Let's Party Like It's 2025!
3 easy & fun appetizers to make for guests, or even turn into a whole meal!
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2025 New Year’s Appetizers: Make Your Own Bruschetta 3-Ways, Personal NYE Pizzas, and Apple Nachos
Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, spending a cozy night in with family, or just looking for fun recipes everyone can enjoy, these appetizers are perfect for bringing people together—especially the kids! From topping bruschetta and decorating personal pizzas to creating sweet apple nachos, little chefs can join in the fun and add their personal touch. These recipes are easy to prep, versatile enough to suit any taste, and designed to make the kitchen a place for laughter and creativity this New Year’s Eve.
If you are brainstorming what to do with those Christmas Dinner leftovers, make sure you check out our post from last week where Chef Lola shared two of her favorite Boxing Day recipes: Creating New Traditions: Christmas Leftovers & 2 Boxing Day Recipes.
Make these recipes your own
All of these recipes are incredibly versatile, and the toppings can be customized to your heart’s content.
One Potato Bruschetta 3-Ways Recipe includes a traditional tomato, garlic, and olive oil recipe, as well as our whipped ricotta and whipped herb goat cheese as recommendations.
Spend more time with your family and less time cleaning the kitchen by making Personal Pizzas on a naan, English muffin, or bagel base.
Apple Nachos are the sweet New Year’s dessert you didn’t know you needed! If adding chocolate or caramel syrup sounds like too much sugar, stick to dried fruit and nuts as your “nacho” toppings.
Start the year with something sweet…
Drizzle your bruschetta or Apple Nachos with our favorite and fun Runamok Maple Sparkle Syrup or decorate those Nachos with the Supernatural Sprinkles we can’t get enough of (they’re Soy Free, Gluten Free and Vegan - with no added artificial dyes!).
Pro Tips for Perfect Bruschetta & Personal Pizzas
Follow the recipe for Bruschetta 3-Ways below, and don’t forget:
High-Quality Bread: Use a crusty, artisan loaf for the best texture and flavor, usually a ciabatta or baguettte. Slice it about 1/2-inch thick for a perfect balance of crispiness and chew.
Season to Taste: Adjust salt, pepper, and acidity (lemon juice or vinegar) in the toppings to suit your family’s preferences.
Room Temperature Toppings: Allow cheese spreads and fruit to come to room temperature before assembling so the flavors shine through and spread easily.
Embrace variety! Brush up on sweet or savory by mixing and matching toppings. Try fresh fruit—berries, figs, or sliced stone fruit—with a drizzle of honey or fruit jam for a sweet treat with the whipped ricotta. Or go savory by adding roasted or grilled vegetables (like zucchini, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers) plus fresh herbs and a sprinkle of chili flakes for extra flair. Let your taste buds guide you, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new combinations to discover your perfect bruschetta creation!
When making Personal Pizzas at home, always remember:
Consider Pre-Made Alternative Pizza Bases: Consider using naan bread, English muffins, or bagels as alternative pizza bases to save time.
Use Room-Temp Dough & Par-Bake the Crust: If rolling out fresh dough, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to a few hours for easier handling. Then, partially bake it at 450°F for 4-5 minutes before adding toppings. This helps the crust stay sturdy and reduces final bake time.
Don’t Overload Toppings: Less is more! Keep toppings light so the pizzas cook evenly and the dough doesn’t get soggy. This is true even if you’re using a non-traditional base such as an English muffin - you don’t want the sauce or the toppings to make the base soggy.
Keep One Potato Homemade Pizza Sauce on hand, or use your favorite store-bought version: One Potato homemade pizza sauce will keep in your freezer for up to 4 months.
Want to be part of our test kitchen?? Story had so much fun (and made a delightful mess!) cooking up and testing out our Apple Nachos recipe. Get in touch, we’d love to have you!
—>Behind the Paywall: Ways to get your kids involved in helping prep these recipes, our Pro Tips for each appetizer, and ideas for helping Picky Eaters…
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