We may love cooking for the holidays, but after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah, we’ll admit that by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, we’re a little burnt out on the elaborate feast-making. And it feels like we’re not alone — maybe this very feeling of cooking fatigue is the reason why New Year’s Eve parties seem to be all about the appetizers. But just because you’re serving finger food doesn’t mean it can’t be delicious. Thanks to some of the most popular celebrity chefs, there are plenty of recipes out there for making simple, easy New Year’s Eve appetizers that will still blow your guests away.
Some of these recipes are semi-homemade, using store-bought shortcuts like frozen puff pastry, chips, and breads to save you time. But those shortcuts are joined by homemade components that pack in tons of flavor. Then there are the simple New Year’s Eve appetizers that only require a handful of ingredients to be fabulous, like Martha Stewart’s peel-and-eat shrimp, or Alex Guarnaschelli’s rosemary and pecorino popcorn.
If you need a few easy New Year’s Eve appetizer recipes before your party, check out these simple starters and finger foods from your favorite celebrity chefs. You’ll wind up with a few different snacks that feel festive enough for greeting the new year, but that will leave you with enough energy after making them to really let loose and have fun at your party.
The Pioneer Woman’s Cheese Straws
Store-bought frozen puff pastry is the secret to these easy cheese straw appetizers (we like the all-butter puff pastry from Trader Joe’s). They get topped with sharp white cheddar, Parmesan cheese, and sesame seeds for a little flair.
Get the recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Jeff Mauro’s Quick Cannoli Dip
Looking for an easy sweet appetizer? Try Jeff Mauro’s quick cannoli dip, which has the flavors of the Italian classic, minus the work. Serve with cinnamon-sugar pita chips, wonton triangles, vanilla wafer cookies, and fresh fruit.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Giada De Laurentiis’ Ricotta Bruschetta with Sweet & Spicy Tomatoes
It takes less than an hour to make this Italian-inspired appetizer from Giada De Laurentiis. Homemade hot honey, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a fluffy whipped ricotta top toasted ciabatta or baguette slices for a fancy but easy party snack.
Get the recipe from Giadzy.
Martha Stewart’s Pan-Fried Sardines
Tinned fish girlies, this one’s for you! If you’ve stocked your pantry with canned sardines but haven’t been sure of how to use them, then Martha Stewart’s easy cornmeal-coated fried sardines are the perfect recipe, and they’re fancy enough for New Year’s Eve. Season with salt and pepper or your favorite spice blend, and serve with lots of lemon wedges.
Get the recipe from Martha Stewart.
The Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Cocktail franks might seem boring, but slow cooking them in Ree Drummond’s tangy, sweet, chipotle-spiced sauce turns them into an irresistible appetizer that’s perfect for parties.
Get the recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Ina Garten’s Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a party appetizer staple, but how can you make them fancy enough for New Year’s Eve? Follow Ina Garten’s lead by adding smoked salmon to the filling, and topping each one with salmon roe.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Guy Fieri’s Italian Stuffed Jalapenos
Rather than serving the standard jalapeno poppers, try making Guy Fieri’s Italian Stuffed Jalapenos for your New Year’s Eve party. The peppers are stuffed with three cheeses, Italian sausage, and onions and peppers for max flavor. Serve with marinara or sweet chili sauce.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Sunny Anderson’s Caribbean Chicken Wings
Sunny Anderson’s chicken wings get a huge flavor boost thanks to her Caribbean-inspired marinade that doubles as a wing sauce. The baked wings are brushed with the reduced marinade until they’re shiny and glazed with sweet and spicy flavor.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Kardea Brown’s Crab Dip
Make Kardea Brown’s cheesy dip the star of your New Year’s Eve party by making sure to source quality crab claw meat for the recipe (skip the canned stuff if you can). Mix the ingredients together, bake until bubbly, and serve with chips and toasted baguette.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Mei Lin’s Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Make Mei Lin’s Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe easier by opting for frozen meatballs, so you can focus on creating the tangy, sweet, sticky sauce. Toss the frozen meatballs and the sauce together in the slow cooker, and you’ve got a memorable NYE recipe.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Ina Garten’s Pan-Fried Onion Dip
Chips and dip are an easy party classic, but you should skip the store-bought dip this year. Instead, make the Barefoot Contessa’s pan-fried onion dip, which takes the original to the next level. Feeling extra-fancy? Top the dip with a few spoonfuls of caviar. Now that’s a simple recipe still worthy of New Year’s Eve.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Martha Stewart’s 3-Ingredient Peel-and-Eat Shrimp
Succulent cooked shrimp tossed in Old Bay and melted butter — could an appetizer be any easier? Martha Stewart’s simple pairing suggestions include lemon slices, hot sauce, and cocktail sauce.
Get the recipe from Martha Stewart.
Alex Guarnaschelli’s Pecorino and Rosemary Popcorn
Popcorn can totally work as an appetizer for NYE if you dress it up a little bit. Alex Guarnaschelli gives her popcorn the star treatment by cooking it in extra virgin olive oil, then seasoning it with fried rosemary and grated pecorino cheese.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Bobby Flay’s Fire Roasted Low-County Oysters
Fire up the grill and get ready to wow your guests with this actually pretty easy recipe from Bobby Flay. Grilled oysters are dressed in a simple spicy tarragon butter, and voila — you’ve got a party-worthy appetizer.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
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