13 New Year Skewer Appetizers: Easy, Elegant, and Festive Bites
As the clock ticks down on the final hours of the year, serve your guests something easy to eat but sophisticated in presentation. Skewer appetizers are the perfect solution—they are endlessly customizable, require no plates, and look stunning on a buffet table.
Here are 13 traditional, elegant, and festive skewer recipes guaranteed to keep your New Year’s celebration chic and hassle-free.
1. Caprese Skewers
A timeless classic, these are simple, fresh, and bring a vibrant pop of color to your spread.
Description
Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
1 pint cherry tomatoes
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (pearl size)
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Wooden skewers
Directions
Thread one tomato, one mozzarella ball, and one basil leaf onto each skewer. Repeat with another set if desired for a longer skewer. Arrange on a platter and generously drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
2. Antipasto Skewers
Bring the flavors of an Italian charcuterie board to a convenient bite.
Description
Olives, pepperoni, marinated artichoke hearts, and provolone cheese cubes, lightly seasoned.
Ingredients
1 cup green or black olives
1 cup folded pepperoni slices
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained
8 oz provolone cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Wooden skewers
Directions
Alternately thread an olive, a piece of pepperoni, an artichoke heart, and a provolone cube onto the skewers. You can vary the order for visual appeal.
3. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
A sweet and savory favorite that's easy to prepare in advance.
Description
Marinated chicken pieces, baked until tender, and brushed with a sweet teriyaki glaze.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup teriyaki marinade
1/4 cup teriyaki glaze (for brushing)
Wooden skewers
Directions
Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes. Thread the chicken onto the skewers. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Brush with extra teriyaki glaze halfway through baking and again just before serving.
4. Cocktail Meatball Skewers
A nostalgic and comforting party food, perfect for dipping.
Description
Classic savory meatballs, baked and coated in a tangy barbecue or sweet-and-sour sauce.
Ingredients
1 lb cooked cocktail-sized meatballs
1 cup barbecue sauce or sweet-and-sour sauce
Wooden skewers
Directions
Toss the meatballs with your choice of sauce until fully coated. Thread 2-3 meatballs onto each skewer. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the sauce is bubbling.
5. Shrimp Cocktail Skewers
An elegant and chilled starter that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Description
Chilled cooked shrimp and a lemon wedge, served with a side of horseradish-spiced cocktail sauce.
Ingredients
1 lb large cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lemon, cut into wedges
Cocktail sauce for dipping
Wooden skewers
Directions
Gently thread two shrimp onto each skewer, followed by a small wedge of lemon. Serve chilled with a bowl of cocktail sauce for dipping.
6. Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon Skewers
The perfect marriage of sweet and salty for a sophisticated appetizer.
Description
Cubes of fresh cantaloupe or honeydew melon wrapped tightly in thinly sliced prosciutto.
Ingredients
1 small cantaloupe or honeydew melon, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
Wooden skewers
Directions
Cut the prosciutto slices into halves or thirds lengthwise. Wrap one piece of prosciutto around each melon cube. Thread 2-3 wrapped cubes onto each skewer. Serve chilled.
7. Cheese Tortellini Skewers
A hearty and flavorful appetizer, often called a "pasta salad on a stick."
Description
Cooked, chilled cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, and salami, lightly tossed in Italian dressing.
Ingredients
1 (9 oz) package cheese tortellini, cooked and cooled
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
4 oz hard salami, folded or cut into quarters
2 tbsp Italian dressing
Wooden skewers
Directions
Toss the cooled tortellini, tomatoes, and salami in Italian dressing. Thread the ingredients onto the skewers, alternating between tortellini, tomato, and salami.
8. Balsamic Beef Skewers
Rich and tender marinated beef, grilled or baked for a satisfying bite.
Description
Marinated beef sirloin cubes, threaded with pieces of bell pepper and red onion.
Ingredients
1 lb beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into squares
1 red onion, cut into wedges
Wooden skewers
Directions
Marinate the beef in balsamic vinegar and olive oil for at least 1 hour. Thread the beef, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto the skewers. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes until the beef is cooked to your liking.
9. Pickle and Cream Cheese Roll-Up Skewers
A savory, crunchy, and tangy skewer inspired by a classic holiday snack.
Description
Dill pickle spears rolled in herbed cream cheese and sliced into thick rounds.
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 large dill pickle spears
Wooden skewers or toothpicks
Directions
Mix the softened cream cheese with dill and garlic powder. Spread a thick layer of the mixture over each pickle spear. Slice the pickle into 3/4-inch rounds. Thread one or two rounds onto each small skewer or toothpick.
10. Honey Mustard Glazed Ham and Pineapple Skewers
A sweet and tangy combination reminiscent of a holiday ham.
Description
Cubes of baked ham and fresh pineapple brushed with a simple honey mustard glaze.
Ingredients
8 oz baked ham, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Wooden skewers
Directions
Mix the honey and Dijon mustard to create the glaze. Thread the ham and pineapple alternately onto the skewers. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Brush generously with the honey mustard glaze before serving.
11. Cherry Tomato and Pesto Skewers
A simple yet flavorful variation of the Caprese skewer using a bold pesto flavor.
Description
Cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls, lightly coated in basil pesto.
Ingredients
1 pint cherry tomatoes
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (pearl size)
1/4 cup basil pesto
Wooden skewers
Directions
In a bowl, toss the mozzarella balls with the basil pesto until coated. Thread one tomato, one pesto-coated mozzarella ball, and another tomato onto each skewer.
12. Roasted Sweet Potato and Sage Skewers
A surprisingly savory and comforting vegetarian option.
Description
Cubes of roasted sweet potato tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh sage.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
Wooden skewers
Directions
Toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and sage. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, or until tender. Let cool slightly, then thread 2-3 cubes onto each skewer. Serve warm or at room temperature.
13. Olive, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Pepperoncini Skewers
A tangy, briny, and sharp Mediterranean medley.
Description
A bold combination of Kalamata olives, savory sun-dried tomatoes, and spicy pepperoncini.
Ingredients
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
1 cup whole pepperoncini peppers, drained
Wooden skewers
Directions
Simply thread one olive, one sun-dried tomato, and one pepperoncini onto each skewer, repeating the pattern as desired.
