Top 5 Healthy Game Day Recipes (football season approved)

Game Day Recipes

Are you ready for some football? That’s the infamous question this time of year, as the fall season rolls around, and we prepare for spending Sundays in front of the television rooting for our favorite teams.

Will there be another deflategate? Can the Eagles do the impossible again? Will your team make it to the Superbowl? Will my Redskins ever make it to the playoffs?

With all these burning questions looming, there is one thing that’s certain, the game day recipes & snacks will be plentiful. You can’t have gameday without snacks. And when I say snacks, finger foods are where it’s at. Because who wants to be the one left standing in the kitchen cooking when football is on? Not me. You may miss the biggest play of the game, and ain’t nobody got time for that! So, enjoy these 5 healthy game day recipes.

5 Delicious Game Day Recipes

Game Day Snacks

Cauliflower Nachos

Ingredients

  • I cauliflower head, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp EVOO
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup cheese*, shredded
  • 1 cup prepared salsa
  • 1 cup guacamole

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Take sliced cauliflower and lightly drizzle with EVOO.
  3. Sprinkle each slice with salt, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Toss to coat.
  4. Roast until tender—roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
  5. Top with cheese and return to oven until melted—roughly 5 minutes.
  6. Garnish with salsa and guacamole.
  7. Enjoy this delicious game day recipe

Chef Note: You can use whatever your favorite cheese is—I rather enjoy Colby Jack or a Mexican blend. I also enjoy pickled jalapenos. The sky is really the limit with this (or any) of our game day recipes, and you can add ground beef, bacon, black olives or onions.

Chef Note: I have made bell pepper nachos, and zucchini nachos, so this was just one more veggie nacho to add to the menu for those who are trying to lighten the menu.

Game Day Finger Foods

Caprese Bites

Ingredients

  • 24 mini mozzarella balls
  • 24 grape tomatoes
  • 24 basil leaves
  • 24 toothpicks
  • 2 Tbsp balsamic glaze

Directions

  1. Layer one of each- mozzarella ball, grape tomato, and basil leaf on a toothpick and place on a plate.
  2. Drizzle balsamic glaze atop each.
  3. Enjoy!

Game Day Recipes

Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients

  • 16 fresh jalapeños
  • 16 strips bacon
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Slice the ends off each jalapeno, then slice each jalapeno in half length-wise.
  3. Remove seeds and membranes with a corer or knife. *Caution: use gloves to protect hands, and keep your hands far away from your face!
  4. Mix the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together in a bowl.
  5. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
  6. Wrap each jalapeño piece in each half of bacon.
  7. Place all bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
  9. Enjoy! (This is one of my favorite game day recipes. So good!)

Football Finger Foods

Avocado Hummus

Ingredients

  • 1 medium avocado
  • 2 Tbsp chickpeas
  • 2 Tbsp tahini
  • 1 Tbsp EVOO
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1 lime, juice

Directions

  1. Blend all together.
  2. Season with S&P, and top with cumin and cilantro (optional).
  3. Use crackers or veggies as a vehicle to scoop copious amounts into your mouth!
  4. Enjoy!

Game Day Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers
  • 2 ½ cups cooked chicken*
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 4 Tbsp Frank’s red hot sauce*
  • 3 Tbsp blue cheese, crumbled
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • S&P, to taste

Directions

  1. Trim the ends of cucumbers and cut into ½ inch thick slices. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, Greek yogurt, hot sauce, blue cheese, onion, S&P pepper.
  3. Arrange cucumber slices in a single layer on a serving platter.
  4. Scoop buffalo chicken mixture atop cucumber slices.
  5. Enjoy!

Chef Note: Take the help when you can get it—I use store bought Rotisserie chicken whenever I can. It is a super simple way to cut down on prep time, and adds another layer of flavor to your recipe.

Chef Note: I am partial to Frank’s hot sauce, but of course you can use any hot sauce you prefer.

Chef Note: I discovered a way to lighten this up is to serve atop cucumber chunks. Rather than have everyone scooping dips with chips, these are pre measured servings atop a veggie, which still allows for that crunch factor, but also has a refreshing burst of cucumber.

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Cristina is a Metabolic Effect L3 Nutrition Consultant and a Precision Nutrition L2 Nutrition Coach. Cristina's passion is to help others discover how great their bodies are meant to feel. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, increase energy levels, manage stress, or simply lead a more balanced life, Cristina provides the guidance, support, and tools necessary to make lasting changes. When she isn’t in the kitchen creating nutritious and delicious recipes, or leading one of our Shape-Up Challenges, Cristina enjoys soaking up the sun on the coast of the Carolinas while raising her two amazing daughters, who are active in soccer and volleyball. Cristina is a firm believer that the most effective way to teach children is through our own actions, which is the driving force behind always seeking new ways to enhance personal health and well-being.

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