15 Fast and Fancy Appetizers for New Year’s Eve

updated Dec 15, 2022

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Credit: Michael Wiltbank

When I was growing up, we usually made our annual New Year’s Eve gathering a whole appetizer spread, bringing out platter after platter as the clock drew closer to midnight. Now, I firmly believe ringing in the New Year requires plenty of two-bite hors d’oeuvres that feel fancy and festive. If you feel the same, here are 15 easy appetizers that definitely fit the bill.

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Grab a bag of potato chips and get ready to dive into this clam dip that's packed with creamy, briny, and lemony flavors.

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Togarashi Deviled Eggs

Thanks to extra-rich Kewpie mayonnaise and togarashi, a Japanese chili pepper-based spice blend, these deviled eggs are a cut above your average garden variety.

3 / 15

Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

There's not better way to ring in the new year than to learn how to make stuffed, never soggy, mushrooms with big pops of umami and satisfying amounts of cream cheese.

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Charcuterie Board

The assortment of meats and cheese on a board looks great, has a little something for everyone, and is infinitely customizable.

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Raspberry Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip

A sweet and savory dip made with three simple ingredients: cream cheese, raspberry pepper jelly and Ritz crackers.

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Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraîche Kettle Chips

Top potato chips with smoked salmon and suddenly they're a classy cocktail snack. Add some bubbles and you have a fast and fancy party.

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Flaky Garlic Bread Pinwheels

A quick and easy puff pastry appetizer that also happens to be freezer-friendly.

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Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade

A quick buzz in the food processor and this tapenade — chock full of Nicoise olives, sweet roasted red peppers, and lemon for a big citrus-y punch — is ready after only a few minutes of prep time.

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Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Almonds

These bacon-wrapped dates more than make up for it in flavor. They’re super easy to make, require very few ingredients, and we’ve never had a single one left over after the party.

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Stuffed Peppadews with Parmesan & Salami

Crunchy and sweet with a tiny bit of heat, and hollowed out just to be stuffed with Italian salami and Parmesan cheese, these little hunks are make a great appetizer for New Year's Eve.

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Cheese Gougères

Looking for an easy-to-make appetizer or an alternative to dinner rolls? These cheese puffs are the ticket.

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Baked Ricotta with Lemon, Garlic, & Chives

This easy-to-bake dip brings any store-bought cheese ball to shame. Feel free to scoop up with toasted bread slices or with nutty crackers.

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I love making this classic broiled clam dish with bacon and bread crumbs for a dinner party appetizer — it feels special, but is so very simple.

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Smoky Puff Pastry Stars

If you have a box of puff pastry in your freezer, you pretty much have everything you need to make this appetizer. What shapes to cut out is entirely up to you, but stars have the superb razzle-dazzle for New Year's Eve.

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Salmon Rillettes

Creamy but light, flavorful without being overpowering, think of salmon rillettes as salmon’s answer to paté. It’s a spread that’s sure to impress, and it’s deceptively simple to make.

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