Have you finished planning your game day menu? I usually have menus planned well in advance, but I've not decided what our Super Bowl spread will look like this year. If you're still undecided, like me, I dedicate this series of game day posts to you!
Today, the focus is low-carb appetizers. After all, what is the big game without a table full of bite-sized, delectable goodies?
As always, these recipes are 100% picky hubby-tested and 100% picky hubby-approved.
Low-Carb Spinach Balls
Spinach Balls are one of my favorites! These little bites of goodness are full of cheesy, onion-y flavor. They're wonderful on their own, or dipped in ranch or marinara sauce.
Low-Carb Spinach Balls
INGREDIENTS:
2 10-ounce packages of chopped frozen spinach
1/2 stick (or 1/4 cup) butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon (or 1 clove) minced garlic
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (option)
HOW-TO:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line baking sheet (you may need two baking sheets for all spinach balls) with parchment paper
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add onions to butter and saute until onions are translucent (about 5 minutes).
Add garlic and cook for an additional minute (stir often, as you don't want garlic to brown and become bitter).
Make sure the spinach is thawed and drained well.
In a large mixing bowl, add spinach, egg, Parmesan cheese, almond meal, onions, garlic, and spices.
Combine everything well (I use my hands for this task).
Roll spinach mixture into 1-inch balls and place on parchment -ined backing sheet.
Bake for about 20 minutes (check at the 15-minute mark), until the top of the balls are lightly browned
Serve as is or with your favorite (low-carb) marinara sauce or ranch dip. ENJOY!
SAUSAGE BALLS
This is one of my most popular recipes. It's easy to make ahead of time, easy to store, convenient, and full of fabulous flavor. These Sausage Balls are truly the epitome of game day treats.
Low-Carbified Sausage Balls
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound hot sausage
2 cups sharp cheddar shredded cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup almond meal (I make my own with raw, natural almonds in my food processor)
HOW-TO:
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix all ingredients together. Roll into golf ball-sized balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Place on a paper towel for a few minutes to absorb excess grease. ENJOY!
These sausage balls freeze very well. Just store them in a zipper freezer bag. Make as many or as few as you like. To cook frozen sausage balls: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake on a baking sheet for approximately 25 minutes.
Each sausage ball has approximately 1 carb.
BEEF AND PICKLE ROLLS
These little savory treats are one of my favorite go-to snacks! I keep them on hand almost all the time. They're very easy to make, and always please the crowd.
Beef and Pickle Rolls
INGREDIENTS:
(This will make four large rolls.)
8 slices of deli roast beef (I like peppered beef)
4 tablespoons onion-flavored cream cheese (softened for easy spreading)
4 dill pickle spears
HOW TO:
Place two slices of roast beef on a plate. Layer one slice on top of the other— this makes the deli beef a bit thicker.
Spread a tablespoon of cream cheese on top of the roast beef.
Place a pickle spear at one end of the roast beef and roll up.
Repeat process. Enjoy!
Beyond the big game, Beef and Pickle Rolls are substantial and satisfying enough to be a perfect (and easily portable) lunch–kind of like a little sandwich wrap. I also keep them in the fridge for a quick, delicious snack throughout the week.
KALE CHIPS
A crispy, crunchy chip is a must-have at any game day party! However, potato chips, corn chips, cheesy curls, and the like don't belong on the low carber's snack table. Have no fear: Kale chips are here! They're a wonderful substitute to potato or corn chips. They're easy to make, and they keep well too.
Kale Chips
INGREDIENTS:
1 bunch kale
Extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
HOW-TO:
1. Separate the stems from the Kale leaves & tear leaves into bite sized pieces.
2. Wash and dry kale leaves.
3. Coat kale leaves well with oil.
4. Place leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees, until crispy (check the kale frequently; it will easily burn).
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt. You can add any favorite spices/herbs at this point as well).
7. Store leftovers in an airtight container … if there are any.
SWEET POTATO FRIES
Who says loaded potato skins and chili cheese fries are a thing of the past for low carbers? Sweet potatoes are the perfect substitution for those starchy, high-carb Idaho potatoes.
Note: If you're in the induction phase, you'll want to pass on the sweet potatoes this time around, as a medium-sized sweet potato contains close to 30 grams of carbs.)
The following recipe is my absolutely favorite way to eat sweet potatoes:
Sweet Potato Fries
INGREDIENTS:
1 small sweet potato per person
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper to taste
HOW-TO:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Wash and dry sweet potatoes well.
Quarter sweet potatoes.
Slice quarters into desired size.
Place the butter in a larger microwave-safe bowl and melt butter.
Place sliced sweet potatoes into the bowl of melted butter with salt and pepper. Toss well until you coat all slices of sweet potato evenly.
Place sweet potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet (make sure no slices overlap).
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Stir the sweet potato fries at around the 15-minute mark.
Add cheese or low-carb chili over the top of your sweet potato fries, if desired.
Enjoy!
I hope you find these low-carb appetizer recipes helpful as you plan your Super Bowl menu! Recently, I shared my four favorite low-carb pizza recipes and my most popular low-carb entrees.
Let's connect on social media! You can find me on Facebook at Becoming Dr. Lah, on Twitter @Lah1219, on Instagram @becomingdrlah & on Pinterest at lorilah.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Lori :)
www.becomingdrlah.com