What kind of New Year’s Eve person are you? Some of us are party-goers, intent on making the most of the last few hours of the year. Others, like me, look forward to cozy pajamas with a friend, a good book, a pet—or better yet, all three!—for company. There are others who still find themselves somewhere in between, booking a table for two at a favorite restaurant or hosting a small group of friends at home. Whichever one best describes your NYE plans, there’s one common reason we can all agree on. Although indulgence is par for the course when it comes to celebrating the coming year, I doubt any of us want to wake up with a sugar or alcohol induced headache. To help us avoid the bad vibes of 2025, I’ve put together my favorite healthy recipes for New Year’s Eve.
21 Healthy New Year’s Eve Recipes
Remember: prevention is not a goal. My hope is to help you fill your plate with all the delicious and nutritious foods that will allow you to celebrate the holiday in any way you like while waking up ready to make your 2025 vision board a reality. I found everything from mocktails to satisfying mains to small bites full of flavor. Get ready for gluten-free goodness, vegan fun, and veggie-filled apps.
So with overflow on our minds and excitement to try all the healthy food and flavor combos, let’s dive in. Get ready to wrap up 2024 on a high note and enter the new year ahead.
Minty Pomegranate Punch
Pomegranates are an ever-elusive ingredient that I look forward to making the most of when in season. Brushing pomegranate arils with blueberry and mint balances the sweet and tart flavors well. Trust me when I say this will be the best take on a non-boozy mojito you’ve ever had.
Salty Dog Mocktail
Technically this recipe was created as a cocktail. But thankfully, Camille was forward-thinking and figured many of us would want to ring in the new year with this drink—minus the vodka. It’s refreshing and hydrating, and you can drink it knowing you won’t wake up with a hangover in the morning.
Bruschetta board
This bruschetta board is a healthy spread of toasted baguette slices topped with a variety of fresh, flavorful ingredients like tomatoes, pesto, and seasonal fruits. Perfect for entertaining, it offers a fun, interactive way to enjoy a classic Italian appetizer with a variety of toppings.
Spiced Olives
This appetizer combines a powerful blend of herbs, citrus, and garlic for a delicious dish. Perfect for entertaining or as a delicious addition to your NYE meal, these olives are easy to prepare and pack a punch of Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Carrot and Hummus Toasts
One peek at this bright pop-of-orange makeup and I immediately think I’m healthy. Thankfully, after just one bite, you’ll notice that the flavor follows. Crunchy, sour fried dough serves as the base with a thick smear of creamy hummus and sweet and spicy carrots to finish things off. Proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring.
Smoked Eggplant
Baba ganoush, but with a raised volume (and that’s saying something). If you think eggplant-based dips are only for warm-weather gatherings, think again. Once your eggplant is roasted, all that’s left to do is mix its creamy goodness with the ultimate combination of spices and flavors (think: smoked paprika, thyme, garlic, tahini, and cumin). The resulting taste is superior.
Dips & Crudité Grazing Board
With a large plate of crudité on your table, you can make your eat-more-veggies-in-2025 goal a reality even before the clock strikes midnight. One of the many great things about this healthy New Year’s Eve recipe is that it’s a choose-your-own-travel experience. Follow the template we have provided and let your desires guide you.
Holiday Charcuterie Board
I know what you’re thinking—charcuterie… healthy? Here’s the great thing about building and eating at the dinner table: the portions are completely up to you. Olives and nuts provide a healthy dose of fat while fresh and dried fruits (grapes, figs, and pomegranate arils) lend a little antioxidant love to the mix. From there, you sprinkle on the cheese and cured meats and top your crackers to your heart’s content. The fun, colorful combos are limited only by your imagination.
Kale Pea & Ricotta Spread
Of all the healthy New Year’s Eve recipes I can think of, this might be my all-time favorite. Why? First, let’s talk about color. Kale and peas produce a bright, bright green that is welcome in the middle of winter. And the texture is beyond creamy, thanks to a healthy dose of ricotta. Finally, this spread has a great flavor with nutmeg, black pepper, lemon, and red pepper flakes all mixed in.
Ricotta Board with Pears and Honey Roasted Pistachios
Approved for Instagram and all your social media needs, this ricotta board is super cute. And thankfully, it’s very easy to put together. With very little effort required, you’ll have this five-ingredient drink on the table in minutes.
Squash & Farro Salad With Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecans
The salty-sweet combination of the impressive ingredients of this salad is unmatched. Farro is a nutty, toothsome grain that you need to start incorporating into your cooking by 2025, figures. This salad is the perfect entry point, with oven-shine delicata squash, tangy goat cheese, crisp apples, and a dressing you’ll be wearing. everything.
Easy Zucchini Pasta
If your New Year’s Eve gathering is more of a sit-down celebration than a finger food fête, this is the main thing to do. Pasta is always my go-to when I want to indulge without worrying about whether or not my dish will come out. Rustic on purpose, this veggie-filled pasta is natural and perfectly imperfect. A healthy recipe that feels special enough to welcome in the new year.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
While it may not seem special enough to bring to your New Year’s Eve gathering, this isn’t just any old pasta. This dish is creamy, comforting, and cheesy, but more than that, it’s full of flavor thanks to the miso and sage. You heard it here first—chickpea pasta rules.
Roasted Carrot and Red Pepper Hummus Flatbread
It’s a basic rule: When the hummus is on the table, the party’s on. But if you’re looking for a great dish that will take everyone’s favorite dish to the next level, this flatbread is your answer. Toasted, toasted pita meets creamy and sweet hummus and is filled with fresh and flavorful vegetables. The celebrations can’t really begin until you give this away.
Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls
There’s something about these spring rolls that feels perfect for New Year’s Eve. Maybe it’s because I’ve always associated finger food with the holiday or the fact that the presentation is really amazing. Either way, these plant-based, protein-packed rolls will satisfy every appetite and pair perfectly with a glass of bubbly.
Single Bowl Chocolate Cake
This grain-free chocolate cake is rich, moist, and decadent, made with simple, healthy ingredients that everyone can enjoy. Perfect for any occasion—but NYE especially—it’s a delightful treat that satisfies your chocolate cravings while being gluten-free and indulgent.
Cinnamon Baked Apples
I was at a dinner party the other night when someone served baked apples that were spiced, sweet, and delicious. While the presentation was humble, the taste and impact of the whole place was beyond words. A total of nine ingredients (two being water and salt) make this a great after-dinner treat. And because when you’re working with something as delicious as apples, there’s not much that can be improved upon.
Gluten Free Citrus Cake with Strawberries and Cardamom Coconut Cream
When it comes to healthy New Year’s Eve recipes, this dessert really takes the cake. The recipe is a chic yogurt cake that combines almond flour and gluten-free AP to produce a fluffy, cloud-like texture. A GF twist that is still dreamy and rotten.
Gluten-Free, Vegan Brownies
Because of their cool, humble presentation, you might not associate brownies with this glitzy, glittery holiday. But… that’s where you’d be wrong. When the clock strikes midnight and your guests are full of deep champagne coupe, nothing will satisfy the craving for something sweet like a chocolatey brownie. And because these are both gluten- and dairy-free, everyone can enjoy.
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
These healthy oatmeal cookies are one of my favorite 3pm snacks, but their beauty lies in their versatility. Really, you can enjoy these almost any time of day and any occasion—New Year’s Eve, included. Enjoy the crispy-chewy texture of these cookies thanks to a combination of raisins, dark chocolate, walnuts, coconut flakes, and oats. Of course, these deliver it all.
Healthy Crumble
Think you can’t enjoy apples past November? Think again, my friends. While pumpkin spice gives off distinct autumnal vibes, you have my permission to bake this crumble all winter long. Spicy, crispy, and sweet enough.