New Year’s Eve Snack Ideas
I’ve gathered up lots of delicious ways to ring in the New Year with some easy New Year’s Eve snacks. Whether it’s dips, sliders, finger food, French fries, easy slow cooker recipes, or fancy cheeseboards, I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration in this list.
Cold Dips
These dip recipes are quick and easy – perfect for a last-minute appetizer or make them ahead to have on hand.
Pimento Cheese: A quick 10-minute pimento cheese dip is a must-make for the holidays! It’s a simple mix-and-serve appetizer made with sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, peppers, and mayonnaise otherwise know as a combination of flavors that’s hard to resist.
Jalapeno Popper Spread: This jalapeno popper dip is an easy appetizer recipe. You can make it a day in advance and serve it with crackers or chips. It has all of the flavors of bacon-wrapped jalapeno wrappers but is served up cold and creamy as a dip instead.
Tzatziki Dip: This recipe is a quick and easy spread or dip that takes just minutes to make. It’s a good idea to plan ahead so the sauce has time to chill in the fridge, so all of the flavors develop. It’s garlicky and flavored with fresh dill and just a hint of mint. Serve it as a dip with pita and veggies for an easy appetizer.
Easy Homemade Salsa: This salsa is not watery, not too thick, and full of fresh flavors from tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeno. This is a cooked salsa recipe that is ready to go in less than 30 minutes. It’s full of fresh flavors and so easy to make.
Blue Cheese Dip: Cool and creamy Blue Cheese Dip is the best dip for buffalo chicken wings, veggie sticks, or crackers. It’s easy to make in about ten minutes and can be made ahead.
Green Onion Dip: Green Onion Dip is a cold dip recipe that you can make ahead! It’s creamy, full of fresh flavor.
Cowboy Caviar Guacamole: Cowboy caviar combined with creamy guacamole is a quick and easy dip recipe loaded with fresh flavors. It has avocado, beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, and fresh lime juice all mixed up and ready for a big bowl of tortilla chips to go with it.
Smoked Salmon Spread: This smoked salmon spread is full of flavor from fresh herbs, capers, and smoked salmon, plus a rich and creamy sour cream and cream cheese base. It takes about ten minutes to make and keeps in the refrigerator for several days.
Hot Dips
I love a hot dip, and these recipes are some of my favorites! There are a few cheesy, melty, delicious dips that are perfect for scooping up with chips, veggie sticks, and crackers.
Slow Cooker Queso Blanco: This easy queso is a creamy white cheese dip made with two kinds of cheese, spices, and garnished with tomatoes and cilantro. Make it in your slow cooker for an easy dip – everyone will love it!
Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip: Creamy, hot spinach artichoke dip is a super easy baked appetizer – just mix, bake, and serve. It’s cheesy, creamy, and perfect with tortilla chips, crackers, and veggie sticks.
Green Chile Cheese Dip: This green chile dip is super easy – just mix, bake, and serve! It’s rich and creamy with a delicious green chile flavor.
Easy Microwave Cheese Dip: This smooth and creamy cheese dip has real cheese (no wobbly blocks of cheese product required!), cooks up in the microwave in just a few minutes, and goes great with some chips and guacamole on the side.
Cocktail Meatballs
I love a party cocktail meatball and these are some of my favorite recipes to make.
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs: These meatball bites are so easy to make (the sauce has just two ingredients!) and are a great holiday treat. You can make them up to a day in advance and warm them up when you’re ready to serve them.
5-Ingredient Garlic Meatballs: All you need is a slow cooker and five ingredients to make these honey garlic cocktail meatballs.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: These spicy baked meatballs are a great appetizer with the same flavor as the classic wings but easier to make and less messy. The meatballs are tossed in the spicy wing sauce – serve them with blue cheese dip and veggie sticks for a fun party snack.
Raspberry Chipotle Meatballs: These sweet and spicy cocktail meatballs are an easy slow cooker appetizer.
Bar-Style Snacks
Just because you stay in for New Year’s doesn’t mean you need to miss out on some favorite bar snacks! Nachos, quesadillas, fried cheese sticks, and super easy fries are just a few to choose from.
Steak Quesadillas: This sheet pan quesadilla recipe, with gooey melted cheese and tender steak in every bite, is so easy! This oven method is an easy way to make four at a time plus the prep work is quick, too.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers: Baked jalapeno poppers wrapped in crispy bacon and stuffed with a zingy cilantro-lime cream cheese filling. These are the quintessential party food and always a hit.
Loaded Cheese Fries: These fries are easy to make with frozen fries, a simple cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions!
