Though the big game is one of the most anticipated events of the year, let’s be honest: half the reason people attend a Super Bowl party is the food. Whether or not your team wins the game, if you have good food, your party will end as a victory. For ideas on how to make that come to pass at your party this year, consider these foodie tips.
Snack Ideas
You may have some tried and true recipes that you love, but you might also want to consider some of these snack ideas. Keep in mind that your guests probably won’t want to pause their game to sit at a table for their meal, so you’ll want your food to be a buffet table with appetizers rather than a sit down dinner. Here are some fan favorite food ideas.
Mini Pizzas
These are not only delicious, but also super easy. Just flatten out some canned biscuit dough and add your choice of sauces, cheeses, and toppings before baking. Give your guests a variety of options to choose from. You’ll probably want cheese and pepperoni pizzas for picky eaters, but also make some of your favorite topping combinations, like Hawaiian, BBQ chicken, jalapenos and sausage, and chicken, bacon, and ranch.
Tailgating Food
Make the atmosphere of your party feel like you’re at the actual game by offering tailgating food. Fire up your grill, and slap on some hot dogs, burgers, BBQ marinated ribs, kabobs, and roasted vegetables (for your vegetarian guests). These delightful foods are sure to be a hit.
Team-Specific Sugar Cookies
Make some sugar cookies in the shape of a jersey and frost them to resemble the jerseys of each of the players on your favorite team. For example, if you were supporting the Green Bay Packers, you would want to frost the cookie dark green, then write Rogers at the top with white icing and the number 12 underneath it.
Sliders
Since you won’t want to make a full course meal, create a selection of sliders. These sandwiches are easier to make and less messy, so your guests can eat their fill of delicious pulled pork, hamburger, rib meat, and roast beef sandwiches without being tied to a table.
Chips and Dip
You’ll need a variety of chip flavors and plenty of dips to keep the party going. Pick up some tortilla chips (these are best in scoop shapes for optimal dipping), flavored corn chips, and potato chips. Then get a plethora of dips, or try your hand at making your own. Guacamole and your favorite salsa are game day musts, but you can also get bean and chili dips.
Popcorn
Popcorn is always a crowd pleaser, especially if you make a variety of flavors. You’ll want a large bowl of butter popcorn as well as a selection of caramel, chocolate covered, cheddar, and ranch flavored popcorn to please a range of audiences.
Pigs in a Blanket
With some canned biscuit dough and mini hot dogs, you can make a crowd favorite. Pigs in a blanket are a popular item at any football game.
Serving Tips
It’s integral to have delicious tasting food, but it’s also important for it to look good and be easy to serve. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Pay Attention to Details
The details for a football party are just as important as any other party, even though it may not seem like it. You’ll want to deck out your table to match the occasion. Get a table cloth that looks like a football field and layer finger sandwiches in the shape of a football stadium. These details will make your food look even more appetizing.
Appearance is Half the Battle
There’s a reason many cooking competitions judge 50 percent on taste and 50 percent on appearance. Food that looks good tastes better. Whether you’re focusing on making sure your pigs in a blanket are browned perfectly or on arranging your platter of mini pizzas in the shape of a football, your attention to the appearance of your food will make a big difference in the end.
Organize Your Buffet
A dysfunctional buffet line can be a real letdown at any party. You’ll want to organize the food so that it’s easy to access and goes in order of the way most people like to load their plates. Check out this article for tips on organizing your buffet. Though it’s based around setting up Thanksgiving dinner, the tips still apply for any party.
No matter the outcome of the Super Bowl, the party will be a victory if you have mouthwatering food available.
Amber Brubaker