There’s nothing quite like ringing in the New Year with good friends, great drinks, and – most importantly – delicious New Year’s Eve appetizers that disappear almost as fast as the countdown clock! I learned the hard way after hosting one too many chaotic parties that simple, elegant bites are the secret to actually enjoying your own celebration. These bacon-wrapped dates and fresh bruschetta? They’re my go-to because they look fancy but take barely any effort – meaning I get to sip champagne instead of stressing in the kitchen. Trust me, when that ball drops, you’ll want to be mingling, not scrubbing pans!
Why You’ll Love These New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Oh my gosh, these appetizers are absolute game-changers for your New Year’s Eve party! Let me tell you why they never fail to impress:
- Effortless elegance: They look like you spent hours, but the bacon-wrapped dates take just 10 minutes in the oven, and the bruschetta? Just chop and mix!
- Flavor fireworks: That sweet-salty combo of dates and bacon makes people go wild, while the bright bruschetta cuts through all the rich party food.
- Make-ahead magic: You can prep both the night before – just pop the dates in the oven when guests arrive.
- Universal appeal: I’ve served these to picky eaters and foodies alike, and plates always come back empty.
Seriously, these appetizers let you actually enjoy your own party instead of being stuck in the kitchen all night. Now that’s worth celebrating!
Ingredients for New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Okay, let’s gather our goodies! One of my favorite things about these New Year’s Eve appetizers is how few ingredients they need – but each one packs a serious flavor punch. I’ll walk you through exactly what you’ll need for both recipes. Pro tip: Splurge on the good bacon and fresh basil – it makes all the difference!
For the Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 16 Medjool dates – pitted (trust me, check for pits even if the package says they’re pitted!)
- 8 slices bacon – cut in half (I prefer thick-cut for that perfect crisp)
- 1/4 cup goat cheese – room temperature so it’s easy to stuff
For the Bruschetta
- 1 French baguette – sliced about 1/2 inch thick
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes – diced small (I use yellow and red for extra festive color)
- 2 tbsp olive oil – the good stuff you’d dip bread in
- 1/4 cup fresh basil – chopped (don’t even think about dried here!)
See? Simple ingredients, but when you put them together, magic happens. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Alright, let’s get these party starters ready! I promise this is so easy you’ll be sipping champagne before you know it. The key is working in stages – get those dates in the oven first since they take a bit longer, then whip up the bruschetta while they bake. You’ll have both appetizers ready to wow your guests in under 30 minutes. Let me walk you through each step – I’ve made these enough times to know all the little tricks!
Preparing the Bacon-Wrapped Dates
First things first – crank that oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and hot when we’re ready. Now, take your pitted dates (double-check for sneaky pits!) and make a little slit down one side. Use a teaspoon to stuff each date with about 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese – don’t overfill or it’ll ooze out. Here’s my secret: wrap each date with a half-slice of bacon, starting at one end and spiraling around. Secure with a toothpick through the center. Arrange them on a baking sheet with space between – this helps the bacon get crispy all over. Bake for about 10 minutes until the bacon is golden and crisp. Watch them closely after 8 minutes – nobody likes burnt bacon!
Making the Bruschetta
While those dates are baking, let’s make the bruschetta. Dice those cherry tomatoes nice and small – I like to keep some of the seeds for extra juiciness. Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil and chopped basil. Add a pinch of salt and let it sit while you toast the bread. Lightly toast your baguette slices – you can do this in the oven for 5 minutes at the same temperature as the dates, or use a toaster. The bread should be crisp but still have some chew. Right before serving, spoon the tomato mixture onto each toast. Pro tip: don’t assemble too early or the bread gets soggy. That’s it – you’re done!
Tips for Perfect New Year’s Eve Appetizers
After making these appetizers for countless parties, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks that’ll make your New Year’s Eve spread shine. First – the dates! You can stuff and wrap them a full day ahead, then just pop them in the oven when guests arrive. For the bruschetta, always use room-temperature tomatoes – cold ones dull the flavor. And here’s my secret weapon: keep extra toothpicks nearby because people will absolutely double-fist these bacon-wrapped beauties. Oh, and if you’re short on time? Buy pre-sliced baguette – I won’t tell! Just promise me you’ll use fresh basil – that little green confetti makes all the difference.
Serving Suggestions for New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Now for the fun part – making these appetizers look as festive as your New Year’s Eve party deserves! I love arranging the bacon-wrapped dates on a long platter with sprigs of rosemary tucked between them – the green looks so pretty against the golden bacon. For the bruschetta, use a tiered stand if you have one (it makes even the simplest food feel fancy!) or line them up on a marble slab for that chic cocktail party vibe. Pro tip: put small bowls of toothpicks and napkins nearby – things will disappear fast once the champagne starts flowing!
These pair perfectly with bubbly (of course!) but also hold their own against craft cocktails. The salty-sweet dates are amazing with a crisp Prosecco, while the bright bruschetta cuts through rich whiskey drinks. If you’re doing a full spread, add some nuts and olives to round things out – but trust me, these two stars will steal the show. Just make extra – I learned the hard way that one batch is never enough when the clock strikes midnight!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Listen, I know how crazy New Year’s Eve prep can get – that’s why I’m obsessed with these make-ahead tricks! The bacon-wrapped dates? You can stuff and wrap them up to 24 hours before your party. Just keep them covered in the fridge on their baking sheet, then pop them straight into the oven when guests arrive. The bruschetta topping also gets better after sitting for a few hours (up to 6 is perfect) – just keep it separate from the bread until serving time.
Got leftovers? The dates keep surprisingly well! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just 5 minutes in a 350°F oven brings back that perfect crispiness. The bruschetta topping stays fresh for 2 days, though the bread is best eaten day-of. Pro tip: if you’ve got extra tomato mixture, toss it with pasta the next day for an instant lunch!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist (just a home cook who loves good food!), but I can tell you this – these New Year’s Eve appetizers are all about balance. The exact nutritional info will vary based on your specific ingredients (like how thick you slice that bacon or which brand of goat cheese you use). What matters most is that you’re enjoying delicious, real-food ingredients with friends as you ring in the new year – and that’s the best kind of nourishment there is!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular bacon instead of thick-cut for the dates?
Absolutely! I’ve used both, and while thick-cut gives that perfect meaty bite, regular bacon works just fine. Just keep an eye on it – thinner bacon crisps up faster, so you might want to check at 8 minutes instead of 10. The key is wrapping it tight so it doesn’t unravel while baking.
What can I substitute for goat cheese in the dates?
Oh, I’ve experimented with this! Cream cheese is the easiest swap – just use the same amount. For a fancier twist, try blue cheese (use less, it’s stronger!) or even a smear of almond butter for a sweet-savory surprise. My aunt swears by brie, but you’ll need to remove the rind first.
How far in advance can I make the bruschetta topping?
The tomatoes actually get better after sitting for a few hours! I make mine up to 6 hours ahead – just keep it covered in the fridge. But wait to assemble until right before serving unless you like soggy bread (and who does?). The basil might darken a bit, but the flavor’s still fantastic.
Can I make these appetizers vegetarian?
You bet! Skip the bacon and stuff the dates with extra goat cheese and a walnut half – still delicious! For the bruschetta, it’s already veggie-friendly. I sometimes add sliced avocado right before serving for extra creaminess. My vegetarian friends go crazy for both versions!
What’s the best way to reheat leftover bacon-wrapped dates?
Pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to bring back that perfect crispiness. The microwave works in a pinch, but the bacon gets rubbery – trust me, the oven’s worth the extra minute! They’re surprisingly good cold too… not that there are usually leftovers at my parties!
New Year’s Eve Appetizers
Ingrédients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Stuff each date with goat cheese and wrap with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped dates on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy.
- For the bruschetta, mix the diced tomatoes, olive oil, and basil in a bowl.
- Toast the bread slices lightly, then top with the tomato mixture.
- Serve the appetizers warm.