Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Quick & Easy Meals 55 Super Bowl Finger Foods and Snacks to Up Your Hosting Game From game day staples to unexpected gems, find a party snack recipe that'll wow your crowd. By Phoebe Fry and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 25, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Greg DuPree Everyone has an opinion about which Super Bowl snacks and finger foods belong on the table. Traditionalists go for wings, pizza, sliders, nachos, and dips—and we have those—but how about throwing some crostini, crab cakes, chickpeas, and bacon-wrapped, goat cheese-stuffed dates into the mix? If you're hosting this year (or need a dish to bring), read over our list of Super Bowl finger foods and snacks that put an unexpected spin on classic game day dishes. 01 of 55 Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Con Poulos Treat your guests to these easy, make-ahead bites injected with a dollop of fruit chutney. Cook these sammies up to 2 hours ahead of the game and leave them at room temperature. When ready to serve, set them on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes, keep them warm at 250°F, and then cut just before serving. get the recipe 02 of 55 Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites Heather Meldrom These pimento-flecked mac and cheese bites transform a comfort food favorite into finger food. Sharp Cheddar lends the mixture a rich, bold flavor but, to add a more "grown-up" edge, try swapping smoked Spanish paprika (pimentón) for the cayenne. get the recipe 03 of 55 Sheet Pan Pretzel Focaccia With Cheese Sauce Caitlin Bensel Combine everything you love about focaccia and pretzels in this game-day snack that feeds a crowd. Its pretzel hack is easier than you think: Just brush the dough with a hot baking soda mixture to get that pretzel-y effect. Go for the extra point and serve with cheese sauce for dunking. get the recipe 04 of 55 Single Serve Nacho Cups Grace Elkus Nachos are great until somebody hogs the platter, but these personal nacho cups put an end to that. The sides and bottom of each muffin cup are lined with broken tortilla chips held together with melted cheese. Fill each with a savory ground beef mixture and more cheese, bake until warmed throughout, and invite guests to top with their favorite nacho fixings. get the recipe 05 of 55 Cacio e Pepe Deviled Eggs Greg Dupree This popular Super Bowl recipe mashes a party food staple with a classic Italian pasta dish for a delectable bite that's familiar yet unique. Filled with a cacio e pepe treatment—Italian for "cheese and pepper"—it elevates ordinary deviled eggs to Super Bowl-worthy status. Get the Recipe 06 of 55 Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Greg DuPree Don't draw a penalty by omitting chicken wings from your Super Bowl party! This recipe calls for grilling wings until they get a nice char, and then tossing them with grated Parmesan and a punchy, garlicky, zesty, olive oil. If you’re not up for grilling, just broil the wings for 12 to 15 minutes per side. get the recipe 07 of 55 Mini Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes Grace Elkus Twice baked potatoes are an underrated wonder—creamy, cheesy, and seriously comforting—and this recipe transforms them into party-ready snacks. Fill each tiny new potato with Cheddar, chopped chives, and a sprinkling of bacon, giving them the flavor of loaded potato skins. get the recipe 08 of 55 Hot Honey Lamb Meatballs Victor Protasio If hosting success means your Super Bowl guests enjoy the party food more than the game, this is the recipe to pull. It coats broiled ground lamb meatballs in a sweet, spicy glaze. If you're inclined, try this fail safe recipe with different ground meat—chicken, beef, turkey, pork, or any combo—and serve in a slow cooker to keep them warm throughout the game. Get the Recipe 09 of 55 Mini Crab Cakes With Lemon Chive Mayonnaise Heather Meldrom Give your Super Bowl spread a seafood spin with these diminutive crab cakes. They're coated in toasted Panko, baked in a mini-muffin pan to a golden brown, and finished with a dollop of bright, lemony mayo. Think one batch of 32 will be enough? get the recipe 10 of 55 Spicy Chipotle Chicken Tostadas With Crunchy Slaw Marcus Nilsson Whip up this Tex-Mex favorite in a jiff with some simple recipe shortcuts: Use store-bought, ready-made crisp tostadas (instead of frying your own) and leftover or rotisserie chicken (instead of cooking chicken thighs on game day). Also, make the slaw up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to serve. get the recipe 11 of 55 Glorious Green Dip Victor Protasio Use this herby, veg-forward dip to brighten up your Super Bowl spread. Cannellini beans give the dip creaminess and protein, while scallions and chives give it an oniony kick. Keep the recipe in your back pocket: It's as great with potato chips on game day as it is spread on toast for a weekday lunch. get the recipe 12 of 55 Smoked Gouda and Pepper Cheese Puffs Victor Protasio Cheese is a requirement on any Super Bowl party menu, but these airy bites exceed any cheesehead's expectations. With just four ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this make-ahead recipe is easier than you think and yields 48 delectable puffs. Get the Recipe 13 of 55 Mini Goat Cheese Balls Victor Protasio This retro, playful, no-cook snack jazzes up any Super Bowl spread. Simple yet sophisticated, it's just seasoned goat cheese coated with fresh parsley, dried cherries, and sesame seeds. Make them a day ahead or 10 minutes before kickoff, and serve with crackers for sandwiching. get the recipe 14 of 55 Deeply Caramelized Onion Dip Jennifer Causey Something magical happens when you cook onions low and slow until they turn jammy and sweet. For this delicious Super Bowl-friendly dip, fold those 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 15 of 55 Cheesy Chicken Nachos With Avocado and Radish Greg DuPree Nachos are undeniably celebratory, and they're easy to scale up to feed a crowd. These feature shredded rotisserie chicken with sharp Cheddar for rich cheesiness. To finish, channel your inner Jackson Pollock to scatter colorful, fresh toppings—like thinly sliced radishes and jalapeños—and serve right on the baking sheet. get the recipe 16 of 55 Polenta Bites With Bacon, Dates, and Blue Cheese Heather Meldrom This appetizer recipe simmers polenta in a bit of chicken broth until creamy and thickened, so it can fill a mini muffin pan to create a sturdy appetizer. Insert each with blue cheese and dates, and then broil for 5 minutes for a melty, sweet, comforting bite. get the recipe 17 of 55 Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos With Corn Salsa Jennifer Causey Burritos are a fun, filling meal to serve Super Bowl fans, and this version is loaded with good-for-you ingredients like sweet potato, tomato, corn, and beans. Prep, assemble, and cook these hours or even days ahead, store them in the freezer, and then heat them up when guests arrive. get the recipe 18 of 55 Manchego and Fig Jam Crostini Getty Images Think these look too fancy for a Super Bowl crowd? Perhaps, but for a mere 20 minutes and just four ingredients (plus an optional rosemary sprig garnish), why not add these impressive little nibbles to your party menu? Get the Recipe 19 of 55 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—they're sweet, savory, melty, and crisp all in one bite. get the recipe 20 of 55 Baja Shrimp Tacos With Creamy Slaw Greg DuPree Filled with sweet, crispy shrimp and a bright cabbage slaw, serve these small tacos with lime wedges, hot sauce, and sliced scallions to kick up the flavor. Everything can be prepared in advance except the shrimp, which cooks quickly, so you can enjoy the party without hiding out in the kitchen. get the recipe 21 of 55 Pork Carnitas Burritos Marcus Nilsson Have a stack of tortillas lying around? Transform them into these five-star burritos stuffed with pork, cheese, and lettuce. Cut each in half for party-sized servings, and don't forget to serve with fresh tomatillo salsa. get the recipe 22 of 55 Spinach and Caramelized Onion Dip Jonny Valiant Can’t decide between spinach dip and onion dip? This Super Bowl recipe combines the best of both worlds: Caramelized onions add a sweet richness, while spinach lends earthy greens. And there's more to love as far as prep. Make this dip up to 2 days before the game and refrigerate until ready to dip. get the recipe 23 of 55 Beer Cheese Fondue Grace Elkus On a chilly game day (or night), there’s nothing more inviting than cheese fondue. In this rendition, a can of lager-style beer lends a little bitterness to counter the rich, melty cheese. Keep it warm in a slow cooker on low, and serve with soft pretzel pieces, vegetables, and sliced baguette cubes. get the recipe 24 of 55 Lemonade Fried Chicken Heami Lee Delight Super Bowl guests with a tower of crispy, salty fried chicken from renowned chef Chris Scott’s book Homage. Start the recipe a day ahead by soaking chicken in a sweet-tart-spicy brine to flavor and tenderize. Add cornmeal to the dredge for an extra crunchy post-fry texture. get the recipe 25 of 55 Charred Broccoli Rabe Pizza Jennifer Causey This recipe calls for store-bought pizza dough and jarred marinara sauce, enabling you to pull this together at the last minute, right before the game. Sweet, melty mozzarella and a generous drizzle of hot honey balance the bitter broccoli rabe. get the recipe 26 of 55 Vegan Ranch Dressing Caitlin Bensel This Super Bowl staple will please everyone, and even our tasters had no idea it was vegan! It's creamy and lighter