10 Simple New Years Eve Party Appetizers (step by step recipes with pictures!)
Below are 10 simple New Year’s Eve appetizers that strike the perfect balance between “crowd-pleasing” and “super simple”.
I picked these appetizer recipes because they each focus on inexpensive store-bought items and have VERY minimal prep time. I don’t know about YOU, but I’d rather be enjoying the party instead of stuck in the kitchen playing hostess with the mostest haha!
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Each party appetizer recipe below gives a quick reason WHY it’s a really good appetizer recipe, the ingredients, the directions and a cheat sheet walk-thru of how to make them step by step.
AND – as a helpful bonus – there is a complete grocery shopping list at the bottom to make it easy to buy everything you need to make these 10 appetizers.
1. Cranberry Brie Bites
Why they work: They look elegant and festive but take minutes to assemble.
Ingredients: Mini phyllo shells (freezer section) or crescent roll dough, wheel of Brie, cranberry sauce, chopped pecans.
Quick How-to: Place a small cube of Brie inside the shell/dough. Top with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of pecans. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes until bubbly.
2. Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip
Why this dip works: A comfort food staple that is impossible to mess up.
Ingredients: Frozen spinach (thawed/drained), can of artichoke hearts (chopped), cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, parmesan.
Quick How-to: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden and melty. Serve with tortilla chips or baguette slices.
3. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
Why they work: A nostalgic favorite with a modern twist.
Ingredients: Can of crescent roll dough, package of cocktail sausages (Lil’ Smokies), egg wash, “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning.
Quick How-to: Wrap each sausage in a small triangle of dough. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle generously with the seasoning. Bake according to the crescent roll package instructions.
4. 3-Ingredient Sweet & Spicy Meatballs
Why these work: You can make them in a slow cooker, keeping them warm all night.
Ingredients: Frozen precooked meatballs, jar of grape jelly, bottle of chili sauce (like Heinz).
Quick How-to: Dump the meatballs, jelly, and chili sauce into a slow cooker. Cook on High for 2–3 hours. The sauce turns into a delicious, sticky glaze.
5. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Why they work: The perfect mix of sweet, savory, and salty.
Ingredients: Pitted dates, goat cheese (or blue cheese), bacon strips (cut in half).
Quick How-to: Stuff a little cheese into each date. Wrap in a half-slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
6. Caprese Salad Skewers
Why they work: They add a fresh, light option to a heavy appetizer table.
Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze.
Quick How-to: Thread a tomato, a folded basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto a toothpick. Drizzle with balsamic glaze right before serving.
7. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds
Why they work: Low-carb, gluten-free, and looks very fancy.
Ingredients: English cucumber (sliced into rounds), herb-flavored cream cheese, smoked salmon, fresh dill.
Quick How-to: Pat cucumber slices dry. Spread a dollop of cream cheese on each, top with a small fold of smoked salmon, and garnish with a sprig of dill.
8. Antipasto Tortellini Skewers
Why they work: It’s a pasta salad you can eat with one hand.
Ingredients: Cheese tortellini (cooked and cooled), salami slices, marinated artichoke hearts, olives, Italian dressing.
Quick How-to: Thread a tortellini, a folded slice of salami, an artichoke heart, and an olive onto a skewer. Drizzle lightly with Italian dressing or pesto.
9. Whipped Feta with Honey
Why it works: It’s trendy, beautiful, and takes 5 minutes.
Ingredients: Block of feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, red pepper flakes.
Quick How-to: Blitz feta, yogurt, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth and fluffy. Spread on a plate, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve with warm pita bread.
10. Deli Pinwheels
Why they work: Great for prepping the day before; they hold up well in the fridge.
Ingredients: Large flour tortillas, cream cheese (softened), ranch seasoning packet, diced bell peppers, deli turkey or ham.
Quick How-to: Mix cream cheese with ranch seasoning. Spread over tortillas. Layer with meat and peppers. Roll up tightly, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least an hour. Slice into rounds before serving.
If you want to make ALL these appetizers for your New Years Eve party (or ANY party), here is a grocery shopping list of everything you’ll need:
