The transition from one year to the next is a universal celebration, and in many cultures, certain foods are enjoyed to ensure good fortune and prosperity in the coming 365 days. From ring-shaped snacks symbolizing completeness to foods that resemble gold and money, these appetizers are more than just delicious—they're edible good luck charms!
Ring in the New Year with these 15 incredible, lucky appetizers that are guaranteed to be the star of your New Year's Eve party.
1. Black-Eyed Pea Crostini with Bacon Jam
Black-eyed peas are a Southern tradition for good luck and prosperity. Serving them as a party-ready crostini makes this classic dish chic and effortless.
Description
A creamy, savory spread of pureed black-eyed peas topped with a rich, slightly sweet homemade bacon jam, served on toasted baguette slices.
Ingredients
Crostini Slices: 1 bag
Cooked Black-Eyed Peas: 1 cup
Cream Cheese: 4 oz, softened
Bacon: 6 slices, cooked and crumbled
Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Balsamic Vinegar: 1 teaspoon
Directions
Puree the black-eyed peas with the cream cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
For the jam, combine the bacon, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread the pea mixture on the crostini. Top each with a dollop of bacon jam.
2. Honey-Glazed Edamame
Green foods represent growth and health. Edamame, served warm and sweet, is a fun, hands-on appetizer that promises good fortune for the year ahead.
Description
Steamed edamame pods tossed in a sticky-sweet glaze of honey, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame.
Ingredients
Edamame Pods: 1 lb, frozen
Honey: 2 tablespoons
Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon
Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon
Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
Directions
Steam the edamame pods according to package directions until tender-crisp.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Toss the warm edamame pods with the glaze until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
3. Mini Money Bag Spring Rolls
These appetizers are folded to resemble ancient Chinese gold purses or money bags, symbolizing wealth and fortune.
Description
Small, crispy spring rolls filled with a savory mixture of finely chopped vegetables and ground pork, tied shut with a chive string.
Ingredients
Spring Roll Wrappers: 1 package
Ground Pork: 1/2 lb
Shredded Cabbage and Carrots: 1 cup
Ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated
Fresh Chives: 1 bunch, blanched
Directions
Sauté the pork, cabbage, carrots, and ginger until the pork is cooked through.
Place a spoonful of filling in the center of a wrapper, pull the edges up to form a "bag," and tie with a blanched chive.
Deep-fry or air-fry until golden and crisp.
4. Citrus and Pomegranate Skewers
Round fruits symbolize the completeness of the year and the life cycle. Pomegranates, with their numerous seeds, represent abundance and fertility.
Description
Refreshing, colorful skewers featuring alternating segments of mandarin orange, fresh mint leaves, and ruby-red pomegranate arils.
Ingredients
Mandarin Oranges: 4, segmented
Pomegranate: 1/2 cup arils
Fresh Mint Leaves: 1/4 cup
Short Bamboo Skewers: 1 package
Directions
Peel and segment the mandarin oranges.
Thread a piece of orange, a mint leaf, and a few pomegranate arils onto each skewer.
Repeat the pattern until the skewer is full. Serve chilled.
5. Mustard and Dill Herring on Rye
In some Northern European cultures, eating pickled herring on New Year’s Day is a tradition believed to bring riches and luck, due to the abundance of fish.
Description
Small slices of dark rye bread topped with pickled herring fillets coated in a creamy mustard and fresh dill sauce.
Ingredients
Pickled Herring in Cream Sauce: 1 jar
Dark Rye Bread: 1 loaf, sliced
Fresh Dill: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Mustard (Dijon): 1 teaspoon
Lemon Juice: 1/2 teaspoon
Directions
Remove the herring from the jar and mix the cream sauce with extra dill, mustard, and lemon juice.
Cut the rye bread into small squares or circles.
Place a herring fillet on each piece of rye bread, topping with a little extra sauce.
6. Whole Grain Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip
Ring-shaped foods, like pretzels, symbolize that the year has come full circle and promise a smooth transition into the next.
Description
Warm, chewy whole-grain pretzel bites dusted with coarse salt, served with a rich, tangy beer and cheddar cheese dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough: 1 lb
Baking Soda: 1/4 cup
Coarse Salt: 1 tablespoon
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
Lager Beer: 1/2 cup
Directions
Roll the dough into ropes, cut into 1-inch pieces, and boil briefly in water with baking soda.
Bake until golden.
For the dip, melt the cheese and whisk in the beer until smooth.
Serve the warm pretzel bites with the beer cheese dip.
7. Champagne-Glazed Pork Belly Bites
Pork is a classic symbol of progress and forward movement in many cultures, as pigs root forward when they forage. Serving pork belly as a bite-sized treat is pure decadence.
Description
Crispy, caramelized cubes of slow-cooked pork belly coated in a sweet and tangy glaze made with champagne and brown sugar.
Ingredients
Pork Belly: 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes
Champagne (or Sparkling Wine): 1/2 cup
Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup
Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon
Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Directions
Slow-roast or braise the pork belly until tender, then cut into cubes.
In a saucepan, combine the champagne, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder; reduce until thickened.
Toss the pork belly cubes in the glaze and broil for a minute until caramelized.
8. Noodle Wrapped Shrimp
Long noodles symbolize longevity and a long, smooth life. Wrapping them around shrimp creates a stunning, crispy finger food.
Description
Large shrimp wrapped tightly in thin rice vermicelli noodles and deep-fried until perfectly crisp.
