35 Healthy Game Day Recipes
by Amanda Keefer
The Big Game is near! Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or only watching for the great commercials, score some major points by putting out a winning spread! We gathered 35 healthy game day dips, appetizers, small bites and main dishes to help you out.
No matter what team you cheer for, we can all agree that one of the greatest things about football season is taking a time out to savor game day snacks.
Tasty as they are, what you may not realize is that many of the most beloved tailgating foods aren’t the healthiest. Does that mean it’s time for your home team to resign themselves to a season of celery sticks?
Not so fast!
With a few simple tweaks, you can give old favorites a new and healthier spin that is sure to please the discerning palates of sports fans big and small.
Tips for a healthier Game Day spread:
Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.
Top chili, like this Hearty Turkey & Kale Chili, and other dips with Greek yogurt, which is low in sugar and high in calcium and protein. Want to kick it up a notch? Try adding chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime. This 5-Ingredient Tzatziki Dip is another great option!
Make your own fresh salsa.
Store-bought salsas often blitz attack you with sugar and preservatives. The next time you’re craving something zesty, skip the shelves and head to the produce section.
When it comes to homemade salsa, let your imagination and taste buds call the play. Grab a few tomatoes, an onion, cilantro and garlic to create a classic rendition.
Feeling adventurous? Add diced mango, peaches, or pineapple for something a little different like this Peach Tomato Salsa.
Touchdown with fresh fruit.
To satiate sweet-craving kiddos, ditch the sugary, processed candy and serve nature’s candy as a healthy alternative. Banana pops drizzled with honey and rolled in nuts and chocolate are sweet treats that will leave sports fans cheering for more. Try these Banana Crunch Pops or Chocolatey Fruit Skewers.
Sack the bagged corn chips.
Flavorful, baked cheese crisps are a delicious, protein-rich alternative to greasy, fried corn chips. Just spread shredded Parmesan cheese, about 1/8” think, on a baking pan (coated with nonstick cooking spray) and bake in 400°F oven for 5 minutes. Break into chips. Eat them plain or put them on dipping duty. Or try these Chili Lime Kale & Spinach Chips!
Hand off your beef burgers for veggie or turkey.
Ground beef can be high in fat, but swapping for leaner meat, like turkey, or taking the veggie route can cut calories and fat. Just make sure to top your burgers with lots of veggies for an extra health kick that will keep you fuller longer. Try the Very Veggie Burgers or Turkey Burgers this season.
Here are 35 Healthy Game Day Recipes for your spread:
35 Healthy Game Day Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato Skins
Who’s ready for game day? These buffalo chicken stuffed potato skins combine to popular game day foods – buffalo wings and potato skins – for a handheld appetizer that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Lightened-Up Spinach Dip
Traditional spinach dip is usually loaded with cream cheese or sour cream. This lightened-up version is made with Greek yogurt for a
healthier, but still creamy and delicious, version.
7-Layer Taco Dip
This Taco Dip is a remake of the classic 7-layer dip, made with swaps like Greek yogurt for sour cream and low-sodium refried beans. Serve with baked tortilla chips or veggies for dipping.
Homemade Ranch Hummus Dip
Raise your hand if you love hummus or Ranch dip! We combine the two for a tasty Ranch Hummus Dip that kids and adults will love.
Cheese Stuffed Apple Chicken Meatballs
Juicy baked chicken and apple meatballs stuffed with sharp cheddar and bathed in an apple butter barbeque sauce. These sassy meatballs are a guaranteed hit at any party or game-day celebration and can be adapted to fit your slow cooker too!
Breaded Cauliflower Bites with Pizza Dipping Sauce
Put a fresh veggie spin on pizza, a kid favorite, with this easy recipe. Cauliflower is a powerhouse of nutrients that help fight cancer, improve heart health and boost brain health.
5-Ingredient Tzatziki Dip
You’re just five ingredients away from this quick and easy tzatziki recipe! Serve this dip chilled with your favorite veggies for an after-school snack or a fun party dip.
Loaded Sweet Potato Skins
Offer up a "sweeter" potato skin for your game day spread.
BBQ Chicken Taquitos
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team, enjoying family movie night or looking for a freezer-friendly snack to make with the kiddos, these 4-ingredient BBQ chicken taquitos will be a hit!
Baked Potato Skins
Potato skins and game day go hand-in-hand, but don’t get sacked with overly greasy foods on your field. These baked potato skins are still crispy, cheesy and delicious, but just a little big healthier. No flags on this play!
Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
This EASY, spicy Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus Recipe without Tahini is going to be your new favorite snack or sandwich spread! Gluten free, vegan and healthy!
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Whether you’re looking for a quick game day snack, something to munch on for a family movie night or an appetizer for an upcoming party, these quick and easy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls should be added to your list!
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Celery
Score a touchdown at your tailgating party with this buffalo chicken stuffed celery. Buffalo wings can be messy, but this recipe has all the flavor of wings in a healthier, crunchy snack. Heading out early for a tailgate? You can prep these ahead of time!
Superbowl football deviled eggs
Deviled eggs are a great traditional appetizer for any party or potluck. Add a little touch of green onion to make these look like footballs and you have the perfect game day snack.
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is the perfect veggie-packed dip! Full of healthy ingredients, it’s perfect as a salsa, dip or topping for salads, chicken or fish. You can prepare in advance, just leave out the avocado until ready to serve to keep from browning.
Beef & Black Bean Sliders
These sliders are perfect for little hands! Adding black beans to the patties is easy and pumps up the protein to keep the whole family fuller longer.
Walnut and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These really do make the perfect Game Day appetizer, but these Walnut and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are also great to eat as a light lunch or dinner.
Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Not all salsas need to be tomato based. This black bean and corn salsa is perfect any time of the year. Grab your chips and dip!
Easy Homemade Guacamole
Homemade guacamole is easier than you think! It takes just a few ingredients to turn avocados into a delicious dip to eat with chips or top tacos, burgers and more.
Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These easy, healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are made in the oven, perfect for football!
Baked Avocado Fries
Yes, you can make fries with avocados! These crispy oven-baked avocado fries are a delicious appetizer or snack. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, or make your own cilantro lime dipping sauce using Greek yogurt.
Hummus Snack Board
This easy-to-assemble snack board combines veggies, pita, crackers, pretzels and hummus for a colorful and healthy snack everyone can enjoy!
Green Goddess Veggie Dip Cups
Healthy snacks to keep in the refrigerator for when the munchies strike, or super cute portable appetizers for your next party — and let’s just say that the dreaded communal dip bowl is now a thing of the past.
Quick & Easy Roasted Tomato Hummus
This Easy Roasted Tomato Hummus is a huge hit with the whole family, perfect for pairing with veggies that your little ones may not eat on their own (a total mom-win!).
Broccoli Tater Tots
Kids love tater tots! These homemade broccoli tater tots are easy to make and freezer-friendly.
Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad Sliders
These Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad Sliders are a perfect addition to any game day menu because they can easily be made ahead of time and aren’t overly filling but work great with whatever else you may be serving.
Mac n Cheese Muffins
These Mac n’ Cheese Muffins are a healthy spin on a kid-favorite. Since they’re fun to eat and packed with flavor, kids won’t even know they’re filled with veggies!
Smashed Red Potatoes
These crispy smashed potatoes are a lighter spin on classic potato skins and sure to satisfy French fry cravings.
Baby Baked Beef Burritos
These little beef burritos are filled with spicy beef, jalapeño, onions, black beans, corn, cheese, and a mix of herbs and spices, and they are baked until slightly crispy. What makes them babies? They are made with taco sized flour tortillas.
Mini Wonton Taco Cups
Whether you’re celebrating Taco Tuesday, looking for a fun game day snack or party appetizer, these mini wonton taco cups are perfect!
The Ultimate Taco Board
Whether creating a Homegating spread to cheer on your favorite team, celebrating Cinco de Mayo or just looking for a way to spice up Taco Tuesday, this ultimate taco board will amaze family and friends!
Air Fryer Mexican Cauliflower Rice Taquitos
Taquitos are a kid-friendly and easy way to get veggies into kiddos, and this homemade version is no exception. Packed with cauliflower, black beans and corn, kids will happily eat these for lunch, dinner or as a snack.
Sesame Chicken Wonton Cups
Looking for a new way to serve salad? Why not turn it into these fun wonton cups for a healthy appetizer? Just a few ingredients required – wonton wrappers, a chopped salad kit and chicken – to make a fun dish everyone will rave about!
Hidden Veggie Cheeseburgers
Add flavor and a healthy dose of veggies to your burgers! When it’s time to fire up the grill for the summer, make sure to add this recipe to you list.
