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23 Cool Cold Appetizer-Platter Recipes for New Year That Impress

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Introduction

Cold appetizer platters bring fresh colour, bold flavour, and easy serving to any New Year gathering. They’re simple to prep, easy to assemble, and perfect for crowds. These recipes offer a mix of crunchy veggies, creamy dips, vibrant fruits, and chilled bites that look great on any celebration table.

1. Classic Mediterranean Mezze Platter

A timeless mix of fresh vegetables and creamy dips.

Ingredients

  • Hummus – 1 cup
  • Cucumbers, sliced – 1 cup
  • Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup
  • Kalamata olives – ½ cup
  • Pita bread, cut into triangles – 3 pieces
  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Parsley – 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Arrange hummus in a bowl.
  2. Place cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and pita around it.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over hummus.
  4. Sprinkle parsley before serving.

How to Serve It

Add feta cubes for extra richness.

2. Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Board

A refreshing seafood platter perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chilled shrimp – 1 lb
  • Cocktail sauce – 1 cup
  • Lemon wedges – 6
  • Fresh dill – 1 tbsp

Instructions**

  1. Arrange shrimp on crushed ice.
  2. Place cocktail sauce in a small bowl.
  3. Add lemon wedges and garnish with dill.

How to Serve It

Serve on a chilled tray to keep shrimp fresh.

3. Cheese-Fruit Colour Pop Platter

Sweet fruit pairs perfectly with creamy cheeses.

Ingredients

  • Red grapes – 1 cup
  • Green grapes – 1 cup
  • Mixed berries – 1 cup
  • Brie wedges – ½ cup
  • Cheddar cubes – ½ cup
  • Crackers – 1 cup
  • Almonds – ¼ cup

Instructions**

  1. Place cheeses in separate sections.
  2. Add fruit around them.
  3. Fill gaps with crackers and almonds.

How to Serve It

Add honey drizzle near the brie for extra flavour.

4. Cold Italian Antipasto Spread

A colourful board inspired by classic Italian starters.

Ingredients

  • Salami slices – ½ cup
  • Pepperoni slices – ½ cup
  • Mozzarella pearls – ½ cup
  • Marinated artichokes – ½ cup
  • Roasted peppers – ½ cup
  • Olives – ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Arrange meats on one side.
  2. Add cheese and vegetables in small clusters.
  3. Serve immediately.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle basil leaves for aroma.

5. Chilled Veggie Dipper Tray

A light, crunchy platter perfect for grazing.

Ingredients

  • Carrot sticks – 1 cup
  • Celery sticks – 1 cup
  • Bell pepper strips – 1 cup
  • Cucumber sticks – 1 cup
  • Ranch dip – 1 cup

Instructions

  1. Place dip in the centre.
  2. Surround with vegetable sticks.
  3. Serve chilled.

How to Serve It

Add cherry tomatoes for extra colour.

6. Cold Smoked Salmon Canapé Board

A refined platter with creamy, citrusy flavours.

Ingredients

  • Smoked salmon – 8 oz
  • Crackers – 20 pieces
  • Cream cheese – ½ cup
  • Dill – 2 tbsp
  • Lemon zest – 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Spread cream cheese on crackers.
  2. Add salmon slices.
  3. Top with dill and lemon zest.

How to Serve It

Serve with capers on the side.

7. Cold Chicken Salad Mini Cups

Cool, refreshing, and perfect for small bites.

Ingredients

  • Cooked shredded chicken – 1 cup
  • Mayo – ¼ cup
  • Celery, diced – 2 tbsp
  • Salt & pepper – to taste
  • Cucumbers, cut into thick cups – 12

Instructions

  1. Mix chicken, mayo, celery, salt, and pepper.
  2. Spoon into cucumber cups.
  3. Chill before serving.

How to Serve It

Garnish with tiny parsley leaves.

8. Cold Greek Yogurt Dip Platter

A refreshing yogurt dip paired with crisp vegetables.

Ingredients

  • Greek yogurt – 1 cup
  • Garlic powder – ¼ tsp
  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
  • Salt – ¼ tsp
  • Cucumbers, sliced – 1 cup
  • Tomatoes – 1 cup
  • Pita chips – 1 cup

Instructions

  1. Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon, and salt.
  2. Place dip in the centre.
  3. Arrange veggies and pita around it.

How to Serve It

Add olive oil drizzle to the dip.

9. Fresh Caprese Skewer Board

A chilled platter with bright Italian flavours.

Ingredients

  • Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup
  • Mozzarella balls – 1 cup
  • Fresh basil – ½ cup
  • Balsamic glaze – 2 tbsp
  • Skewer sticks – 20

Instructions

  1. Thread tomato, mozzarella, and basil onto skewers.
  2. Lay on a platter.
  3. Drizzle balsamic glaze.

How to Serve It

Serve chilled for best texture.

10. Cold Tuna-Cucumber Rounds

A refreshing seafood bite with cool crunch.

Ingredients

  • Tuna (drained) – 1 can
  • Mayo – 2 tbsp
  • Lemon juice – 1 tsp
  • Salt & pepper – to taste
  • Cucumber slices – 20

Instructions

  1. Mix tuna, mayo, lemon, salt, and pepper.
  2. Spoon onto cucumber slices.
  3. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

How to Serve It

Add dill or parsley on top.

11. Cold Sweet-Chili Shrimp Bites

A sweet-savory platter with colourful presentation.

