53 Quick New Year’s Eve Food Ideas

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: This cheese ball will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It's delicious! I've found it's especially popular at a party or get-together.

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: One of my piano students taught me the perfect lesson in holiday recipes: this fresh cranberry salad. The keys are tangy fruit, fluffy marshmallows and crunchy nuts. —Alexandra Lypecky, Dearborn, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as homemade. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our holiday gatherings and there are no leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is perfect for any party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: Loaded with cake cubes and fruit, an old English trifle is always welcome at a holiday dinner. The creamy, homemade custard is well worth the effort. —Nancy O'Connor, Glen Ridge, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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.

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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