If you’re into sports, either on your own or as a family, then chances are you have groups over to watch Football on a regular basis. This means lots of fun times, good memories, and hopefully good food. If you haven’t gotten to the good food part yet, don’t despair! I’m here to bring you five of my all-time favorite football party foods!
First up, you’ve got to have a Crock-Pot. Why? Because football is all about endurance eating, while the game plays. This means it’s essential that you keep your food warm for a long period of time, making the Crock-Pot your go-to device. Sure you can use an Instant-Pot in a pinch, but I’ll be honest, for football parties, you really can’t beat the versatility of the Crock-Pot. This slow cooker will meet all of your basic needs. If you don’t mind one more appliance, then I’d also suggest grabbing one of these trios. They are great for keeping dips and appetizers warm and their size makes them party perfect.
Once you’ve got your Crock-Pot at the ready, it’s time for the recipes!
Five All-Time Favorite Football Party Foods
Football Party Food 01: Hot Spinach and Crab Dip
This dip is a great addition to any party, and it’s a great twist on a classic. Serve with chips, toasted bruschetta, or veggies.
Hot Spinach and Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- ½ tsp paprika
- ⅛ tsp cayenne
- 1 lb frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 8 oz lump crab meat pick through for shell pieces!
- ½ c. Monterey Jack shredded
- 3 tbsp. grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp. Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Start by melting the butter in a medium pot set on medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the onion and garlic and saute until softened. Then season with salt and pepper to taste before adding in the cream cheese, Worcestershire, mustard, paprika, and cayenne and mixing until combined. When the cream cheese has incorporated, mix in the spinach and crab meat and stir until it begins to bubble. Then mix in the cheeses and season again with salt and pepper.
- When the dip is mixed, you can transfer to a baking dish and top with Panko crumbs before baking for 15 minutes at 425°F. Or you can transfer the dip to a Crock-Pot and set on "High" until you're ready to serve. Enjoy!
Football Party Food 02: Fire-Roasted Corn and Bean Salsa
This dip is perfect when paired with salty tortilla chips! If you want to add a block of softened cream cheese and some powdered ranch dressing, you can take this dip from spicy to savory in a pinch.
Fire-Roasted Corn and Bean Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 4 ears corn shucked
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- ½ medium red onion diced
- 1 jalapeno seeds removed and diced
- 2 tbsp. cilantro leaves chopped
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tsp. garlic chopped
Instructions
- Begin by roasting the corn. Set up either an indoor grill or regular grill and get heat to medium. Then in a small bowl mix the canola oil, chili powder, salt and pepper (to taste) and brush each ear of corn with this mixture. Next, place the basted corn on the grill and allow to grill for about ten minutes, turning frequently while allowing the grill to create nice lines on the corn. When the corn is done, remove and allow to cool until you can cut the kernels from the cob.
- Next, combine the tomatoes, beans, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and grilled corn together in a bowl and mix well. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Alternatively, you can fold in an 8 oz. block of softened cream cheese and a packet of ranch seasoning. Serve with chips and enjoy!
Football Party Food 03: Football Deviled Eggs
The reason you should include these on your menu is simple: they’re delicious. Plus they are a solid source of protein, easy to eat on the go, and darn cute to boot! The only special cooking tool you need is an egg cooker like this one. I promise you won’t regret it!
Football Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
- 2 tsp sweet relish
- salt and pepper to taste
- paprika for dusting
- 2 thin chives sliced in ½" sections
Instructions
- You can totally do this the old fashioned way and hard boil your eggs with a pot on the stove. Or save yourself some time and sanity and just use an egg cooker. You won't regret it. When the eggs are cooked, remove them from their shells and slice in half lengthwise. Then separate the yolks and place them in a bowl with the mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper and give them a good mash. When the mixture is smooth, either pipe into the egg whites or spoon until you've filled the yolk hole. Dust with a little paprika and place the chives on top in a stitching pattern. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then enjoy!
Football Party Food 04: Slow Cooker Chili
I know you want to watch the game, not the stove or oven. Luckily this dish lets you do just that! It’s great for large groups and it’s filling.
Slow-Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce chopped
- 2 cans dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cans tomato sauce
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 can light red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can chopped green chiles
- 1 c. beer or beef broth
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by heating the oil in a large pan set over medium-high heat. When the oil is to temperature, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the beef is completely browned and crumbled. Then drain and discard any excess fat before transferring the beef to the slow-cooker. Next, add the remaining ingredients and give a good stir to mix everything together. Set the crock-pot on "low" for 6-8 hours or "high" for 3-4 hours. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired and serve with cheese, chips, sour cream, and more!
Football Party Food 05: Double Chocolate Football Brownies
These brownies are ridiculously delicious. I promise. All you need is a set of football-shaped cookie cutters like these or you can try bending a circular one. While the brownies are made using your favorite box, trust me when I say the frosting is well worth the effort! It’s chocolate perfection and a great way to celebrate a win or console after a loss.
Double Chocolate Football Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix make according to package directions
Double Chocolate Frosting
- ½ c. heavy cream
- 2 tbsp. sour cream
- ½ tsp. instant coffee granules
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp. butter
- ¾ c. granulated sugar
- ½ c. cocoa powder
- pinch salt
- 1 pkg store bought frosting preferably the kind you can pipe with
Instructions
- Start by making the brownies according to the package instructions for 9x13 pan. Bake and allow to cool completely. While the brownies are cooling, make the frosting following the directions below.
- Begin by whisking the heavy whipping cream, sour cream, instant coffee, and vanilla together until combined. Then, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, whisk in the sugar, cocoa, and salt until combined. It will be grainy, but that's okay. When the cocoa mixture is combined, slowly add in the wet ingredients and lower heat to "low". Allow the mixture to cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat, it should begin to thicken slightly. Don't allow to boil!
- When the chocolate frosting starts to thicken, remove from heat and pour over the top of the cooled brownies. Allow the chocolate frosting to cool to room temperature before placing the pan in the fridge and chilling for at least an hour. When the frosting has hardened, use your football cookie cutter to cut out individual footballs. Then using store-bought frosting (or your own) pipe the laces on the top of each football. Serve and enjoy!
May these recipes help bring a little more festivity to your football parties!
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