Best Southern New Year’s Appetizers

This collection of mouthwatering appetizers, hot dips, and small bites all rich with flavors, will make any party outstanding!


Enjoy a night of good food, great company, and the kind of homemade charm that makes every dish a little more special with these Southern New Year’s Appetizers. This collection of mouthwatering appetizers, hot dips, and small bites all rich with flavors, will make any party outstanding!

Collection of Southern New Year's appetizer with dips, and small bites for any party or gathering.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission. (Privacy Policy)

New Year’s Eve is a celebration with various meanings for different people, but at its core, it’s about hope, transition, and a way of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new with open arms.

Over the years, I’ve entertained in various ways, from large parties to small family gatherings, but there’s always been one constant, great food. I’m so happy to share these recipes with you. Whether you party until the clock strikes twelve or snuggle under the covers early, I hope you’ll celebrate a festive evening filled with laughter, cheer, and love for the new year to come.

Finger Food

Welcome to the down-home charm of Southern finger foods, where deliciousness comes in small packages! These bite-sized treasures are the heart and soul of Southern gatherings, from crispy fried delights to savory classics.

Crispy Phyllo cups filled with pimento cheese then topped with sweet, slightly spicy red pepper jelly makes for delicious appetizer for the holidays, game day or whenever you're entertaining!

Pimento Cheese Bites

Wow your friends and family with this easy to make party appetizer that's the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Crispy Phyllo cups filled with pimento cheese then topped with sweet, slightly spicy red pepper jelly makes for a delicious appetizer for the holidays, game day or whenever you're entertaining.

Stuffed deviled eggs on a white plate, sprinkled with paprika.

Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs

Extra creamy deviled eggs are a classic, crowd pleasing appetizer and a must for any southern holiday celebration. This deviled egg recipe is simple to make with no-frills or fancy extras. They are the perfect finger food for holidays, parties and gatherings anytime of the year.

Stack of fried corn fritter stacked on a red and white paper napkin on a wooden serving board.

Southern Fried Corn Fritters

Sweet, savory, and studded with corn, and fried to golden perfection, these Southern Fried Corn Fritters are outrageously delicious! They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, make the perfect small bites for appetizers or snacks, and are irresistible served as a side dish.

Layered Shrimp Dip with cream cheese and homemade cocktail sauce is a delicious, easy-make appetizer perfect for any party of spur of the moment gathering.

Layered Shrimp Dip

Perfectly seasoned, juicy shrimp layered with cream cheese and cocktail sauce is the perfect easy-to-make appetizer for impromptu get-togethers and parties. Layered Shrimp Dip has all the flavors of a classic shrimp cocktail, now made into a dip served with your favorite cracker!

Puffed Pastry Cheese Straws baked to perfection on a serving tray.

Puff Pastry Cheese Straws

Parmesan and house seasoning turn store bought puff pastry into cheese straws that are perfect as an appetizer or along side soups or salads

Homemade Pimento Cheese in a white bowl served and wooden knife with saltine crackers and celery sticks on a white platter.

Homemade Pimento Cheese

Homemade Pimento Cheese is a classic Southern recipe that’s rich, creamy, and so easy to make. This cheesy spread made with pimentos and just the right amount of peppery seasoning is perfect served with crackers, and celery, as a sandwich, or slathered on a burger.

Perfectly Popped Stove Top Popcorn

Learn how to make the best stove top popcorn using this simple process, that uses just three ingredients and one pot! Skip the microwave and make tender, fluffy, perfectly popped popcorn every time.

Air Fryer Roasted Nuts made with pecans and almonds is a heart healthy snack made in minutes.

Air Fryer Roasted Nuts

Crunchy and perfectly seasoned, Air Fryer Roasted Nuts are a delicious snack, perfect for sprinkling on salads and great for entertaining. Toasting nuts in an air fryer just takes a few minutes and is the best way to bring out the most flavor in these heart-healthy treats. 

