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62 New Year’s Eve Recipes For Eating & Drinking The Night Away

NYE is ALL about the apps (and not just those 12 grapes for good luck!)

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chopped spinach, marinated artichokes, and three types of cheese rolled into flaky puff pastry, topped with everything bagel seasoning, and baked until golden brown
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, why not start it with your party? And by that we mean pledge to start the year on the right note and take some stress off your plate by ditching dinner in lieu of party food like dips, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails! On the one hand, it'll cut down on the mess of forks and knives without sacrificing good eats, and leave you more room for what’s important—celebrating having made it through another year! We’ve included 62 of our favorite party foods for you here, including some fun spins on ones guaranteed to bring you good luck this year (12 boozy grapes at midnight, here we come 😉).

What kind of food you serve this New Year’s really depends what kind of party vibe you’re going for. Are you having more of a wine-and-cheese-style soirée? Go for our cornbread stuffed mussels, our bacon-wrapped dates, our black-eyed pea bruschetta, or our bagna cauda. They’re all just a little bit fancier than your average fare, perfect for serving to dressed up guests.

Throwing more of a relaxed get-together, everyone in comfies watching those suckers freezing their butts off at the ball drop in Times Square? Serve up classic crowd-pleasers, like nachos or a cheesy dip, but with a little good luck spin. Try our pulled pork nachos or sausage rolls (pork represents progress); our pub beer cheese with pretzels or our mozzarella-stuffed pretzel bites (pretzels for prosperity); or our smoked salmon crostini or smoked trout spread (fish for abundance).

Looking for something in the middle? Try the high-low approach, where you utilize nicer ingredients in approachable ways. Check out our mushroom “calamari”, our baked brie wreath, or our fondue bites to see what we’re talking about. They're a little of of the ordinary, but not so much so as to seem like you tried too hard.

And don’t forget drinks! We included a few of our top contenders here, like our holiday punch, tiramisu white Russians, or our Champagne margaritas, but check out even more New Year’s drink ideas here too.

1

Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites

pepper jelly and cream cheese bites
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you're a big fan of a block of cream cheese served alongside a jar of pepper jelly, this is the app for you. It's a slightly elevated spin that doesn't take too much extra effort, thanks to store-bought puff pastry.

Get the Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bites recipe.

2

12 Grapes Cocktail

glasses of champagne filled with 12 green grapes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

In many parts of the world, people eat 12 green grapes in the first sixty seconds of the New Year to bring good luck in the year ahead. Although, speaking from experience, when the clock strikes midnight, 12 grapes doesn't seem such a simple task. Enter a simpler, and tastier option: the 12 grapes cocktail.

Get the 12 Grapes Cocktail recipe.

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3

Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites

lobster mac and cheese bites
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The perfect bite to start any party is one made of mac and cheese and lobster. Here we use a combination of heavy cream, sharp cheddar, and nutty gouda cheese along with sweet shallots and garlic to form a simple, yet decadent canvas for the real stars, pasta and lobster. Our favorite part about these mini bites? How crispy the exterior gets, plus the addition of black pepper on top that really makes them pop.

Get the Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites recipe.

4

Confetti Cookie Dough Ball

chocolate chip cookie dough ball rolled in sprinkles served with pretzels and nilla wafers
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Drop this confetti cookie dough ball on the table this New Year's Eve, and watch it disappear before the clock strikes midnight. All you need to do to create this edible cookie dough masterpiece is to create a cream cheese-chocolate chip cookie dough mixture, then roll it in the sprinkles of your choice. Switch up the sprinkles for your desired holiday, and you've got a showstopping, easy dessert idea to use all year long.

Get the Confetti Cookie Dough Ball recipe.

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5

Spinach Dip Rolls

chopped spinach, marinated artichokes, and three types of cheese rolled into flaky puff pastry, topped with everything bagel seasoning, and baked until golden brown
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Only doing passed apps, but really craving spinach artichoke dip? These rolls are the answer. To create this easy app, chopped spinach, marinated artichokes, and three types of cheese are rolled into flaky puff pastry, topped with everything bagel seasoning, and baked until golden brown.

Get the Spinach Dip Rolls recipe.

6

Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites

smoked gouda grits, breaded and fried until crispy then topped with cajun seasoned shrimp and creamy remoulade sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The combination of creamy grits and spiced juicy shrimp in a holy trinity-spiked sauce is a match made in heaven. You can eat it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and now…you can finally have shrimp and grits in appetizer form. For our take on the two-bite version of this classic dish, smoked gouda grits are breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy, then topped with saucy Cajun-spiced shrimp and a flurry of fresh scallions.

Get the Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites recipe.

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7

Champagne Jell-O Shots

champagne jello shots decorated with sprinkles
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Looking for a fun and sophisticated way to get a little tipsy? Whip up a batch of Champagne Jell-O shots for your next New Year's Eve party. These elegant treats are a classy twist on the traditional Jell-O shot, and are perfect for any festive occasion—not just college parties. Made with Champagne, lemonade, vodka, and powdered gelatin, they offer a delightful high-low pairing, much like serving caviar with potato chips.

