If you're planning on watching the big game, you are going to need something, a lot of things, to snack on. Supporting your favorite team from the couch doesn't have to mean sad, over-sauced chicken wings or fluorescent cheese products (unless, of course, you're a Packers fan).
But there's no reason to toil over the stove and miss the first half of the game, either. So take back your (snack) game: Make a few or all 22 of these recipes before kickoff, and you'll be thanking yourself by halftime.
New School French Onion Dip
Store-bought onion dip is great; DIY French onion dip with caramelized onion jam and cream cheese is better. Take our word for it.
Anchovy Onion Butter
A thick swipe of of salty-funky anchovy butter is ideal spread over a fat slice of focaccia (see below for a recipe.)
Spinach, Feta, and Artichoke Dip
Spinach-artichoke dip meets cheesy spanikopita in a creamy speread—this one is best dunked with crunchy pita chips.
Parker & Otis' Pimento Cheese
Whether you plan to slather pimento cheese on a sandwich or smear it on crackers or pretzel bites, you need a killer recipe. This is the one.
Scallion Pancakes
Salty, chewy scallion pancakes sliced into wedges are really all any snack table needs. Make these and you'll see.
Cornbread with Chorizo
Classic cornbread is awesome, but spicy chorizo and fresh corn baked inside makes it so much the better. Serve it with lots of butter.
Paprika-Scented Manchego Chorizo Puffs
Popping a few of these cheesy, spicy puffs is almost as enjoyable as getting tapas in Spain.
Deviled Eggs
The classic Deviled Egg needs little introduction. Top with paprika if you know what's good for you.
Cheeto-Crusted Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon
Now that's what I call a snack! These spicy, creamy poppers are even more easy to, well, pop, thanks to their cheesy coating.
Nachos
You know them, you love them. Get creative with your nacho ingredients and toppings: try different chips or cheeses than you'd normally layer onto the snack, and experiement with store-bought and homemade sauces.
Roasted Fries with Srirachannaise
Spice mix-dusted hand-cut fries will take your evening from fine to fanstasic—and don't skip the spicy mayo.
Herbed Butternut Squash Chips
Grab that half a butternut sitting in the fridge and turn it into a batch of crispy chips! An ideal scooper for all these dips.
Party Pretzel Bites
These soft and chewy bite-sized pretzels are so much more fun to dip than their super-crunchy store-bought counterparts. Pro tip: if you make these, you should definitely make the pimento cheese.
Homemade Cheez-Its
A DIY version of everyone's favorite cheesy cracker! If you have the time, why not?
Snack Mix (Savory or Sweet)
Homemade snack mix is easier to make than you might think—plus, you control the flavors.
PB & C (Peanut Butter and Cheese) Cookies
Not a typo, these are peanut butter and cheese cookies. All we'll say: Don't knock it 'til you try it.
Additional Recommendations From Food52 Editors:
José Pizarro's Salt-Crusted Potatoes with Cilantro Mojo
Ditch your usual baked potatoes for this Genius Recipe. A simple cooking modification of boiling potatoes in with less water and a lot of salt yields tender, fluffy insides, and crisp, salty skins. The cilantro mojo is the perfect acidic complement for rich game day food, and precisely the kind of sauce you’ll want to put on everything.
Ideas in Food's Korean-Style Chicken Wings
Another Genius Recipe just begging to steal the spotlight on game day. Chicken wings so crispy you could swear they were fried and not a fluorescent buffalo sauce in sight. Instead, dip them in a sweet-savory Korean dipping sauce that you should probably double because the aforementioned scallion pancakes would be divine with it.
Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins
What could be better than eating buffalo chicken or potato skins on game day? Combining them into one convenient, decadent package.
Easiest, Cheesiest Skillet Dip
Leave it to contributor Ella Quittner to simplify yet modernize the cheesy skillet dip. Ingredients like enoki mushrooms and hot honey bring nuance to what is essentially a skillet full of hot cheese. I can’t think of a better way to spend a cold Sunday in February.
White Bean Dip with Fresh Herbs
For a lighter dip option, I love this creamy, herby white bean dip. Plus it’s easy to throw together with a quick pantry raid for white beans and any herbs you have on hand (sage or parsley would be creative additions!) Do as contributor Gena Hanshaw says and finish with a generous glug of fruity olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
Saltie’s Focaccia
You’re going to need something to scoop up all these dips. Show off those bread-baking skills you’ve been perfecting and bake off a batch of my all-time favorite focaccia. Pro tip: plan ahead and give it at least a full 24-hour rise for maximum bubbles and don’t skimp on the olive oil during the last step-- this ensures crispy, almost-fried edges.
What are you making for Game Day? Let us know in the comments!
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