Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Quick & Easy Meals 43 Crowd-Pleasing Super Bowl Snack Ideas From mac and cheese bites to mini ranch burgers, there's a crowd-pleasing dish for every party, large and small. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Phoebe Fry Updated on February 2, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg DuPree Super Bowl Sunday—and gathering around a table of tasty Super Bowl food and snacks at the annual Super Bowl party—is one of the best days of winter. Whether there's team spirit in the air, mixed feelings about the half-time show, or you're just there for the commercial breaks, everyone can agree on one thing: Super Bowl appetizers (with tasty chicken wings recipes, of course) are part of the excitement. Quite often, these Super Bowl foods and appetizers are actually the entire meal, but being able to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that is part of what makes Game Day so fun. Everyone has an opinion about which Super Bowl snacks should be on the table on the big day, so if you're hosting, please the crowds with some dips (obviously) and make sure to include some pizza, sliders, pigs in a blanket, and other finger food ideas. Game day plan: Mix and match your favorite tasty snacks with crowd-pleasers and a few new Super Bowl foods—think pimento mac and cheese bites and sheet-pan sweet potato nachos. You can even include a few healthy Super Bowl recipes to keep everyone's meal balanced (sort of). Before the Super Bowl arrives, prep by researching food ideas, then collect the recipes for the snacks and appetizers that caught your eye and hit the grocery store a day or two in advance. When game day arrives, you'll have everything you need for your tastiest Super Bowl yet. Click through for our top picks for Super Bowl snacks, and nibble on. 01 of 43 Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Con Poulos Fancy hors d'oeuvres do not (repeat, do not) require a lot of fancy footwork. Instead, treat your guests to the makeable make-ahead bites that are delicious and downright easy. This sammie adds a surprising twist to the familiar favorite. Gooey grilled cheese is refreshed with a dollop of fruit chutney. The sandwiches can be cooked up to 2 hours in advance and kept at room temperature. Reheat on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes; keep warm at 250°F. Cut just before serving. get the recipe 02 of 43 Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites Heather Meldrom These pimento-flecked mac and cheese bites combine two comfort food favorites in one tiny package. Sharp Cheddar cheese lends the mixture a rich, bold flavor, but if you'd like to add an even more "grown-up" edge, try swapping smoked Spanish paprika (pimenton) for the cayenne. get the recipe 03 of 43 Single-Serve Nacho Cups Grace Elkus Nachos are great and all—until somebody hogs the platter. To avoid any conflict over the crunchy, cheesy dish, we created these personal nacho cups that you can enjoy all to yourself. To make a cup that's entirely edible, you'll line the sides and bottom of each muffin cup with broken tortilla chips. Then, sprinkle the bottom with cheese, which holds the chips together. After that comes the good stuff—a savory ground beef mixture and more cheese—piled up in layers and baked until warmed throughout. Top with your favorite nacho fixings, such as pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, and cilantro. get the recipe 04 of 43 Mini Crab Cakes With Lemon-Chive Mayonnaise Heather Meldrom Adding a dollop of bright, springy citrus mayo gives these diminutive crab cakes an elegant finish. And while baking breadcrumb-coated items in the oven can sometimes lead to uneven browning, here toasting the panko breadcrumbs in a skillet ahead of time ensures that they stay golden and delicious. get the recipe 05 of 43 Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tostadas With Crunchy Slaw Marcus Nilsson Don't feel like frying? Latin food markets and some supermarkets sell ready-made crisp tostadas. In this recipe, each one is filled with a heap of shredded chicken, which is flavored with cumin, paprika, and canned chipotles in adobo for a delightfully spicy kick. Top with our crunchy cabbage and apple slaw, and serve with lime wedges. get the recipe 06 of 43 Deeply Caramelized Onion Dip Jennifer Causey Something magical happens when you cook onions low and slow until they turn jammy and sweet. To make