Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Cheesy Tater Tots & 9 More Dip-Friendly Snacks

We've partnered with Heluva Good! Dip to share the crisp, crackling recipes we love dunking in our favorite dips—from creamy French Onion to smooth Queso—for football season and beyond.

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I'll be honest: Watching football is great and all, but nine times out of 10 I'm showing up to a watch party for the food, the only exception being if my team is in the game (and realistically, they're not making it beyond the playoffs anytime soon).

From chicken wings (I like mine dripping in Buffalo sauce, you?) to a big vat of chili, there's an endless list of classic game-day dishes I look forward to, but my favorite is simple: chips and dip.

Easy to pull together and very make-ahead friendly, chips and dip make the perfect team: crunchy and creamy all in one bite.

So with the Big Game just around the corner, I've rounded up all the crispy, dip-friendly bites I can't wait to munch on from kickoff through the fourth quarter. I'm talking potato chips, curly fries, cheesy tater tots, and so much more.

1. Rosemary Thyme Pita Chips

If you think all pita chips are created equal—think again. In this stands-out-from-the-crowd version, you not only spread the pita with honey and butter, but also add a sprinkle of rosemary and thyme before baking for a rich, fragrant result.

2. Herb & Lemon Polenta “Chips” (“Fries”)

You probably know polenta as a creamy supporting actor to meaty mains or stewy vegetables, but it becomes marvelously crisp and uniform after a trip to the fridge and stint in the oven. It also makes the perfect blank canvas for bright flavors like lemon zest and herbes de Provence.

3. Homemade Potato Chips

Making potato chips from scratch couldn't be easier—all you need is a mandolin (for thinly slicing), potatoes, and oil for frying—and the extra bit of effort is oh so worth it. They're more crisp and flavorful than something you'd buy in the store, plus you can control exactly how much salt you want to add.

4. Herbed Butternut Squash Chips

Let these butternut squash chips bring a bit of variety and color to what is typically a potato-dominated category. You can fleck them with any chopped fresh herbs you like, but our co-founder Merrill Stubbs likes to use a mix of sage, thyme, and oregano.

5. Homemade Corn Tortilla Chips

The beauty of these homemade corn tortilla chips is in their versatility: plunge 'em in anything from jalapeño cheddar dip to guacamole, or build a nacho tower drizzled in queso.

6. Curly Fries

Far superior to regular fries (don't even bother trying to change my mind), these curly fries are golden-crisp, have lots of little crevices for scooping up sauces or dips, and are dusted in a smoky, spicy mix of cayenne, paprika, and garlic and onion powder. Plus, the shape is just too fun to pass up. I like the idea of these with any kind of cheddar-y dip, like white cheddar bacon dip or zingy jalapeño cheddar dip.

7. Hand-Formed Parmesan Tater Tots

Grated potatoes, soft roasted garlic, and shredded parmesan cheese combine for a take on tater tots that has been described by reviewers as "luscious," "absolutely delicious," "fun to make," and "very yummy." I can easily envision myself dunking these in a luscious buttermilk ranch dip.

8. Pickle-Brined Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are good, but chicken nuggets brined in pickle juice—and used for dunking—are great. The brine brings a salty twang and helps the meat retain its moisture as it cooks.

9.Everything Sheet Tray Crackers

Don't let the fact that this recipe calls for yeast intimidate you—baking superstar Erin McDowell, who developed it, promises that making them is easy-peasy.

10. Patricia Wells' Fake Frites

I know I said curly fries were my all-time favorite fry, but these "fake" frites (they're baked in the oven instead of fried) are an excellent option if you're looking for something closer to the classic. Instead of matching these up with ketchup, why not try something with a little zest, like a bacon horseradish dip?

11. Southwestern Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

Over 45 reviewers agree: There is nothing not to love about these sweet potato fries, which have just the right amount of heat and smokiness, a touch of sweetness, and extra-crisp texture.

What's your favorite dip-friendly recipe? Tell us in the comments below!

Put together the ultimate spread for the Big Game with help from our friends at Heluva Good! Dip, makers of an all-star lineup of dips including French Onion Dip and Nacho Queso Supreme. Packed with fresh, punchy flavors, Heluva Good! Dips are ready to serve right out of the container. Their favorite plus-ones? Crispy-crunchy snacks, from homemade potato chips and herby polenta fries to spicy sweet potato fries and pickle-brined chicken nuggets.