28 New Year's Eve Food and Drinks Ideas & Menu

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2025 is almost upon so I'm sharing plenty of New Year's Eve Food Ideas and a menu with every recipe you could possibly need to host the best New Year's Eve party of the year.

New Year's Eve Food Parmesan Arancini Board with chips, salami, prosciutto, olives, almonds, marinara sauce, and bottles of beer


 

Going out on New Year's Eve is MAJORLY overrated so I'm thrilled to not even consider it this year. It’s all about hosting a little soiree at home and this year it's just me, Thomas, Poppy and a few very close friends. I'll be cooking up a storm so obviously I’ve rounded up a bunch of great New Year's Eve food and drinks to make it the best and easiest night if you're planning to do the same. Lots of these New Year's Eve food ideas can be made ahead, some require no actual cooking and they are exactly what you want to be eating while you ring in the new year!!

New Year's Eve Food & Appetizers

New Year's Eve Food Parmesan Arancini from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Arancini

Let's talk New Year's Eve food ideas first. Fried balls of risotto make the most perfect snack for happy hour! It’s truly a heavenly bite and something that I want on repeat these chilly winter months. Pair it with a Peroni, an Aperol spritz or a negroni and you’re basically living your best Italian life!

Baked Camembert from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Thyme and Garlic Baked Camembert

Baked Camembert is the perfect New Year's Eve appetizer! This dish is quite possibly one of the easiest yet most gorgeous and decadent appetizers ever. I can promise you’re going to love it!

Cheesy Artichoke Dip 

It’s loaded with tons of flavors from onions to garlic, parmesan cheese, LOADS of artichoke hearts, Gruyere, Fontina, and some breadcrumbs to give it a bit of a bite. I mean, hello… it’s everything you’ve ever wanted in life and more. Then add to that some toasted naan or pita on the side and it’s a recipe for success. 

Brie Stuffed Mushrooms

These brie stuffed mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for your New Year's Eve party. The cheesy, earthy flavor of the mushrooms pairs perfectly with the creamy brie, and the breadcrumbs add a delicious crunch. Plus they’re easy to make ahead of time and bring to an event if you’re in charge of appetizers, and if you’re hosting and want to serve these, you can prep them a day ahead of time and just bake them off when the moment is right!

Potato Chips with Caviar and Creme Fraiche

You’ve gotta love it when fancy meets easy and comes together to be the most elegant appetizer of all times aka Potato Chips with Caviar and Creme Fraîche! This New Year's Eve food idea is not to be missed.

Loaded Guacamole from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Loaded Guacamole

You know that guacamole, in any setting, is my love language. But loaded guacamole…is next level incredible. Creamy smashed avocados with bacon, sun dried tomatoes, cotija and a few extra mix ins… sign me up!

Cheese Board

What's a New Year's Eve party without a cheese board?? This isn’t just any cheese board, it’s a centerpiece, a conversation starter, a piece of art that you won’t actually want to eat because they are so pretty. Oh who am I kidding, it’s cheese… we’re eating it!

Loaded Hummus

I love this easy appetizer! Simply whip up the hummus and then top it with red onions, feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, toasted chickpeas and some herbs. It’s not only gorgeous but a total winner!

Potato and Caviar Flatbread

This is 100% happening for my New Years Eve menu. This pizza, a nice bottle of bubbles, and pajamas. Does it get any better than that?

Fried Ravioli

Some people might think it’s strange to fry pasta. I think it’s totally normal. And I fully encourage such behavior, because without it, we’d never be able to enjoy Fried Ravioli. This New Year's Eve food idea is incredible.

Bruschetta Bar / New Years Eve Menu

Bruschetta Bar

Throwing a New Year's Eve party can be a lot of work! Am I right? And sometimes you want to have everyone over for a little impromptu bash and not spend the entire day in the kitchen. Bruschetta Bars are the answer. It’s essentially the best of the best when it comes to tapas style eating. Grilled bread, tons of vegetables, different kinds of sauces, meats, various cheeses…. and voila… your dinner party is done.

Garlic Wedge Fries

My Garlic Wedge Fry recipe is 100% addicting. Sorry in advance. These are drizzled with olive oil and garlic and then topped with herbs after roasted! Dip them in ketchup or ranch as you pop one after the other into your mouth and just sit back and know that these are going to be your new go-to!

Hot Caprese Dip

If you need a New Year's Eve food idea to feed a crowd this Hot Caprese Dip is it! It’s bubbly/melted cheese, pesto, cherry tomatoes and that’s basically it! You can serve it up with crostini, seedy crackers, or scoop it up with a fork and call it a day. Just make sure to make it right before you serve it – if it sits for too long it won’t be melty!

