If you’re not headed to New Year’s Eve events at Connecticut casinos, like Mohegan Sun’s Let’s Glow 2022 party or Foxwoods NYE22 shindig, you may be cooking up a party of your own.
Are you playing host this year? You’ll need more than a fully stocked bar to satisfy your guests. Here are 13 of the best appetizers to serve on New Year’s Eve and make sure your party’s rocking when the ball drops.
Lighter fare
Great for light bites during late hours, these appetizers are quick, satisfying, and won’t leave your guests full and sleepy.
Antipasto bites
A simple skewer that packs a flavorful punch. Antipasto bites are a great option for guests looking for Keto-friendly food. Brush these typical skewer choices lightly with Italian dressing before serving:
- Mozzarella balls
- Salami or pepperoni
- Pickled artichoke hearts
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
Or, make them Caprese bites as a great vegetarian option. To make them Caprese style load the skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves. Then smother with balsamic vinaigrette.
Cranberry brie bites
A delightful combination of tart and savory flavors, cranberry brie bites are a light and satisfying snack. Simply lay crescent dough squares in a muffin tin, top each square with a slice of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Bake until the dough is brown.
Prosciutto over grilled apples
Sweet and salty flavors abound in this simple, delicious appetizer. Tart apples are wrapped with savory prosciutto and then grilled to perfection. Top with goat cheese, nuts, and honey for a full-on flavor burst.
Traditional appetizers
If you are looking for the classics for a New Year’s Eve spread, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most popular choices.
Deviled eggs
You can’t go wrong with this tasty, protein-packed traditional appetizer. While it is usually made by whipping the yolks of boiled eggs with mustard and mayo and topped with paprika, the great thing about deviled eggs is their versatility.
You can add one of the below combinations for a unique twist on this classic:
- Bacon and a dollop of ranch dressing
- Buffalo sauce and blue cheese
- Lemon juice and dill
- Avocado and salsa
- Lime juice and sriracha
Cocktail meatballs
Cocktail meatballs are popular because they’re both simple and satisfying. Whatever sauce you use for them, whether you go with Swedish style or barbeque, simply place some toothpicks next to the meatballs and your guests can self-serve.
Pigs in a blanket
Beloved by adults and kids alike, the simplicity of a mini cocktail wiener wrapped in crescent dough can’t be beaten. Just bake and serve with dips like ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, and relish.
Indulge with fried snacks
If you know your guests will love the indulgent flavors of fried foods, these appetizers will steal the show. You can use a deep fryer or a good old-fashioned frying pan to prepare them.
Beer-battered fried pickles
Perfect for your Connecticut sports betting friends, who’ve probably seen these on game day at a sports bar. Use an IPA or any ale with a citrusy flavor for the batter. Serve with a tangy, Cajun dipping sauce or classic ranch for a show-stopping appetizer.
Mashed potato balls
Potato lovers will adore these fried balls of mashed potato goodness. Make sure you load the balls with flavors like bacon, cheese, and chives before you bread and fry. They’re great on their own, but you can also serve them with sour cream or ranch dipping sauces.
Fried ravioli
A twist on a classic Italian pasta. Keep it simple and buy pre-made ravioli and fry them up. Serve with marinara or alfredo dipping sauce.
Get wild with boozy bites
New Year’s Eve isn’t complete without some cocktails, but who says you can’t serve some liquor in your appetizers?
Bloody Mary skewers
Gather all the ingredients for Bloody Mary garnishes, choices are endless but a few are:
- pickles or cucumber
- celery
- carrots
- beets
- shrimp
- anything pickled… peppers, green beans, pearl onions
First, marinate the garnishes in a mixture of vodka, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, then stick them on a skewer once they’ve soaked up all the boozy flavors.
Boozy frozen grapes
For a sweet frozen treat, marinate grapes in wine or Champagne then coat in granulated sugar before freezing. These are great as a snack or for tossing in a glass of wine to keep it chilled.
Drunk shrimp cocktail cups
It’s like traditional cocktail shrimp but with a drunken twist. Make a cocktail sauce with vodka and serve it in shot glasses with a garnish of shrimp and parsley. It’s a fun, boozy twist on a classy appetizer.
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party is a breeze as long as the food and booze don’t run low. With the appetizer hits on this list, your guests will be satisfied until well after the ball drops.
