New Year’s Eve is the final big party of the year and the last big night of the prolonged holiday party season. You definitely want to celebrate, but you may be almost out of steam when it comes to elaborate events and time-consuming recipes.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of eight super tasty, super easy appetizer recipes that will help you ring in the New Year in good taste, with minimal time and effort. Before the New Year’s resolutions start, here’s your opportunity for one last night of holiday party culinary decadence.
Simple New Year’s Eve appetizers
Don’t stress on New Year’s Eve. These scrumptious appetizers are quick and simple picks.
The best dry-roasted chickpea recipe
Forget bowls of nuts or fattening and unhealthy potato chips; these dry-roasted chickpeas are absolutely addictive. You need just four simple ingredients: canned chickpeas, olive oil, salt, and pepper. We like mixing things up by adding different seasonings. Try dried Italian seasoning and a little garlic salt for an extra kick of flavor. Make them in the morning, and they’ll still be delicious when the party starts — and beyond. Pour into a bowl with a serving spoon and watch your guests keep coming back for more.
Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers
Clearly one of the tastiest appetizers you’ll find at any party, this one takes 30 minutes from start to finish. So simple to make, but no one needs to know. They’ll be wowed by the flavor combinations of salt and spice, and the jolt of heat from the jalapeños. Plus, any recipe that includes bacon is never a bad thing.
This tasty cocktail meatball recipe is easy, just as written, but you can cut down on the cooking steps by opting to go with frozen cocktail meatballs from your local grocery store’s freezer. The chili sauce and jelly create a flavorful glaze that is absolutely irresistible. To keep them warm for the duration of the party, serve in a slow cooker (set on warm) or in a chafing dish.
Everyone loves tacos, and this appetizer recipe lets your guests enjoy them in bite-sized bursts. Frozen mini phyllo shells stand in for traditional taco shells and give a tasty nesting spot for the filling made with extra-lean ground beef and packaged taco seasoning.
Spreads and dips
Some of the easiest — and most well-received — New Year’s Eve appetizers are dips and spreads. Whether hot or cold, they’re simple to make — and paired with crusty bread or crackers, they’ll satisfy your guests’ tastebuds and appetites.
The holidays are hectic, so any recipe that can be made in advance of a holiday party has our attention. This delicious baked artichoke dip can be made up to a day before. Store in the fridge (prior to baking), and allow it to rest on the counter for about a half-hour before popping in the oven. Serve warm with bread, crackers, or cut-up veggies.
Tip: Substitute Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and low-fat cream cheese for a healthier take on the recipe.
You can assemble this pepperoni pizza dip and have it in the oven in under five minutes, right in the oven-safe dish you’re serving it in! With only five ingredients — cream cheese, grated parmesan, grated mozzarella, jarred pizza sauce, and pepperoni — it’s virtually foolproof. Offer dippers of sliced Italian bread, breadsticks, garlic toasts, or bagel chips.
Served cold or hot, this crowd-pleasing spread combining canned crab meat, mayonnaise, and cream cheese gets a flavor boost via Dijon mustard and lemon-pepper seasoning. Serve with crackers, veggies, or pita chips.
A stand-out hit at any gathering, this spicy Buffalo chicken dip is made a whole lot easier when you start with a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Spiced but not too spicy, you can halve the amount of hot sauce for a milder dip or add more to make it extra spicy.
Whether you’re the host or a guest, these easy-to-make New Year’s Eve appetizer recipes are certain to be a hit at any party. Minimal time and effort, with maximum taste results, it’s the only way to ring out the old year and welcome in the new!
