Ahh, the Super Bowl. For many Americans, this day is bigger than Thanksgiving or other official holidays. In 2016, 115.5 million people watched a portion of the Super Bowl. That’s over 36 percent of the country!
And what unites us on that special Sunday, no matter what team we’re rooting for? The snacks, of course! When everyone is eating deep-fried everything, it’s tough to chow down on carrot sticks and seeds — but luckily, you don’t have to.
I’ve rounded up some of the best Super Bowl snacks from around the web. They’re all much healthier than what you’ll find at your neighborhood bar, and they’ll taste even more delicious. These easy, healthy snack recipes are guaranteed to be a hit at your game day party and, best of all, they won’t give you a food hangover the next day. Now that’s definitely a win!
25 Super Bowl Snack Recipes
1. Buffalo Chicken Dip
The granddaddy of all dips, this buffalo chicken dip is always a crowd-pleaser because of its versatility. Eat it with veggies, spread it on crackers or just scoop it up with a spoon. Make this recipe even faster by using leftover chicken and making the ranch dressing the night before.
Photo: Dr. Axe
2. Chili Cheese Dip
This creamy dip is a delicious way to combine two game day classics: chili and cheese. Instead of orange processed cheese, this dip uses goat cheese which sounds fancier for guests but is also much easier to digest. Make the chili in a crockpot so it cooks throughout the day, and then you can whip up this Super Bowl snack in minutes.
3. Cowboy Caviar
Your guests will never realize they’re basically eating a salad when you serve this veggie-packed appetizer. Don’t let the “caviar” fool you: they’re actually black-eyed peas. These little beans are great for digestion and lowering blood pressure, and even boost skin and eye health.
Because the flavors of this Super Bowl snack taste best after they sit together for some time, this is another awesome recipe to prepare the night before and ease stress on Sunday.
Photo: Cowboy Caviar
4. Dill Cucumber Yogurt Dip
This simple yogurt-based dip is the perfect way to spice up chopped veggies or gluten-free pita chips. The lemon juice and cucumbers provide just the right tang, while fresh dill provides a nice kick. It’s easy on the palate but full of flavor, too.
5. Double Layer Nachos
One of the classic Super Bowl snacks are these nachos that are loaded with seasoned grass-fed beef and then topped with your favorite taco fixings, like raw goat milk cheese, protein-rich black beans, bell peppers and spicy jalapeños. They’re finished off in the oven, so the whole stack is covered with melted cheesy goodness. These nachos are one of my favorite Super Bowl snacks, and I know they’ll be yours, too!
6. 5-Ingredient Healthy Stuffed Potato Skins
Potato skins are always a popular appetizer but they can be stuffed with questionable ingredients — but that’s not the case with these. They’re packed with chicken, broccoli, turkey bacon and cheese, so you’ll get a dose of protein and antioxidants, too.
7. Gluten-Free Garlic Breadsticks
Breadsticks might not come to mind when you think Super Bowl snacks, but I’ve never seen anyone turn down anything that involves bread and garlic before! These homemade breadsticks are made with gluten-free and coconut flours, and are super simple to make. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce on the side.
Photo: Dr. Axe
8. Goat Cheese & Artichoke Dip
Who knew that you could get a dose of antioxidants while watching a football game? This dip matches artichokes, one of my top 10 antioxidant foods, with creamy goat cheese for a match made in Super Bowl snack heaven. Once you have all the ingredients ready, this dip takes just a few seconds to blend in a food processor. Tip: if there’s any dip left (doubtful!), use it as a sandwich spread.
9. Healthy Baked Broccoli Tots
Friends and family alike might be begging for their greens once you serve them these broccoli tots. In fact, did you know that the nutrients in broccoli act as a natural cancer treatment? To make these tots, you’ll use fresh or frozen broccoli and combine them with breadcrumbs, seasonings and cheese. Finish these off in the oven for a crispy, healthy treat
Photo: Gimme Delicious
10. Homemade Hummus
Hummus has become one of the most popular Super Bowl snacks, but too many people are buying it at the store. You can make your own delicious — and healthy — version right at home! This hummus recipe is an awesome starter. It’s great as a classic, but you can jazz it up according to your tastes, too.
Are you into garlic? Add in an extra clove or two. If you like it spicy, add some hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes. You could even add avocado before mixing in the food processor. Better yet, make a few versions and let guests try ’em all.
Photo: Dr. Axe
11. Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
These soft pretzel bites are addictive. They take a bit of prep work (you’ll have to wait about an hour for the dough to rise), but they are well worth it. This has some ingredients I wouldn’t cook with normally, like vegetable oil and brown sugar, so switch that out for coconut oil and coconut sugar. These are miles better than pretzels you’d buy at a mall shop. Don’t skip the homemade cheese sauce!
Photo: Two Peas and Their Pod
12. Irish Potato Bites
These fun Irish potato bites are a play on traditional potato skins. Using small red potatoes means they’re truly bite-sized, and I love that they’re filled with corned beef instead of the usual bacon! Give these a trial run at the Super Bowl, because they’d make an excellent St. Patrick’s Day appetizer as well.
