54 Quick New Year’s Eve Food Ideas

Crab Crescents

This recipe is so good, no one will guess how quickly you put it together. These little bites are delicious and decadent! —Stephanie Howard, Oakland, California

Honey Champagne Fondue

This special champagne fondue has wonderful flavor from Swiss cheese and a hint of sweetness from honey. It clings well to any kind of dipper. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Lobster Tartlets

I love lobster, so I created this lobster tart recipe. They are the perfect appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party or family dinner. Top with chives or green onions for color. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple lends a fruity tang to this fun and tasty appetizer. Instead of one large cheese ball, you could make two smaller versions: One to serve before a meal and one to take to a New Year’s Eve party. —Anne Halfhill, Sunbury, Ohio

Marinated Olive & Cheese Ring

We love to make meals into celebrations, and antipasto always kicks off the party. This one is almost too pretty to eat, especially when sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Smoked-Almond Cheese Toasts

I created my recipe for appetizer toasts while planning the menu for a friend’s bridal luncheon, but it’s just as good for a New Year’s Eve party. Smoked almonds add a special touch to the chunky cheese spread.—Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi

Chicken Scampi

This chicken scampi recipe is so delectable that I’m often asked to double it when family members visit over the holidays. I also suggest preparing it with shrimp for a quick, convenient alternative that’s also delicious. —Janet Lebar, Centennial, Colorado

Cranberry Ambrosia Salad

My paternal grandmother used to make this for Christmas dinner. I’m not sure how many batches she made, as there were nearly 50 aunts, uncles and cousins in our family. I still make the recipe in memory of her, and it’s still as good as I remember.—Janet Hurley, Shell Rock, Iowa

Gruyere and Crab Palmiers

For an elegant New Year’s Eve food idea, I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated appetizer, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut

Butterscotch Martinis

The rich flavors of butterscotch and chocolate pair up for a nightcap that will satisfy any sweet tooth. —Clara M. Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio

Party Pizzas

A batch of these snacks gets cleared away fast with the irresistible combination of creamy cheese and lightly seasoned meat on crispy toast. —Carolyn Snow, Sedalia, Missouri

Pots de Creme

Looking for an easy New Year’s Eve food idea for your sweetheart? Served in pretty, stemmed glasses, this chocolaty custard is sure to set the mood for a special evening.—Connie Dreyfoos, Cincinnati, Ohio

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as the ones made at home. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our gatherings and there are never any leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is great for any holiday party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic and lemon lend a pleasant flavor to these speedy sauteed shrimp. I like to serve them over wild rice mix from a box. —Sheryll Hughes-Smith, Brandon, Mississippi

Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched Mushrooms

I got the idea for bacon-wrapped filet mignon when I saw some on sale in the grocery store. The rest was inspired by my husband, because he once made a Scotch and ginger ale sauce. This elegant New Year’s Eve idea is for two, but it can easily be doubled. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida

Butternut Thyme Tartlets

A great teaser for what’s to come, this light and crunchy appetizer is filled with my favorite flavors. Make the creamy filling a few days before New Year’s Eve, then fill the phyllo cups right before guests arrive. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Brie with Almonds

This nut-topped cheese is elegant and impressive for holiday occasions. No one will guess that the recipe is actually a snap to prepare. —Mildred Aydt, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Bubbly Champagne Punch

This champagne punch, served at my wedding, continues to this day to be the elegant drink we serve at special events. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia

Grandma’s English Trifle

This scrumptious trifle recipe is a family heirloom. My grandmother would make an enormous dish of it for Saturday night dinners when they often had guests. If there were leftovers, they’d eat that English trifle dessert every night that week until it was gone. For more inspiration, take a look at some of our other New Year’s dinner ideas. —Ruth Verratti, Gasport, New York

Marinated Cheese

This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear at the buffet table. It’s an attractive, delicious New Year’s Eve food idea—and easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket

For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Apple ‘n’ Prosciutto Sandwiches

Prepared on an indoor grill, this apple prosciutto sandwich are spread with homemade rosemary pesto. They’re wonderful on a cool day with a bowl of butternut squash soup. —Elizabeth Bennett, Mill Creek, Washington

Caramel Chex Mix

This wonderfully crunchy snack is loaded with cereal, pretzels and nuts—and coated with a not-too-sweet brown sugar mixture. Package this up as gifts, or set out a bowl at your New Year’s Eve party and watch it disappear by the handful. —Samantha Moyer, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

You’ll love the freshness from the parsley and thyme in these little cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Our family loves them! —Rachel Reed, Gainesville, Georgia

Spicy Pickled Grapes

I love sweet and spicy flavors, so I created these pickled grapes. They are excellent as an appetizer, a sneaky addition to salads or a topper in your favorite Bloody Mary. —Carla Hinkle, Memphis, Tennessee

