9 Surprising Recipes that Make Great Football Party Appetizers

by Caitlin H,

Jan 28, 2019

Football season is in full-swing, and you’re probably attending (or hosting) a party or two. It’s great to celebrate with friends, but parties can also mean lots of calorie-laden, unhealthy foods that can quickly turn into an expanding waistline.

Luckily, there are plenty of creative options that you can whip up in place of things like buffalo hot wings and creamy spinach dip that will leave you feeling just as satisfied.

 

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1) Greek Yogurt Onion Dip

Shallots, chives and olive oil mix with Greek yogurt for a tasty, complex dip that goes great with veggie sticks, low-salt pita chips or pretzels.

Serves: 6 (1 ½ cups)

Calories: 70 per serving

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup chopped shallots (about 2 large shallots; 1/3 pound)

Kosher salt

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 cup 2-percent Greek yogurt

1/4 cup 1-percent milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Freshly ground black pepper

Get the full recipe at Food Network

 

2) Shrimp Salsa

Shrimp meets salsa in this delectable dip that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips or low-sodium wheat crackers. It’s simple, light and unique.

Serves: 12

Calories: 26 per serving

1/2 pound salad shrimp

2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1/4 cup minced cilantro

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Get the full recipe at AllRecipes

3) Feta and Spinach Tartlets

If you’re into anything Mediterranean, you’re taste buds will go nuts over these feta and spinach tartlets that bring Greece alive in a crunchy phyllo dough shell.

Serves: 30

Calories: 35/serving

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 small shallot

1 clove garlic

tsp. ground nutmeg

1 bag baby spinach

1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese

c. plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill

1 large Egg

30 mini phyllo shells

Get the full recipe at Country Living

4) Spicy Peanut Chicken Skewers

Take your skewer recipe to the next level with tastebud-blowing spicy chicken skewers inspired from peanut butter chicken satay. The peanut butter balances the rice vinegar, soy sauce and other ingredients and keeps the chicken at moist perfection.

Serves: 6

Calories: About 160/skewer

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup olive oil

6 tablespoons soy sauce, divided

6 tablespoons whole milk, divided

5 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided

1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

12 bamboo skewers

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup sambal oelek

18 grape tomatoes

2 medium yellow squash, very thinly sliced

2 medium zucchini, very thinly sliced

Black sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Chopped peanuts, for garnish (optional)

Lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Get the full recipe at Foxes Love Lemons

5) Spinach Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms

Spinach artichoke-stuffed anything is pretty darn amazing, but add them to some tasty, fresh mushrooms and you’re really in for a treat. Plus, they’re easy to make and the perfect quick party treat.

Serves: 2 ½ dozen

Calories: 51/mushroom

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

30 to 35 large fresh mushrooms, stems removed

Additional shredded Parmesan cheese

Get the full recipe at Taste of Home

6) Cauliflower Popcorn

Move aside popcorn, because these bite-size cauliflower nuggets are just as munch-worthy. They’re roasted with garlic and parmesan and are the perfect unexpected party snack.

Serves: 5 cups

Calories: 100 calories/cup

8 c. small cauliflower florets, stems trimmed

3 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 c. Grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. turmeric

1/2 tsp. salt

Get the full recipe at Good Housekeeping

7) Ginger Pork Lettuce Wraps

Asian flavors inspire these low-calorie lettuce wraps that include pork, ginger, chestnuts and sesame oil. These mouth-watering morsels absolutely taste as amazing as they look.

Serves: 24

Calories: 54/lettuce wrap

1 pound lean ground pork

1 medium onion, chopped

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons Thai chili sauce

1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped

4 green onions, chopped

1 tablespoon sesame oil

24 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves

Get the full recipe at Taste of Home

8) Tabouleh-Stuffed Peppers

Give stuffed peppers a bit of additional crunch with tabouleh combined with flavors like garlic, mint, coriander and more. Are you going to wow your guests with them? Yes, that’s for certain.

Serves: 30

Calories: 38/pepper

1 cup bulgur

1 cup hot water

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1 pound fresh sweet mini peppers

Get the full recipe at Live Best

9) Crispy Baked Chickpeas

Keep the snack guilt-free without skimping on flavor with these crispy baked chickpeas that are tossed with baked and tossed with truffle salt.

Serves: 8

Calories: 110

2 cans chickpeas drained and rinsed

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon truffle salt or sea salt

Get the full recipe at The Lemon Bowl

 

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Author: Caitlin H

Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.