When it comes to the holidays, New Year’s Eve is one of my favorite parties. I love the glitter, the stupid glasses and hats and the traditions, but most of all I love the food. The best holiday foods are snacks that can be shared and are often hand-held – all of which are among my favorite food descriptions.
As someone who really has fun the lively and hectic nature of party hostingYou might be surprised to learn that I’ve only been a New Year’s Eve party guest. (I guess I can’t hog all the big parties.) But it’s just a matter of time – the New Year’s Eve party is my host, and when I Do To make it possible, I serve a selection of the best delicacies that I have brought from past parties. Here are 15 of my favorites.
Air Fried Mushroom Chips
A bowl of these crispy and savory mushroom chips is a must-have on your snack table. They’re easy to make: you drain a can of sliced mushrooms, drizzle them with a little oil, and air-fry them until they’re crispy. Mushroom chips are incredibly flavorful, so you can eat them plain or use them as small chips for dipping. In addition, they are completely vegan and gluten-free. Read the full recipe.

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Mushroom and onion dip
Is it weird to dip mushroom chips in mushroom dip? Maybe, but it sounds great to me. This umami bomb is made by combining caramelized onions and duxelles (finely chopped mushrooms that are boiled down to concentrate their flavor). This dip goes great with any salty chips or pretzels and tastes just as good when spread on a burger bun. Serve this Mushroom duxelles dip warm so it can be spread easily.
Vegan French Onion Dip
Let’s face it, every party needs several dips, and this one is a French onion dip that isn’t weighed down with mayonnaise or sour cream. Silken tofu is the medium that provides an easily dippable texture (whether served hot or cold) and serves as a blank canvas for savory onion flavors. Check them out full recipe.
Pork belly bites from the hot air fryer
When serving appetizers to a crowd, it’s best to keep things simple, small, and full of flavor. Allow me to introduce these Pork belly bites from the hot air fryer. A simple dressing of fish sauce, oil, and a few other seasonings coats the tiny pieces before they drop into the air fryer. The machine does the rest while you set up the confetti horns and 2025 glasses.

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Meatloaf Wellington
Just because handheld food rules the day doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a slightly dramatic centerpiece. A meatloaf Wellington is the perfect middle ground between fancy and pure comfort food. You can make things easier by doing the following my meatloaf from the hot air fryer a day in advance and roll it up in the Wellington components before the party. Here are the detailed instructions.
Crunchwrap brie en croute
Give yours Brie en croute of the Crunchwrap Supreme treatment. It’s a real eye-catcher, and if you have Taco Bell fans in your midst, let’s just say you’ll be a hero. The best way to end 2024 is to bite into this beef and salad giant.

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Brie baked in the microwave
If you want to make baked brie easier, skip all the baking completely and use the microwave. No need to worry about puff pastry packaging or fumbling with an eggnog: For gentle heating, use the science oven Add the cheese in portions before topping the loaf with toppings such as chopped nuts, honey or jam.
Chicken crust pizza
Ordering pizza on New Year’s Eve is no easy task, at least not in New York City, where every otherwise reliable delivery location turns into a complete crapshoot. Make your own pizza instead. Even better, make a pizza that you can’t order anywhere, like a chicken crust pizza. Honestly, It’s much better than it has any right to be.
Hot dog crust pizza
There’s another strange pizza that deserves a spot on my New Year’s Eve party table, and this is it the pizza with hot dog crust. Not only is this pie really fun to make, it’s also ideal for sharing – the crust is a collection of pigs in blankets that’ll make you cry out loud! It will be a special hit with all the children attending your shindig.

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Tartiflette
For a comforting potato dish with an elegant name, the tartiflette is just the thing. While you can make this batch of roast potatoes and brie small enough for two people, that’s also possible Double or triple this recipe in a casserole dish to feed a larger group of carb lovers.
Potato Rösti Cake
With just three ingredients and a cast iron skillet, this dish is sure to draw a crowd and put the least strain on your wallet. Simply shred cooked potatoes and place the strips in a buttered pan to brown. Flip the potato cake over and crisp the other side before serving with plenty of flaky salt. Get everything the details here.
Spiced pretzels
Regular pretzels are dry and sad. Spiced pretzels are strong and lively. The best part is that you barely have to do anything to make a big batch of delicious, flavored pretzels. Grab a package of powdered spicy ranch dip, some oil, and a bag of mini pretzels to get started. (I must warn you, you will be busy all night wondering what recipe you used to make it Have this link ready.)

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Microwave Rice Krispies treats
I usually recommend these as an emergency snack, but I think they’re useful for parties too. It’s easy to do in the microwave, and using a muffin tin makes for quick cooling and easy portioning. You could do a lot of magic with this Emergency Rice Krispies Treats 30 minutes before the party and be in top shape.
Sticky butter cake
Welcome the New Year in the absolute sweetest way. This is obviously not an original creation: Sticky butter cake came from St. Louis, straight out of Pandora’s Box of Butter Golden Cake Mix. It’s sweet, it’s decadent and a sure conversation starter. I recommend keeping some hot coffee on hand to balance things out – with sugar and caffeine, everyone has enough energy to last past midnight.
Air Fried Kielbasa
I fondly remember New Year’s parties in my childhood where someone would always serve slices of baked kielbasa skewered on toothpicks alongside mustard and sauerkraut. This is an updated, faster version of this classic, made extra crispy with the help of a sophisticated notch and a hot air fryer.

Photo credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann