Whether you’ve been invited to a New Year’s Eve party or are hosting the party in your Arizona home in order to show off that gorgeous new kitchen we just designed for you, appetizers and finger foods are some of the easiest foods to make. If you choose New Year’s Eve party recipes that are just right, the foods will be easy to prepare, easy to transport, require minimal care at the party, and will be tasty at just about any temperature.

What appetizers and finger foods offer all this? Well, the possibilities are endless, but here are only a handful of ideas.

1. Fruit Kabob Skewers

Choose fruits of a variety of deep colors and layer them onto skewers. If you need to drive to the party, it’s easy to place them into a container and head out. If the plan is to barbecue at the party, grilling the fruit kabobs adds another layer of mouthwatering flavor.

Try these grilled fruit kabobs with a cinnamon honey glaze from iheartnaptime.com.

2. 7-Layer Dip

Mexican dip is a party favorite for a reason. It’s fun and simple to make, colorful, easy to transport, and can be made ahead of time. Serve it with pita chips, tortilla chips, or buttery crackers. You should avoid leaving it out for more than a couple hours, but otherwise, it won’t require much of your time at all during the party.

Try this 7-layer fiesta dip from McCormick.

3. Five Bean Salad

Full of various colors and textures, five bean salads are as easy to make as they are satisfying to eat. It’s also a healthy addition for your menu, and it’s a perfect vegan option. Because it is oil-based, it can be served and consumed at room temperature or chilled.  You can therefore make it ahead of time, set it out, and spend the rest of the time celebrating the start of the new year.

Try this bean salad recipe from allrecipes.com.

4. New Year Cheese Ball

Festively themed for the famous dropping of the ball at Times Square, a variety of recipes are available for cheese balls, many of which include bacon, cream cheese, herbs, or pecans. Serve the ball with a variety of crackers, chips, and pretzels.

Try this bacon ranch cheese ball recipe from addapinch.com.

5. Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno poppers will add a little kick to your New Year’s Eve party recipes. Most are made with cream cheese, but you can make them your own with other cheeses, olives, or other ingredients.

Try these bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers from allrecipes.com.

With great food and good friends, this can be your best New Year’s Eve yet.  In addition to this New Year’s Eve appetizers and finger foods blog, see our main course and drink recipe ideas as well. In the meantime, we wish you a festive and safe New Year’s Eve and a fantastic 2019!