Welcome the New Year with a bang! Whether you are looking for New Year’s Eve finger foods, creative appetizers, cocktails, or simple desserts to impress your guests, our top recipes are perfect for your New Year’s Eve celebration.

This round-up of New Year’s Eve recipes includes some of our most popular recipes, such as Black Eyed Peas Salad, Bread Dipping Oil, and Goat Cheese Dip. But those are just the tip of the iceberg, so scroll down to find your next recipe for your menu.

new year's eve cocktails and appetizers round up photo

Delicious & Easy To Make Cocktails for Your NYE Party

No New Year party is complete without a signature cocktail. Here are a few of our favorites ranging from classic margaritas to Kentucky mules.

01

Pineapple Margaritas


Person pouring in pineapple margarita in a glass.

Whether you like it frozen or on the rocks, these pineapple margaritas are great for any party, especially if they are accompanied by guacamole and nachos on the side.


02

Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas


Fan of spicy Mexican food? Then this cilantro-infused Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas recipe is for you. This is a 5-minute cocktail recipe that is sweet, salty, and spicy all at the same time.

A woman is photographed from the front view as she is holding a spicy jalapeno margaritas in her hand.

03

Mango and Blackberry Vodka Cooler


This vodka cooler has been one of the most popular recipes on Foolproof Living, and for a good reason. Fresh (or frozen) mango and blackberries muddled with fresh mint, mixed in with vodka, and garnished with blackberries. I recommend making extra because, believe me, your friends will be asking for seconds.

NYE cocktail mango cooler in a glass garnished with blackberries.

04

Kentucky Mule


Are you a fan of Moscow Mule? Then try this Kentucky Mule recipe. It is the ultimate holiday party cocktail. Not to mention, it is a great cocktail for Bourbon lovers. Made with only 3 ingredients, it comes together in just a few minutes.

Moscow Mule Recipe garnished with mint held by a woman.

05

Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini


If you love lemon drop martinis, try this version made with raspberries (or any berries you can get your hands on). It is refreshingly delicious, visually appealing, and takes 5 minutes to make.

A woman is photographed as she is pouring raspberry lemon drop martini into a cocktail glass from the front view.

Quick and Easy Appetizers For Your New Year’s Eve Gathering

01

Texas Caviar Recipe


This Texas Caviar is the best way I know how to incorporate black-eyed peas into your NYE celebrations. It comes together rather quickly and can be served as a salad or a snack with chips on the side.

A big bowl of Texas Caviar from top view

02

Muhammara


It is no secret that delicious dips are a must for any New Years’ Eve celebrations. And if you want to try something new, this Middle Eastern red pepper walnut dip is a must. It comes together in a food processor, and its leftovers make the best spread the next day.

And if you are a fan of serving dips, be sure to also try my Carrot Hummus and Eggplant Yogurt Dip recipes.

A bowl of muhammara recipe is photographed from the top view

03

Meat and Cheese Platter


No New Year’s Eve party menu is complete without a cheese board! Whether you need some help putting it together or you simply want to know about the best cheeses for charcuterie board, check out this post on how to put together a charcuterie platter with matching cheese and wine ideas.

Meat and Cheese Platter (Charcuterie Board) served with wine on the side

04

Spicy Candied Nuts


You can’t have a party without nuts. Ditch the store-bought candied nuts and try my spicy candied nuts recipe. They are naturally sweetened with cane sugar and flavored with cinnamon, cumin, red pepper flakes, and ginger.

Spicy Candied Nuts photographed in a cheese plate setting along with fruits, crackers, and cheese from the top view.

05

Mascarpone Stuffed Dates


Whether you serve them as an appetizer or a dessert, these mascarpone-filled warm dates are out of this world. Top them off with walnuts, pomegranate arils, and a drizzle of honey to make them even more delicious.

Mascarpone Stuffed Dates topped off with pomegranate arils photographed close up from the top view.

06

Bread Dipping Oil


You know how when you go to an Italian restaurant and as soon as you sit down they bring dipping oil with warm bread to the table? This is the recipe for that dipping oil. Packed with dried or fresh herbs, it is one of the most popular New Year’s eve appetizers on the blog ever since it was published back in 2019.

I serve it with my olive bread, and people go crazy for it.

Olive oil bread dip as New Years appetizer

07

Vegan Greek Nachos


If you are serving health-conscious friends, these vegan nachos are what you should serve them. Served with pita chips (instead of fried corn chips) topped off with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and chickpeas and drizzled with homemade herbed tahini dressing, it is the perfect appetizer for a crowd.

Vegan Greek Nachos photographed from the top view.

08

Chicken Nachos


If vegan nachos are not for you, then you should try these sheet pan chicken nachos. Made by layering tortilla chips with cheese, shredded chicken, black beans, and tomatoes, these nachos will get everyone around the table.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Nachos Photographed from the top view from a closer view.

09

Cheesy Apple Bites


The easiest appetizer that you can put together in no time. Simply slice apples thinly, spread each slice with blue cheese (cream or feta cheese would also work) and sprinkle them with chives and pomegranate arils.

Cheesy Apple Bites photographed from the top view.

10

Oven Baked Goat Cheese Balls


Herbed goat cheese rolled in crackers and baked in the oven for a crunchy outside and soft inside. This make-ahead-friendly appetizer can be served as a part of my Warm Goat Cheese Salad or by itself as an impressive tasty bite.

Be sure to make an extra batch because I know for a fact that these will be the first ones to disappear on your NYE buffet.

