Betty Crocker Easy New Year Eve Party Appetizers
32 Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers To Serve On New Year's Eve
Rom_olik/Shutterstock
New Year's Eve is notoriously one of the biggest party nights of the year. Whether you're one of the million people gathered in Times Square to watch the ball drop (via Good Housekeeping) or huddled up at home watching the fireworks around the world, December 31 is a night to be with your friends and family and celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new one. If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party this year, you're likely already in the depths of planning your menu. While the main course and champagne toast are important, the appetizers are just as key. They're what keep your guests well-fueled and happy all throughout the night.
To help you pick out the perfect spread of eats this New Year's Eve, we've rounded up 32 of the best holiday party appetizers for anyone and everyone. From pigs in a blanket to jalapeno poppers to goat cheese crostini to spicy pot stickers, these are the finger foods your guests will enjoy munching on while you ring in the new year.
Cold Spinach Artichoke Dip
Christina Musgrave/Mashed
One of the hardest parts about throwing a party is trying to time all of your dishes to finish cooking at the same time so they're all hot when everyone's ready to eat. Fortunately, this spinach artichoke dip will help take away some of that stress — because it's actually best served cold. Blend together cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, frozen spinach, and a can of artichoke hearts (along with a few spices) and you'll end up with a dip everyone will be dying to dunk their bread and crackers into.
Recipe: Cold Spinach Artichoke Dip
Easy Chicken Broccoli Braid
Kristen Carli/Mashed
If you're serving "heavy appetizers" in lieu of an actual dinner this New Year's, you might want to consider adding this chicken broccoli braid to your menu. Packed with fresh broccoli florets, shredded chicken, and cheddar cheese, it's filling enough to be a meal all in of itself. Plus, the bread is merely two tubes of Pillsbury crescent roll dough (rather than something from scratch), so it requires just a few minutes of assembly before it's ready to bake and enjoy.
Recipe: Easy Chicken Broccoli Braid
Crowd-Pleasing Guacamole Without Cilantro
Hayley MacLean/Mashed
You won't have to worrying about paying extra for guac (looking at you, Chipotle) thanks to this homemade version of the wildly popular dip. One thing that sets this recipe apart is that it's made without cilantro, which is ideal when serving a crowd as the leafy green herb can be quite divisive. Mash up some ripe avocados, then fold in lemon juice, cumin, chipotle powder, minced garlic, chopped red onions, and cherry tomatoes for added Mexican flavor.
Recipe: Crowd-Pleasing Guacamole Without Cilantro
Pigs In A Blanket
Laura Sampson/Mashed
You can't talk about appetizers without mentioning pigs in a blanket. The nostalgic finger food is a favorite among kids and adults alike and was first popularized in the 1950s thanks to Betty Crocker's "Cooking for Kids" cookbook (via Foodimentary). This specific pigs in a blanket recipe is so easy, all you need is two ingredients (a can of crescent rolls and an 8-pack of hot dogs), an oven, and 20 minutes of your time. Trust us, your guests will thank you when you bring these babies out.
Recipe: Pigs In A Blanket
Buffalo Cauliflower
Ksenia Prints/Mashed
A recipe that will make both meat eaters and vegetarians happy? You better believe it! This buffalo cauliflower has the same spicy flavor of buffalo chicken wings — thanks to the inclusion of pre-made sauce and smoked paprika — without, well, the chicken. We bet your carnivore friends will barely be able to tell the difference. Not only that, they'll get an extra serving of veggies and fiber to boot while chowing down.
Recipe: Buffalo Cauliflower
Deep Fried Dill Pickles
Susan Olayinka/Mashed
There's the old adage that frying anything makes it taste better. That certainly applies to pickles. There's something about the crunchy yet juicy bite of a fried dill pickle slice that keeps you coming back for "just one more." You don't need a fryer — just a pan — so they're easy to whip up ahead of your party. For best results, pair them with onion dip for dunking hot off the stove.
Recipe: Deep Fried Dill Pickles
3-Ingredient Tomato Tart
Susan Olayinka/Mashed
Pizza is basically everyone's favorite food — but it doesn't make for such a great appetizer. To satisfy your guests' craving for a slice, opt for this elevated take on your go-to Papa John's pie: a tomato tart. The best part? You'll only need three ingredients. The base is made of puff pastry (so there's no waiting for dough to rise or hours of kneading involved) and it's sprinkled with sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil. Bon appetit!