13. Mexican Quinoa Bites
If you’re making Super Bowl snacks, then you must make up some good Mex food. Quinoa, which is full of protein and one of the few non-animal foods that contains all nine essential amino acids, is the star of these Mexican-inspired bites. Mixed with tomatoes, black beans, cheese and seasonings, this vegetarian-friendly snack is as filling as it is tasty.
14. Salt and Vinegar Broiled Fingerling Potatoes
If you’re a fan of salt and vinegar potato chips, I think you’ll love these potatoes. They’re crumbly roasted potatoes with a distinct vinegar flavor that are super easy to make. You might want to make extras because these will go quickly.
15. 7-Layer Bean Dip
Seven layers of heaven is a better name for this dip. It’s insanely good for you and so tasty, too. We start with a layer of black beans that have been blended with bone broth protein powder, lime, garlic and sea salt — and that’s just the first one! Pile on tomatoes, creamy goat yogurt, fresh herbs, guacamole and finish it all off with cheese for a bean dip that’ll replace all your other recipes.
Photo: Dr. Axe
16. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Miniature versions of your favorite foods are always more fun to eat, and these buffalo chicken sliders are no exception. They’re also so simple to make! Just add the chicken and hot sauce to the slow cooker and let it do its thing. When the chicken is cooked, you’ll shred it first then mix it up with the remainder of the hot sauce. Serve with homemade ranch dressing on whole-wheat slider buns for a killer Super Bowl snack.
Photo: Simply Stacie
17. Spicy Bean Dip
This spicy bean dip is a bit deceiving. While white beans, or cannellini beans, are the main ingredient, you’d never know it. They’re working behind the scenes to make this dip smooth and creamy, while regulating blood sugar levels and protecting your heart, all without adding a “bean” taste. Instead, the flavor is amped up by the hot sauce, coconut aminos (a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce), garlic, sesame oil and curry powder. If you serve it, I guarantee no one will guess what the magic ingredient is!
18. Spicy Kale Chips
Just say no to worrying about how many chips you’ve eaten. With these kale chips, the more, the better! You’ll get heaps of vitamins A and K and probably turn some kale haters into converts. The best part of this Super Bowl snack recipe is that you get not one, but two kale chip dipping options. Serve it with an Indian spice or chipotle spice dressing — or both! — for optimal snacking.
19. Spinach & Artichoke Dip
This dip is always a first-choice dip but it’s not always the best for you. In this version, we keep what makes spinach and artichoke dip so good, like the cheese, and beef up the nutrients of the other ingredients. Subbing in goat milk yogurt and probiotic-rich kefir for standard dairy products means we add a ton of protein in a form that’s more easily digestible by the body. We’ve cut back on butter, but definitely not on flavor!
Photo: Dr. Axe
20. Sticky Sesame Vegan Cauliflower Wings
Chinese food is often left out of the Super Bowl snacks repertoire, but that’s a mistake! Reminiscent of Chinese takeout sesame chicken, these cauliflower wings are phenomenal. Not only are they vegan-friendly, but they’re also gluten-free and have no refined sugar.
The “wings” are battered then baked, and you can serve them “naked” with the sauce on the side. But if you want to take things up a notch, you’ll dip the cauliflower in the maple syrup, liquid aminos and ginger sauce, which I highly recommend.
21. Super Cilantro Guacamole
Cilantro lovers, this one is for you. The herb, which protects your body from oxidative stress and helps remove heavy metals, is in full force here. You’ll enjoy all its benefits, along with those of heart-healthy avocado, in this quick and easy guacamole recipe.
22. Superfood Enchilada Dip
All the flavors of enchiladas in an easy-to-eat dip form? Sign me up. This dip is made with sweet potatoes, beans, lean ground beef and avocado. It’s basically your favorite Tex-Mex dinner! You could easily make this vegetarian by omitting the beef and bulking up the sweet potato and bean content.
Photo: Fit Foodie Finds
23. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Pizza is one of the most dominant but unhealthy (!) Super Bowl snacks. But here crisp zucchini stands in for a heavy pizza crust with these fun little pizza bites. They broil in minutes and you can add on your favorite pizza toppings. Prep these before company arrives and then stick under the broiler under the cheese is bubbly right before serving.
24. Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado and Bacon
I love this take on potato skins! Instead of white potatoes, this Super Bowl snack uses sweet potatoes, which are filling, great for weight loss and full of vitamins. What makes them extra special is that they’re topped with an avocado spread before sprinkling with (turkey) bacon and cheese. These are good enough to make with a full potato for an easy dinner sometime, too.
25. Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Get ready for a flavor explosion. These chicken balls are seasoned and baked while you prepare a sweet and spicy sauce on the stove. The result is bite-sized meatballs that you can’t stop popping in your mouth! To save time, prep the chicken the night before.
Photo: Little Spice Jar
Read Next: Dr. Axe’s Top 20 Recipes of 2016