Now that football season has officially begun, we know it means more than fantasy football leagues and time spent tailgating. There’s food to consider! Nothing makes for a better Sunday (Football) Funday than tasty snacks to munch on while we watch our favorite teams play during Sunday Night Football.
Unfortunately, many football snack options are full of calories, high in fat, and can make us feel sluggish – but you don’t have to get off your healthy eating track just because it’s a new sports season. We’ve found a few delicious and healthy recipes to make sure your snack craving is fulfilled during the big games, without having to feel guilty about it.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Start the party with a bowl of chips that are snackable and savory with just a hint of sweet. Thinly slice a peeled sweet potato and toss with a tablespoon each of olive oil, cumin, paprika, and a sprinkle of salt. Bake at 400° for about 20-25 minutes, or until crispy. You’ll want to make a big batch of these, because they’re sure to quickly disappear!
Lemon-Drop Chicken Wings
Doesn’t this sound like a winning combination? This recipe has two ingredients perfect for any football party: wings and vodka. Rather than being dunked in a hot oil bath, these chicken wings have a baked-in zesty flavor from a marinade of vodka, lemon juice and a little bit of oil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Trim up the chicken wings and allow them to “soak” for 2 to 4 hours. Then, bake at 400° for 1 hour and 15 minutes on a foil-lined baking sheet until they’re browned to perfection.
Nacho Pizza
What watch party is complete without nachos or pizza? Now you can get the best of both words without feeling completely weighed down. For this nacho pizza recipe, swap in whole-wheat pizza dough and add in protein with black beans as a base. Then, don’t forget to load up on veggies and go easy on the cheese. For extra indulgence, add slices of avocado on top after it comes out of the oven.
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers
Finger foods are a must for Sunday Night Football. An easy, flavorful recipe with little mess to clean up is ideal to give us more time in front of the television and less time in the kitchen. Remember to soak your skewers in water before grilling and use any mix of vegetables you like. Peppers, squash, and onions grill up nicely, but the options are up to you. Sprinkle lemon pepper or Cajun spice seasoning on each chicken-and-veggie skewer for plenty of flavor and none of the fat. Tip: Make a bunch ahead of time, so once the grill is ready, you are too.
Don’t feel like you have to ditch your healthy lifestyle for the duration of football season. These simple, delicious, and healthy recipes can be made ahead of time and will leave you feeling satisfied on game day, even if your team doesn’t.
There are plenty of ways to swap in alternatives for your fried or carb-filled favorites without sacrificing the taste. Get creative with your Sunday Night Football recipes, and you may soon find you have a new favorite snack!
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