A woman is photographed as she is placing a plate of baked goat cheese balls on a plate.

11

Avocado Deviled Eggs


These no-mayo avocado deviled eggs are the perfect finger food for any party. Flavored with capers, jalapeños, and cilantro, they are easy to make.

Avocado Deviled Eggs garnished with radishes photographed from the top view.

12

Baked Goat Cheese Dip


A combination of goat cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese whipped with olive oil and baked in the oven for perfection. Serve warm with crackers, veggies, or fruits for a warm appetizer for any goat cheese lover.

Are you a lover of goat cheese? We are too! So much so that we have a page dedicated to helping you figure out What To Make with Goat Cheese.

Baked goat cheese dip served with veggies, fruits and crackers.

13

Black Eyed Pea Salad


If you follow the Southern tradition of serving black-eyed peas to bring luck and prosperity in the new year, make this black eye pea salad a part of your New Year’s eve cocktail party menu. It is a great salad recipe that is also a crowd-pleaser.

Lucky black eyed pea salad as a part of NYE party menu idea.

14

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in The Air Fryer


I think we can all agree that no party is complete without a gooey mozzarella cheese stick with a delicious marinara sauce served on the side. I make mine in the air fryer as it is the quickest way to cook them. If you have an air fryer, try this recipe! It takes 10 minutes from start to finish, and it is great for a crowd.


Healthy Sweets For Your New Years’ Eve Party

01

Almond Flour Chocolate Cupcakes


These flourless chocolate cupcakes are made in a bowl in less than an hour. They are made with gluten-free almond flour and minimally sweetened with maple syrup.

And if you can’t get enough of chocolate, check out my round-up of healthier, easy chocolate desserts.

Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes topped off with strawberries

02

Mini Lemon Tarts


These mini lemon tarts are the perfect bite-sized dessert for a crowd. They are filled with ricotta-lemon filling and topped off with blueberries. They are so easy to make with only 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time.

Mini Lemon Tarts

03

Almond Flour Cookies


These vegan and gluten-free almond flour cookies are packed with chocolate chips. Made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients and in less than 30 minutes, they are the perfect cookie to serve at your NYE party.

Almond flour cookies with chocolate chips

04

Cranberry Poached Pears


If you want a dessert that is on the lighter side, try this honey-sweetened cranberry poached pears recipe. I served it with mascarpone to balance out the sweetness and for extra creaminess. They come together rather quickly and make an impressive winter fruit dessert.

A bowl of cranberry poached pears served with mascarpone and hazelnuts

05

Baked Brie with Berry Compote


Take the classic French brie and turn it into a masterpiece! This baked brie recipe is somewhere between an appetizer and a dessert. Simply bake brie in the oven and top it off with homemade blackberry compote and candied pecans.

Baked Brie with Blackberry Compote and Spicy Candied Pecan

15+ New Years Eve Appetizers, Cocktails, & Desserts – Texas Caviar Recipe (A Reader Favorite)

5 from 3 votes
Yields4 servings
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
This Texas Caviar recipe is a reader favorite during the New Years Eve celebrations. I think it is mostly because it uses black eyed peas in the recipe, comes together easily, and feeds a small crowd.

Ingredients 

For The Dressing:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 4 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika sweet or hot
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced

For The Caviar Dip:

  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed*
  • 1 15 oz. can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed*
  • ½ cup whole corn kernels I used canned corn, but drained it first
  • 3 scallions both white and green parts are chopped
  • cup red onion chopped finely or diced
  • 3 small bell peppers chopped, approx. ¼ cup
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes sliced thinly
  • ½ ripe avocado cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro rinsed and chopped

To Serve With (Optional)

  • Your favorite hot Sauce
  • Tortilla Chips

Instructions 

  • To make the dressing: Whisk together the oil, lime juice, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, honey and garlic. Set it aside.
  • For the Texas Caviar dip (or salad): Place, black beans, black eyed peas, corn kernels, scallions, red onion, bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and fresh cilantro in a bowl.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Give it a gentle mix.
  • Taste for seasoning and add in if necessary.
  • Add in a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce (if using) and serve with tortilla chips.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 886mg | Potassium: 994mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1201IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @foolproofliving or tag #foolproofeats!

About Aysegul Sanford

Hello Friend! I'm Aysegul but you can call me โ€œIce." Iโ€™m the cook/recipe-tester/photographer behind this site.

If youโ€™re looking for approachable, yet creative recipes made with everyday ingredients, youโ€™ve come to the right place. Here, weโ€™re all about recipes thatโ€™s been meticulously tested to provide you with a truly foolproof cooking experience regardless of your level of cooking.

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5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Everything looks so inviting and scrumptious.
    This texas caviar salad has been a staple for us at special dinners since I saw it on your blog a while ago. Will definitely make it for tomorrow night. I will pick a few more recipes from this list. Perfect timing!
    Wish you and your family a very happy new year!

    1. You too Amy. We just made some of that Texas Caviar and our friends seem to be enjoying it.
      Wishing you a happy new year as well. Cheers!

  2. 5 stars
    What an amazing round-up for New Year celebrations! Would love to gobble up those vegan Greek nachos with you! White wine would be on us ๐Ÿ™‚ Cheers!

  3. I was looking for fun cocktails and snacks for New Years Eve, and I knew you’d have amazing ideas for both of these! I came straight to Foolproof Living and found all I need! Thanks for a great website!

    1. Awww that is such as sweet comment. Thanks Kerry. I really appreciate your sweet comment. Wishing you and yours a happy new year.