56 New Year’s Eve Appetizers to Kick Off Your Party
Updated: Mar. 11, 2024
The ball might be dropping in Times Square, but you won't drop the ball at your own celebration thanks to these simple yet snazzy New Year's Eve appetizers to ring in 2024.
New Year’s Eve cocktails get a lot of fanfare—and for good reason—but what about the appetizers that go along with them? These small bites, dips and finger foods set the tone for the rest of the party.
New Year’s Eve holds a certain amount of elegance. The appetizers and accompanying cocktails and party food should be dressed to the nines, just like you! So, start off your year right with some of our most memorable pre-dinner snacks.
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Easy Smoked Salmon
Store-bought smoked salmon feels fancy enough as it is, but making your own takes things to a whole new level. Served with crackers, this recipe is just the right amount of sophistication for your New Year’s Eve party.You’re hosting a party and it’s time to plan the menu. You can try these mouthwatering sliders.
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Baked Figs
Figs are winter’s favorite fruit, and they’re also about to become your guests’ favorite item on the menu. The citrusy accents and whipped cream make them a standout New Year’s Eve appetizer.
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Oysters Rockefeller Egg Rolls
A special occasion such as New Year’s Eve calls for swapping out the traditional filling of an egg roll with something a little more unexpected. Think oysters, bacon, spinach and a whole slew of tasty seasonings.
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Pancetta, Pear & Pecan Puffs
If you find yourself unable to decide between sweet and savory, why settle when you can have both? These tasty morsels, stacked atop your shiniest serveware, are a delicacy definitely worthy of New Year’s Eve.
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Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake
Start, rather than end, New Year’s Eve with a slice of cheesecake. It’s luscious, mild and oh, so savory. And that’s not to mention it can be made 24 hours ahead.
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Chocolate-Covered Cheese with Black Sea Salt
These salty-sweet New Year’s Eve appetizers double as a dessert. It’s not very often you see dark chocolate during the first course, but we’re not complaining! Don’t forget to check out our collection of New Year’s Eve desserts.
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Asparagus Wraps
There’s something about asparagus spears that feels so special! Wrap ’em in prosciutto and puff pastry for an easy yet extra-elegant New Year’s Eve snack.
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Hot Antipasto
There’s a lot to love about this baked grab bag. Chock-full of Italian sausage links, peppers, beans, mushrooms and more, it’s a New Year’s Eve snack with a little something for everyone.
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Puff Pastry Apple Strudel
Ditch your average dips and party weenies! This eye-catching centerpiece uses shortcut puff pastry and seasonal ingredients for a starter they’ll remember long into the new year.
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Gruyere and Crab Palmiers
These elegant palmiers are the perfect snack to grace your New Year’s Eve buffet table. They’re flaky, meaty and rich in the very best way.
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Spinach Deviled Eggs
Standard deviled eggs are a no-brainer dish for potlucks, picnics and cookouts, but they deserve to be leveled-up for your New Year’s Eve party. Stir in spinach for a simple revamp.
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Air-Fryer Ham and Brie Pastries
Just four ingredients come together to flaunt big flavor in this air-fried snack. Brie brings the fanciness, and store-bought puff pastry provides the ease.
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Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
This warm, rich and creamy Swiss cheese dip is served with thin, crunchy slices of French bread. To save some time, bake it ahead.
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Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce
A tangy mayonnaise-Dijon sauce adds zip to flaky pastry and layers of crisp arugula, thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty-flavored Asiago cheese. They are as elegant as they are memorable.
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Brandied Blue Cheese Spread
Start off the new year with a splash of brandy, three types of cheese and a sprinkling of pepitas. Smeared onto a cracker, this yummy dip will warm you from your head to your toes.
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Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent
If you want a New Year’s Eve appetizer that feels fancy but without the fuss, look no further than a vol-au-vent. Traditionally, the French specialty is a puff-pastry shell filled to the brim with chicken or fish.
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Lemon-Herb Olives with Goat Cheese
This not-so-basic cheese log brings brightness to the table on a dark winter evening. The New Year’s Eve snack shines thanks to lemon, basil and Greek olives.
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Gorgonzola Polenta Bites
Polenta doesn’t get much play, but it is the perfect base for this New Year’s Eve appetizer, complete with balsamic vinegar, orange marmalade and tangy gorgonzola.
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Pesto Twists
Puff pastry takes one of its many shapes in these herbaceous New Year’s Eve snacks. With just three ingredients, they couldn’t be easier, and dipped in marinara sauce, they couldn’t be tastier.
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Garlicky Herbed Shrimp
Shrimp is a staple on any party spread, and your New Year’s Eve one should be no exception. Doused in seasonings and splashed with lemon juice, this seafood recipe is tasty simplicity.
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Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. The bright and fresh flavor is the perfect precursor to a lively dinner. They add a nice splash of color to your New Year’s Eve party platter.
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Apple-Pecan Baked Brie
The sweetness of apples and the warmth of cinnamon meld beautifully with Brie for a New Year’s Eve appetizer that’s just as sophisticated as it is cozy. Score!
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Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are simple and abundant. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary or paprika to add even more flavor. They will look and taste the part.
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Portobello Mushroom and Cream Cheese Taquitos
Elevate taquitos—and make them vegetarian-friendly at the same time—by stuffing them with portobello mushrooms and a mixture of ricotta and cream cheese. Happy New Year’s Eve to you!
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Mini Muffuletta
If you’re in need of a make-ahead recipe that’s also a classic, stop right here! This muffuletta is your New Year’s Eve snack of choice.
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Rosemary Veal Meatballs
Veal is often reserved for special occasions—and for good reason! But we can’t think of a better one than New Year’s Eve. Served alongside a yogurt sauce, these special meatballs are virtually irresistible.