Ingredients

  • Cooked shrimp – 1 lb
  • Sweet chili sauce – ¼ cup
  • Lettuce leaves – 20 small pieces

Instructions

  1. Place shrimp in lettuce cups.
  2. Drizzle chili sauce.
  3. Serve immediately.

How to Serve It**

Add lime wedges for brightness.

12. Cool Avocado-Egg Mini Toasts

A creamy, chilled appetizer with punchy colour.

Ingredients

  • Baguette slices – 20
  • Avocado – 1
  • Hard-boiled eggs – 2
  • Salt – ¼ tsp
  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Mash avocado with salt and lemon.
  2. Spread on baguette slices.
  3. Top with egg slices.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle paprika for colour.

13. Cold Asian Sesame Noodle Cups

A light noodle platter with bold flavour.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chilled noodles – 2 cups
  • Sesame dressing – ¼ cup
  • Shredded carrots – ½ cup
  • Cucumbers – ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Toss noodles with dressing.
  2. Add carrots and cucumbers.
  3. Portion into mini cups.

How to Serve It

Top with sesame seeds.

14. Cold Chickpea-Herb Appetizer Cups

A colourful, protein-rich cold bite.

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas – 1 cup
  • Diced tomatoes – ½ cup
  • Parsley – 2 tbsp
  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
  • Salt – ¼ tsp

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Spoon into small serving cups.
  3. Chill before serving.

How to Serve It

Serve with tiny spoons for easy eating.

15. Cold Cucumber-Smoked Turkey Rollups

A light and refreshing platter perfect for snacking.

Ingredients

  • Cucumber ribbons – 1 cup
  • Smoked turkey slices – 6
  • Cream cheese – ¼ cup

Instructions

  1. Spread cream cheese on turkey.
  2. Roll with cucumber ribbons.
  3. Chill and slice.

How to Serve It

Secure with toothpicks.

16. Cold Beet-Goat Cheese Crostini

A colourful bite combining earthy and creamy flavours.

Ingredients

  • Baguette slices – 20
  • Roasted beets, chilled and diced – 1 cup
  • Goat cheese – ½ cup
  • Honey – 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Spread goat cheese on toasted slices.
  2. Add beets.
  3. Drizzle honey.

How to Serve It

Add walnuts for crunch.

17. Cold Asian Lettuce-Crunch Platter

A crisp and refreshing bite inspired by Asian flavours.

Ingredients

  • Lettuce leaves – 20
  • Shredded carrots – 1 cup
  • Cucumbers – ½ cup
  • Sesame dressing – 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Fill lettuce leaves with veggies.
  2. Add dressing.
  3. Serve chilled.

How to Serve It

Top with chopped peanuts.

18. Chilled Deviled Egg Tray

A classic party favourite that always looks great.

Ingredients

  • Eggs – 12
  • Mayo – ¼ cup
  • Mustard – 1 tsp
  • Paprika – ½ tsp
  • Salt – ¼ tsp

Instructions

  1. Boil eggs and cut in half.
  2. Mix yolks with mayo, mustard, and salt.
  3. Pipe mixture into egg whites.
  4. Sprinkle paprika.

How to Serve It

Serve chilled for best texture.

19. Cold Mini Taco Cups

A fun, colourful platter with bold flavour.

Ingredients

  • Mini tortilla cups – 20
  • Cooked chilled beans – 1 cup
  • Salsa – ½ cup
  • Shredded cheese – ½ cup
  • Lettuce, shredded – ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Fill cups with beans.
  2. Add cheese, salsa, and lettuce.
  3. Serve cold.

How to Serve It

Top with cilantro.

20. Cold Cranberry-Brie Phyllo Bites

A sweet-savory festive bite perfect for New Year.

Ingredients

  • Phyllo cups – 20
  • Brie cubes – 1 cup
  • Cranberry relish – ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Add brie cubes to cups.
  2. Spoon cranberry relish on top.
  3. Chill before serving.

How to Serve It

Add a mint leaf for colour.

21. Cold Herb-Ricotta Stuffed Peppers

A colourful platter with creamy filling.

Ingredients

  • Mini sweet peppers – 20
  • Ricotta – 1 cup
  • Basil – 2 tbsp
  • Lemon zest – 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Mix ricotta, basil, and lemon zest.
  2. Stuff peppers.
  3. Chill and serve.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle cracked pepper on top.

22. Chilled Fruit-Yogurt Parfait Bites

A cool, sweet platter with colourful layers.

Ingredients

  • Vanilla yogurt – 1 cup
  • Mixed berries – 1 cup
  • Granola – ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Layer yogurt, berries, and granola in mini cups.
  2. Chill before serving.

How to Serve It

Add a drizzle of honey.

23. Cold Rainbow Hummus Trio Platter

A colourful centrepiece platter with multiple dips.

Ingredients

  • Classic hummus – 1 cup
  • Beet hummus – 1 cup
  • Spinach hummus – 1 cup
  • Pita chips – 2 cups
  • Veggie sticks – 3 cups

Instructions

  1. Place the hummus bowls in the centre.
  2. Surround with veggie sticks and pita.
  3. Serve chilled.

How to Serve It

Add lemon wedges around the platter.

Conclusion

Cold appetizer platters bring colour, flavour, and simple prep to any New Year party. Try a few of these boards, mix and match ingredients, and create spreads your guests will enjoy. Save your favourites and share them with anyone planning a celebration.

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