23 New Year’s Eve Party Food Ideas for Your Dinner Celebration

Whether you’re having a small party with just a dozen close family and friends or a full-blown bash with dozens of guests, these New Year’s Eve party food ideas are sure to please and keep everyone going strong to welcome the new year. 

New Year’s Eve party appetizers

Start the evening off with some appetizers that guests can munch on as they arrive. 

1. New Year’s Eve popcorn

Drizzle popcorn with melted dark chocolate and white chocolate. Stir to mix and add candy pearls and gold sugar sprinkles for a glamorous snack. 

2. Crab stuffed mushrooms

These yummy appetizers use cream cheese, crab, onions, and seasonings mixed and stuffed into mushroom caps and baked until golden brown. 

3. Filet mignon bites

Wrap tender bits of filet mignon in bacon strips, secure them with a toothpick, and broil to make this appetizer. They are delicious on their own or served with your favorite dipping sauce.

4. Spinach puffs

The humble pastry puff meets creamy spinach dip in this delicious recipe. These are easy to make with pastry dough, spinach, cream cheese, and basic pantry seasonings.

5. New Year’s charcuterie board

Start your charcuterie board by using cheese and deli meat to form the number representing the upcoming year. Continue adding grapes, crackers, dips, cheese slices, and meats to fill up the board. 

6. No-bake gouda stuffed pecans

Mix sour cream, gouda, and your desired spices, then place a small amount on a single pecan. Then, top with a second pecan. Chill for at least an hour. Sprinkle with roasted paprika before serving. 

New Year’s Eve party side dishes 

These veggie-based side dishes go over great at parties and are easy to prepare in advance. 

7. Roasted Brussels sprouts with honey glaze

Upgrade plain Brussels sprouts by cutting them into quarters and topping them with a sweet honey glaze. Roast until golden brown and serve.

8. Garlicky roast carrots

Side dishes don’t get much yummier than sliced carrots smothered in garlic and butter and roasted until tender. 

9. Celery salad

This is a unique salad that has something for all of your taste buds. It combines bitter celery, sweet dates, salty parmesan, and sour lemon dressing to create a food that appeals to every palate. 

10. Parmesan and rosemary potato stacks

Thinly sliced potatoes are covered in a buttery parmesan rosemary mixture, stacked an inch high, and baked until soft yet slightly crisp to form this savory side. 

New Year’s Eve main dishes

Serving your New Year’s Eve party guests with a buffet is a convenient and straightforward way to ensure they all find something they like. Try two or three of these meaty dishes for your party. 

11. Champagne shrimp scampi

Dress up a classic with a bit of champagne added to the sauce. Serve the shrimp and pasta with fresh salad greens and a light vinaigrette. 

12. Curry pepper popcorn chicken

This recipe comes together quickly by using popcorn chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, stir fry it with curry and chili peppers. Serve with a ranch dipping sauce. 

13. Lamb meatloaf with yogurt sauce

Ground lamb is mixed with cinnamon, cumin, and coriander to make the meatloaf for this savory dish. Serve it with a garlic mint yogurt sauce on the side.

14. Pineapple glazed ham

Dress up an ordinary ham roast with a pineapple glaze that adds sweetness plus spice and tang from hot sauce and apple cider vinegar. 

New Year’s Eve party desserts

What’s a party without dessert? Here are some of our favorite desserts that are stunning to look at and delicious. 

15. Boozy parfaits

Layer cubes of poundcake, liquor-infused whipped cream, and berries in glass bowls or stemmed glasses. Sprinkle with colored sugar. 

16. Champagne cupcakes

Guests will never guess that these cupcakes started with a cake dry mix. Add champagne to both the mix and the whipped cream for a delicious adult-only treat. 

17. White chocolate raspberry trifle 

Create layers of chocolate cake cubes, white chocolate pudding, and raspberry sauce in a large trifle bowl. Top with a layer of whipped cream and fresh raspberries. 

18. Black forest cheesecakes

These mini cheesecakes are showstoppers! An Oreo cookie layer forms the base and is topped with cheesecake and cherry pie filling. They are topped off with piped whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 

19. Peppermint fudge

Enjoy the creaminess of chocolate and the crunch of leftover candy-canes in a bite-sized piece of fudge. Add some brandy if the guests are over 21 and enjoy responsibly. 

New Year’s Eve cocktails

What’s a New Year’s Eve party without cocktails? Here are three to try at your party this year. 

20. Blackberry champagne punch

Fresh or frozen blackberries combine with champagne, brandy, and Grand Mariner for this delicious holiday punch. Garnish with sliced oranges and blackberries. 

21. Pear and ginger sparkler

This cocktail calls for three ingredients: pear juice, champagne, and ginger liqueur. Serve with thin slices of fresh pears and candied ginger.

22. Salted caramel bourbon iced coffee cocktail

Start with some cold coffee and add milk, bourbon, and salted caramel sauce for this caffeinated cocktail that will keep your guests going strong all night long. Garnish with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and toffee bits. 

23. Blue sparkling star

Orange-infused vodka, blue curacao, and champagne team up to make a delicious blue drink that your guests will love. Rim the glasses with blue or silver sugar for extra sparkle. 

Get New Year’s Eve party food delivered to your door

During December, you’ve got a lot going on with holiday parties at work and school, social gatherings, and family get-togethers. Give yourself a break this year and order your groceries online. Let an Instacart shopper pick up your order and deliver it to your door to save you time and the stress of shopping during the holiday season. 

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