New Year's Eve may be an over-hyped holiday, but that doesn't mean you have to give up the celebrations entirely. I'm a big believer in staying home on New Year's Eve with some good friends, a few cocktails, and some really great New Year's Eve foods. After all, you're going to need something to soak up all of the champagne.
The best part about New Year's Eve is that it's a total finger food holiday. People are dancing, playing games, watching the celebrations on TV, and writing resolutions. Who wants to cook a sit-down meal and spend hours in the kitchen? The best way to do New Year’s Eve, even if you're not throwing a party, is by whipping up some easy, delicious foods to send out the past year. You don't have to abide by a certain theme or tradition, you just need to make stuff you like. And these 11 recipes are perfect for any type of New Year's Eve gathering. There's indulgences on the list, along with some healthy versions of your favorite appetizers to keep you going until at least 12:01. At that point, you have my permission to pass out and eat the rest of these foods for breakfast the next morning. (Healthy eating resolutions start January 2, OK.)
1Shrimp Cocktail Wonton Cups
Everyone loves shrimp cocktail, but this fun spin on a classic recipe from A Spicy Perspective is perfect for your New Year's Eve party. The shrimp cocktail wonton cups are made with a dollop of cream cheese baked into a wonton, and then covered with cocktail sauce and a nice, juicy, jumbo shrimp on top. Bite-sized, delicious, and super easy.
2Greek-Style Potato Skins With Hummus
These Greek-style potato skins with hummus from Blogging Over Thyme are a healthy alternative so you can indulge without feeling awful afterwards.
3Bacon Wrapped Smokies
There's got to be some protein on the table, right? Then you need to make these bacon wrapped smokies from Damn Delicious. I mean, one of the steps calls for "dredging the bacon wrapped sausage in brown sugar." Literally damn delicious.
4Sweet and Savory Cheddar Cheese Muffins
Muffins should basically be a food group and these sweet and savory cheddar cheese muffins from i am a food blog truly help the cause. Perfectly cheesy with a few green onions sliced inside, these muffins will be gone in no time.
5Bacon Jalapeno Popper Cheeseball
It's not a party without a cheeseball, y'all. From Mel's Kitchen Cafe, this bacon jalapeno popper cheeseball recipe is a must for your New Year's Eve. Incredibly easy and with all the flavors of the famed jalapeno popper (but none of the work), you'll want to keep this appetizer in your cooking arsenal.
6Baked Parmesan Edamame Bites
Edamame is one of my favorite, poppable snacks, but these baked Parmesan edamame bites with creamy wasabi dip from Averie Cooks are even better. With a crispy, Panko crust, the edamame bites are totally addicting and easy to serve at a party.
7Beer Soaked Sweet Potato Fries
French fries are my weakness so I can't wait to try these beer soaked sweet potato fries from Back to Her Roots. Trust me, this recipe is easier than you think and packs a lot of flavor.
8Pretzel-Crusted Crab Cake Sliders
These pretzel-crusted crab cake sliders from Kitchen Confidante may take a little time, but they will be worth it. With crushed pretzels instead of breadcrumbs to give your cakes extra crunch and a hummus and bacon topping, you just can't go wrong.
9Five Ingredient Supreme Pizza Poppers
Pizza in bite-sized form? Yes please. These five ingredient supreme pizza poppers from Cooking for Keeps are a definite crowd pleaser and way more delicious than a frozen box of Pizza Rolls.
10Easy Enchilada Beef Nachos
Nachos are the best party food ever, right? From Half Baked Harvest, these easy enchilada beef nachos are super simple and totally delicious with a homemade chipotle cheddar cheese sauce. This is the dish everyone will be hanging around. (So make a bunch.)
11Super Soft Sprinkle Pudding Cookies
New Year's Eve is all about the sparkle and confetti, right? Whip up Cookies and Cups's sprinkle pudding cookies as added decoration. (Though, fair warning, they aren't going to last long).
Images: Courtesy of A Spicy Perspective; Blogging Over Thyme; Damn Delicious; i am a food blog; Mel's Kitchen Cafe; Averie Cooks; Back to Her Roots; Kitchen Confidante; Cooking For Keeps; Half Baked Harvest; Cookies and Cups
