9 Best Spicy Appetizers for New Year to Elevate Your Party

The New Year is just around the corner, and if you're anything like me, you've already started planning the perfect party. While the main course usually takes center stage, delicious appetizers can truly set the mood and get everyone excited for what’s to come.

I’ve found that kicking things off with a spicy touch is always a hit! Whether your guests love a bit of heat or just enjoy bold flavors, these 9 Best Spicy Appetizers for New Year to Elevate Your Party are sure to fire up the festivities and make your celebration memorable. So, let’s dive into the recipes that I swear by.

1. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This crowd-pleaser combines the comfort of creamy cheese with the tang and heat of buffalo sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, and half the shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
5. Serve hot with celery sticks, tortilla chips, or crackers.

2. Jalapeño Poppers

These spicy cheese-filled poppers are a party staple and guaranteed to go fast.

Ingredients:

• 12 fresh jalapeños
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 bacon slices, halved

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.
3. Mix the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese together in a bowl.
4. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
5. Wrap each filled jalapeño with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
6. Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

3. Spicy Shrimp Skewers

Grilled to perfection, these skewers add a seafood twist to your appetizer lineup.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers.
3. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
4. Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp is opaque and fully cooked.
5. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra zesty kick.

4. Spicy Sriracha Meatballs

These bite-sized meatballs pack a punch thanks to the addition of Sriracha sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Sriracha sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until well combined.
3. Form the mixture into small meatballs about the size of a walnut.
4. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
5. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until fully cooked.
6. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

5. Hot and Spicy Wings

No party is complete without some finger-licking spicy wings.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
3. Season the chicken wings with salt and pepper.
4. Arrange the wings on the wire rack in a single layer.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through, until the skin is crispy and the chicken is fully cooked.
6. While the wings are baking, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, honey, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl.
7. Toss the baked wings in the hot sauce mixture until they are fully coated.
8. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

6. Spicy Guacamole

Kick up your traditional guacamole with a spicy twist.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mash the avocados to your desired level of chunkiness.
2. Add the finely chopped red onion, jalapeño, minced garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.

7. Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms

These mushrooms are loaded with a cheesy, spicy filling that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb white button mushrooms, stems removed
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon the cheese mixture into the mushroom caps.
4. Place the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown.
6. Serve warm.

8. Spicy Deviled Eggs

These deviled eggs have a spicy kick that’s sure to please the crowd.

Ingredients:

• 12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove the yolks from the halved eggs and place them in a bowl.
2. Mash the yolks with a fork until smooth.
3. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Spoon the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
5. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.

9. Spicy Queso Dip

This creamy dip is elevated with a spicy kick, making it perfect for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 tablespoons diced jalapeños
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the processed cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies, diced jalapeños, and milk.
2. Stir frequently until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. Add the chili powder and cumin, stirring to incorporate.
4. Pour the queso dip into a serving bowl.
5. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Conclusion

These recipes not only promise to bring a spicy zing to your New Year’s Eve party but are also easy enough to whip up in a flash. Trust me, your guests will absolutely love them. Here’s to a spicy and flavorful start to the new year!