16 New Year's Eve Appetizers That Will Get the Party Started

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated November 22, 2019
Bryan Gardner
Start your New Year's celebration off with these memorable appetizers, made with party-worthy ingredients such as oysters, shishito peppers, and plenty of cheese.
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Credit: Bryan Gardner

If there's one day of the year that's worthy of a party, it's New Year's Eve. From getting dressed up in dazzling outfits to toasting with a glass of Champagne at midnight, there's nothing quite like a celebrating in style. Our appetizer recipes for New Year's Eve are sure to get the party started. From casual party bites like Spicy Chicken Wings with Harissa and Guacamole Without Tomatoes to more elegant appetizers such as Grilled Oysters with Compound Brown Butter and a showstopping Egg-and-Caviar Dip, these appetizers are the perfect bites to enjoy while celebrating the new year to come.

When it comes to entertaining, we're all about make-ahead dishes that can be served at room temperature. That's why we're such a fan of this vegetarian Mushroom-Gruyere Tart. The whole dish can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator, covered, overnight; just bring it to room temperature before serving. Another make-ahead winner is this Mixed-Olive Tapenade, which is a flavorful accompaniment to a cheese and charcuterie board.

If your party is going to err on the side of casual, serve a crowd-pleaser like our Pull-Apart Cheesy Pesto Bread. On a cold winter night, there's nothing better than a comforting slice of rich, warm bread. Just as crowd-friendly and comforting is Classic Cheese Fondue. Who doesn't love getting to mix and match cubes of bread and fresh vegetables, then dipping them in a savory batch of ooey-gooey melted cheese?

Welcome the new year (and wish the old one adieu) with these special New Year's Eve appetizer recipes.

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Grilled Oysters with Compound Brown Butter

Credit: Paola + Murray
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A raw bar is always an exciting way to serve seafood on a special occasion. Keep things cozy and casual with grilled oysters, which will warm up guests. Serve with a nutty brown butter on top, a savory departure from mignonette sauce.

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Mushroom-Gruyere Tart

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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The best kinds of appetizers are the ones that can be made in advance and served at room temperature. This tart checks off both boxes—and tastes divine.

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Egg-and-Caviar Dip

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Egg dip may not seem elegant, but once it's topped with trout roe, it becomes a whole different story. Serve it fresh with crackers and watch as it disappears spoonful after spoonful.

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Creamy Artichoke Ranch

Credit: Petrina Tinslay
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A light, fresh, and, dare we say it, healthy dip that comes together in a flash (or rather a few quick pulses in the food processor). Make it right before guests arrive, then enjoy the minimal clean-up.

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Mixed-Olive Tapenade

Credit: William Abranowicz
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Whether you serve it on its own, or as an accoutrement to a charcuterie board, these warm, savory olives are sure to be a party hit.

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Spicy Chicken Wings with Harissa

Credit: Lennart Weibull
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Wings are a crowd-favorite beyond game day. Make this red-hot appetizer when you want to fire up your guests at a casual gathering and get them excited for the new year.

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Feta-Stuffed Shishitos in Phyllo

Credit: Justin Walker
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Many people have had blistered shishito peppers, but not like this. They're stuffed with a cream cheese and feta filling, then wrapped in store-bought phyllo dough and baked until golden brown.

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Pimiento-Cornmeal Croquettes

Credit: Justin Walker
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Celebrating New Year's in the South (or just dreaming of warmer weather)? These fried appetizers are just the recipe for the occasion. You can make them a couple of weeks in advance, then simply reheat when it's time to serve.

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Shrimp and Crudité Platter with Two Sauces

Credit: Justin Walker
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This stunning platter has pretty much everything you need for an elegant, crowd-friendly New Year's Eve party—poached shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, raw vegetables, steamed broccoli, and baby new potatoes. Feast on it until the clock strikes 12!

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Pull-Apart Cheesy Pesto Bread

Credit: Lennart Weibull
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Earthy pesto? Check. Aromatic garlic? Check. Stringy, melty cheese? This super-indulgent garlic bread hits all the marks and we can't get enough.

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Guacamole Without Tomatoes

Credit: Martyna Szczesna
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If you're not a fan of tomatoes or just want to make a very green guacamole, this recipe is for you. Is it possible that we hardly miss the tomatoes (it's just that good)?

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Classic Cheese Fondue

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Rich and gooey, fondue is a fun, interactive appetizer that guests will love. The key is using tiny cubes of high-moisture Gruyère cheese and Emmental Cheese, both of which melt into an endless stringy pull.

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Baked Brie with Boozy Fruit

Credit: Aya Brackett
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Our picture-perfect baked brie wrapped in store-bought puff pastry is one for the books. Ground pecans are folded into the dough before it cloaks the cheese for a nutty flavor.

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Labneh Dip with Caramelized Onions and Fennel

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Tangy labneh, a thicker version of strained yogurt, is fabulous on its own, but once you top it with sweet caramelized onions and anise-y fennel, it takes on a whole new savory life. Serve with crackers, pita bread, or crudité.

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Spicy Shrimp Dip

Credit: Armando Rafael
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Shrimp and dip—both are popular party appetizers on their own, so why not put them together? Minced serrano chiles give a kick to this unexpected party starter.

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Scott Peacock's Quick-Pickled Crudités

Credit: Con Poulos
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Pickling vegetables is a great way to preserve them in the winter months. This speedy version uses seasonal produce such as baby carrots, turnips, beets, and fennel for one colorful, eye-catching board.

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By Kelly Vaughan