Ingredients
Large Shrimp: 12, peeled and deveined
Rice Vermicelli Noodles: 1 package
Egg White: 1, lightly beaten
Oil for Frying
Sweet Chili Sauce: for dipping
Directions
Soak the vermicelli noodles until pliable and drain.
Wrap a small bundle of noodles around each shrimp, using egg white to secure the ends.
Deep-fry the wrapped shrimp until golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot with sweet chili sauce.
9. Golden Yellow Lentil Fritters
Lentils are consumed in many countries, especially Italy, because their round, coin-like shape is thought to bring financial fortune. Yellow lentils enhance the "gold" symbolism.
Description
Small, savory fritters made from a batter of blended yellow lentils, turmeric for color, and a hint of onion and garlic.
Ingredients
Yellow Lentils (Masoor Dal): 1 cup, soaked overnight
Onion: 1/4, finely chopped
Garlic: 1 clove, minced
Turmeric Powder: 1 teaspoon
Flour: 2 tablespoons (for binding)
Directions
Blend the soaked lentils with onion, garlic, and turmeric until a thick batter forms. Stir in the flour.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with a dollop of cooling yogurt or sour cream.
10. Coin-Shaped Banana Fritters
In Filipino culture, any round fruit is considered lucky. These coin-shaped banana fritters are a sweet take on the lucky 'money' shape.
Description
Sweet, small, coin-shaped slices of firm banana dipped in a light batter and fried until a sweet, golden crust forms.
Ingredients
Saba or Cooking Bananas: 3, sliced into 1/2-inch coins
Flour: 1/2 cup
Sugar: 2 tablespoons
Egg: 1, beaten
Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
Directions
Mix the flour, sugar, egg, and cinnamon to create a thin batter.
Dip each banana coin into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
Fry in hot oil until the coating is golden and crisp. Drain excess oil.
11. Corn and Cabbage Slaw Cups
Cabbage is a symbol of prosperity in many European traditions, as its overlapping leaves resemble paper money. Corn is a symbol of wealth and gold.
Description
A vibrant, crunchy slaw featuring shredded green cabbage and sweet corn kernels, dressed in a light, tangy vinegar and herb dressing, served in lettuce cups.
Ingredients
Green Cabbage: 1/2 head, shredded
Corn Kernels: 1 cup (fresh or frozen)
Carrots: 1/2 cup, shredded
White Wine Vinegar: 2 tablespoons
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
Butter Lettuce Leaves: 1 head
Directions
Combine the shredded cabbage, corn, and carrots in a large bowl.
Whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, and seasoning for the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss to coat.
Spoon the slaw into the butter lettuce cups just before serving.
12. Grapes and Goat Cheese Bites
Eating 12 grapes (one for each stroke of midnight) is a Spanish tradition for good luck, representing a sweet and successful month for each one.
Description
Elegant, bite-sized appetizers featuring a layer of soft, creamy goat cheese topped with halved red grapes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
Crackers or Pita Chips: 1 box
Goat Cheese: 4 oz, crumbled
Red Grapes: 1 cup, halved
Balsamic Glaze: 2 tablespoons
Thyme: 1 teaspoon, fresh (optional)
Directions
Spread or crumble goat cheese onto each cracker or pita chip.
Top each with 2-3 grape halves.
Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top and sprinkle with fresh thyme if desired.
13. Seven Layer Shrimp Dip
Shrimp symbolizes happiness and good fortune. Serving it in a "lucky seven" layer dip is a decadent promise of a fortunate year.
Description
A creamy, cold dip with layers of seasoned cream cheese, chopped shrimp, sour cream, cocktail sauce, chives, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Cooked Shrimp: 1 cup, chopped
Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
Sour Cream: 1/2 cup
Cocktail Sauce: 1/4 cup
Chives, Bell Peppers, Cheddar Cheese: 1/4 cup each
Seasoning: 1/2 teaspoon
Crackers: for serving
Directions
Mix the cream cheese with seasoning and spread as the base layer.
Layer the remaining ingredients in the order of your choice, ensuring the chopped shrimp is a prominent layer.
Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving with sturdy crackers.
14. Sweet Potato "Money" Chips
Sweet potatoes and other root vegetables represent growth from the ground up, a symbol of building wealth and success.
Description
Thinly sliced, round sweet potato chips baked until crispy and seasoned with a mix of cinnamon, a hint of sea salt, and brown sugar.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes: 2, scrubbed and thinly sliced
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
Brown Sugar: 1 teaspoon
Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
Sea Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt.
Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
15. Glazed Whole Fish Cakes
While not a full fish, serving fish cakes symbolizes abundance and completeness, as the Mandarin word for "surplus" or "extra" sounds like the word for "fish."
Description
Savory, pan-fried cakes made from flaky white fish (like cod or tilapia), seasoned with lemon and herbs, and topped with a light lemon glaze.
Ingredients
Flaky White Fish: 1 lb, cooked and flaked
Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
Egg: 1, beaten
Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons
Powdered Sugar: 1 tablespoon (for glaze)
Directions
In a bowl, combine the flaked fish, breadcrumbs, egg, and lemon zest. Form into small, round cakes.
Pan-fry the fish cakes until golden brown on both sides.
Whisk the lemon juice and powdered sugar for a light glaze.
Drizzle the glaze over the warm fish cakes before serving.
