These New Year’s Eve penguin appetizers are one of those smart ideas that win everyone over at first glance. Cute, scenic, and very easy to make, they are perfect when you want to serve something different without spending hours in the kitchen.
All you need are pitted black olives, spreadable cheese, and carrots to create a creative appetizer that will make both adults and kids smile, ideal for the New Year’s Eve dinner or a holiday buffet.
A quick, no-cook recipe that shows how with just a few ingredients, you can achieve a great effect.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 12Pieces
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: New Year's Eve, Christmas
Ingredients
Before you begin, have everything ready on the work surface: it will really take very little.
- 24 black olives (pitted)
- 3.5 oz cream cheese
- 1 carrot
Tools
- Toothpicks
Steps
Peel the carrot and cut it into slices about a quarter inch thick: these will be the penguins’ feet.
From each slice, cut a small triangle, which will be used to create the beak.
Take a pitted black olive, cut it in half, and fill it with cream cheese, using a teaspoon or piping bag: this will be the penguin’s white belly.
Take another pitted black olive and insert the carrot triangle into the hole to form the beak.
Assemble the penguin by skewering everything with a toothpick.
Continue until you have used all the ingredients and arrange the penguins on a cutting board or serving plate.
Tips
You can flavor the cream cheese with a pinch of pepper or herbs for a more intense taste.
For an even more scenic effect, serve the penguins on a dark plate or on a bed of lettuce.
This is a perfect recipe to make with children: simple and fun.
Storage
The penguin appetizers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for 2–3 hours at most.
I recommend making them shortly before serving to keep the carrots crunchy and the cheese fresh.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Are they suitable for a New Year’s Eve buffet?
Absolutely yes: they are practical, single-serving, and super scenic.