a delicious dip, fold the caramelized onions into a base of sour cream with some tangy steak sauce. Sprinkle thinly sliced chives on top, and surround the dip with a combination of potato chips and crunchy vegetables, like radishes. get the recipe 07 of 43 Polenta Bites With Bacon, Dates, and Blue Cheese Heather Meldrom Cooked in a large pot of boiling water until tender, polenta becomes a creamy base suitable for anything from sautéed veggies to sausage ragu. But simmered in a smaller amount of chicken broth until creamy and thickened, it can fill a mini-muffin tin and become a sturdy appetizer. To provide a place for the blue cheese and dates to sit, make an indentation in the center of each polenta bite with a back of a spoon. Then, broil them right before your guests arrive to ensure the cheese is melted and each bite is warmed throughout. get the recipe 08 of 43 Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos With Corn Salsa Jennifer Causey Burritos are a fun, filling meal to serve guests, and this version is loaded with good-for-you ingredients like sweet potato, tomato, corn, and beans. Make the burritos ahead of the big game, store them in the freezer, and heat them up whenever you’re ready. get the recipe 09 of 43 Pork Carnitas Burritos Marcus Nilsson Have a stack of tortillas lying around? They can be the foundation for countless game day meals, including these five-star burritos stuffed with pork, cheese, and lettuce. Tortillas taste even better when toasted, so heat them in a skillet until browned in spots. Don't forget to top with fresh tomatillo salsa. get the recipe 10 of 43 Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese Caitlin Bensel Mac and cheese is a game day favorite, and this one comes together on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes. With a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan and plenty of Swiss chard, there’s nothing boring about this mac and cheese. Keep things easy by letting your guests help themselves to a serving straight from the skillet. get the recipe 11 of 43 Baja Shrimp Tacos With Creamy Slaw Greg DuPree Filled with sweet, crispy shrimp and a bright cabbage slaw, these tacos have it all. Serve them up with lime wedges, hot sauce, and sliced scallions to kick up the flavor. Everything but the shrimp can be prepared in advance, and the shrimp cook quickly, so you can easily enjoy the party without hiding out in the kitchen. get the recipe 12 of 43 French Onion Soup Bites Victor Protasio Frozen mini phyllo pastry shells are the secret to making this inventive snack party-friendly. Filled with the best parts of French onion soup—caramelized onions and gooey Gruyere cheese—these bites are sweet, savory, melty, and crisp all at the same time. get the recipe 13 of 43 Spinach and Caramelized Onion Dip Jonny Valiant Caramelized onions add a sweet richness to this creamy spinach dip. get the recipe 14 of 43 Beer Cheese Fondue Grace Elkus On a chilly night, there’s nothing more inviting than cheese fondue. This rendition includes a can of lager-style beer for a little bitterness to counter the rich, cheesy mixture. Keep it warm in a slow cooker on low, and dip soft pretzels, vegetables, and sliced baguette straight into the cheese. get the recipe 15 of 43 Lemonade Fried Chicken Heami Lee Delight your Super Bowl guests with a tower of crispy, salty, fried chicken from renowned chef Chris Scott’s book Homage. Start the recipe one day ahead by soaking the chicken in a sweet-tart-spicy brine that both flavors and tenderizes the meat. Add cornmeal to the dredge for an extra crunchy post-fry texture. get the recipe 16 of 43 Sheet Pan Pretzel Focaccia With Cheese Sauce Caitlin Bensel Everything you love about focaccia and pretzels comes together in one. This game-day snack feeds a crowd and the pretzel hack is easier than you think. All you have to do is brush the dough with a hot baking soda mixture to get the pretzel effect. Go for the extra point and dunk it in the cheese sauce. get the recipe 17 of 43 Sheet Pan Frito Pie Caitlin Bensel Just 10 minutes and you'll have this tray of irresistible cheesy and crunchy goodness in the oven. Swap the Fritos bag for a sheet tray and you can feed a crowd easily on game-day. But the Fritos are non-negotiable. get the recipe 18 of 43 Charred Broccoli Rabe Pizza Jennifer Causey This recipe calls for store-bought pizza dough and jarred marinara sauce so you can pull it together at the last