Get the Champagne Jell-O Shots recipe.
8

Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

pretzel bites topped with salt with mozzarella in the middle
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These mozzarella-stuffed pretzel bites are the perfect after-school or game day bite-sized appetizers. The best part is that they’re made with just three ingredients: store-bought pizza dough, mozzarella cheese sticks, and flaky salt.

Get the Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites recipe.

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9

Crab Cake Egg Rolls

jumbo lump crab, tossed with mayo, chili garlic sauce, and old bay seasoning, folded in a wonton wrapper, then deep fried until deep golden brown and crisp
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

These two-bite beauties combine the decadence of a crab cake, and the crisp-chewy texture of your favorite take-out egg rolls all into one platter-friendly package.

Get the Crab Cake Egg Rolls recipe.

10

Tiramisu Dip

tiramisu dip
RACHEL VANNI PHOTOGRAPHY LLC F/S/O RACHEL VANNI

What do you do when you’re craving tiramisu, but you don’t have the time or patience to chill it for hours? Enter tiramisu dip. It’s got all the right flavors—creamy mascarpone, rich espresso, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder—and it comes together in just 10 minutes.

Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.

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11

Prosecco Grapes

grapes covered in a sugar mixture
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Give grapes a festive upgrade with New Year's appropriate Prosecco (though any sparkling wine will work). We went for green, but any type of grape you like is great for these.

Get the Prosecco Grapes recipe.

12

Cheese Ball Bites

cheese ball bites with pretzel sticks
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These easy bites are perfect for any holiday celebration. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out or even make one huge cheeseball instead!

Get the Loaded Cheese Ball Bites recipe.

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13

Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce

sausage stuffing bites with cranberry sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Some people love a classic homemade turkey stuffing, while others prefer a cornbread stuffing, sausage or oyster stuffing, or a vegetarian cranberry stuffing. The only thing better than any of these stuffing recipes? MORE. STUFFING. Enter a bite-sized, stuffing-centered appetizer with a tangy, three-ingredient dipping sauce. Not just for Thanksgiving, these savory bites are perfect for any fall or winter gathering.

Get the Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce recipe.

14

Carbonara Deviled Eggs

carbonara deviled eggs topped with pecorino romano and crispy pancetta
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If deviled eggs had a classy Italian cousin, she would be these carbonara deviled eggs. Loaded with cheese and topped with crispy pancetta bits, these carbonara deviled eggs are coming to rock whatever party they join.

Get the Carbonara Deviled Eggs recipe.

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15

Meatball Sub Egg Rolls

meatball sub egg rolls topped with chopped parsley and marinara
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This herby and cheesy deep-fried hybrid is essential party food and will steal the show at your next tailgate. They're exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you'd find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don't want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.

Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.

16

Giggle Juice

pink cocktail with sliced strawberries and lemon
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This fruity drink is filled with moscato, pink lemonade, and vodka, which is pretty much the most irresistible drink combo. This punch makes up to 8 servings, so it's ideal to get the party started for a crowd. Whether you're serving this big-batch cocktail up at your New Year's Eve celebration or your next girls' night in, this sweet and fruity cocktail is sure to have you and your guests giggling together in no time.

Get the Giggle Juice recipe.

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17

Smoked Salmon Crostini

crostini topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion and capers
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Smoked salmon has been endlessly married with cream cheese, and we're not tired of it. In fact, we encourage it full-on. Whether it’s smoked salmon dip or in a pasta, there is no denying the perfection of this combo. So, for a quick hors d'oeuvre, like this salmon crostini, we couldn’t shy away from it.

Get the Smoked Salmon Crostini recipe.

18

Sour Patch Grapes

red, yellow, and green colored sour patch green grapes on a light pink background
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Eating 12 grapes as midnight is supposed to bring good luck, so why not make it extra fun! This magical recipe transforms green grapes into a sweet-and-sour snack that tastes suspiciously like Sour Patch Kids.

Get the Sour Patch Grapes recipe.

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19

Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks

layers of russet potatoes soaked in fresh thyme, seasoned half and half, and parmesan layered thinly sliced ham and topped each with melty cheddar cheese
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Fans of our viral potato au gratin stacks, gather 'round! These cheesy scalloped potato and ham stacks are bound to be your next go-to app. They're just like the OG, but to make them their own thing, we added thinly sliced ham and topped each stack with melty cheddar cheese.

Get the Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks recipe.

20

Antipasto Squares

stacked sandwiches with layers of ham, pepperoni, cheese, and pepperoncinis between crescent dough
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Antipasto salad gets even better when layered between flaky, buttery crescent rolls. Feel free to swap in and out your favorite ingredients, then serve these as an anytime app (or an easy packed lunch the next day!).

Get the Antipasto Squares recipe.

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