Recipe: 3-Ingredient Tomato Tart
Best Goat Cheese Crostini
Michelle McGlinn/Mashed
There are few better pairings in this world than carbs and cheese. Get the best of both those worlds with this fancy appetizer, which stars toasted slices of French bread smeared with luxurious goat cheese and topped with cherry tomatoes that have been roasted in balsamic vinegar and sprigs of fresh rosemary. The red and green color palette hearkens to Christmas, and the tomatoes add a burst of juicy flavor with every bite, balancing out the crustiness of the bread.
Recipe: Best Goat Cheese Crostini
Brie Apple Honey Crostini
Erin Johnson/Mashed
Sure, you could serve up your go-to baked Brie, but you could also put a modern twist on the traditional party appetizer with this crostini recipe. All you need is six ingredients to get started: apples, Brie cheese, a loaf of French bread, butter, honey, sea salt, and thinly sliced prosciutto (or bacon, if that's more your jam). It's the perfect combination of sweet and salty to kick off the night's festivities.
Recipe: Brie Apple Honey Crostini
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
Jason Goldstein/Mashed
Fans of mushrooms will absolutely love this mouthwatering stuffed version. The white button mushrooms are filled to the brim with a cream cheese-based stuffing that's blended with Parmesan cheese, artichokes, frozen spinach, and garlic powder. The bite-sized morels can be passed as hors d'oeuvres and don't require any utensils — definitely a win for any host looking to cut down on extra purchases pre-party (or extra mess post-party).
Recipe: Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
Simple Naan
Susan Olayinka/Mashed
If you've never eaten naan, New Year's Eve may be the perfect excuse to try it — and try making it. Naan is a popular Indian bread that's traditionally made with a white flour called maida and baked in a clay oven known as a tandoor (via The Daily Meal). This recipe for homemade naan is simple enough that even the most beginner chef can make it. Note, however, that you'll have to wait a few hours for the dough to rise, so plan accordingly.
Recipe: Simple Naan
Sheet Pan Nachos
Melissa Olivieri/Mashed
Who doesn't love a massive platter of ooey-gooey, cheesy nachos? Everyone will be clamoring to dig into this pile of Mexican goodness, which stars a bed of crispy tortilla chips smothered in red and yellow bell peppers, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, green and black olives, ground beef, and of course, plenty of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Also, it's made on a sheet pan, so you won't have to dirty up a bunch of dishes during meal prep.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos
3-Ingredient Jalapeno Poppers
Ksenia Prints/Mashed
Jalapeno poppers are an easy way to bring the heat to any party. While you can buy them pre-made or frozen from most grocery stores — including Costco or Sam's Club — you can also easily whip up the stuffed peppers at home. For this recipe, you only need to round up three ingredients: jalapeno peppers, cream cheese, and sausage. You can use any type of sausage, but if you're looking for a healthier alternative, we recommend chicken sausage.
Recipe: 3-Ingredient Jalapeno Poppers
Easy Slow Cooked Little Smokies
Hayley MacLean/Mashed
Good news: You don't have to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen to wow your guests with delicious appetizers. These petit hot dogs — more commonly called "little smokies" — are prepared in the slow cooker, so they require very minimal effort on your part. Toss the ingredients into your Crock Pot, adjust the temperature and cook time, and then just set it and forget it. You can clean the house and get all of the decorations while the sausages cook themselves. Easy-peasy.
Recipe: Easy Slow Cooked Little Smokies
Easy Apple Bruschetta
Kristen Carli/Mashed
When you think of bruschetta — slices of toasted French bread topped with chutneys and dips — you usually think of something savory. But this recipe offers a sweet take on the classic Italian appetizer. Layer your loaf with slices of tangy green apple and hunks of creamy Brie cheese before drizzling honey over top for a little extra flair. To balance out the sweetness, you can also sprinkle on some freshly cracked black pepper.