minute. Sweet, melty mozzarella and a generous drizzle of hot honey balance out the bitter broccoli rabe. Slice up the pizza, and invite your friends to help themselves. get the recipe 19 of 43 Vegan Ranch Dressing Caitlin Bensel This Super Bowl snack is a ranch dip to please literally anyone–our tasters had no idea this was a vegan dressing. It's creamy and lighter than the classic dressing, but just as delicious. Serve with whatever you like to dip in ranch! get the recipe 20 of 43 Mini Twice-Baked Loaded Potatoes Grace Elkus Twice-baked potatoes are an underrated dinner: They're creamy, cheesy, and seriously comforting. To transform them into a party-ready snack, we piled the filling into tiny new potatoes (instead of the traditional Idaho or russet). We added sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped chives, and a sprinkling of bacon to give them the flavor of loaded potato skins. After the first round of baking, your potatoes should be tender—a toothpick or knife should easily slide in. In round two, the filling should puff up, and the cheese should melt and begin to very lightly brown. get the recipe 21 of 43 Guacamole and Chips Quentin Bacon You'll never go back to store-bought guacamole again once you see how easy it is to make this fresh, simple dip. get the recipe 15 Vegetarian Super Bowl Recipes 22 of 43 Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos For many, chili is a go-to for feeding a crowd, and it typically includes meat like beef or chicken. If there are any vegetarians watching the Super Bowl with you, or if you’re trying to lean more vegetarian yourself, try out this hearty chili with tomatoes, beans, and sweet potato. Crush tortilla chips on top for a crunch, along with a smattering of sliced scallions for freshness. get the recipe 23 of 43 Pigs in a Blanket Quentin Bacon Use frozen puff pastry to make these addictive, crowd-pleasing snacks. get the recipe 24 of 43 Barbecue Meatball Sliders Paul Sirisalee Toss the meatballs with barbecue sauce and top with a quick slaw for a tasty game-day appetizer. get the recipe 25 of 43 Mini Goat Cheese Balls Victor Protasio This no-cook snack is retro and playful, and jazzes up any cheese platter. All you have to do is coat balls of seasoned goat cheese with fresh parsley, dried cherries, and sesame seeds, which you can do in advance or 10 minutes before people arrive. Serve with toothpicks and/or crackers for sandwiching the cheese. get the recipe 26 of 43 Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings Greg DuPree Is it even the Super Bowl if you’re not serving chicken wings? We like grilling wings until they get a nice char, then tossing them with grated Parmesan and a punchy, garlicky, zesty oil. If you’re not up for grilling, no worries; just broil the wings for 12 to 15 minutes per side. get the recipe How to Make Pizza Dough 27 of 43 Glorious Green Dip Victor Protasio Your Super Bowl spread needs this herby, green, veg-forward dip to brighten things up. Cannellini beans give the dip creaminess and protein, while scallions and chives give it an oniony kick. Keep the recipe in your back pocket; this dip is equally great with potato chips for game day as it is spread on toast for a weekday lunch. get the recipe 28 of 43 Cheesy Chicken Nachos With Avocado and Radish Greg DuPree Nachos are undeniably celebratory, and easy to scale up to feed a crowd. Shredded rotisserie chicken turns these nachos from a snack into a meal, with sharp Cheddar sprinkled all over for rich cheesiness. Finally, channel your inner Jackson Pollock and scatter colorful, fresh toppings, like thinly sliced radishes and jalapeños all over the chips. get the recipe 29 of 43 Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Getty Images This no-recipe recipe yields the perfect salty-sweet snack, with a delightfully unexpected filling of creamy, funky goat cheese. They’re best eaten warm, so we suggest assembling them in advance, and then baking them right before you serve ‘em. get the recipe 30 of 43 Cheesy Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Black Beans and Avocado Victor Protasio Twice-baked potatoes are filling and craveworthy, and these Southwest-inspired spuds are no exception. The combination of beans, cheese, and avocado is super satisfying—the flavors of a burrito in a sweet potato instead of a tortilla. Dress them up with cilantro and toasted pepitas before setting them out for your guests. get the recipe 31 of 43 Meatless