Black Forest Ham Pinwheels

Dried cherries are the sweet surprise alongside the savory ingredients in these delightfully different spirals. I roll up the tortillas and pop them in the fridge well before party time, and then I just slice and serve. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California

Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer

Conveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Crudite Dip

One easy New Year’s Eve food idea is to have plenty of dips around the party. To bring out the crudite dip’s tangy flavor, chill it before serving. This will allow the flavors time to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Lavender Honey Cheesecake

I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I’ve tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania

Slaw-Topped Beef Sliders

When I was working full time, I relied on these delicious, fast-to-fix beef sliders for simple meals. To speed prep time and avoid extra cleanup, I used bagged coleslaw mix and bottled slaw dressing. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites

These mushroom puff pastry bites make the perfect finger food at your New Year’s Eve part. I even freeze them for a quick appetizer for unexpected guests. — Marion Ruzek, Jeffersonville, Indiana

Spicy Mixed Nuts

Cumin and chili powder give extra oomph to the classic homemade nut mix. It’s a smart solution for holiday snacking and gift giving. —Delores Hill, Helena, Montana

Elegant White Chocolate Mousse

Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy recipe extra special for a New Year’s Eve dessert. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts

Mini Muffuletta

People love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The recipe is great for a party and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada

Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce

Tangy mayonnaise-Dijon sauce adds zip to flaky pastry and layers of crisp arugula, thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty-flavored Asiago cheese. It’s a super easy New Year’s Eve food idea for a big (or little) bash. —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas

Whiskey-Brandy Slush

It may be cold outside, but we like to serve this icy citrus drink for Christmas gatherings at our house. It is fantastic for parties and large gatherings, and it keeps well in the freezer. —Joan Shoebottom, Lexington, Michigan

Hearty Rye Melts

When we moved from the Midwest to Kentucky, we were invited to a neighborhood gathering, where this appetizer was served. Hanky panky—as it’s often called around here—is traditionally served at Derby Day parties, but at our home it’s become a year-round favorite.

Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes

These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Triple Nut Snowballs

This super-crunchy, not-too-sweet cookie is a fun update on the classic snowball. I used cashews, macadamia nuts and pecans, but you can mix and match other nuts to your liking. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Marinated Olives

Our son often made these olives for holiday get-togethers. They are simple to make and add a little zest to the other offerings on the New Year’s Eve food table. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey

Creole Scallop Cakes

One day I had some scallops and decided to concoct a scallop cake instead of a crab cake. This scrumptious appetizer can be prepared ahead of time. The cakes and aioli sauce can both be made the day before, and you can cook the cakes just before serving. Not only does this simplify last-minute prep, it allows the flavors to blend, making the dish even more yummy. —Iisha Leftrdige-Brooks, Sacramento, California

Best Ever Lamb Chops

My mom just loved a good lamb chop, and this easy recipe was her favorite way to prepare them. You can even grill these chops with amazing results for New Year’s Eve. —Kim Mundy, Visalia, California

Jellied Champagne Dessert

For a fun New Year’s Eve food idea, this refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne.—Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, Tennessee

Brie-Leek Tartlets

My family is picky, but everyone loves these little bites. I make dozens of them at a time because they’re gone the second I turn my back. —Colleen MacDonald, Port Moody, British Columbia

Mini Cheese Balls

These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina

Elegant Cranberry Pear Salad

This salad recipe, with its combination of fresh ingredients and crunchy walnuts, is quick to make and yet looks very elegant. —Irene Fenlason, East Helena, Montana

Brie Cherry Pastry Cups

Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio

Chocolate Pomegranate Candies

This recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York

Cranberry-Orange Vodka Slush

Years ago, my mother made a rosy and refreshing party drink I’ve never forgotten. The sparkle comes from fruit juices, vodka and lemon lime soda. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa

Spinach Deviled Eggs

Spinach adds unexpected color and flavor to this tasty variation on deviled eggs. They’re easy to make and are an attractive addition to a party spread. —Dorothy Sander of Evansville, Indiana

Air-Fryer Mushroom Roll-Ups

This New Year’s Eve party idea was inspired by a dish I saw on an episode of Top Chef. I simplified the snacks a little and tweaked the flavors a bit. These mushroom roll-ups can be made ahead and reheated before your guests arrive. —Lillian Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mango Bellini

Simple yet delicious, this mango Bellini is made with fresh mango puree and your favorite sparkling wine—I usually choose Prosecco for mine. You can easily turn it into a mocktail by using sparkling water in place of the champagne or Prosecco. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida

Spiced Eggnog Rum Cookies

One year, when I had a lot of eggnog on hand, I created a new holiday cookie recipe. The flavor is subtle, but somehow the eggnog transforms regular sugar cookies into something exceptional for the holidays. —Mark Banick, Turner, Oregon