than the classic dip, but it's just as delicious. Serve with whatever you like to dip in ranch! get the recipe 27 of 55 Guacamole and Chips Quentin Bacon You'll never go back to store-bought guac once you try this fresh, simple dip. Start with creamy ripe avocados, then add just four more ingredients (plus salt and pepper). Bring on the tortilla chips! get the recipe 28 of 55 Pigs in a Blanket Quentin Bacon These easy, three-ingredient Super Bowl favorites are a sure-fire winner. Use frozen puff pastry and your favorite store-bought sausages to make these classic, irresistible, crowd-pleasing snacks. Serve with store-bought grainy mustard for dipping. get the recipe 29 of 55 Barbecue Meatball Sliders Paul Sirisalee For this simple yet hearty snack, cook store-bought meatballs, toss them in barbecue sauce, add a mini bun, and top with a quick slaw. Even simpler, serve just the meatballs with toothpicks to dunk in the sauce. get the recipe 30 of 55 Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Getty Images This three ingredient recipe yields the perfect salty-sweet snack with a delightfully unexpected filling of creamy, funky goat cheese. Best eaten warm, we suggest assembling them in advance, and then baking right before you serve ‘em. get the recipe 31 of 55 Meatless Meatball Subs Caitlin Bensel Delight your vegetarian guests with this Super Bowl recipe that employs eggplant and mushrooms for a savory, umami-filled, meatless meatball. For the game, swap the messy sub for sliders, or serve the meatballs with toothpicks along with marinara for dipping and grated Parmesan for sprinkling. get the recipe 32 of 55 Garlic and Parsley Shoestring Fries Victor Protasio We love crispy restaurant-style French fries, and with this recipe's shortcut of frozen shoestrings. they're easy to make at home, too. To make them Super Bowl-special, these fries are tossed in a parsley-garlic mixture and sprinkled with flaky salt. get the recipe 33 of 55 Chimichurri Yogurt Dip Victor Protasio If you want to freshen up your Super Bowl snack selection, look no further than this dip. Herby, creamy, and garlicky, it's flavored with chimichurri—an Argentinian green sauce—folded into tangy Greek yogurt. Serve it with anything: veggies, breadsticks, and pita chips are our favorites. get the recipe 34 of 55 Fish Stick Tacos Caitlin Bensel Fish tacos are a popular crowdpleaser, and this recipe simplifies their prep by starting with store-bought fish sticks. Bake the fish sticks, make a quick, three-ingredient slaw, and set out assorted toppings for guests to personalize. get the recipe 35 of 55 Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce Greg DuPree You don’t need special equipment to make this rectangular pizza: just a regular baking sheet and a hot oven. Top this pie with creamy (pink) tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and red onions for a modern take on a classic. Cut it into narrow rectangles to ensure each game-day guest gets a slice. get the recipe 36 of 55 Crispy Homemade Baked Potato Chips Lauren Simpson Store-bought potato chips are fine for regular-season games, but a Super Bowl party deserves a superior effort. Try this four-ingredient recipe that yields a bowl of chips more delicious and healthier than anything from a bag. get the recipe 37 of 55 Cheesy Chile Dip Victor Protasio Caution: This decadent, spicy, cheesy dip is likely to steal attention from the game. The recipe calls for four kinds of peppers—all widely available—with extra sliced banana peppers sprinkled on top. We like it best with tortilla chips, celery sticks, and mini peppers for dipping. get the recipe 38 of 55 Mini Squash Calzones Greg DuPree Calzones are fun to eat, and these miniature vegetarian ones are no exception. Store-bought pizza dough makes them easier to make than they look. Fill with a rich mixture of butternut squash, Swiss chard, cheese, and Calabrian chiles, and serve with warm marinara for dipping. get the recipe 39 of 55 Oven Baked Chicken Tenders Greg DuPree Chicken tenders aren’t just for kids: These oven baked ones will delight guests of all ages at your Super Bowl soirée. For easier party prep, make these days or weeks ahead, freeze them, and then bake on game day. Serve with the recipe's honey-mustard dipping sauce. get the recipe 40 of 55 Quesadillas Poblano Jen Causey Quesadillas are easy and delicious and can be pulled together faster than a Super Bowl commercial break. 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 41 of 55 Roasted Veggie Calzones Fred Hardy A mix of eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion stars in these veggie-packed calzones, but the usual suspects are here, too. That means lots of cheese (ricotta and mozzarella) and plenty of marinara for dipping. Add meat if you're so inclined or play around with different veggies to suit your Super Bowl party guests. get the recipe 42 of 55 Spiced Pita Chips Beatriz da Costa This recipe features the trifecta of Super Bowl snack greatness: It's simple to make, easy to eat, and a little bit spicy. It jazzes up plain store-bought pitas by sprinkling them with herbs and then broiling until crisp. Serve with store-bought hummus or any of our featured dips. Get the Recipe 43 of 55 Make-Ahead Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars Jennifer Causey Super Bowl snacks don't have to be savory. Add some sweetness to your spread with these make-ahead, no-bake bars. Each batch makes 32 and leftovers (if there are any) make a great on-the-go breakfast for Monday morning. Get the Recipe 44 of 55 Kale Flatbread Bites Victor Protasio This sheet-pan flatbread 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 you can whip up this homemade pie faster than ordering delivery. get the recipe 45 of 55 Marshmallow Popcorn Bars John Kernick This three-ingredient recipe turns a stadium staple into a sweet snack for Super Bowl viewing. Cut into bars or form into balls for an easy menu addition that fans will love. Get the Recipe 46 of 55 Crispy Chickpeas bhofack2/Getty Images Be sure to make plenty because these addictive little morsels disappear quickly. The fact that they're healthy and super-simple to make are party-host plusses you can keep to yourself. Get the Recipe 47 of 55 Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza Johnny Miller Here's one you won't find on most delivery menus. Impress your guests with this unique pizza that starts with a store-bought crust and features goat cheese and mushrooms (the fancier, the better). Bake and then drizzle with a lemony chili oil, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and serve to impressed guests. Get the Recipe 48 of 55 Herby Yogurt Dip Victor Protasio This creamy dip features a blend of dried herbs from your spice cabinet. (The recipe suggests parsley, oregano, basil, and mint, but get creative with whatever you have!) They're heated with a glug of olive oil and then drizzled over Greek yogurt for an aromatic, herby dip poised for your favorite dippers. Get the Recipe 49 of 55 Rosemary Pecans Beatriz da Costa Better double this recipe from the start because these pecans are addictive! It calls for roasting pecans in a treatment of melted butter, sugar, cayenne, and salt for a sweet-and-spicy, nutty snack. Chopped fresh rosemary tossed into the mix provides an earthy, woodsy finish. Get the Recipe 50 of 55 Ham and Potato Pizza Heami Lee Meat and potatoes meet pizza in this innovative recipe from Home Is Where the Eggs Are, a cookbook penned by Food Network star Molly Yeh. Thinly sliced potatoes cook atop a white pizza loaded with spinach, ham, and mozzarella, making every bite a hearty one. Get the Recipe 51 of 55 Elote Jalapeño Poppers Victor Protasio Don't let the exotic term intimidate you: Elote refers to Mexican street corn that's coated in mayo and Cotija, a salty white fresh cheese. The filling for these poppers also has cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lime, and garlic, providing a creamy, bright counter to spicy jalapenos. (If you can’t find Cotija, try crumbled feta instead.) Get the Recipe 52 of 55 Cheesy Chile Pull-Apart Bread Jennifer Causey Serve this tasty loaf, and you may find guests huddling around it instead of the TV. It starts with a store-bought loaf of crusty white bread that's cross-hatched almost all the way through. Next, fill those nooks and crannies with a rich, chili-spiked cheese mixture, bake, and then watch eager fingers utterly destroy it. Get the Recipe 53 of 55 Honey Paprika Walnuts Greg DuPree These walnuts have all the hallmarks of a perfect Super Bowl snack: salty, smoky, sweet, slightly spicy, and nutty. (The fact they provide healthy fats, protein, and fiber is merely incidental.) If you're short on walnuts, sub with pecans or almonds, or combine them all for a mixed nut collaboration. Get the Recipe 54 of 55 Ginger Chocolate Chip Bars Kana Okada They look like a brownie, taste like a cookie, and disappear as quickly as a kicker after a field goal. These not-too-sweet bars pack an unexpected punch of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves that'll surprise and delight your guests. To ease your party-prep load, mix the batter up to 2 months ahead and freeze until Super Bowl Sunday. Get the Recipe 55 of 55 Pizza Bites With Green Olives Philip Friedman; Styling: Colleen Riley This recipe puts the big taste of pizza in a bite-sized ball. While there's nothing wrong with pimento-stuffed olives and Parmesan, feel free to experiment with different fillings: pepperoni, mozzarella, and mushroom to name a few. Serve with warm marinara for dipping. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit