Planning snacks for a New Year’s Eve party is hardly the moment to hold back. In fact, it is about coming up with all things rich, dense and still thoroughly uncomplicated. Crispy, cheesy appetisers can be the perfect options for such evenings, as they pair exceedingly well with both signature cocktails and mocktails. With an audible crunch and a molten, gooey centre, these are binge-worthy delights that will disappear from the plate within minutes. What’s also interesting about these appetisers is that they are very low-prep which means they can be served as low-effort finger foods. Sheer crowd-pleasers, these delicacies are bound to become showstoppers at the year-end party you host at home.
Cheese And Jalapeño Poppers
Recreate these small bites that are popularly making the rounds of bars and restaurants alike. Little, bite-sized finger foods, these poppers are nothing but chunks of good quality mozzarella brought together with little slices of jalapeño peppers, all of which are coated in bread crumbs before deep-frying. Serve the poppers in small baskets with a sriracha dressing and sprinkle them with oregano and smoked paprika for a spicy note that compliments the flavours of the diced jalapeños in the recipe. Cheesy, gooey and molten, the poppers are best served hot with signature drinks planned for the New Year’s Eve bash.
Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Bread Bites
Think quality cheeses like smoked cheddar or excellent mozzarella while preparing garlic bread bites. White bread or a loaf of store bought garlic bread can be glazed with garlic butter and covered completely in grated cheese. Prep the bread slices ahead of time and pop them in the oven as guests start to arrive. Once the cheese melts to a golden-brown, bring the garlic bread out and cut it into small, bite-sized squares. Serve them with a chilli dip or marinara sauce that brings a bright contrast against the gooey and cheesy texture of the small bite. Sprinkle chilli flakes on the garlic bread bites for more flavour.
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Crispy Paneer Fingers With Spiced Mayo
Cottage cheese or paneer can be cut into little fingers that are coated in a crumb mixture for deep-frying them into small, crunchy appetisers. The paneer will soften slightly when it cooks in hot oil and the bread crumb coating will become really crunchy to showcase opposing textures in the small bite. Add a bit of paprika and garlic powder to the crumb mix for more seasoning. Serve this crispy yet comforting appetiser with mint mayonnaise or a peri peri dip: sharp and spicy sides that bring a certain flavour pop into the appetiser platter.
Potato-Cheese Croquettes
Among the most favoured and well-known of all cheesy appetisers, these are round fried goodies filled with the comforting flavours of soft, mashed potatoes and delicious melted cheese. Spring onions can be added to the potato mixture for a slightly spicy touch. To make the croquettes, simply roll the potatoes into round balls and add a cube of cheese to their centre so it melts while frying. Serve with a mustard dip or a cheese and chilli dip for bringing a bit of a spicy kick into the small bite.
Mini Grilled Cheese Sliders
Perfect for the winter weather, cheese sliders, served warm, can become interesting bites that accompany piping hot soups served at the year-end party. The grilled goodies with a light crunch can be crafted by mixing parmesan and mozzarella together so both the cheeses melt into a delightfully molten spread when tossed into the oven with bread. Skewer the cheese sliders with little cocktail sticks that would make circulating and serving them easier through the course of the party.