I was brought up in a football-loving family. We traveled around the Midwest to attend Big Ten college games when I was a kid, and professional ones were usually on our TV on Sunday afternoons. I even dabbled with fantasy football for a few years, winning my final season after reaching peak nerdiness by tracking each of my player’s stats in a spreadsheet to fine-tune my picks each week.
When I moved to Vermont 20-plus years ago, I found myself playing outside more than playing armchair quarterback. But I still stream games every once in a while, particularly once the playoffs leading up to the big game start. Because even though I’m not a die-hard fan these days, I still enjoy the thrill of the game. But I might enjoy the tasty game-day eats more.
What we eat on football Sunday might be as important as the game itself. According to one 2024 survey, 40% of the football fans surveyed said the snacks being served were second in importance only to which teams were playing (that went up to 62% for respondents ages 18 to 34).
And while football faves might be associated with gut-busting eats, they don’t have to be. We encourage you to add all your favorite football eats to your lineup, but with some strategic recipe tweaks and additions so you can make your overall menu feel a little more balanced. Let’s get ready for kickoff!
It’s All About the Dips
I’d argue that any game-day lineup is incomplete without at least one dip. It can be as simple as putting out bowls of tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole for fans to huddle around or composing those ingredients into a multi-layered dip. French onion dip is a perennial favorite—try making it with whipped cottage cheese to amp up the protein. And don’t forget about hot dips! You can keep them warm in a slow cooker (I have a small one just for this very purpose) so you don’t have to keep reheating when they lose their warm gooeyness.
Another thing dips have going for them is that many taste better when they’re made in advance, their flavors having time to meld and mingle. That also means they’re perfect for delegating to someone to help relieve some of the pressure that comes with hosting. It’s all about teamwork!
One way I like to balance my game-watching menu is by having a colorful platter of veggies to swipe through the dips. Carrot and celery sticks, mini bell peppers and cucumber slices are crowd pleasing and go with a lot of dips, but consider adding something unexpected—think steamed green beans, endive leaves or sticks of jicama.
Fumble-Free Apps
While I could make a meal out of dips and dippers, the best game-day menu has more variety. Enter what I like to refer to as “things you can eat with your hands.” I mean, you’re likely eating off a plate on your lap, right? Having hand-held options can make things a little easier to manage.
This category is full of delicious bites, perhaps most famously chicken wings. Indeed, the National Chicken Council estimated that Americans would eat nearly 1.5 billion chicken wings while watching last year’s Super Bowl. That’s a lot of wings in one day! While restaurant wings are often fried, you can get almost-as-crispy (and lighter) results when you bake them at home. Jalapeño poppers can also be more delicious when you make them at home. We stuff ours with cheese and chicken and top them with breadcrumbs before air frying, so you get crunchy texture without the deep fryer.
One of my favorite ways to serve a crowd is to make a sheet pan or two of basic cheese nachos. Then I put out a mess of toppings—shredded chicken, refried black beans, shredded lettuce and cabbage, pickled onions, salsa, pickled jalapeños, sour cream and more. That way folks can customize them to their liking, whether they’re selective eaters or vegetarians or just want a little bit of everything.
Score Extra Points with Plant-Based Eats
I love a bowl of hearty beef chili or a piled-high Italian hoagie as much as the next person, but opting for plant-based alternatives to classic game-day eats can be a good way to make a more balanced spread. Vegetarian meals that are packed with vegetables often have more fiber than ones made with meat. That’s important because most Americans don’t consume enough fiber, a nutrient that helps keep us regular, prevent heart disease, reduce cancer risk and more.
One recipe I often turn to for game day is EatingWell’s sweet potato and black bean chili. It always scores a touchdown, with meat eaters and vegetarians alike requesting the recipe. It’s a satisfying bowl, packed with 13 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber. And while a lot of football-favorite sandwiches feature meat, swapping meaty portobello mushrooms for steak can be just as satisfying and delicious.
Drinks and Desserts Clinch the Win
Many people crack open a cold beer while watching football. If you plan to serve alcohol at your game-day party, it can be fun to source craft brews that hail from the same states as the teams that are playing. You can also stir up pitchers of cocktails and let guests serve themselves. Don’t forget to stock up on non-alcoholic options, too. The number of Americans who report drinking alcohol has fallen to an all-time low since Gallup started tracking this data in 1939. Think non-alcoholic beer and seltzers, and consider having mocktails available too.
While the savory eats usually get most of the attention, is it a party if there’s no dessert? I don’t even like sweets very much and I would have to say no! To score extra points, serve a delicious sweet bite or two. Brownies and bars are great options since they are easy to eat and can be made ahead. They’re also another great contender to have your guests bring to make things easier on the host with the most.
Credits
Editor: Megan Ginsberg
Recipes, Photography & Visuals: Alex Loh; Cassie Basford; Maria Emmighausen; Shannon Goforth; Gabriel Greco; Jake Sternquist.
Special Thanks: Penelope Wall; Sophie Johnson; Alysia Bebel; Allison Little; Taylor Boeser; Anne Treadwell; Beth Stewart; Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD; Lily Menk; Camryn Wimberly; and the entire staff of EatingWell.
