4 Easy New Year’s Eve Appetizers (Meatballs, Wings and Crab Bites)

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When it comes to hosting a party, I’m big on appetizers. They don’t have to be complicated, they just need to taste good so everyone comes back for seconds. Here are four easy crowd-pleasers for New Year’s Eve (or any holiday party): creamy Swedish meatballs you can keep warm in the slow cooker, crab-stuffed mushrooms, oven-baked ranch hot wings and light, crispy crab balls.

Party planning tips

• Plan on 6 to 8 appetizer pieces per person per hour if appetizers are the main food.
• Mix make-ahead and last-minute. Meatballs can sit in the slow cooker all night; bake the wings and mushrooms closer to party time.
• Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and don’t leave food out more than 2 hours.
• Add something easy like a cheese board, veggie tray or a big bowl of party mix.

Creamy Swedish Meatballs

Mandie

Creamy Swedish Meatballs

Tender meatballs simmered in a creamy brown gravy. Keep them warm in the slow cooker.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings (about 35 meatballs)

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 3 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth
• 1 envelope brown gravy mix
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Mix the beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, cream cheese, salt and nutmeg with your hands. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on the sheet.
3. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until cooked through (160°F).
4. In a large skillet, whisk the gravy mix into the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs, cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring now and then.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream. Keep warm in a slow cooker on low.

Notes

Recipe originally shared by Shelly Hill.

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Mandie

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushroom caps filled with buttery crab and topped with crumbs and Old Bay.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lb large white or cremini mushrooms
• 1 lb crab meat picked over
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 dash black pepper
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs tossed with 1 tbsp melted butter
• Old Bay seasoning for sprinkling

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Remove the mushroom stems and finely chop them. Mix the chopped stems with the crab, melted butter, salt and pepper.
3. Stuff the mushroom caps and place on a baking sheet. Top with buttered bread crumbs and a sprinkle of Old Bay.
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden.

Notes

Recipe originally shared by Shelly Hill.

Ranch Hot Wings

Mandie

Ranch Hot Wings

Oven-baked wings tossed in buttery hot sauce and ranch seasoning.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 24 chicken wing pieces flats and drumettes
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 packets dry ranch dressing mix divided
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil and a wire rack.
2. Stir together the melted butter, hot sauce and vinegar. Dip each wing to coat and arrange on the rack.
3. Sprinkle with 1 packet of ranch mix and bake 25 minutes.
4. Turn the wings, sprinkle with the second packet and bake 20 to 25 minutes more, until crispy and 165°F inside.
5. Sprinkle with paprika while hot.

Notes

Recipe originally shared by Shelly Hill.

Baked Crab Balls

Mandie

Baked Crab Balls

Light, crispy baked crab balls with ginger, scallions and sesame. Serve with soy or mustard dip.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb crab meat finely chopped
• 1/2 cup water chestnuts finely chopped
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs divided
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1/4 cup scallions finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp fresh ginger minced
• 4 egg whites
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. Mix all the ingredients except 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs until well blended.
3. Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in the remaining bread crumbs.
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crisp and golden. Serve with soy sauce or a mustard dip.

Notes

Recipe originally shared by Shelly Hill.

FAQ

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes. Simmer 2 pounds of frozen cooked meatballs in the gravy until heated through, then stir in the sour cream.

Can I make the crab mixtures ahead?

Yes. Mix them up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Stuff or shape and bake right before the party.

How do I know the wings are done?

They should be golden and crispy and reach 165°F inside.

You might also like:

• Cheesy Crab Bites