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Skewered Ravioli with Creamy Tomato Dipping Sauce
With pesto and bread crumbs for a crust, these broiled ravioli go from simple to classy. Guests will delight in their crunch.
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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini
This green and red starter is good for so much more than just Christmas! Serve up the timeless crostini on your nicest platter, and it’ll fit right in next to all your New Year’s Eve appetizers.
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Butternut Thyme Tartlets
Prepping for your New Year’s Eve party? Make the filling for these wintry one-bite wonders a few days ahead of time, then fill the phyllo cups directly before serving.
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Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
Sweeten things up with this New Year’s Eve snack. It takes just 10 minutes to make the dip, but it’ll go in your recipe box forever.
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Goat Cheese Mushrooms
This New Year’s Eve snack is a wholesome twist on the standard stuffed mushroom. Swap bread crumbs and cream cheese with roasted red peppers and goat cheese for a fun but fresh final product.
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Honey Champagne Fondue
You’ll be popping bottles this New Year’s Eve—not only to add a splash of bubbly to your crystal flute but also to your fondue pot. Swiss cheese and honey are the sweetest pairings for sparkling wine.
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Steak & Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Onion & Roasted Tomato Jam
This savory, contest-winning starter will vanish from your New Year’s Eve buffet table. It’s perfect if you’re in need of a more filling option.
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Smoked Salmon Bites
This no-cook New Year’s Eve snack holds its own among the baked, fried and roasted ones. With Greek yogurt, red onions and capers, it’s like your quintessential lox bagel.
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Poppy Seed Squares
There’s a lot more to these apps than meets the eye. Your new favorite New Year’s Eve snack has a tender crust and a layer of ground beef, mushrooms and horseradish.
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Roasted Eggplant Spread
This aubergine recipe is a guilt-free but oh-so-good New Year’s Eve appetizer. The vegan spread especially hits the spot smeared on a cracker or toasted bread slice.
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Cheese Puffs
This simple recipe yields more than 50 tasty morsels. Cayenne and mustard keep the breadlike New Year’s Eve appetizer from being just another boring dinner roll.
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Caramelized Onion Dip
Once you taste this fabulous dip, you’ll never go back to store-bought French onion dip. Although it will take a little longer to make for your New Year’s Eve spread, it’s worth every minute.
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Lamb Pastry Bundles
Make it a Mediterranean New Year’s Eve! Serve the hearty lamb parcels with a mayo-based red pepper dip that’ll transport you straight to the Greek islands.
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Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Pear Sauce
Scallops can be an intimidating seafood to tackle, but this New Year’s Eve appetizer makes it easy. Stir up the sauce with any fruit jam or preserves you prefer.
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Holiday Salsa
A pop of color and a punch of flavor on your New Year’s Eve spread, this recipe takes the concept of salsa and turns it on its head by subbing in cranberries for the tomatoes.
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Antipasto Cups
Stuff crisped-up salami shells with all your favorite antipasto ingredients for a no-fuss, low-carb New Year’s Eve snack. We like brimming the Genoa slices with artichokes, mushrooms, cheese and more.
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Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip
In a sea of spinach-artichoke and taco dips, this Italian-inspired recipe, with sausage, tomatoes, beans and multiple types of cheese, will stand out on your New Year’s Eve spread.
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Cheese/Grape Appetizers
These New Year’s Eve snacks are a little tedious to make but so very worth it. A delectable duo with wine, they’re so easy to grab and add to your cocktail plate.
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Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs
If the oven’s full with your other New Year’s Eve snacks, this slow-cooker recipe is a lifesaver. The addition of sauerkraut sets them apart from the standard party meatball.
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Almond-Bacon Cheese Crostini
Bored of tomato-based bruschetta? Give the New Year’s Eve appetizer a bump by swapping in toasted almond, crispy bacon and shredded cheese.
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Feta Cheese-Stuffed Tomatoes
In this New Year’s Eve appetizer, cute cherry tomatoes are the vessel for a creamy, lemony cheese spread. The poppable snacks will be gone from your platter in no time.
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Florentine Almond Artichoke Mounds
New Year’s Eve appetizers should be easy to pass, which is why these bites are the problem-solver you need on your spread. They take the yumminess of artichoke-cheese dip and make it that much more shareable.
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Asiago Beef Tart
This cheesy and herb-filled tart has a velvety texture. Top it with pine nuts and basil for some color and extra bite. This New Year’s Eve appetizer proves that food can be simple and still fancy.
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Seafood Cakes with Herb Sauce
Fold whatever seafood you love into these customizable cakes. Salmon, scallops, shrimp, crab, lobster or any firm white fish work beautifully in the New Year’s Eve appetizer.
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Brie Cherry Pastry Cups
These bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves are flaky and golden brown. They’re a nice, sweet appetizer.
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Cranberry-Fig Goat Cheese Crostini
This crostini recipe is the New Year’s Eve snack you’ve been searching for! Cranberries and figs lend the fruity flavor, baguette slices bring the crunch, and a cheesy spread provides the tang.
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White Chocolate Brie Cups
By the time the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, everyone will be stuffed from filling up on these deliciously different, totally addictive tartlets.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts & 3-Cheese Crostini
Brussels sprouts are making a comeback in a big way! Enjoy them like never before at your New Year’s Eve party by turning them into a roasty, toasty bread topper.
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Artichoke Caprese Platter
Caprese salad is the quintessential light, bright first course. Make it stand out for your New Year’s Eve celebration with the addition of marinated artichoke hearts.
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Lobster Tartlets
Lobster is the epitome of indulgence. Whether you’re doing a sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail hour, these nibbles need a place on your New Year’s Eve menu.Originally Published: November 23, 2022
