Celebrating the new year means lots of dancing and partying. But the celebration is not complete without all those delectable New Year finger food!
So, I came up with these party food recipes that are super quick to make for a crowd. After all, stress is the last thing we want on the first day of the year.
You can put some of these together to create one festive party buffet. Best of all, they can make even the pickiest tastebuds water!
1. Lettuce Cups
Wait, vegetables for a party? Why not! The best way to welcome the new year is to have something healthy.
Plus, this New Year finger food should complement your barbecue spread. All you need are strips of carrots, cucumber and capsicum.
Put some in a whole lettuce leaf, and voila! You have a great-tasting wrap that goes with any sauce for dipping.
If you want, you can even add bits of chicken, pork or shrimp into each healthy parcel.
2. Layered Dip and Chips
Chips are the ultimate party finger food, no matter the occasion. Everyone loves them, and you can opt for store-bought bags to lessen cooking time.
As for the dipping sauce, serve it in individual glasses or plastic cups. Then, fill each with a spoon of your favourite party dips. But don’t mix them up.
Add them in a clean layer instead, so they look pretty in the cup. Some of the things you can put together are refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, grated cheese and olives.
With this New Year finger food on the table, everyone can double dip as much as they want!
3. Chicken Tenders and Fries
They’re crunchy, tasty and, yes, a little greasy. But no one will say no to crisp chicken fillet! I love serving this because it takes no time to make. Plus, you won’t have to worry about leftovers.
I like to serve my chicken tenders with baked zucchini fries. They would look extra enticing when stacked in paper cones or plastic cups.
If you cook them in the oven together, you get to save time and energy, too. You can also deep-fry or air-fry your chicken and veggies if you like.
These should go perfectly well with your lettuce wraps or salad cups.
4. Mac and Cheese Bites
Do you have mac and cheese fanatics at home? Here’s how you can turn this classic into New Year finger food. Combine breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with butter to make the crust.
Spoon some onto a greased mini muffin tin, pressing it flat. Then set it aside. You can also use muffin cups or liners if you want.
Cook your favourite mac and cheese recipe and stir a beaten egg or two into the mixture. It will act as your binder.
Next, spoon the mac and cheese into your prepared tin, then bake for 20 minutes or until golden and crisp. Garnish the top with chopped spring onions, parsley or crispy bacon. Yum!
5. Puff Pastry Pockets
We all love bite-sized mince pies. But they can take time to make. So, when I want things fast and delicious, I grab frozen puff sheets, ready-made sauces, some deli and cheese instead.
With these simple ingredients, you can make lots of mini pastry pies that bake in no time. Some flavours you can try are four cheese, bacon and egg or pepperoni pizza.
You can make veggie or fruit fillings, too. To save time, cook your pie filling in advance. When it’s time to party, all you have to do is roll out your pastry and bake!
6. Fruit and Cheesecake Dip
Cheese and grazing boards (and wine!) are perfect for celebrating the New Year. But since we’re keeping things kid-friendly, let’s put a hint of sweetness into this popular combo.
Here’s what I do. I mix cream cheese, brown sugar, lemon juice and cream in a bowl. The consistency of your cheesecake mixture should be thick enough to work as a dip.
Before serving with sliced fruits, top your cream cheese dip with crushed butter or Anzac cookies. This New Year finger food idea is an excellent alternative to fondue.
7. Christmas Pudding Truffles
Leftover pudding? No problem! You can put a fun twist to this Christmas treat and turn it into a delicious New Year dessert.
Just warm up your pudding in the microwave, then use a spoon to portion it into truffle-sized balls. Use a fork to drop each ball into melted chocolate.
Then transfer the chocolate-coated balls into shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cocoa powder or sprinkles. You can also learn more about repurposing Christmas leftovers from my previous article.
8. Strawberry Brownie Kebabs
Here’s another New Year finger food that repurposes your Christmas dessert. All you need are fresh strawberries, leftover brownies or cake, and marshmallows.
To assemble, alternately poke your ingredients through the bamboo skewer. Place your sweet kebabs on a platter, then drizzle each with hot chocolate sauce.
I love how simple this treat is and yet looks so pretty on the table. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser for sure.
With your food table ready, all that’s left are the décor and activities. These New Year party ideas should wrap up your fun get-together.
Happy New Year!
