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31 appetizers to mix and match for your NYE bash

Small bites, dips, spreads and special finger foods that are so right for a celebratory night.

Small bites, dips, spreads and special finger foods that are so right for a celebratory night

CBC Life · Posted: Dec 26, 2023 9:00 AM EST | Last Updated: December 26, 2023

3 images side by side. left: a hand dipping a cracker into a bowl of dip. middle: overhead shot of broiled oysters in their shell. right: overhead shot of prosciutto-wrapped dates on a blue platter. — (Photo, left to right: Dhivya Subramanian, Laura Murray, CBC Life)

After a season of dinner parties and big feasts, what's better than a meal of all appetizers? There's something decidedly glamorous about an assortment of small bites that your guests can enjoy all evening. You don't even have to make them all yourself — you can invite people to bring their own and take some of the pressure off. A smaller selection of these favourite party foods is befitting for a chill night at home, too.

Below, we've got seafood snacks, dips galore, crave-worthy crostinis and so much more. Scroll through the list, bookmark your standouts and cheers to a very happy new year!

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Harissa Cottage Cheese Dip with Aleppo Pepper Hot Honey

A round wooden platter with grapes, mini cucumbers, crackers, grape tomatoes and a white bowl filled with a creamy dip. — (Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Devils On Horseback

Overhead shot of a blue platter with prosciutto-covered dates.

Honey Roasted Pear & Ricotta Crostini

Overhead shot of sliced baguette topped with slices of pear and ricotta. The bread is on a pink tray and some are on a green plate, all sitting on a white marble countertop.

Broiler-Popped Oysters with Tomato Butter

Overhead shot of oysters with tomato butter on a white surface. — (Photography by Laura Murray)

Chunky Halloumi Chips

A serving platter of deep-fried sticks of halloumi cheese topped with sour cream, fresh mint and pomegranate seeds. — (Credit: Danny Rohrer)

Chicken Liver Mousse

closeup on chicken liver mousse on a slice of baguette on a wooden cutting board. a silver knife is leaning on the slice, cherry tomatoes and a jar of the mousse are in the background. — (Photography by Peter Chou)

Delhi Papri Chaat

Overhead shot of many papri chaat on a black background. — (Photo credit: Martin Poole)

Cauliflower Spread

Overhead shot of a plate of cauliflower spread, garnished with pomegranate arils. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Cranberry Chutney and Brie Crostini

Top view of 12 sliced pieces of crostini, topped with cranberry chutney, brie and chopped pistachios on a circular wooden serving board. — (Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Cauliflower Fritters

An overhead shot of a white plate with three cauliflower fritters and some green sauce on it. A whole roasted cauliflower is sitting next to it. — (Photography by Betty Binon)

Deviled Egg Dip

Closeup on a bowl of light yellow dip with orange trout roe on top. The bowl is sitting on a platter with Ritz crackers next to it. Behind it, a person wearing a lime green dress scoops into the dip with a cracker. — (Photography by Laura Murray)

overhead shot of 2 blue and white plates with slices of tomatoes on them, topped with a creamy sauce, breadcrumbs, fried capers and fresh dill. They're on a grey table and a green wine bottle is pouring white wine into a yellow glass beside the plates. — (Photography by Dominique Lafond)

Judy's Empanadas

a hand holding an empanada that has just been stuffed. bowls of cheese, boiled eggs and olives sit in the background. — (Photography by Jenny Huang)

Baked Lobster Dip

Baked lobster dip in a blue serving dish with slices of baguette next to the dip.

Baked Broccoli Stem Dip

An overhead shot of a spread of dishes on a white table, featuring a dish of baked broccoli dip, crackers, breads and vegetables. — (Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Gruyere and Emmental Fondue

A wooden cutting board with vegetables and a red bowl of cheese fondue.

Oysters & Mignonette, 2 Ways

Oysters on a platter of ice next to 2 small bowls of Mignonette for dipping. — (Submitted by Chuck Hughes)

Vegetarian Ukoy

Vegetarian Ukoy (Fritters) and a clear bowl of Chile-Vinegar Dipping Sauce with 2 yellow chiles in it, sitting on a white platter. — (Photography by Wyatt Conlon)

Nadia's Lamb Ribs

A white platter with lamb ribs. — (Credit: Danny Rohrer)

Ye Misir Sambusa (Ethiopian Lentil Samosa)

a wooden bowl of lentil samosas on a grey table. — (Photography by DL Acken)

Yogurt dip garnished with pistachios, mint leaves and dried rose petals, in a blue bowl. The bowl is on a white platter on a pink napkin, on a white tabletop. Torn pieces of pita and a bowl of chips sit beside the dip.

Guacamole with Grilled Jalapeños

A bowl of guacamole on a wooden cutting board with tortilla chips on it. Grilled jalapeños, sliced lime and avocado sit next to it. — (Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Vegan Vibes with Cashew Ricotta Cheese

overhead shot of a wooden cutting board on a marble surface. the board is full of vegetables, crackers, breads, olives and vegan cheese. — (Photo: Lisa Dawn Bolton)

Weeknight Lemon Chicken Wings

Roasted chicken wings and lemon slices on a baking sheet covered in tin foil, sitting on a grey surface. — (Photography by Deb Perelman, styling by Barrett Washburne)

A serving plate stacked with cheese puffs made with choux pastry.

An overhead shot of a plate of pajeon on a bright blue background. A small bowl of sauce, a plate of kimchi and another plate of pajeon surround the main plate. — (Photography by Soo Kim)

Large wooden bowl of empanadas. — (Courtesy of El Bosco Catering)

Brown Butter Sage Pie Crust Crackers, Black Sesame Pinwheels & Bacon Piesticks

Overhead shot of 3 treats made from leftover pie dough: black sesame pinwheels, crackers and bacon pie sticks.

Classic Garlic Snails, Snails with Blue Cheese & White Wine and Snails with Chorizo & Mozzarella

Overhead shot of 3 pieces of toast with escargot on them on a wooden cutting board. — (Photography by Marilou & Alexandre Champagne)

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