Hey party people!
Last week, I showed you some New Years Eve party ideas, then Kate from Dress Your Guests shared What to Wear to that NYE party…now let’s talk about food.
Here are
And I know that feeling of scrambling to find a quick and easy appetizer for guests. My usual go-to is a cheese tray and some mixed nuts. This year, I wanted to have some options that would wow my guests but not my wallet.
Here are five easy and budget-friendly appetizers that will make your guests think you spent a pretty penny.
1. Cucumber Cups
Ingredients:
Cucumber (1 cucumber gives you 5-8 cups)
French Onion Dip
Total Price: $0.15 – $0.25 ea
Instructions:
With a vegetable peeler, trim a few stripes down the cucumber for decoration. Cut the cucumber into 1” slices. With a melon baller or small spoon, scope out the middle of each slice. Don’t scope out so much that you cut through to the other side. Just scope out enough to create a little crater.
Add a dollop of French onion dip and garnish with some parsley, if desired.
2. Mexican Cups
Ingredients:
Tortilla Scoop Chips
Black Beans
Salsa
Sour Cream
Mexican Cheese
Taco Seasoning
Total Est. Price: $0.20 ea (for 50 apps)
Instructions:
Drain the black beans. Heat a pan on the stove and add a teaspoon of oil. Pour the black beans in and add half a packet of taco seasoning. Cook for about 7 minutes.
Add a small spoonful of the black beans to the tortilla chips. Top with a little bit of salsa, cheese, sour cream, and garnish with cilantro (if desired).
3. Pineapple Ham Skewers
Ingredients:
Brown Sugar
Soy Sauce
Sliced Ham
Pineapple
Toothpicks
Total Est Price: $0.26 (for 30 apps)
Instructions:
Mix the glaze by combining 2 tbs. brown sugar with 2 tbs. soy sauce. Set aside. Cut the pineapple in bite size pieces. Take one slice of ham & cut it in half. Thread the toothpick through one piece of pineapple and a half slice of ham. Continue to do this for all your apps. Place on a nonstick cooking tray and preheat oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is heating up, brush the glaze over the skewers. Cook for 10 minutes (but you may want to turn them over after 5 minutes).
4. Wedge Salad Cups
Ingredients:
Iceberg Lettuce
Bacon
Tomatoes
Blue Cheese
Total Est Cost: $0.25 ea (for 40 apps)
Instructions:
Cut the lettuce head into wedges but pull the pieces apart so you have individual cups. Fill each cup with cooked bacon pieces, chopped tomatoes and blue cheese. You can also drizzle blue cheese dressing over the top or offer the dressing on the side as a dip.
5. Parmesan Pesto Macaroni Cups
Ingredients:
3 c. Macaroni
1 ¼ c. Parmesan Cheese
½ c. Milk
¼ c. Pesto
2 tbs. Butter
Total Est Cost: $0.58 ea (for 12 cups)
Instructions:
Cook the macaroni according to package. Drain & return to pan. With the heat on low, add milk, Parmesan, butter, and pesto. Stir until combined. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the macaroni mixture into the pan and cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Need some more? Here are some additional appetizers from Parties for Pennies:
Bacon Wrapped Smokies Appetizer
Hope you have a wonderful New Years!
p.s. This is YOUR official invite to the party… join in on the Parties for Pennies Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram & Bloglovin!
These all look great! Think I will try a few over the holidays:)
Thanks so much Sherry! I hope you have an awesome New Years! <3 Heidi