Super Bowl Food: 5 Easy Ideas

Ok so we enjoy watching the Super Bowl…a bit. I love the super funny commercials and also the excuse to get together with friends. Also there is the big game too, right?

What I really like, to be honest, are all the fun snacks, appetizers and dips that are associated with watching the big game. I usually make items that I would not normally make (can you say nachos?) or have fantastic snacks and other food around that we don’t usually buy (ice cream).

This year, we are going to try a more healthy rout to the Super Bowl. Not completely over the top, but we are going to forgo some of the usually heavy traditional Super Bowl items that we usually have such as Pizza, fried chicken wings (oh be still my heart…) and the like.

ALSO, in addition to being slightly healthier, we are also on the search for the “GO EASY” route. I am looking to enjoy the funny commercials this year, not stress about the food.

So having said all that, here are a 5 ideas for easy snacks, and some simple recipes that will make your Super Bowl party tasty and a bit more healthy too.

1. Select a DIP or two (or three)

I love a good dip~ My thoughts this year are that a few dips with a selection of items to dip in will go a long way to keep the variety up and get a few vegetables in as well. We are planning to grab some Salsa (not sure if we will grab the green tomatillo or the smoked peach as both are really good), some hummus and make a creamy dip like my Durango Dip. (Just take a container of Sour Cream and add some Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning to it. I would start with no more than ½ the package of Taco Seasoning as that stuff is good, but a bit HOT for me. Mix it well and try and make a day or two before so the flavors blend up).

2. Select some stuff to DIP into your selection of dips

I like to dip carrots into hummus, and potato chips into the Sour Cream dip, but my plan was to simply have bowls out on the coffee table and let folks dip as they wanted to. I am planning to get a container or two of those wonderful little cherry tomatoes and some cucumbers as well just to broaden out the veggie selection.

Also I am going to get a few different types of chips to have a variety for guests. My current favs are the tortilla chips with flax seeds and the sweet potato chips.

3. Make this recipe:   Sonoran Caviar

Truthfully, I  just love this stuff and would make it all the time if I could. I was thinking this year it could almost be a stand in for a chili~ black beans, corn and tomatoes, right? But really I was thinking it would be a filing and fun addition to our party. Again, if you can make it on Saturday then it will even better.

4. Nuts and other fun Snacks

You can’t go wrong with a bunch of different nuts from Trader Joe’s that is for sure. Almonds, cashews and peanuts Oh my! Which ones to choose? AND you can make your own nut mix by combining all your favorites in a big bowl… cashews and peanuts are yummy together!

We are also planning to get some pistachio nuts in the shells so that we can use our nervous energy and shell as we eat.  Yes, it sounds like a good idea now, but I probably will grit my teeth every time a shell hits the carpet 🙁

Another mix-up that I LOVE is to toss a bag of Trader Joe’s caramel corn together with a bag of peanut filled pretzels… Yikes! I just can’t stop eating this up! Warning: make this only when your guests have arrived to make sure some is still left. Seriously it is that good!!

5. Drinks

OK Sorry to say this but you are really on your own here, to select your favorite Super Bowl beverages. I will say that Trader Joe’s has a lot of fun beers that you can purchase individually. So this might be a good night to have a few different ones out on a table and have guests sample them and see which one is a winner.

We will also purchase some sparkling waters for guests, juices and white wine to create some easy moc-sangria drinks on the fly… a sorta Mixology class for guests really. And please don’t forget your drivers! They can enjoy a fun “mixology” cocktail without any alcohol too.

OK So that is what we are doing this year. A fun variety of lighter foods and snacks from Trader Joe’s that will (hopefully) cut down the prep and cooking time, the amount of time away from the screen and will be more relaxing for everyone. (we hope).

What are you planning to serve for the Super Bowl this year? You can share below or on Facebook! ~ Thanks!