Football season has become so synonymous with wings and buffalo dip that it's hard to leave a viewing party without feeling stuffed. So we've developed lighter but no less delicious twists on classic party foods—including dips, nachos, wings and more. Here are 18 of our favorite game day snacks that are just as healthy as they are delicious.
01of 18
Butternut Squash Queso Fundido
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Butternut-Squash-Queso-Fundido-d00b84acdd5d4fe28ad238e58670ec0b.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (1)")
This cheesy dip recipe is lightened up by subbing mashed butternut squash for some of the melted cheese. We also loaded it with chili-spiced caramelized onions. Serve this healthy makeover with tortilla chips or sliced jicama for dipping.
02of 18
Chili-Cheese Nachos
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4293500-25b06e5ae8dc4f84a94dfc852635979f.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (2)")
Make nachos a healthy dinner when you top them with an easy 30-minute chili. Serve this healthy recipe with sliced scallions, avocado, fresh tomatoes and sour cream, if desired.
03of 18
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4463476-bb9cba714a1b4df392c2b77f4a5f68c1.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (3)")
This healthy copycat recipe for classic Buffalo dip cooks in your slow cooker for an easy, hands-off appetizer you can keep warm for the whole game, party or any casual gathering. Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks and tortilla chips for dipping.
04of 18
Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sriracha-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-step-09-b9a69156ce184797a415159f12cb93a1.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (4)")
This recipe for spicy Buffalo cauliflower bites is a great vegetarian alternative to Buffalo wings. Roasted cauliflower stands in for chicken and provides more fiber and fewer calories. Serve this easy appetizer with carrot sticks, celery and your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing.
05of 18
Sweet Potato Skins with Guacamole
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4463495-38207189b2ed4893a8793f82720671f1.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (5)")
Top crispy sweet potato skins with guacamole for a healthy take on classic potato skins in this easy crowd-pleasing recipe
06of 18
Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5678408-c6afc07917254d26a2912832b0778083.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (6)")
Roasting canned chickpeas until crispy makes a simple and healthy snack. In this riff on candied nuts, chickpeas are coated with cinnamon sugar to make them irresistible! This snack is best enjoyed the day it is made.
07of 18
Jason Mraz's Guacamole
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3758871-6c4f10f68c9c4ac3bbf2d2d07fe03fec.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (7)")
In this easy guacamole recipe, musician Mraz prefers California Hass or Reed avocados because they are the creamiest. Adjust the heat, tang or other flavorings to suit your tastes.
08of 18
Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6725214-2000-edd6b89eb486493482688ebf9b52f56a.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (8)")
A sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time, thanks to the air fryer. In fact, one of EatingWell's recipe testers declared this air-fryer Buffalo wing recipe "a reason to buy an air fryer." Add a spicy sauce, carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing for dipping and you have a healthy take on wings that's sure to score.
09of 18
Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5965205-42bee8c0f7e54a7db08ab5a0bc1ca2e6.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (9)")
This is not your grandma's cheese ball. It has all the flavor of an everything bagel without all the carbs and with just 3 ingredients! Want to emphasize the bagel taste? Serve it with bagel chips and some raw veggies for dipping to keep things healthy.
10of 18
Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4784225-9f9393d5e4d1439d9cf17e7a9483ae44.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (10)")
This creamy, crowd-pleasing dip comes together with ease in your crock pot. Leave it in the slow cooker all party long to keep it warm for serving with perfect, melty cheese in every bite. Whole-wheat bread and raw veggie dippers allow you to dig in without the guilt.
11of 18
Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6318297-2828f3665005465da84f2134a9ef48e8.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (11)")
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes fry to a crispy crunch in the air fryer. These homemade chips also use much less oil, which cuts down on calories and fat. They're a naturally sweet side for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more.
12of 18
Double-Tahini Hummus
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3749592-6cf692e4673c4bf79e718cda49d74311.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (12)")
You'll look like an expert with this easy hummus recipe that produces the lightest, silkiest hummus you've ever had. Chilling the cooked chickpeas ensures that when they're blended with the oil and cold tahini hummus will come out creamy rather than oily. In a pinch, you can use the quick-soak technique (see Step 1), reduce the chilling time and still get great hummus.
13of 18
Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4589992-6cce3d81558e4d6988962d693ef5af99.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (13)")
Soaking chickpeas in vinegary hot sauce gives them a mouthwatering tang before they crisp up in the oven. The result? An addictively crunchy snack that's actually good for you.
14of 18
Cauliflower Nachos
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/45788701-84ab077ef5334f13baaaff7e212c4cdc.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (14)")
Indulge your nacho cravings with this healthy vegetarian nacho recipe that's loaded with vegetables (thanks in part to roasted cauliflower standing in for chips) and protein-packed beans, and has a lot more fiber than traditional nachos. These baked cauliflower nachos, piled with guacamole, melty cheese, fresh pico de gallo and avocado, are great as an appetizer or could be eaten as a light dinner.
15of 18
Air-Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6318293-9d26027c91cb4de5a7155ced71420ff1.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (15)")
These air-fried popcorn shrimp get crispy and crunchy with very little oil. The unique flavors are inspired by Mexican fare, with a smoky, spicy dipping sauce and full-flavored shrimp coating. Look for the smallest shrimp you can find so they will cook evenly.
16of 18
Almost Chipotle's Guacamole
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4620269-02147393f2dc4a7a942ea5f913803491.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (16)")
Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle—but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.
17of 18
Oven-Fried Pickles
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4784205-e759b86afee34dc2bcae82d03066446b.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (17)")
These oven-fried pickles get their crispy exterior from a dredge in flour, egg and whole-wheat breadcrumbs. Serve with a creamy herbed sour cream to take this easy app to the next level.
18of 18
Air-Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6318336-9235ece794b54b6492a0e63a903772db.jpg "18 Game Day Snacks That Are So Good They Might Not Even Last Until Halftime (18)")
The perfect football-party food, classic jalapeño poppers get a crispy upgrade in an air fryer. Cream cheese tempers the just-right hint of heat from the peppers and Buffalo sauce. To save time, you can stuff the peppers ahead of the party and fry them just before serving.
