a quick snack or meal. Don't knock it until you try it.

02 of 15

Cornbread & Sweet Milk

Cornbread and Milk

Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

In the South—but particularly in the Appalachian Mountains—people have long enjoyed Cornbread and Milk, a combination made by crumbling leftover cornbread into a tall drinking glass and topping it with milk. It's usually buttermilk, although some people prefer "sweet milk," a term for regular fresh milk. For anyone hesitating, it's a surprising dessert-like delight.

03 of 15

Cheese Dreams

Cheese Dreams

Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

While these might not be the most beautiful bites, they will always be the first thing to disappear on any snack spread, even if you're not sure what's in them. The toasty, cheesy bites are like the warm, more buttery counterpart to classic Southern cheese straws. Since they're so simple to make, it's been a favorite of Southern grandmothers for a long while.

04 of 15

Pear Salad

Pear Salad on a plate - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It might be the maraschino cherries paired with mayonnaise and shredded cheese, but this retro dish is a surefire way to rile people up. You'll likely see this unique pear salad anywhere from a baby shower to a summer cookout, or just at your grandmother's house at lunchtime. The canned pears make it easy to whip up.

05 of 15

Funeral Sandwiches

Southern Living Funeral Sandwiches on a platter to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Despite the morbid name, these snack sandwiches are a staple at more occasions than just Southern funerals. Therefore, some might know these ham-and-cheese sliders as "party sandwiches." A few simple ingredients—a Hawaiian roll, deli-style ham, mustard, and cheese—combine to create a ham sandwich that is so much greater than the sum of its parts. 

06 of 15

Cheese Straws

Southern Living Cheese Straws on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

While there shouldn't be any Southerner who would deign to call these "weird," some people (usually from other regions) are put off by the squiggly shape and unknown ingredients that go into these crunchy, cheesy bites. Even if you don't necessarily want to look at cheese straws in their pre-baked state—mushy comes to mind—the final result is absolute perfection in its simplicity.

07 of 15

Pineapple Sandwich

Southern Living Pineapple Sandwich after adding pineapple

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Some might not recognize this niche snack sandwich, while others might just not want to admit that they eat and love it. With just three ingredients—mayonnaise, pineapple, and sandwich bread—it's simple but surprisingly tasty. Some people tweak the combo a bit, and it's not odd to see people add cheese, evoking the same flavor as the classic pineapple casserole

08 of 15

Texas Twinkies

Southern Living Texas Twinkies on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A playful nod to the popular snack cake, Texas Twinkies are not quite what you'd expect if you were hearing the name for the first time. This savory dish of cheese-stuffed jalapeño peppers, wrapped in bacon and served hot, is a spicy appetizer or side dish served at barbecues and cookouts. It's one of those appetizers that you keep reaching back for.

09 of 15

Fire Crackers

Southern Living Fire Crackers in a bowl to serve

Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

All you really need to please an unfussy Southern crowd is this wonderfully simple recipe that you can whip up easily and on a shoestring budget. As with many delicious things, it starts with a sleeve of Saltine crackers, which Southerners admittedly love more than most.

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Boat Dip

Southern Living Boat Dip ready to serve with tortilla chips

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This elusively named dip might not be a looker, but it sure is irresistible. Sometimes also known as "beach dip," boat dip is so named because it is perfect for days spent at the lake or beach. It can be described as an extra zesty, seasoned ranch dip, which makes it no surprise that it is so popular with a Southern crowd. It's easy to make ahead, pack up, and take with you.

11 of 15

Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges

Southern Living Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges on a blue platter to serve

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

In short, and in general, Southerners just like to put interesting ingredients on fresh watermelon—including salt, pepper, mustard, chile-lime seasoning like Tajin, and even pepper sauce. While there might not necessarily be any rhyme or reason to why these "weird" combinations taste good to so many people, it wouldn't be known throughout the South if there wasn't some truth. Try out all the combinations, and find your own favorite!

12 of 15

Boiled Peanuts

CROP Classic Boiled Peanuts
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Boiled peanuts—or "hot wet goobers" as some Southerners lovingly call them—are a staple throughout the region, particularly during summertime (on the way to the lake or beach) or anytime one finds themselves at a rural farm stand. Some of the best boiled peanuts can be found in the most unsuspecting places, such as from a stranger on the side of the road in a big pot. Pull over, you won't regret it.

13 of 15

Tomato-Cracker Salad

Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: ALI RAMEE; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY

This old-fashioned snack salad might not be pretty, but it's still got our hearts. It sometimes gets teased for being a tomato-mayo salad that contains crunchy crackers as one of its main components—for fear they get soggy—but the joke's on those people, because it's downright tasty once you give it a try. 

14 of 15

Texas Trash Dip

Southern Living Texas Trash Dip ready to serve with chips

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

While this funnily named dip might elicit confusion and won't win any awards for being a beauty, it is tasty enough to still warrant bringing to a party or cookout. The refried bean-based dip is made creamy with sour cream and cream cheese and topped with melty cheese. It's long been a favorite snack spread addition of Texans and beyond.

15 of 15

Ham Cheese Ball

Southern Living Ham Cheese Ball

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

It's not a Southern party without a "party cheese ball," after all, particularly during the holidays. Many folks add some country ham for an extra regional tweak, as if the pecans that coat the outside doesn't already add that Southern flair.

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