With game day quickly approaching, we aren’t just thinking about who will take home the trophy, but what snacks we’ll be eating on Sunday. Whether you’re hosting your whole friend group or putting together a spread for you and your partner, game day is the perfect excuse to have fun in the kitchen. We’re here to inspire you to try new recipes and give you some easy go-to’s to minimize your stress so you can fully enjoy the day with friends or family.
Putting Appetizers in the Spotlight
The Big Game is the main event, so you can expect your guests’ eyes to be glued to the screen. No one wants to miss a single play or celebrity commercial cameo. Especially with the holidays just behind us, no one needs to be stuck in the kitchen all day cooking or trying to eat a three course meal in their lap during the halftime show. Game day is truly the unofficial day of snacking with friends (no wonder we like it so much!), so be prepared for everyone to arrive ready to pick at lots of dishes. We recommend making a few different snacks and maybe even trying something new. Who knows, maybe you and your friends will discover a new favorite!
Mouthwatering Dips for Kickoff
Dips are the unsung hero of any game day get-together. They can be simple, more involved, or somewhere in between, but they are always delicious. This gives you the freedom to go traditional or branch out with no need to worry about compromising on flavor. Making dips a part of your snack table gives you the option to ask your guests to provide the dipping materials (we recommend directing them to www.johnwmmacys.com). No matter which team you’re rooting for, we’ve included a couple of our favorite dip recipes that are sure to be a win for the kitchen.
The Classic Win: Buffalo Chicken Dip Over Grilled Crostini Toasts
Saying the words “buffalo chicken dip” loud enough at any get together is sure to grab every guest’s attention, even during the big game. Not many snacks have the truly addictive quality of buffalo chicken dip, so we had to include this fan favorite. Creamy, thick, and bursting with flavor, this dip definitely needs something sturdy enough to hold it. We recommend spooning this dip over one of our Grilled Crostini Toasts to eliminate the dreaded possibility of your chip breaking mid-dip.
A Refreshing Palate Cleanser: Greek Feta Dip
If you’re looking for something cool and refreshing to balance out the buffalo chicken dip, this is a perfect addition to your snack table. Between the cool Greek yogurt and refreshing flavors of lemon, cucumber, and dill, it’s nearly impossible to pull yourself away from this Greek feta dip. It’s also a great recipe to add to your menu if you’re looking for simplicity without skimping on taste. You can spread this creamy dip over our Grilled Crostini Toasts or use one of our CheeseSticks or Crisps to dip. We recommend Cheddar & Scallion CheeseSticks, which provide a perfect savory crunch and subtle scallion flavor to complement the fresh flavors of the dip.
Finger Foods to Satisfy Halftime Hunger
With everyone’s eyes glued to the screen, it’s important to have easy-to-eat recipes that will leave you and your friends or family feeling satisfied from the kickoff all the way to the final play. Fully satisfy your hunger with appetizers that pack loads of flavor into one bite-sized portion.
The Dip That Isn’t A Dip: Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Pizza Dip
This dish is less like a dip and more like a pizza without the commitment of sitting down with an entire slice. With no utensils required, this is the perfect hearty addition to your snack table.
A Fan Favorite with a Twist: Melting Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders
Our final recipe is a classic crowd-pleaser with a John Wm. Macy’s twist. Crushing crackers to create your own breadcrumbs definitely isn’t a new trend, but it’s usually done with plain crackers. Since we love making things crunchier and cheesier, we’ve created this recipe that uses our Melting Parmesan CheeseSticks as a delectable, mildly cheesy crust for your favorite chicken tenders. With its buttery and smooth flavor, this is a fun and simple way to spice up a tried and true recipe (and use your John Wm. Macy’s CheeseSticks)!
Ingredients:
- 2 packages chicken tenders
- 1 box John Wm. Macy’s Melting Parmesan CheeseSticks
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp. butter
- ¼ cup olive oil
Directions:
- Place CheeseSticks into freezer ziplock baggie. Crush with rolling pin until they are coarse crumbs.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, & mix. Pour mixture into bowl.
- Crack eggs into a bowl & whisk well with fork.
- Heat butter & oil in large skillet over medium/high heat.
- Dip chicken tenders into egg, then coat thoroughly with crumb mixture.
- Place into hot oil and cook approx. 3-4 minutes each side. Do not crowd pan & cook in batches of about 6 tenders (depending on size of your pan).
- Lightly drain on paper towel.
We hope you enjoy the game, the snacks & the time with friends and family. Be sure to tag us in all your game day photos featuring John Wm. Macy’s snacks!
