25 New Year's Eve Appetizers That'll Be the Talk of the Party
The key to a successful New Year’s Eve party is sparkles, champagne (obviously!), and a smattering of small bites that guests can snack on throughout the night. These hors d'oeuvres can range in makeup from sweet to savory, easy to advanced, and simple to fancy — your call. But like any great party, we assume there will be a mix, which is why we put together a list of New Year’s Eve appetizer recipes to inspire the night’s bites.
Stick to a theme, such as seafood, comfort foods, or cheese dishes galore, or pick the best-tasting recipes from the list. It’s your party, after all.
Because many cultures have their own traditions for New Year’s, we made sure to include recipes with a few key ingredients: grapes for Spain, meatballs for China, fish for Scandinavia, etc., so you can cater to the traditions of those who may be attending your party.
As the cherry on top, don’t forget to wish guests a prosperous 2025!
Spicy Chickpea and Potato Phyllo Cups
Skip a few steps by buying pre-made phyllo dough, and fill the cups with this Indian-inspired chaat papri filling.
Get the Spicy Chickpea and Potato Phyllo Cups recipe.
Sweet and Spicy Nuts
Need a snack guests can munch on by the handful? This nut mix is the way to go. Jazz up assorted nuts with olive oil, rosemary leaves, cayenne, maple syrup, and flakes of sea salt.
Get the Sweet and Spicy Nuts recipe.
Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites
If you're hosting a casual hang, these Super Bowl-inspired pretzel bites are sure to be a hit. To top them off, don't forget a dash of hot sauce.
Get the Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites recipe.
Smoked Salmon Bites
Did you know kettle-cooked potato chips make for the perfect base in this salmon hors d'oeuvres recipe? Thanks to their sturdy makeup, they can hold protein, cream, and toppings without breaking.
Get the Smoked Salmon Bites recipe.
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Low-Carb Quiche Biscuits
Cater to your gluten-free friends' needs with these cauliflower-forward quiche biscuits. If guests don't eat them all before midnight, they also make for great breakfast bites. Just pop them in the microwave to warm them up.
Get the Low-Carb Quiche Biscuits recipe.
Pimiento Cheese Spread
Buy a bag of crackers, and let guests load them up with this cheesy spread that's spiced with pimiento peppers and pepper jack cheese.
Get the Pimento Cheese Spread recipe.
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White Wine Mussels
Nothing says classy like a bowl of freshly cleaned mussels simmered in white wine — perfect for a glitzy cocktail party.
Get the White Wine Mussels recipe.
RELATED: Easy Seafood Recipes to Try for Dinner Tonight
Cheesy Artichoke Toasts
Double down on cheese in this crispy toast recipe that calls for parmesan and gruyère. Add a bit of zing with a dollop of sour cream and squeeze of lemon juice.
Get the Cheesy Artichoke Toasts recipe.
Grape Jamwiches
You may have heard of the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck in the new year. Run with the old wives' tale, and serve these bite-sized grape jamwiches to honor the tradition.
Get the Grape Jamwiches recipe.
Apple, Sweet Potato, and Rosemary Flatbread
Looking for a recipe that's a bit more substantive? Try this apple, sweet potato, and rosemary flatbread to keep bellies full on NYE.
Get the Apple, Sweet Potato, and Rosemary Flatbread recipe.
Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Rollups
Wrap anything in dough, and we'll eat it, but especially if it's these baked broccoli-cheddar rollups. Prep them days in advance and bake them when ready, freeing up time to get ready before the party.
Get the Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Rollups recipe.
Crispy Chickpeas
Instead of potato chips, serve up these oven-baked chickpeas doused in the spices and seasonings of your choice. Or you can keep it simple and top with kosher salt.
Get the Crispy Chickpeas recipe.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Make the most of the mushrooms' natural shape, and fill their caps with a mixture of parmesan, onions, green pepper, and other complementary ingredients.
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Caper Vinaigrette
Cater to all types of diets with this hearty veggie main. Guests can grab a floret for a quick, filling bite. Capers add a pleasant brininess to this dish that pairs well with red wine.
Get the Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Caper Vinaigrette recipe.
RELATED: Healthy Appetizers That You and Your Guests Will Love
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Upgrade your Thanksgiving-style deviled eggs with hot sauce in this easy 30-minute recipe that's sure to please all the traditionalists.
Get the Spicy Deviled Eggs recipe.
Mini Cheese Popovers
Even picky eaters will enjoy this cheesy bread accented with chopped chives. This recipe makes 12 popovers, but thanks to their snackable nature, we recommend doubling, if not tripling, the recipe.
Get the Mini Cheese Popovers recipe.
Squash Toasts
Pick up a winter squash at your local grocery store to whip up this winter snack. Drizzle toast with maple syrup for a sweet take on the appetizer.
Get the Squash Toasts recipe.
Tangy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Popular in Scandinavian, Chinese, and Hawaiian New Year's celebrations for their symbol of connection and unity, meatballs are the perfect bite-sized snack to make for NYE. This recipe takes under 30 minutes to make and centers leftover cranberry sauce at the forefront.
Get the Tangy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs recipe.
Sausage Rolls with Worcestershire Sauce
Looking for a make-ahead recipe that guests will love? Let us propose these mini sausage rolls, made with puff pastry and heavily seasoned pork, that are so snackable there won't be any left by the end of the night.
Get the Sausage Rolls with Worcestershire Sauce recipe.
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Figs with Walnuts and Gorgonzola
Fancy apps for a fancy party, this savory dish spotlights figs and gorgonzola cheese. With only five ingredients total, this is an easy one to pull off without a lot of time.
Get the Figs with Walnuts and Gorgonzola recipe.
Parmesan Pastry Pipes
Who could resist these herb and cheese-filled breadsticks? Not us! Brush up on your piping and filling skills while making these party-hit pastry pipes.
Get the Parmesan Pastry Pipes recipe.
Feta and Spinach Tartlets
Host a very merry Mediterranean New Year with these Greek spanakopita-inspired tartlets. Between the shallots, feta, and dill, these apps are sure to be jampacked with a tangy flavor.
Get the Feta and Spinach Tartlets recipe.
Zesty Mini Crab Cakes
Is it really a fancy party if you don't serve seafood? Avoid the question altogether by making these mini crab cakes with a piquant aioli.
Get the Zesty Mini Crab Cakes recipe.
Beet Crostini
It doesn't get easier than this 10-minute recipe that's solely assembly. Top sliced baguette with crème fraîche and half-moon beets for an easy crostini.
Get the Beet Crostini recipe.
Easy Pigs in a Blanket
We can't discuss party bites without mentioning the ultimate appetizer: Pigs in a Blanket. This take on the fan-favorite finger food only calls for three ingredients. Talk about easy!
Get the Easy Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
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