Chili Nachos: These nachos topped with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, cilantro sour cream, and green onions is a great way to use up leftover chili.
Crispy Panko Shrimp: This is an easy appetizer or snack with some sauce on the side for dipping. The breaded shrimp are so easy to make (no deep-frying!) and great for parties.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas: This baked quesadilla recipe is a fun twist on traditional quesadillas. It’s easy to make, too!
Garlic Parmesan Fries: These fries are so easy, thanks to store-bought frozen French fries. A few ingredients like garlic-infused olive oil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley turn plain fries into restaurant-style fancy fries in no time.
Chorizo Nachos: Another baked nachos recipe that’s great for parties, game days, or whenever you want to make a big batch of nachos to share. The combination of crispy tortilla chips. creamy cheese sauce, spicy Mexican chorizo, and pico de gallo is so delicious.
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks: This recipe makes a big batch of cheese sticks that you can freeze and fry in small batches whenever you get a craving. The fried cheese sticks are crispy on the outside with melted oozing cheese on the inside.
BBQ Chicken Nachos: Layers of chicken, cheese, BBQ sauce, and tortilla chips – these BBQ chicken nachos have it all!
Super Easy Cajun Fries: If you need a super easy appetizer or snack these Cajun fries are the answer. Three ingredients, ten minutes of prep time, and 20 minutes of baking time. They come out of the oven hot and crispy with a delicious garlicky and smoky seasoning.
Easy Steak Nachos: Thin-sliced sirloin steak, creamy pepper jack cheese sauce, and diced jalapeno are all layered on crispy tortilla chips. Pop them in the oven so they’re nice and hot, and serve them with your favorite nacho toppings.
Fancy-ish Appetizers
Feeling fancy for New Year’s this year? Here are some ideas that look impressive but are easy to make.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry: Brie wrapped in puff pastry is a flaky, buttery, warm cheese appetizer perfect for holidays and parties. It’s so easy to make with just four ingredients! Serve it with crackers and fruit for an elegant and delicious easy appetizer.
How to Make a Cheeseboard: Learn how to make a cheeseboard loaded with cheese, cured meat, and other delicious bites. I’m sharing my tips for the best cheeseboard, including the best base to use and how to pick the ingredients.
Sausage Rolls with Apple and Sage: Savory sausage, apple, and sage wrapped up in warm, flaky puff pastry – they’re so delicious. Plus, they’re easy to make!
Bacon and Chive Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs are always a favorite appetizer and these ones are topped with crispy bacon and sliced chives for a pop of color and freshness.
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Bundles: These puff pastry wraps are easy to make and switch up with different fillings. Make them with ham and Swiss cheese, or swap them out to change the flavor. They are a great snack for parties.
Holiday-Spiced Candied Pecans: Spiced nuts are a fun holiday recipe! They have a wonderfully crispy coating and sweet and spicy flavor – they’re perfect for sharing or to have on hand as a festive crunchy snack.
Sandwiches, Sliders, and Pinwheels
These sandwiches and sliders are perfect for sharing!
Italian Sandwich Sliders: These baked Italian sliders are a great combination of salty/sweet with a tangy kick from banana peppers. They’re easy to prep and great for parties.
Bacon Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels: If you love jalapeno poppers, you will love these easy tortilla pinwheels. They have all the same great flavor but wrapped up in tortillas instead. It’s an easy no-cook appetizer.
Loaded Pizza Sandwiches: Loaded pizza sandwiches with salami, pepperoni, provolone and mozzarella cheese, olives, green peppers, and fresh herbs. Slice and share this big sandwich for a fun holiday snack.
Crispy Baked Chicken Sliders: These baked chicken sliders are a delicious bite for a holiday party!.
Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches with Cheddar Cheese Sauce: These cheddar roast beef sandwiches are quick and easy thanks to a simple cheddar cheese sauce. They’re a fun snack for a holiday night in!
Roasted Red Pepper Pinwheels: More pinwheels! For this version, I combined roasted red peppers with fresh basil and cream cheese for a simple and delicious roll-up. I’m also sharing ideas for other versions you’ll want to try, too.
More Holiday Recipes
Happy cooking,
Oh my gosh, April…I’m totally famished now. So many great and uncomplicated ideas here. Hope you’re having a great holiday season. xox
Just discovered your site. I am so hungry now! All of snack ideas sound wonderful. Looking forward to discovering more of your recipes.
Oh, thank you! Hope you find some recipes to try!
All of these sound and look WONDERFUL! Now my dilemma is which ones to make. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!