New Year's Eve Desserts

Caramel Brownies / New Years Eve Menu

Caramel Brownies

What's New Year's Eve food without a little dessert? These Caramel Brownies are loaded with the most epic caramel swirl, plenty of chocolate chips and a brownie base that is going to change the game.

Snickerdoodle Blondie Brownies

There are some things in life that just rock your world and these Snickerdoodle Blondie Blondies are one of them! There are very few ingredients and/or tools needed to whip these bad boys up but that’s the trick! 

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hands down, these are the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies!! They take some time to make, but trust me 100% worth it! When it comes to New Year's Eve food what's a better way to end the year than with a warm chocolate chip cookie.

Browned Butter Thick and Chewy Crispy Rice Treats from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Browned Butter Thick and Chewy Crispy Rice Treats

Upping the ante on New Year's Eve food with these Browned Butter Thick and Chewy Crispy Rice Treats. You'll never make any other Rice Krispie recipe ever again!

Homemade Pizookie from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Pizookie

It's very simple – cookie dough, a skillet, and some ice cream. Game time.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Baklava from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Coconut Chocolate Baklava

New Year's Eve food doesn’t get more festive that a big batch of Coconut Chocolate Baklava! This stuff is insane! 

Molasses Cookies from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Molasses Cookies

These Molasses Cookies come from my mom – who I think got the recipe from my her mom and she probably got it from her mom. Who knows. Either way – these Molasses Cookies are perfection. The dough comes together quickly, chills in the fridge to harden it up, and then rolled into balls and coated in sugar before baking. The result is a perfectly soft and chewy molasses cookie that you’ll totally love!

Salted Chocolate Tart with Kettle Chip Crust

Salted Chocolate Tart with a very special secret crust. Get ready for your new everything.

Slutty Brownies from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Slutty Brownies

Layers of homemade cookie dough, oreos and brownie batter make the most insane triple threat of a dessert! If you're looking for New Year's Eve food ideas these should definitely be on your menu.

New Year's Eve Drinks & Cocktails

Grapefruit Margarita from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Grapefruit Margaritas

New Year's Eve food ideas aren't complete without a great drink. I’m a margarita kinda girl! It’s always my cocktail of choice and this Grapefruit Margarita infused with a little rosemary and a dash of cayenne salt on the rim is the perfect margarita for colder months! 

Cranberry Moscow Mule from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule

Looking for a fun and festive New Year's Eve drink? Look no further than the Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule! This delicious cocktail is perfect for a party or a cozy nights at home. Plus, it’s SUPER easy to make.

Pomegranate Champagne Spritzer

Do you like champagne? Do you like spritzers? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then I have the perfect drink for you! This champagne spritzer is light, refreshing, and perfect for any occasion. Plus, it’s easy to make – so cheers to the weekend!

Cranberry Sangria from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Perfect Cranberry Sangria

Looking for a festive drink to serve at your New Year's Eve party? What about something you might be able to batch before your guests arrive? This Cranberry Sangria recipe is the perfect solution! This easy drink is simple to make and tastes delicious. Plus, it’s perfect for a crowd. Keep the drinks flowing by mixing up a batch of this delicious sangria today! 

Thyme Apple Cider Spritz from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Thyme Apple Cider Spritz

This Thyme Apple Cider Spritz is the perfect cocktail or mocktail for the holiday season! 

Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail

If you were anything like me as a child, you LIVED for the days that you got to drink Sparkling Apple Cider! Those were truly some of my happiest memories as a kid so I’m putting a festive spin on it with a Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail!

32 Comments

  1. Agreed! I love a good intimate evening with friends and good food. Can't wait to see what the new year brings for you.

  2. Gaby....YOU are truly a creative Gourmet!! So little time to try all your recipes...they just keep coming. Thanks for your all your time, effort, and delicious recipes. ❤️️

  3. You sure are good to make us all hungry and want to devour every thing you make! Keep the good work, you please my eyes and my mouth 🙂

  4. These are so freaking gorgeous - the photos are stunning and just makes me want to have all these at my NYE table!!

  5. Thank you Gaby!!! We are so staying in! and definitely going to make that bacon guac. Or honestly- maybe the polenta bar from last week:)

  6. I love staying in for NYE, especially now that I have a toddler at home. These menu suggestions look fabulous!

  7. What a great collection of recipes to help ring in a great new year! I'm looking forward to seeing what Gaby is cooking for 2015! Happy almost new year!

  8. Agreed. My favorite New Year Eves have been the ones where I've stayed in rather than going on. Cheers to little bites!

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