22 Ultimate Football Appetizers for Any Game Day (2024)

FAQs

What food is good for football games? ›

Tortilla chips cinched the coveted No. 1 spot, while the top five were rounded out with cola, cheese blend, salsa and pretzels, respectively. The top 20 categories were established by finding foods that were in the highest share of carts during the week ending Feb. 12, 2023, compared to the rest of the year.

If you Google "best Super Bowl foods," there's no doubt wings will come up as the number one answer. Saucy, sloppy and spicy, the bone-in bangers have become almost synonymous with the big game. Enjoy them with creamy ranch, warm buffalo sauce or naked with a smoky spice rub.

Chicken wings are the most popular game day food in NFL cities during the season — with a 25% increase in average order volume on Sundays in the season compared to Sundays out of the season.

#1- Wings. According to the National Chicken Council, 1.45 billion chicken wings are expected to be consumed for Super Bowl Sunday. They're an easy, shareable food item that comes in many different options, such as garlic parmesan, lemon pepper, cajun, and many many more.

It's important to eat both before and after football. Before playing, consume foods that provide energy and nutrients, like whole grain cereals, bananas, whole grain toast, baked beans, eggs, lean fish, pasta, and rice. These meal options offer essential carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients to fuel your body.

What Do Football Players Eat During Halftime? Football players tend to eat foods rich in carbohydrates during halftime to keep their energy levels up. Items like granola and pretzels are great options. But more importantly, they often consume sports drinks throughout the game.

Most Popular Super Bowl Foods in the Nation

Nationwide, the top Super Bowl foods are chili, buffalo chicken dip, guacamole, pigs in a blanket, and spinach and artichoke dip.

To help plan your game day menu, we've rounded up some of our favorite Super Bowl appetizers that are sure to be a hit. These are the classic foods like Buffalo wings and nachos — plus more than a few innovative ideas, such as fried potato salad bites and a pimento cheese bar — that'll make your spread a success.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Peanut butter, nuts, and low-fat Greek yogurt are good ideas. Fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, and grapes are also a smart choice. And these foods are easy to meal prep to bring to your game. The most important thing at this stage, though, is to drink plenty of water.

Nutrition for Athletes Before Game Time

“Eat a bigger meal with plenty of fluids, especially water,” says Turner. “An athlete's plate should be half full of starch, a quarter protein, and a quarter non-starchy vegetables. With more than 2 hours before game time, I suggest having a more substantial meal.