Recipe: Easy Apple Bruschetta
Copycat IKEA Meatballs
Jake Vigliotti/Mashed
Everyone knows that the best part of going to IKEA isn't the chic modern furniture or affordable home decor — it's the Swedish meatballs. Bring IKEA's number one treat to your party this New Year's with this copycat recipe that people swear tastes just like the real thing (and is even better than the recipe IKEA provides online). These meatballs are made with a unique blend that includes ground beef, ground pork, panko bread crumbs, and even a potato.
Recipe: Copycat IKEA Meatballs
Spicy Chicken Potstickers
Cecilia Ryu
Craving some Asian fare to ring in the new year? Rather than spending money on Chinese takeout or DoorDash, make your own delicious Chinese cuisine at home with this recipe for spicy chicken potstickers. What makes this version unique is that the filling includes — along with ground chicken, scallions, and Shiitake mushrooms — sweet potato vermicelli, which are tiny noodles made with sweet potato starch. When your potstickers are finished, bonus points if you put out chopsticks for a more authentic experience for your guests.
Recipe: Spicy Chicken Potstickers
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries
Ksenia Prints/Mashed
Put your air fryer to work this holiday with this tasty recipe. While it starts with regular frozen French fries, the final product is anything but basic. Its flavors mimic the cheesiest, most flavorful loaf of garlic bread, making it a must-serve for any festivity. The fries — which come out of the air fryer perfectly crisp and crunchy – are covered in melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, along with minced garlic and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries
Easy Petit Fours
Jennine Bryant/Mashed
Who says all appetizers have to be savory? Not us. This year, skip the first courses and cut straight to dessert — but in finger food form — with these petit fours. While the classic French treat might look (and sound) intimidating to put together, this recipe makes it a cinch. Fluffy pound cake, which you can buy pre-made from the store, is sandwiched between layers of blueberry jam and drizzled with homemade vanilla icing.
Recipe: Easy Petit Fours
Easy Caprese Skewers
Kristen Carli/Mashed
Be crowned most creative cook in the kitchen (and maybe of all of 2021) with this handheld take on caprese salad. It contains all of the staples of the wildly popular Italian side dish — fresh mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil — but skewered on wooden sticks so you don't need to carry around a fork and knife. Once you put all of the ingredients on the skewers, drizzle them all with a heavy hand of balsamic glaze to tie all of the flavors together.
Recipe: Easy Caprese Skewers
Mini Pretzel Dogs
Petar Marshall/Mashed
Why choose between soft pretzels and pigs in a blanket? Thanks to this recipe, you'll never have to again. These mini pretzel dogs taste just like the ones you can get at the Auntie Anne's kiosk at the mall, except they taste a little better because they were made with your own hands. Your guests will be especially impressed when they find out that you made the pretzel dough from scratch.
Recipe: Mini Pretzel Dogs
Easy Chicken Egg Rolls
Kristen Carli/Mashed
Any recipe with "easy" in the title is an automatic win for a stressed-out host or anyone who doesn't consider themselves an experienced cook. These chicken egg rolls are a breeze to put together. You just put all the ingredients in the pre-made wrapper, roll it up like a burrito, and then drop it in a saucepan full of sizzling hot oil to fry it up. While the original recipe calls for ground chicken, you can fill the egg rolls with whatever you'd like.
Recipe: Easy Chicken Egg Rolls
Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Laura Sampson/Mashed
You really can't go wrong with buffalo chicken dip when it comes to party appetizers. It's one of those dishes that almost everyone loves to see on the table, especially on a cold New Year's Eve. Topped with blue cheese crumbles, it's best served fresh out of the oven while the cheese is still melty and bubbling. You have plenty of options for pairing — you can dip everything from crackers to bread to veggies in the dip for a spicy, meaty bite.
Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
Molly Allen/Mashed
The only issue with soft pretzels is that sometimes you just don't want to commit to the entire thing, especially if there's a bunch of other tasty treats you want to sample at the party. These soft pretzel bites are an easy solution. You can satisfy your craving without filling up so much that you're too full for other appetizers (or worse, for the main course). Baked from hunks of handmade pretzel dough, they're the perfect size for dipping into spicy mustard and tossing in your mouth while you mingle.
