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New Year’s Eve Appetizer Party Menu

December 27, 2016 By justalittlebitofbacon 12 Comments

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Looking for some ideas for a Mediterranean themed cocktail party? Well then, you’re in luck. This New Year’s Eve party menu is full of nibbles and noshes, both savory and sweet! It’s time to grab some fillo, pull out the olives, buy ricotta and pancetta, and lay in a few bottles of bubbly.

This New Year's Eve appetizer menu is full of all sorts of ideas for a Mediterranean small plates party: savory, sweet and cocktails too. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

I love putting together menus of appetizers even for just an average Saturday night. There is something about a  platter of nibbles that makes any night a little more special. 🙂 And what could be better for a special night, like New Year’s Eve, than to make a whole party of appetizers and small plates for people to enjoy?

I can’t think of anything!

And, of course, I had to include some desserts along with the savory treats and cocktails. A quick ricotta dip, which is perfect party food, and a new idea for my flourless chocolate cake.

So, have a party! You’re sure to find a few ideas here to include in your menu this New Year’s Eve. Eat, drink, and be merry. And end the night with a toast. May 2017 bring health and happiness to all.

Caviar and Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip

This is a seriously fast and easy dip which packs a pile of flavor into every bite! And caviar for New Year’s? Seems appropriate! Make this dip the night before or the morning of your party, then slice up some cucumbers and wrap them up in the fridge to be pulled out when the guests arrive.

Smoked salmon cream cheese dip is a great and easy holiday party appetizer and it's even better with salmon caviar added to the mix! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pears, Goat Cheese, and Pancetta Crisps

These canapes do need to be assembled just before they are to be enjoyed, but I think they are worth it! You can prepare the ingredients in the hours before the party, but don’t turn them into canapes until the end. If you want to make these, but don’t want to fuss with things, you can set them up as a ‘make your own’ platter so your guests can layer up the canapes themselves. Put them to work. 🙂

Pear slices and pancetta crisps combine with goat cheese and a drizzle of spiced honey in this unique and simple party appetizer. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Spinach Feta Fillo Triangles

Who doesn’t love fillo? It’s all crispy and flaky and just fun party food! And these spinach and feta turnovers are also so easy to make ahead since you can freeze them and then pop them in the oven when you’re ready to eat them. Assemble them a couple of weeks ahead and then you’re all done but the baking.

Spinach Feta Fillo Triangles - A great addition to a party or a fun side dish for a special meal, these Spinach Feta Triangles will be a hit with their classic combination of tasty spinach and salty, creamy cheese. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Italian Marinated Olives

Making marinated olives is super simple and super worth it. Herbs, citrus, and a little time transform ordinary olives into a great, crowd-pleasing party dish. Get this dish started a few days before and just spoon them into a bowl the day of! Add a mixed packet of cured meats and a burrata and you have a great appetizer platter all by itself.

Italian marinated olives are an easy party appetizer of mixed olives, citrus, and herbs which takes only a few minutes to put together. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Spanish Crab Cakes with Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Crab cakes make great nibbles for cocktail parties! You can make these a few hours before, then pop them in the oven to warm them up before your guests arrive. And the sauce? Amazing! It’s hard not to eat it with a spoon, but if you do you won’t have sauce for the crab cakes. So, be good!

Crab Cakes with Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce - Crab cakes take on Spanish flavors with these paprika spiced cakes which are served alongside a tangy roasted red pepper and cream sauce. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts

I hesitated to add these to the list, but they are so so good that I couldn’t resist! 🙂 Yes, you will need to be deep frying and doing it either during your party or shortly before the guests arrive, but you will be amazed at how yummy these sprouts are once you taste them. While they are best right out of the fryer, you can keep them in a 200F oven for about an hour.

Deep fried Brussels sprouts served with a sweet and tangy sauce are a yummy snack, an addictive appetizer, and a fun Thanksgiving dish. Gluten free and simple to make! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

5 Minute Tapenade Mayonnaise

Here is another super easy dip! I love dips I can just whip up at moment’s notice and that I can make ahead if I wish, and this tapenade does both while also being full of flavor. Anchovies, olives, capers, and garlic combine to pack a big punch!

5 Minute Tapenade Mayonnaise - Black and green olives combine with oil-packed anchovy fillets, capers, and a dollop of mayo in this quick, easy, and yummy tapenade. Great as a dip, a topping for bruschetta, alongside grilled meats and fish, or in any other recipe that needs a hit of flavor. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pomegranate Prosecco Cocktail

We now have a variety of savory noshes, and I think we all deserve a cocktail! I have two bubbly cocktails, both very simple to make, on my New Year’s Eve party menu. (If you want a great non-bubbly cocktail, I have developed a number of tasty beverages over the past year.) If you are up for pouring and mixing, then you are ready to make this cocktail! You can slip a few raspberries or a few pomegranate seeds into the glasses, and set them out all rimmed with sugar ready to be filled with bubbly.

Easy, delicious, and full of bubbles! This pomegranate prosecco cocktail has everything you need for a great holiday drink. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Raspberry Mint Prosecco Cocktail

Just as easy as the last cocktail, but you will need your blender for this one! Prosecco and raspberry sorbet are an excellent combination for a festive occasion. A bit of measuring and a quick whir in the blender and you’re ready to get the party started.

Raspberry Mint Prosecco Cocktail - Holiday entertaining is the time to bring out the bubbly and this prosecco sorbet cocktail is just the thing for a celebration. 5 minutes and 4 ingredients is all you need. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Ricotta Cannoli Dip

Just like I love easy and quick savory dips, I also love easy and quick sweet dips! And it doesn’t get easier, quicker, or tastier than this cannoli dip. All the fun of cannolis and none of the work. 🙂 Take 5 minutes to make the dip the day before or the morning of your party, and then all you have to do is put it out and step back.

This easy to make ricotta cannoli dip is full of cinnamon and fresh ricotta and topped with chopped chocolate. Perfect for a party! All the yumminess of cannolis without the fuss and bother of making and filling cannoli shells. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake

This cake can not only be done ahead of time, but you have to make it ahead of time! It is so much better when it has some time to mellow! So, plan on making this at least the day before or even two days ahead. And I have a great cocktail party serving tip! Cut the cake in a checkerboard pattern – with a sharp knife and a cloth to clean the blade so it cuts smoothly – then put on raspberry on the top of each square and a toothpick through the raspberry. Dust the ‘cake bites’ with confectioners’ sugar just before serving if you wish and you will have beautiful little bites for people to enjoy.

This easy flourless chocolate cake is amazingly dense, rich and decadent. Every bite is packed with intense bittersweet chocolate flavor. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

This New Year's Eve appetizer menu is full of all sorts of ideas for a Mediterranean small plates party: savory, sweet and cocktails too. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

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Comments

  1. Carol Del Gallo says

    January 5, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    I am looking for roasted castelvetrano olives wit orange and rosemary

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      January 6, 2017 at 10:23 am

      That does sound tasty! The only castelvetrano olive recipe I have so far is the marinated olives, but I’ll keep this idea in mind.

      Reply
  2. Romain says

    December 31, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    I can’t believe I didn’t find this post until too late for New Year’s Eve. I’m pinning it for next year and I think I’m serving those deep fried brussel sprouts as a side dish for New Year’s dinner. Your photography skills are incredible BTW. Really impressive.

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      January 1, 2017 at 8:14 am

      Good choice on the brussel sprouts! And thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

    December 31, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    I love appetizers pretty much any night of the week!! What a great collection you have here. Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      December 31, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      I’m there on apps for any occasion, including Tuesday. Happy New Year to you too!

      Reply
  4. Lisa | Garlic + Zest says

    December 31, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    The photos in this post are gorgeous — I love how you’ve captured the texture and light! Beautiful– and very tasty!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      December 31, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      Thank you, Lisa! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Carmy says

    December 31, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    All these cheese dishes are making me giddy! I love cheesy apps!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      December 31, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      🙂 I clearly love cheesy apps too!

      Reply
  6. Mary says

    December 31, 2016 at 10:30 am

    What a great bunch of ideas for a New Year’s Eve party! I love the small plates concept for a celebration like NYE!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      December 31, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks! I enjoy small plates anyway, so it seemed perfect for New Year’s.

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Annemarie

Welcome to my kitchen! I’m a Italian-American girl who loves fresh foods, local ingredients, and all sorts of comfort foods. Here you will find Mediterranean flavors and recipes from a New England perspective.

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