25 Easy New Year’s Eve Appetizers for Stressed-Out Hosts
Now that your friends have peer-pressured you into hosting a last-minute New Year’s Eve bash, cue the panic: What the heck are you going to serve? Here, 25 appetizers that are easy, festive and filling. (Come on, you need something to soak up all that Champagne and booze.)
1. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
These are everything you love about wings, minus the sticky hands. We’re eating everything on a stick in 2020.
2. Baked Brie with Figs, Pistachio and Orange
The secret to a great party has nothing to do with booze. It’s oozy baked cheese served in a cast-iron skillet and topped with honey and thyme.
3. Deviled Eggs Three Ways
You’ve heard that the key to being a great host is to give your guests choices. Behold these deviled eggs with roasted garlic, sriracha or capers—take your pick. (Or have all three.)
4. Roasted Mixed Nuts
Strategically place bowls of these tasty homemade roasted nuts around the living room for a fancy addition to your NYE party.
5. Whipped Feta Avocado Crostini with Pomegranate
Whether you’ve hired servers with silver trays or planned a buffet, include Monique Volz’s party-worthy play on avocado toast. Take crostini and top it with whipped feta and avocado, then garnish with pomegranate arils.
6. Cheesy Bacon Holiday Crack
We’ll let the title of this recipe speak for itself. (Hint: Serve it after a few rounds to shake things up.)
7. Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board
Feeling like you need something green to balance out the cheese, meatballs and other gluttonous fare? Cue this gorgeous and festive salad board.
8. Boursin Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon
You might want to keep this bowl of caramelized onion, cheese and bacony goodness close to the kitchen. (It’s safer there, right?)
RELATED: 10 Warm and Gooey Cheese Appetizers You Need in Your Life
9. Dairy-Free Butternut Squash “Fondue”
A snack vegan guests can eat, and it doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece. (You multitasker, you.)
10. Mozzarella Bites
Tiny fried balls of mozzarella cheese? Sign us up...and everyone else at the party, too.
11. Italian Bruschetta Bar
Let this app do the hard work for you: Guests can assemble their own crostinis with toppings like olive tapenade, prosciutto and herbed cheese.
12. Eggplant Parm Bites
On nights when appetizers serve as the main meal, hearty dishes are a welcome addition to the buffet. Case in point: eggplant parm bites with marinara dipping sauce.
13. Easy Baked Goat Cheese Marinara Dip
Free up some oven space because the hostess with the mostess will definitely want to bake this goat cheese marinara dip. Serve it with toasted bread and plenty of “yums.”
14. French Onion Cups
Want to look fancy without putting in too much work? Try these French onion cups baked in puff pastry—the store-bought kind.
RELATED: 29 Bite-Size Appetizers That Prove Everything Is Better Smaller
15. Spinach Goat Cheese Mini Quiches
It’s only fair to have a few healthy options, right? Thanks to almond-meal crust, these little guys are low in carbs and packed with protein.
16. Mini Quesadillas
It’s time to eat cheese and tortillas like it’s 2020. (Oh wait, it is.)
RELATED: The Best Appetizer Recipes in the Whole Entire Universe
17. Cucumber Canapés with Whipped Feta, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil
Quick, it’s 15 minutes until the party and you need one more snack. Grab the food processor to quickly whip feta for Maria Lichty’s delightful treat.
18. Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip
Extra cheese is the secret ingredient in Heidi Larsen’s addictive spinach and artichoke dip. We’ll just need a spoon, thanks.
19. Holiday Cheese Board
No party is complete without copious amounts of cheese. Take it up a notch and adorn it with fruit, cheese, charcuterie and everyone’s favorite mini pickles, cornichons.
20. Smoked Salmon Crostini with Herbed Mayonnaise
Katie Workman’s crostini is basically our dream appetizer: It’s best served at room temperature, you can make it ahead of time and smoiked salmon is involved.
21. Garlic Cheese Flatbread
We know you’re not “supposed” to eat garlic at a party, but too bad. Midnight kiss, schmidnight kiss.
22. Spicy Harissa Black-Eyed Pea Dip
Prove to your guests that crudités are anything but boring—Gena Hamshaw’s spicy harissa dip with veggies is as yum as it gets.
23. Spicy Chili Crisp Grilled Cheese
What do you get with three ingerdients and six minutes? The ultimate spicy grilled cheese, full of cheddar and chilis. (And a great pairing for all that Champagne.)
24. The Perfect Easy Mezze Platter
Sometimes the best appetizers don’t even involve cooking, like a giant mezze platter filled with hummus, tabbouleh and lavash.
25. Pear, Cranberry and Brie Mini Tartlets
Mini phyllo dough shells make a seriously delicious base for Aida Mollenkamp’s savory Brie and cranberry tartlets. (Try spicing things up with a jalapeño garnish. Thank us later.)
RELATED: 39 Appetizers for a Crowd That Are Easy and Unexpected