Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve

Whether you are planning a virtual New Year's Eve party or a sit-down dinner with a few family and friends, you'll likely need a few appetizers to remain full and satisfied before dinner begins. To choose the perfect New years appetizers, there are a few tips and tricks you should follow. At Bob's Red Mill, we want your New Year's Eve (and day) to be perfect. To help out with this year's party planning, we've recruited some of our food experts to help you find the perfect appetizer, whether you are planning an extravagant or casual meal. Follow the guidelines and recipes below to ensure your New Year's Eve is a success.

Choose an Appetizer That Will Accommodate All Guests

Before you decide which appetizer to make, it's vital that you first figure out how many people will be attending your gathering. Because this year's event is likely smaller than years past, you won't need to make as much food. Figure out your list of invites, confirm attendance and start lining up appetizer recipes. When inviting guests, it's essential to inform them that dinner is part of the event. Doing so will ensure that they come ready to eat, saving you from having too many leftovers. When planning a typical gathering of ten or fewer, we recommend lining up at least three appetizer selections. Here are a few of our favorite appetizers that can easily accommodate small groups.

Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chickpeas

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog If you're someone who loves snacking, then you're sure to enjoy this Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chickpea appetizer. Take garbanzo beans to new heights this New Year's Eve and turn them into a dish that guests will love. For added flavor and texture, sprinkle on a blend of spices and pop these beans into the oven. They'll transform from creamy legumes into a crisp, flavorful and addictive snack. Made with wholesome, good-for-you ingredients, this appetizer is one you can eat without feeling guilty afterward.

Savory Cheesy Sausage Balls

Just the name of this appetizer has our mouth-watering! An excellent recipe for the holidays, these Savory Cheesy Sausage Balls are a real crowd-pleaser. Easy to prep the day before, these sausage balls can be popped in the oven the day of while you're spending time celebrating with the family. Fully cooked in just thirty minutes, it's the perfect dish to surprise your guests with.

Soft Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog A classic appetizer dish, this Soft Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is perfect for accommodating children and adults. In this recipe, delicious sausage is wrapped in a fluffy, tender dough that's made with our millet and brown rice flour. An easy to grab finger food, this snack is one that guests will return to the table for time and time again. Serve these pigs in a blanket with sides of ketchup, mustard and BBQ sauce to complete the dining experience.

Select Appetizers Based on the Time of Day

When planning out appetizers, you'll want to determine when your guests will be eating them; morning, afternoon or evening. The time of day your gathering is held will help guide you when picking out appetizer recipes. Save the half dollar pancakes for a brunch gathering and leave sliders for the evening.

Choose Appetizer Flavors That Will Enhance Your Meal

Appetizers come in many varieties and flavors. Salty, sweet, creamy, light, hot and cold. If you can think of a winning flavor combo, an appetizer can be made with it. When choosing appetizers for your New Years' Eve gathering, make sure that you set up a well-balanced table that accommodates everyone's taste preferences. Sweet appetizers may appeal to some and not others. At the same time, baking only salty appetizers will leave everyone running to the drink table. A full-flavor appetizer table will not only curb guests' hunger cravings; it will also set the vibe for the event and keep guests mingling happily. To help you figure out which type of New Years appetizer to make this season, we've outlined our favorites below.

Garden

Garden appetizers are those loaded with veggies. They can be raw or cooked and provide both taste and nutrition.

Spinach Quinoa Bites

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog If youre looking for healthy holiday cooking recipes, this is a great place to start. The ideal garden appetizer, these Spinach Quinoa Bites are excellent vegetarian options for meatballs. Loaded with nutritious veggies and protein-packed quinoa, they're just as flavorful as they are healthy. Serve them on a party platter with marinara sauce, or use them to top a bowl full of pasta.

Protein

Protein appetizers commonly include meats, eggs and cheese recipes. They're a great way to keep guests satisfied while dinner cooks.

