New Year’s Eve is a great reason to get out the party foods. From easy appetizers to finger foods perfect for watching the ball drop, these recipes will help you start the year right.
Make a classic deviled egg recipe, or try these meatless buffalo cauliflower bites that are just as good as the real thing.
1. Nuts
Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party or planning to attend one, having a few New Year’s snacks on hand to pair with those cocktails is essential. From puff pastry tarts and cheesy toast to air-fried wings and zesty mango salsa, these easy appetizer recipes are sure to please.
Many cultures believe that eating certain foods on New Year’s Eve brings good luck in the coming year. For example, in China, peanuts (also called hua sheng) are a popular snack because they symbolize longevity, life, wisdom, and prosperity. To celebrate this tradition, they’re often cooked with ginger and garlic or stir-fried in oil and are also used to make peanut candy.
Other cultures, such as those in Brazil and Russia, believe that consuming round foods on New Year’s Eve will bring you luck. For this reason, it’s customary to eat black-eyed peas for media noche in Italy, and in the Philippines, it’s common to eat 12 round fruits at the media noche dinner, representing each month of the year.
In addition to being a fun and festive food, nuts are also super healthy. In fact, walnuts are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fats which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. They’re also a great source of protein, fiber, and magnesium. To celebrate Chinese New Year, why not try our Prosperity Snack Box, which features walnut nougat and dates? Walnuts are an auspicious symbol of family, while dates represent wealth and prosperity.
Finally, in Japan, it’s considered to be good luck to eat pine nuts during the New Year as they symbolize longevity. To wish someone a long and happy life, Japanese people would often give them a tin of macadamia nuts or pistachios as a gift.
As the New Year approaches, we’re all thinking about our resolutions and how to make the next year better than the last. While it’s important to be mindful and stay positive throughout the year, New Year’s is all about hedonistic pursuits – even the food. So, this New Year’s Eve, let your indulgences be as epic as your comfiest velour jammies.
2. Cheese
New Year’s Eve is a big event for many, and whether you’re celebrating alone or hosting a big group of friends, you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of food. No appetizer spread is complete without plenty of cheese. We’ve got easy dips (like a garlicky hummus and a cool blue cheese dip) that will be a hit, plus a variety of other savory New Year’s snacks that can be eaten with your fingers. From cheesy puff pastry appetizers to brie bites, these finger foods are the perfect way to keep your guests happy while they watch the ball drop and toast the new year.
For a more filling New Year’s snack, try these savory and sweet phyllo cup apps, which are an excellent addition to any holiday party food platter. You can add some chicken or shrimp to the mix for a little extra meatiness, but even a feta-filled cup is an easy crowd-pleaser. Another great way to use phyllo cups is with these Caprese salad skewers, which are a fun twist on a classic appetizer that’s always a party favorite.
These mini cannolis are a fun way to finish your savory New Year’s snacks and a great addition to a football charcuterie board. They’re also pretty easy to make if you have the ingredients on hand and just follow this step-by-step recipe.
The best part about this recipe is that it uses pre-made phyllo, so you can make the dough ahead of time and have these on hand to serve when your guests arrive. You can even serve them with a scoop of store-bought gelato if you prefer.
3. Garlic Bread & Dip
Whether you’re having a casual New Year’s Eve gathering or a formal event, these appetizers will impress. The best part is, they’re all easy to make, so you can put your focus on enjoying the party.
Serve a dip with some of the other snacks on this list, and you’ve got yourself one epic apps table. Hummus is a go-to choice, especially this recipe that includes a shortcut for quickly soaking dried chickpeas. Then there are the cheese snacks you can’t forget, like these cheesy stuffed mushrooms that make for an impressive yet simple New Year’s appetizer. This is a great dish to make ahead of time and then bring out right before the party starts.
If you want to level up your deviled eggs for New Year’s, try this classic recipe that adds a pop of spinach for a flavorful spin. You can also make a batch of these savory bites to keep in the fridge to snack on throughout the night.
Another easy appetizer to make ahead, these garlic prawns are a must-have for any New Year’s Eve party. You’ll find it takes just minutes to prepare, but the roasted garlic and spices in this recipe make these prawns something that even non-pescant eaters will enjoy.
These elegant palmiers are the perfect finger food to serve at your New Year’s Eve party. The air-fried pastry is flaky and rich, but it’s also super easy to make. Plus, the cranberry filling is a tasty twist on the traditional.
A crowd-pleaser that’s a must for any New Year’s Eve party, these mini sliders have ham and cheese as the main ingredient. But what makes this recipe special is the toppings—from the fig jam to the balsamic onions—that make these finger foods taste extra special.
If you’re looking for a heartier appetizer, this easy dip features Swiss cheese, cream, and a few other ingredients that make it feel like a full meal. Plus, you can bake it ahead of time so it’s ready to eat when the festivities begin.
4. Cheese Straws
Whether you’re watching the ball drop in your own home or going out to party, everyone loves to have finger food on hand while they sip champagne and ring in the new year. Luckily, there are a lot of easy appetizers to choose from, including these sweet and savory options.
Cheese straws are the perfect addition to any appetizer tray and are surprisingly easy to make. These cheesy snacks are incredibly versatile, so you can switch up the flavors depending on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re feeling like a little spice, try adding some cayenne pepper to your dough; if you want something a little lighter, add thyme or rosemary instead.
These cheesy straws are also great for making ahead and freezing, so if you’re looking for a simple snack to make for a large gathering, this is one to keep in mind. Plus, they’re also an excellent addition to gift baskets for the holiday season.
You’ll love how easy these cheesy snacks are to make and how festive they look. These are an essential part of any appetizer platter and will definitely be a crowd-pleaser for your New Year’s Eve celebration.
Pimiento cheese is a classic and perfect for this finger food. Ensure you always buy the best-quality pimientos available and grate them both fine and coarsely to get a great texture for the dip. You can serve this tangy appetizer on its own or as the base for a charcuterie board with other savory snacks.
Bacon-wrapped pretzel bites are another tasty dip to consider for your New Year’s Eve appetizer lineup. These are the ultimate party snacks and can be dipped into either hot or cold dips.
This vegetarian quiche is a must-try recipe if you’re looking for a more filling option to add to your appetizer menu. It’s easy to make and is sure to be a hit with everyone at your party.
A slow cooker is the only thing you need for this super-easy snack. Throw some peanuts in and turn it on; you’ll have a bowl of crunchy, salty goodness in about 18 hours.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.