01.12.2023
Healthy Game Day Appetizers
Easy, crowd-pleasing healthy appetizers for game day, including dips, sliders, veggie snacks, and baked sweet potato fries with simple swaps.
- Swap higher-fat ingredients for Greek yogurt or plant-based alternatives to boost protein and cut calories.
- Use vegetables, lean proteins, and baked or air-fried options instead of fried chips and heavy breads.
- Prep many dips and components ahead, and offer veggie dippers and portion-controlled bites for a healthier spread.
Healthy Game Day Recipes
The Super Bowl is a time for gathering with friends, enjoying incredible food, and also enjoying the biggest football game of the year. If you’re sticking to new health goals this New Year, you may feel like you can’t enjoy everything the day has to offer, but here we have compiled a list of our favorite healthy appetizers, from healthy dips to sliders and sandwiches, these recipes will help you enjoy the day to the fullest.
These Chinese Five Spice sliders are great on a bun, but also delicious alone, or wrapped in a lettuce leaf if you’d rather a low-carb option. You can choose your favorite protein as well to help you reach your nutrition goals. Chinese Five Spice featured in this recipe uses all five flavor receptors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory that makes a delicious, and different take on the typical slider.
Eggs are a great source of protein, and when you substitute plain greek yogurt for the mayonnaise in this recipe, you’ll pack in even more protein and to create a lower-fat option. This finger-food is a must for football parties, seasoned with mustard powder and horseradish powder then topped with spices of your choice, like Everything Bagel Seasoning you’ll want to be sure to make extra!
DAIRY-FREE CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICHES
Tea sandwiches are perfect for parties, they’re easy to make and even easier to snack on. These dairy-free sandwiches are made with a vegan cream cheese, and you can substitute the white bread for whole wheat for added protein and fiber. The Lake Shore Drive seasoning and Garden Dill Dip Mix add a freshness to these light sandwiches so you can save room for other appetizers at the party.
There is nothing like fresh guacamole, and it is proven to be a crowd favorite which is why it’s perfect for a football party. Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, opt for using carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers for dipping instead of chips for a lighter take on a party classic. This recipe uses The Spice House’s Pilsen Spicy Adobo Blend for a great spice that’s a perfect contrast to cooling, creamy avocados.
With a greek yogurt base, chopped cucumber, a squeeze of lemon, garlic, and some salt and freshly cracked pepper, you have a great mediterranean dip that can be served with pita and fresh veggies, and satisfies all of your dip cravings. Use fat-free greek yogurt for a low-fat, low-carb option that fits your dietary needs. Adding a sprinkle of aleppo pepper gives this dip a hint of spice that will keep you coming back for more.
Dips are a game day essential, and this Garden Dill Snack dip is no exception. Substitute a cup of sour cream for another cup of plain, low-fat greek yogurt for a high-protein snack. The freshness found in our Garden Dill Dip Mix is the perfect compliment to carrots, celery sticks, or any of your favorite dipping vegetables.
A classic grazing antipasto board, or charcuterie board is perfect for sticking to your health goals. The best part of a snacking board is you can add anything you’d like, and you can please a whole crowd. Stick to vegetables, pickles, nuts, and lean meats for a healthy yet satisfying appetizer. For extra flare, slice up some mozzarella cheese, which is naturally low in fat and sodium, and sprinkle with Taylor Street Garlic and Herb Seasoning.
While the star seasoning in this appetizer is called “Chip Dip Mix” it also makes the perfect dip for vegetables. This appetizer is a breeze to throw together, just requiring the chip dip mix and either plain greek yogurt or cottage cheese which are both great protein sources. For an extra kick add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and a splash of lemon juice.
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A and micronutrients that aren’t found in regular white potatoes. Choosing these baked or air-fried sweet potato fries over classic french fries drenched in oil, is a smart and health conscious decision. We love these sweet potato fries because they use our popular Marrakesh Market Blend and ground cinnamon to give them the perfect savory and sweet combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make these appetizers lower in calories?
Use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, choose lean proteins, serve on lettuce wraps or whole-grain bread, and bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying. Offer vegetables for dipping rather than chips and watch portion sizes.
Which appetizers work best for a low-carb or keto menu?
Deviled eggs, guacamole with vegetable dippers, sliders wrapped in lettuce, and an antipasto board focused on cured meats, olives, and hard cheeses are all low-carb friendly. Skip bread and starchy sides.
How do I make dairy-free or vegan versions?
Swap dairy with vegan cream cheeses and unsweetened plant yogurts for tzatziki-style dips. Use dairy-free mayo or mashed avocado in egg-free salads. Check spice mix ingredients to avoid hidden dairy.
Which recipes can I prepare ahead and how long do they keep?
Most dips like tzatziki, garden dill, and chip-style dip can be made 1 to 2 days ahead. Deviled eggs and slider patties can be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated. Guacamole is best made the same day or within a few hours if tightly covered with lime juice to limit browning. Store all refrigerated items in airtight containers.
What are good chip-free dippers to serve with dips?
Bell pepper strips, carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, celery, snap peas, jicama sticks, and pita wedges or baked whole-grain crackers make great alternatives to chips and add vitamins and crunch.
How do I get crispy sweet potato fries in an air fryer or oven?
Toss fries with a small amount of oil and a light dusting of cornstarch for extra crisp. Air-fry at 400 F for about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway. For the oven, roast at 425 F for 20 to 30 minutes, flipping once. Avoid overcrowding the basket or baking sheet.
How can I boost protein in these appetizers?
Use Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in dips, add extra boiled eggs, include lean sliced meats on an antipasto board, or offer edamame and chickpea-based bites. Choose whole-grain bread or high-protein buns for sliders.
Any tips for serving a crowd while keeping things healthy?
Offer a mix of high-protein and vegetable-based choices, label items with key ingredients and allergens, place veggies and lighter options at the front of the buffet, and refill smaller platters so guests take smaller portions.
How can I make these appetizers lower in calories?
Use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, choose lean proteins, serve on lettuce wraps or whole-grain bread, and bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying. Offer vegetables for dipping rather than chips and watch portion sizes.
Which appetizers work best for a low-carb or keto menu?
Deviled eggs, guacamole with vegetable dippers, sliders wrapped in lettuce, and an antipasto board focused on cured meats, olives, and hard cheeses are all low-carb friendly. Skip bread and starchy sides.
How do I make dairy-free or vegan versions?
Swap dairy with vegan cream cheeses and unsweetened plant yogurts for tzatziki-style dips. Use dairy-free mayo or mashed avocado in egg-free salads. Check spice mix ingredients to avoid hidden dairy.
Which recipes can I prepare ahead and how long do they keep?
Most dips like tzatziki, garden dill, and chip-style dip can be made 1 to 2 days ahead. Deviled eggs and slider patties can be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated. Guacamole is best made the same day or within a few hours if tightly covered with lime juice to limit browning. Store all refrigerated items in airtight containers.
What are good chip-free dippers to serve with dips?
Bell pepper strips, carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, celery, snap peas, jicama sticks, and pita wedges or baked whole-grain crackers make great alternatives to chips and add vitamins and crunch.
How do I get crispy sweet potato fries in an air fryer or oven?
Toss fries with a small amount of oil and a light dusting of cornstarch for extra crisp. Air-fry at 400 F for about 15 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway. For the oven, roast at 425 F for 20 to 30 minutes, flipping once. Avoid overcrowding the basket or baking sheet.
How can I boost protein in these appetizers?
Use Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in dips, add extra boiled eggs, include lean sliced meats on an antipasto board, or offer edamame and chickpea-based bites. Choose whole-grain bread or high-protein buns for sliders.
Any tips for serving a crowd while keeping things healthy?
Offer a mix of high-protein and vegetable-based choices, label items with key ingredients and allergens, place veggies and lighter options at the front of the buffet, and refill smaller platters so guests take smaller portions.
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