We know you're munching during your game-day party (we are, too), so serve some healthy football snacks as part of your menu to avoid that over-stuffed feeling. These recipes are as tasty as the not-so-healthy traditional versions but with a nutritional boost. Each of these options has fewer than 200 calories per serving. We also kept an eye on limiting sodium and gave extra points for protein and fiber.
No-Bake Peanut-Apple Balls
No time to prepare before the big game? No problem. These easy, apple-flavor appetizers require just five pantry ingredients and a quick chill in the refrigerator. They're a great quick recipe to add to your list of healthy football snacks!
Test Kitchen Tip: Wet your hands to make these sticky peanut butter treats easier to handle.
Avocado-Stuffed Mushrooms
No spread of healthy football snacks should be without a stuffed-mushroom recipe. This one uses unexpected hazelnuts and avocado in the filling for healthy fats that will keep you full from kickoff until (at least) halftime.
Spinach-Parmesan Dip
Kick off game day with a classic fan favorite: spinach dip. Bake artichoke hearts, onions, and spinach until tender, then stir in the works: sour cream, gooey cheese, and lemon juice for tang. Make two batches; this healthy appetizer will go quickly!
Air-Fryer Pickle Chips
We've never met a pickle chip we could pass up, but this sriracha-spiced version is downright irresistible. And because the pickles are air fried, there's no shame in reaching for seconds. With this healthy football snack in your lineup, everyone at your party wins.
Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Minis
Sink your teeth into tiny bites of strawberry and lime. And you might want to make a double batch; these rich and creamy low-cal treats might be gone before halftime!
Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts
Air-frying Brussels sprouts may be our new favorite way to cook them. (Though we love roasted Brussels sprouts too.) We get all the crispy pieces we love from frying for way less fat and calories. In more good-for-you news, each serving of this healthy football snack has four grams of protein.
Watermelon Fries
Put a twist on fresh watermelon wedges by making fries. A crinkle cutter is all you'll need to whip up this crowd-pleasing platter. Serve the watermelon fries with a homemade dip and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Ranch Poolside Dip
This loaded ranch dip is packed with olives, peppers, and corn. A squeeze of fresh lime brightens up the entire dip. Serve it with fresh veggies for a healthy football appetizer.
Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups
If you're watching the game at home, make a batch of these crab rangoon roll ups. Tortillas are spread with cream cheese and imitation crab before being air-fried until crisp and golden. Serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping. They're so much better than takeout!
Avocado-Poblano Salsa
If you're taking this homemade salsa to the tailgate party, don't add the avocados until you're ready to serve. Each bite is the perfect balance of creamy avocado, spicy peppers, and fresh lime.
Grilled Strawberry Salsa Fresca
Skip the tomatoes and swap in strawberries instead. This sweet and savory salsa is best served with thick flour tortilla chips. A handful of chopped peanuts adds just the right amount of texture.
Pretzel-Crusted Air-Fryer Crab Cakes
Fire up the air fryer to make these pretzel-coated crab cakes. If you're entertaining, keep the crab cakes warm in the oven until you're ready to serve them. We're also sharing our recipe for a tangy mayo-mustard dipping sauce.
Mexican-Style Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob
If you love elote, try this garlicky butter and lime twist. After cooking the corn in the air fryer, slather with flavored butter and top with fresh cilantro. This easy appetizer is best served right away.
Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Dip
If you're hosting the tailgate party, this slow cooker dip is your best friend. Prep the ingredients and let it sit in the slow cooker till you're ready to eat. Serve the dip with crackers, veggies, and chips.
Gluten-Free Tex-Mex Cheese Dip
We're sharing two methods for making this delicious dip recipe. If you're entertaining at home, cook it quickly on the stove. If you're heading to the game, toss it in the slow cooker and it's ready when you are.
Cottage Cheese-Dill Dip
Boost the protein by using cottage cheese as the base of this easy dip recipe. Our Test Kitchen prefers to use the combination fresh parsley and dried dill in the recipe, but you could easily swap in your favorite herbs. Basil, cilantro, or chives would all work as well.
Bacon-Turkey-Cranberry Roll-Ups
One reviewer called this recipe, "amazing." Prep the roll ups 24 hours before game day. Your guests will love the combination of bacon, turkey, cranberries, and green onion.
