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We’ve got several New Year’s Eve appetizers that are perfect party finger foods.

 

And that's a good thing because while some New Year’s Eve parties consist of a full, sit-down meal, the majority of them have tables of food that guests can pick at to their hearts' delight. Finger foods are a must for these types of parties. Anything that requires a knife and fork will most likely go untouched. Anything that can be quickly popped in the mouth without interrupting the flow of conversation will go quickly. 

 

So, whether you are hosting the party and need ideas or you just need one dish to take to a party, you’re sure to find a New Year's Eve appetizer idea that appeals to you in this list.

 

Cherry Tomatoes Filled with Creamy Pesto Cheese – The filling for these yummy little tomato bites can be made two days in advance and stuffed into the tomatoes shortly before serving. Basil, garlic and pine nuts — the classic pesto ingredients — are mixed together with reduced-fat cream cheese for the creamy filling.

 

Bruschetta with Peppers and Gorgonzola – Sautéed red and yellow peppers will look festive on top of these cheese-topped toasts. Gorgonzola's strong flavor will complement the sweetness of the peppers, but any blue cheese can be used for this bruschetta.

 

Brown Sugar and Rosemary Cashews – Place a bowl of these sweet and salty nuts on an end table, and they’ll go fast. Rosemary and cayenne pepper spice up these nuts that take less than 20 minutes to make in the oven. (Almonds can be substituted for the cashews.)

 

Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear – Instead of topping bread with a classic cheese and pear combo, this New Year’s Eve appetizer uses crisped pancetta as the base. These are super easy to make, yet will look impressive on the table.

 

Mini Crab Cakes – These crab cakes have a few fillers to help them stick together, which is perfect when you want crab cakes as finger food. They are baked in mini muffin tins and can be made a day ahead of time and reheated. They also freeze well unbaked.

 

Apricot and Rosemary Baked Brie Bites – This appetizer recipe uses apricot preserves on top of creamy Brie in a little tart, but Brie works well with so many different fruits. If you received a jar of homemade preserves as a holiday gift, this is the perfect recipe to use it in.

 

Wild Mushroom Pate with Parmesan Toasts – No animals were harmed in the making of this pate that trades liver for a variety of dried and fresh mushrooms sautéed with herbs, butter, Brandy and white wine. Rye cocktail-sized bread is toasted with Parmesan as the base for this fancy appetizer, and then the entire thing is sprinkled with chives.

 

Marinated Olives with Lemon and Herbs – This simple, DIY recipe can be used as a stand-alone New Year’s Eve appetizer or used as part of a cheese tray. It takes less than 15 minutes to put together, but needs at least two days to marinate in the refrigerator. It’s a great make-ahead dish that won’t have you scrambling at the last minute.

 

Indian Spiced Vegetable Fritters – Accompanied by a curry-lamb yogurt, this appetizer will bring a definite international flair to your spread. These fritters need to be served almost immediately after frying, but the first batches can be kept warm in the oven while you’re finishing the last batches.

 

Got other ideas for New Year's Eve appetizers? Leave us a note in the comments below.

 

Also on MNN: Want more ideas? Check out MNN's recipe archive