Cooking for Kickoff
Watching football and having friends over are almost synonymous. Required in that scenario are snacks, of course. But game day snacks don’t have to be all about potato chips and cheesy dips. Here are a handful of our favorite healthy, delicious snacks that will sustain your friends and family throughout the game—and beyond.
Baked Pita Chips
Instead of deep-fried potato chips, try just-as-satisfying baked pita chips. These household favorites are just as crisp and satisfying … without the fat. We love them with hummus, black bean dip or warm spinach dip.
To make: The Shiksa in the Kitchen
Edamame Hummus and Radish Crostini
Toasts are a satisfying, hearty snack. This version features a simple edamame hummus and delicious creamy yogurt spread. Don’t like radishes? Top with your favorite thinly sliced seasonal vegetable instead.
To make: Love and Lemons
MORE: Tailgating Gone Healthy
Parmesan Cheddar Crackers
While these poppy seed crackers contain a little butter and cheese, they’re a step above the rest in flavor, and far healthier than store-bought crackers that are so often filled with preservatives and sodium. So: Snack away!
To make: Jane's Sweets & Baking Journal
Chickpea Sloppy Joes
As the afternoon ticks on and friends get hungry for something a bit more substantial, pull out these vegetarian sloppy joes. They'll satisfy even the most vigilant meat eater. Make the mix ahead of time so the only thing that you need to do is quickly fry the patties.
To make: Keepin' It Kind
Baked Chicken Nuggets
It doesn’t take much more than chicken, Panko breadcrumbs and olive oil to make these super simple and healthy baked chicken nuggets. Get out the barbecue sauce and your favorite honey mustard, and turn on the game!
To make: Umami Holiday
Mexican Pulled Pork Sliders
Sliders are the perfect game day food, since they’re small enough to grab while chatting with friends during a commercial break. These little sandwiches are not only likely to be the first thing that disappears from the table, but they’re also one of the simplest to make: Do the pork ahead of time in the slow cooker and simply throw the sliders together at halftime.
To make: Running to the Kitchen
Maple Coconut Roasted Almonds
Many store-bought roasted nuts are loaded with sodium and sugar. This version relies on a little maple syrup and unsweetened coconut to make an unforgettable game day snack packed with protein.
To make: Eating Bird Food
Green Tea Lemonade
Replace the cans of beer with these refreshing tea lemonades, made with fresh lemon juice and just a touch of sugar.
To make: Momtastic
Goat Cheese Guacamole
Guacamole has long been a game day staple. While avocados certainly contain fat, it’s good, healthy fat packed with omega-3, and the goat cheese is a healthy substitute for sour cream.
To make: Shutterbean
Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cookies
Cookies are probably not the first thing you think of when you hear “healthy snacks,” but these are an exception: The crispy, delightful cookies contain almond meal, whole grain flour and quinoa flakes. Combine that with a little dark chocolate, coconut and flax seeds, and you’ve got yourself a winning everyday favorite.
To make: A Sweet Spoonful
