20+ Fan-tastic Foods for Sunday's Super Big Game
Maybe you're a football fan, a funny commercial fan, or just a fan of food, the biggest game of the year is always a great way to cozy up with friends and family to grub on delicious food. We've all got that Game Day go-to we can't stop snacking on, whether it's big bowls of chips (with dip!), hot wings, mini sandwiches, or meatballs.
And while a super Sunday watch party might be a no-go this year, you can still whip up some snacks to enjoy the game from the comfort of your own couch. Here are some of our favorite finger foods and appetizers to snack on during the big game that we shall not name.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese Bites
Cheese balls are a popular item at game day parties, but this year, these individual cheese bites are a great way to enjoy a cheese ball without a ton of leftovers.
And what’s a better way to enjoy cheese than rolling it up into a ball with herbs and eating it in just a few bites?
These cheese balls are easy to customize and adapt to whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
But if you want to use it as an excuse to buy more cheese, we don’t blame you.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Everything Ranch Cheese & Pretzel Snack Mix
If any event calls for a big bowl of snack mix, it's the biggest football game of the year.
In this recipe, pretzels, cheese crackers, and rice cereal are tossed with butter and a variety of spices to create a zesty and salty snack that's totally irresistible.
If you plan on enjoying a couple of beers on Sunday, this is the perfect salty snack to go along with your brews.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Ham & Cheese Tailgate Sliders
These mini tailgate sliders are easy to make with just a few ingredients and are the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
Ham, cheese, dijon mustard, and a homemade butter sauce are all paired with fluffy dinner rolls before being warmed in the oven.
Serve these as a simple addition to other appetizers, or make it a whole meal with tomato soup served on the side.
Photo Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven
Ultimate Chili
What's a list of football game day recipes without chili?
In this ultimate chili recipe, ground beef, beans, chile pepper, and fire-roasted tomatoes are combined with traditional chili spices to create a warm and comforting meal.
Serve your chili with all the fixings and some cornbread.
Photo Courtesy of The Chunky Chef
Crispy Fried Ravioli
If you've never had crispy fried ravioli, you are definitely in for a treat!
Ravioli is dunked in a simple egg wash before being coated with panko breadcrumbs and fried to perfection.
If you want to make these a little healthier, you could bake them in the oven instead.
This recipe calls for thawed frozen ravioli and marinara sauce, but we suggest using fresh ravioli and spaghetti sauce instead!
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs
Ribs and football go together like peanut butter and jelly. And in this recipe, you don't even need to bother with turning on the grill.
Onion, pork ribs, and a homemade BBQ sauce are all popped into the crockpot and cooked low and slow for 7 hours.
Serve your ribs with a side of homemade coleslaw and lots of napkins -- you'll need them.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Folded Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Cheesy, spicy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these folded crispy buffalo chicken wraps are part quesadilla and part buffalo wing.
A tortilla is portioned into 4 different sections — buffalo chicken, lettuce, cheese, and jalapeño ranch — before being folded up and pan-fried on the stovetop.
Top your chicken wraps with a squeeze of lime juice and cilantro to finish them off.
Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen
Baked Buffalo Wings
Just as ribs and chili are a necessity for this list, so are buffalo wings!
This healthier take on wings relies on the oven to do the roasting, and though it takes substantially longer than frying, you'll end up with wings perfectly tender on the inside with a nice crunchy bite on the outside.
Serve your wings with ranch and blue cheese dressing for dipping and celery and carrots for controlling the heat.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
As far as dips go, spinach artichoke dip is pretty healthy and incredibly versatile, too!
The slow-cooker take on this dip makes it an easy set-it-and-forget-it appetizer you only need 15 minutes to prep.
When it's ready, transfer your dip to a bowl and serve it with slices of baguette, veggies, or pita chips.
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
Game day snacks, but with a Northwest flair!
In these smoked salmon appetizer bites, tortillas, smoked salmon, and a cream cheese spread are all layered together before being chopped into bite-sized pieces.
What you end up with is a mini layered sandwich of sorts that's the perfect little bite of salmon flavor.
Photo Courtesy of Forks Over Knives
Sweet Potato Jalapeño Poppers
While Game Days snacks tend to be packed full of meat and cheese, that doesn't mean that those that eat a plant-based diet have to go hungry!
In this vegan-friendly appetizer, jalapeños are stuffed with a sweet potato mixture made up of plant milk, nutritional yeast, turmeric, and salt and pepper before being baked in the oven.
Serve these jalapeño poppers with other vegan-friendly apps like hummus and chips or plant-based chik'n nuggets.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Sriracha Glazed Turkey Meatballs
This healthier take on meatballs subs in lean ground turkey for beef and features a spicy-sweet sriracha flavor.
The glaze itself is made up of apricot preserves, sriracha, rice vinegar, tamari, and sesame oil, resulting in an Asian-inspired flavor with a sweet twist.
Garnish your meatballs with sesame seeds and green onions and serve them over rice for a full meal.
Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you want the spicy flavor of buffalo wings but don't want to deal with the mess or baking time, consider this dip!
Calling for just 8 ingredients, this recipe calls for you to simply mix up all your ingredients, add them to a baking dish, and pop them in the oven for about 20 minutes.
If you want to get the top nice and crispy, we recommend turning on the broiler for a few minutes after baking.
Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen
Lemon-Lime Mintade
Of course, all these salty snacks call for a refreshing beverage to quench your thirst. These lemon and lime mintades from Smitten Kitchen are sure to do the trick!
A simple syrup is made from water, sugar, and mint, while lemon and lime are added later on and steeped to bring all the flavors together.
Top your juice-syrup mixture with seltzer or sparkling water for a refreshing drink.
Photo Courtesy of Spend With Pennies
Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls are a good choice for game day because they're easy to make and let's face it, who doesn't like pizza?
In this recipe, pizza dough is topped with sauce, pepperoni, and cheese, before being rolled up, sliced, and baked in cupcake tins.
Do you like the idea of pizza but don't want to be bothered with recipes or take out? Snag one of our housemade take-and-bake pizzas in the Deli!
Find the full recipe at Spend With Pennies
More Game Day Recipes To Consider
Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites from Gimme Some Oven
Black Bean Taquitos from Co+op
Chile Con Queso from Once Upon a Chef
Chili-Cheese Nachos from EatingWell
BBQ Chicken Sliders from Spend With Pennies
Crockpot Bourbon BBQ Meatballs from The Chunky Chef
Chicken Chilaquiles from Co+op