Meatball Subs Caitlin Bensel Hearty and rich, meatball subs are comfort food at its finest, and, believe it or not, they don’t need meat to be delicious. This recipe employs eggplant and mushrooms for a savory, umami-filled meatless meatball. Make sure to grate plenty of Parmesan to shower on top. get the recipe 32 of 43 Garlic and Parsley Shoestring Fries Victor Protasio We love crispy restaurant-style French fries, but they can be a pain to make from scratch at home. This recipe uses frozen shoestring French fries as a shortcut. To make them extra-special, toss the fries with a parsley-garlic mixture, and sprinkle them with flaky salt. get the recipe 33 of 43 Chimichurri Yogurt Dip Victor Protasio Herby, creamy, and garlicky all at once, this dip is flavored with chimichurri—an Argentinian green sauce. The chimichurri gets folded into tangy Greek yogurt, and you’re done. Look no further than this dip if you’re looking to freshen up your Super Bowl snack selection. get the recipe 34 of 43 Fish Stick Tacos Caitlin Bensel Fish tacos taste like the summer, and this recipe simplifies the process with the use of store-bought fish sticks. Bake the fish sticks, make a quick cabbage slaw, and set out a whole assortment of toppings for your guests to make their own personalized tacos. get the recipe 35 of 43 Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce Greg DuPree You don’t need any special equipment to make this rectangular pizza, which cooks on a regular baking sheet in a hot oven. Top the pie with creamy tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni, as well as thinly sliced red onion rounds, for a modern take on a classic. Slice it into thin rectangles for a tasty game-day snack. get the recipe 36 of 43 Crispy Homemade Baked Potato Chips Lauren Simpson Potato chips are supremely snackable, and a big bowl of them is always welcome at a Super Bowl party. If you’re looking for a fun project, try making your own by roasting thinly sliced spuds with olive oil and seasonings. The result is delicious, and healthier than the store-bought stuff. get the recipe 37 of 43 Baked Chicken Parmesan Ellie Miller If you’re serving dinner to your Super Bowl squad, may we suggest chicken Parmesan? Buy chicken cutlets and jarred tomato sauce at the store to speed up the (already quick) process. You’ll know it’s done when the surface of the chicken is golden and bubbling, and the house smells amazing. get the recipe 38 of 43 Cheesy Chile Dip Victor Protasio This decadent, spicy, cheesy dip is sure to steal the show as soon as it hits the table. The recipe calls for four kinds of peppers—all of which are widely available at grocery stores—with extra sliced banana peppers to sprinkle on top. We like it best with tortilla chips, celery sticks, and mini peppers for dipping. get the recipe 39 of 43 Mini Squash Calzones Greg DuPree Calzones are so much fun to make and eat, and these mini vegetarian ones are no exception. Filled with a rich mixture of butternut squash, Swiss chard, cheese, and Calabrian chiles, they’re best dipped in warm marinara sauce. You get all the fun of pizza with less mess, and any leftovers can be stored beautifully in the freezer. get the recipe 40 of 43 Parm e Pepe Spaghetti Caitlin Bensel Although perhaps untraditional, pasta is a great option for a Super Bowl party; it’s affordable, comforting, and easy to scale up. Inspired by cacio e pepe, this pasta includes an herby toasted walnut mixture for a satisfying crunch. get the recipe 41 of 43 Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders Greg DuPree As far as we’re concerned, chicken tenders shouldn’t be just for the kids. These oven-baked chicken tenders will delight everyone at your Super Bowl hang, and can be made, frozen, and reheated in advance if necessary. get the recipe 42 of 43 Quesadillas Poblano Jen Causey Quesadillas are easy and delicious, and can be pulled together at the last minute. Filled with cheese, peppers, and beans, and topped with a fresh, crunchy radish salad, these quesadillas are balanced in flavor and texture. get the recipe 43 of 43 Kale Flatbread Bites Victor Protasio This sheet pan pizza was made for a party, with melty mozzarella and a striking surface of crispy lacinato kale. Store-bought pizza dough streamlines the process, so it won’t take you long to whip up a homemade pie. Cut into little squares for an appetizer for your Super Bowl crowd. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit