Face it: The format of the Super Bowl party leaves something to be desired. Arrive late and you end up in the only chair with no back, someone invariably talks during the tear-jerker beer commercial you wanted to watch, and varying degrees of interest in the halftime show splits […]
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Face it: The format of the Super Bowl party leaves something to be desired. Arrive late and you end up in the only chair with no back, someone invariably talks during the tear-jerker beer commercial you wanted to watch, and varying degrees of interest in the halftime show splits the group into shushers and shushees. The saving grace, though? The snacks. It doesn’t matter who’s winning, as long as the brown-butter blondies are nearby and the French onion dip is plentiful.
If you’re forgoing the raucous party this year and watching at home (no competition for snacks!), try mixing up some guacamole for two—or make a party-size batch of award-winning wings and enjoy leftovers throughout the week. No matter your plans, these recipes will have you dancing in the end zone.
Finger Foods
A good rule of thumb for finger foods: The messier it leaves your hands, the better it tastes. Case in point: chicken wings. If you’re up for outdoor grilling try this tangy version tossed with Alabama white sauce and seasoned with plenty of lemon juice. Refine your taco-assembly skills with chef Chris Weber’s mushroom tacos (pictured), which can be whipped up sans meat or with bacon, depending on your preference. For something lighter and highly munchable, try these highly customizable popcorn recipes, with flavors ranging from Bloody Mary to spiced caramel, or elevate your favorite bar snack with one of these twists.
Dips
There aren’t many times in a year when it’s completely acceptable—encouraged, in fact—to count dips as dinner, so why not take full advantage? This buttery oven-baked crab dip (pictured) carries just the right amount of celery crunch. Serve it with crisp toast rounds—and a simple green salad, if you must. A classic French-onion dip is always a touchdown, and this luscious version topped with caramelized onions scores the extra point. And we strongly encourage you to give the unjustly maligned cheese ball another chance.
Recipes for Two
The smaller the crowd, the more control you get over the menu—and the more of the menu you get to eat. For a party of two, impress your date with restaurant-quality guacamole (the secret ingredient is optional—but highly recommended) or a citrus-y ceviche (pictured) with just enough heat. Or, upgrade from snack to meal with a streamlined grilled-cheese-tomato-soup combo.
Drinks
A good drink goes a long way when it comes to alleviating game-day stress. If you’re craving a bar-quality cocktail but don’t necessarily have a bar-quality setup, don’t worry: with some Tupperware and a tablespoon you can do wonders. Here’s our guide on how to MacGyver a pro-level drink at home. Or maybe you’d rather keep it simple, in which case this recipe for the world’s easiest Margarita (pictured) will keep your at-home viewing party well lubricated with minimal distraction from the game.
Something Sweet
No snackadium is complete without a hefty dose of sugar. (There are four quarters to get through, after all.) If you like a dash of salt with your sweets, singer Kelis’s chocolate chunk cookies with potato chips only take 30 minutes to prepare. Or indulge this nutty, caramel-y, brown-butter blondie (pictured) that will make any dessert-lover question their brownie loyalty.
These are just a few of the options. Want to assemble your own Super Bowl spread? Search WSJ Recipes here.
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