5 Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders

Are you looking for a protein-based appetizer dish? This Five Ingredient Almond Chicken Tender recipe is both gluten free and kid-friendly. Not to mention, it's delicious! In this recipe, tender, juicy chicken is coated in seasoned almond flour and baked to crispy perfection. Serve these chicken tenders alongside honey mustard or BBQ for the perfect dipping sauce.

Snacks

Snack appetizers are among the most favorite on the list. They include nuts, chips and pretzels and can be paired with other appetizers for added flavor.

Cheese Crisp Crackers

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog Skip the store-bought snacks and make these homemade Cheese Crisp Crackers instead. Savory, gluten free and oh-so-delicious, these crackers pair perfectly with cheese, dips, jams and cured meats. They're also wonderful to snack on, on their own and make for the ideal portable snack.

Carbs

Carbs are the most filling kind of appetizer and you mustn't add too many to your holiday table. This type of appetizer includes bread, dumplings and finger sandwiches.

Brazilian Cheese Buns

A popular and traditional snack, liven up your New Year's Eve celebration with these Brazillian Cheese Buns. These buns are so light and flavorful you'll find yourself biting into them over and over again. Their light texture is paired with creamy cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses for a satisfying blend of flavors. Easy to bake, these buns are the perfect snack to make for gluten free guests.

Dips

Like snacks, dip appetizers are commonly paired with other appetizers to provide a boost of flavor. Common dips include hummus, guacamole and salsa.

Dairy Free Spinach Artichoke Dip

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog A dairy free version or the popular cheesy appetizer we all know and love, this Dairy Free Spinach Artichoke Dip is overflowing with rich, creamy flavors. It's full of "cheesy" goodness, thanks to dairy free cream cheese and nutritional yeast.

Upgrade Buffet-Style Appetizers

To keep multiple hands from touching the food, set out appetizers in a buffet style and let everyone choose their own. By providing guests with appetizer grabbing utensils like forks and toothpicks, you can ensure the food remains untouched until it hits the plate. An upgraded buffet style set up will also provide guests with the freedom to take only what they wish to eat. When setting up a buffet-style appetizer table, be sure to plan for multiple servings. Because guests will be able to reach for what they want, they're much more likely to go back for another round when they want.

Veggie Chinese Dumplings

Best Appetizers for New Year's Eve | Bob's Red Mill BLog A festive way to celebrate the Chinese New Year, bring tradition to life and make these festive Veggie Chinese Dumplings. A favorite of many, dumplings are a light appetizer yet filling enough to keep you full and happy until dinner time. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, or enjoy them as is! We're confident this is one appetizer recipe your guests will rave about.

Choose Appetizers That You Can Prepare Ahead of Time

Choosing appetizer recipes that you can prepare before your event allows you to spend more time with guests the day of. When planning out appetizers, choose those which use non-perishable food items and fruits and veggies that can be frozen. Prepare your appetizer recipes at least a day before your gathering, so you're less stressed on New Year's Eve.

Hazelnut Cranberry Walnut Tart

A sweet and savory appetizer dish, this Hazelnut Cranberry Walnut Tart can be made a day beforehand, leaving you with more time to spend with guests on New Year's Eve. In this winter tart, cranberries, herbs and slices of brie are combined, creating a real showstopper. A recipe nearly as beautiful as it tastes, it pairs perfectly with a warm fire and glass of wine.

Make Appetizers That Don't Require Much Dishware

One-pot appetizers and handheld ones are excellent options when you don't want to be left with a mound of dishes. Because these recipes can be made and eaten without additional dishware or utensils, they offer a much easier cleanup. And there you have it! A complete list of the best New Years appetizers to serve this year. From savory, cheesy sausage balls to dairy-free artichoke dip, we're confident that there's a recipe on this list you and your guests will enjoy. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy New Year! Have a fun appetizer recipe that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Let us know what it is in the comments below.  
Bob's Red Mill
December 28 2020

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