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!
In This Post
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.
What You’ll Find In This Post
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Best Homemade Baked Cheese Sticks With Marinara
Cheese sticks at easy to whip up in no time along with a little dipping sauce.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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!
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