Recipe: Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
Savory Fried Pork And Cabbage Gyoza
Tommy Leung/Mashed
In case you didn't know, gyoza are basically the Japanese equivalent of pot stickers. The versatile dumplings can be stuffed with almost anything and everything your heart desires, but this specific version calls for a savory blend of minced pork, sliced cabbage, and chives tossed in sesame oil. Once filled and wrapped, you can fry the gyoza for a crispy exterior or steam them for a healthier option. Regardless, they're delicious on their own, but even better dunked in black vinegar.
Recipe: Savory Fried Pork And Cabbage Gyoza
Instant Pot Twice-Baked Potatoes
Miriam Hahn/Mashed
Whether you've run out of oven space or simply don't feel like turning the oven on, no worries — you can still add to your appetizer arsenal with this twice-baked potato recipe made in the Instant Pot. They only take 45 minutes from start to finish, and are similar to crowd-favorite potato skins but a little heartier. You can make them exactly as the recipe says, or allow guests to customize their own potatoes with the toppings of their choice, from scallions to bacon bits to black olives.
Recipe: Instant Pot Twice-Baked Potatoes
Sesame Chicken
Cecilia Ryu/Mashed
Sesame chicken is one of the most popular Chinese takeout orders, so it's likely to be an equally big hit at your New Year's Eve get-together. Made from scratch with ingredients like fresh chicken, egg whites, and honey, there's a good chance this version is healthier than what you'd order from the local Chinese restaurant. Great news for you as the host: It makes for just as delicious leftovers, so you'll have lunch on New Year's Day already ready to go.
Recipe: Sesame Chicken
Delicious Egg Rolls
Cecilia Ryu/Mashed
There's a reason you'll find egg rolls on almost every Chinese menu: People love them. While you can find recipes for all different varieties on Pinterest — from Philly cheesesteak egg rolls to Southwest egg rolls — sometimes it's best to stick to the basics. This version, which requires egg roll wrappers from your local Asian supermarket, includes traditional ingredients like ground pork, scallions, and a medley of cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms, but you can swap in whatever you'd like (even meatless meat for a vegetarian option).
Recipe: Delicious Egg Rolls
Easy Baba Ganoush
Nathaniel Lee/Mashed
Hummus is cool, but baba ganoush is even cooler — or at least, it will be a lot more impressive to your New Year's party guests. An Arabic dip that's made of roasted eggplant, tahini, paprika, cumin, olive oil, and tomatoes, it's similar in texture but a little bit smokier than your traditional chickpea dip, and is easy to throw together in a food processor. Put out flatbread or grilled meat for everyone to smear the baba ganoush on top of for enjoying.
Recipe: Easy Baba Ganoush
Easy Fried Zucchini
Ksenia Prints/Mashed
Known asfritto zucca at your local Italian restaurant, fried zucchini is a great way to sneak some veggies into your New Year's Eve spread without anyone really noticing (or caring). When veggies are covered in a seasoned crispy breading, even the pickiest eater can't pass up a few slices of squash. This recipe calls for fresh zucchini, bread crumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, flour, and of course, oil for frying. Tip: Serve the fried zucchini with marinara sauce for dipping.
Recipe: Easy Fried Zucchini
30 Minute Mozzarella Sticks
Susan Olayinka/Mashed
Name someone who doesn't love mozzarella sticks. (We'll wait.) This recipe for the cheesy sticks that basically beg to be dipped in tangy marinara sauce is so easy it almost cooks itself. While everything will be ready in just 30 minutes, note that you have to freeze your slices of mozzarella cheese for two to three hours before you fry them, so this is a dish you'll need to start earlier in the day to ensure the sticks are crispy and hot when your guests walk in the door.
Recipe: 30 Minute Mozzarella Sticks
Crab Rangoon
Erin Johnson/Mashed
Crab rangoon is one of those things you've likely seen at fancy weddings or on the starter menu at five-star seafood restaurants. But while the dish is a little more elegant than your average appetizer (ahem, like mozzarella sticks), it isn't as difficult as it seems to make. In fact, the author of this specific recipe says, "If you can chop and stir, you can make these." Your final product? Tiny crispy wontons stuffed with crab meat, cream cheese, garlic, and green onion.
Recipe: Crab Rangoon
Source: https://www.mashed.com/714730/crowd-pleasing-appetizers-to-serve-on-new-years-eve/