Saltine crackers with red pepper flakes and ranch dressing served on a white plate alongside tomato soup.

Spicy Ranch Crackers (No Bake Recipe)

Crunchy, and full of savory flavors, Spicy Ranch Crackers are not your average snack! Saltines are transformed into an absolutely addictive snack with just four ingredients. This no-bake recipe with big, bold flavors and a bit of heat is super simple to make.

Celery stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.

Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery

Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, cookouts and family gatherings.

Wooden cutting board with cream cheese filled salami slices with a wooden pick.

Salami Cream Cheese Roll Ups

A retro recipe! Herbed cream cheese rolled in salami is a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.

Best Dips

These delectable concoctions are the true stars of Southern snacking, from creamy classics to zesty creations.

Spoon in Crab Dip cooked in cast iron.

Easy Hot Crab Dip

Rich, creamy Hot Crab Dip cooked in a cast-iron skillet is the ultimate appetizer for any party! Loaded with fresh crab meat and seasoned perfectly, your friends and family will be begging for this easy-to-make recipe.

Homemade dill pickle dip served in a wooden bowl with fresh dill and chives garnish along with celery sticks and potato chips.

Dill Pickle Herb Dip

Fresh herbs and dill pickles mixed with cream cheese make a dip that's loaded with tangy, savory flavors with a pop of freshness. Served with veggies, chips, or crackers, it's an appetizer that pickle lovers will go crazy over, and even the "I don't like pickles" crowd will dig into!

Million Dollar Dip

Million Dollar Dip made with just a few simple ingredients is totally addictive and deserving of its name! This easy dip recipe made with cheese, bacon, green onions, almonds and mayo is great to serve at parties, for game day or when you're entertaining.

Crock Pot Reuben Dip is so easy to make with just a few ingredients. Make with corned beef, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing and swiss cheese just like the famous, classic sandwich!

Classic Crock Pot Reuben Dip

All the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich are loaded into this creamy, outrageously cheesy Crock Pot Reuben Dip! It's a favorite at any party and perfect for entertaining. Made in the slow cooker or baked in the oven, this is one seriously delicious dip to serve any time of the year.

Southwest Ranch Dip served in a bowl with veggies and tortilla chips.

Southwest Ranch Dip

This 10-minute recipe has all the creaminess you love from ranch dip with a spicy kick! Southwest Ranch Dip is crazy delicious served with carrots, celery, and chips. Plus it's awesome as a dressing, marinade or a spread on burgers and wraps.

Black bowl with white bean dip topped with red pepper flakes, dried chives, and red pepper flakes, dipped with a celery stick.

Creamy White Bean Garlic Dip

Creamy white bean dip with fresh rosemary, garlic, and lemon is a fantastic appetizer to serve when entertaining or hosting a party. This simple-to-make recipe is great served with pita chips, crackers or veggies whenever you want a flavor-pack snack!

Delicious sausage dip in a cast iron pan with bright red tomatoes and melted cream cheese and tortilla chips on the side ready for dipping.

Spicy Sausage Dip

It’s officially football season and you know what that means…tailgating, snacks & great food.  Even if you are not a football fan, you will still love this hot sausage dip – it’s become an all time favorite

Buffalo chicken Dip with dipped tortilla chip.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a quick and easy appetizer that is sure to be a hit at your next party! Made with slow-cooked buffalo chicken, cheese and loaded with your favorite wing sauce, it's a hot, creamy dip that will have everyone begging you for the recipe.

Hand holding a tortilla chip with a scoop of Pepperonit dip with tomato sauce and cheese.

Baked Pepperoni Dip

Baked Pepperoni Dip is full of gooey cheesy goodness, with all the amazing flavors of pepperoni pizza! Whether you’re entertaining friends, hosting a game-day party, or celebrating the holidays, this crowd-pleasing hot dip is always a favorite.

Warm dip made with spinach and artichokes.

Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip is rich, creamy, and super easy to make in the slow cooker. This cheesy, warm dip with swirls of fresh spinach and artichokes is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for your next party, game day celebration, or when you're entertaining.

Wooden spoon with Crock Pot Queso Beef Dip.

Slow Cooker Queso Beef Dip

Queso Beef Dip is creamy, cheesy, loaded with ground beef, and simple to make in the slow cooker! This velvety smooth dip with swirls of green chilies, salsa, and jalapeños is a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any party, game-day celebration, or when you're entertaining.

Warm Appetizers

Get ready for a warm and cozy exploration of Southern-style appetizers that will satisfy your cravings. From hearty comfort classics to innovative hot bites

Cream cheese sausage balls served with metal skewers on a white plate with fresh parsley resting on a wooden serving board.

Best Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Cream cheese sausage balls are a delicious, easy-to-make appetizer that can be served on any occasion. Adding cream cheese takes this classic recipe to a whole new level, making these sausage balls the all-time best!

Crispy baked cheese-sticks with a rich marinara sauce.

Best Homemade Baked Cheese Sticks With Marinara

Cheese sticks at easy to whip up in no time along with a little dipping sauce.

Bourbon Meatballs in a black pot with a wooden spoon

Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs

Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs are tender, succulent, and loaded with irresistible flavors. These meatballs, prepped in just minutes, are cooked in the Crock-Pot and are perfect to serve as an appetizer, for game day or on lazy weekends.

Sweet And Spicy Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are taken to a whole new level with a spicy, brown sugar seasoning and will disappear right before your eyes! This easy-to-make appetizer, with just 5 ingredients, is great for parties, game day, or any time you are craving something delicious.

Loaf of spinach artichoke stuffed bread.

Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Bread

Warm, crusty bread, loaded with creamy, rich spinach artichoke dip is the ULTIMATE stuffed bread! Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Bread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer and makes a great all-in-one side dish for weeknight meals.

Crescent roll pigs in a blanket in a serving dish and small places served for as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Crescent Roll Pigs In A Blanket

Crescent Roll Pigs In A Blanket are a classic finger food that everyone from little to big kids love! Buttery crescent rolls wrapped around little smoke sausages sprinkled with poppy seeds and a garlicky twist make this retro recipe even better.

Lemon garlic oven baked chicken wings on a wooden board with lemon slices and topped with chopped parsley.

Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken Wings

Lemony, garlicky baked chicken wings are downright lip-smacking good! These wings are cooked in the oven with a light, super flavorful sauce that will make you think twice about ever frying your wings again.

Round load of pepperoni pizza cheese bread with cut squares on parchment paper and a glass bowl of marinara sauce.

Pepperoni Pizza Pull-Apart Bread

Gooey cheese, zesty pepperoni, and buttery bread are combined to make a fun twist on pizza! Pepperoni Pizza Pull-Apart Bread is outstanding served as an appetizer, snack, dinner, or any time you need to satisfy your pizza craving.

Cooked meatballs with pineapple chunks in a bowl served with wooden skewers.

Crock Pot Cocktail Party Meatballs

Classic cocktail meatballs are sweet, savory, and super easy to make. Made with grape jelly and chili sauce, they are the perfect small bite for any party, great for game day when you're feeding a crown, and are a go-to for family dinners.

Want More For New Year’s? Try My Traditional New Year’s Day Menu Recipes!

To kick off the new year right, make sure you serve these traditional, Classic Southern New Year’s Day Menu for good luck and prosperity. It’s out with the old and in with the new, and it all starts with this delicious menu!

Crescent Roll Pigs In A Blanket are a classic finger food that everyone from little to big kids love! Buttery crescent rolls wrapped around little smoke sausages sprinkled with poppy seeds and a garlicky twist make this retro recipe even better.

5 Days of Southern Summer Comfort Food!

My go-to summer recipes!

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Clicky