Fall is here, and to many people around the country, that means one thing: football season. It’s a time for gathering with friends and family, watching the game, and of course, eating some deliciously decadent appetizers. Whether you’re the hostess with the mostest or a proud potluck participant, we’ve gathered some choice small bites that are sure to please the hungriest fans around.
For your first play, combine two mainstays of tailgating – pizza and beer – into one delicious dip. Featuring three types of cheese, pepperoni, sauce, and hoppy beer, this dip makes the perfect meal-in-a-bite (especially when you use flatbread as the dipper). Bonus: it can be assembled ahead of time. Store the assembled dish in the fridge and pop in the oven just before guests arrive.
If you’d prefer a spicier kick to your beer-y, cheesy dip, try a spicy fontina queso dip, served with tortilla-crusted ravioli. Mexican beer and pepperjack cheese give this dip some zest, while the oven-fried ravioli serve as a surprising, crowd-pleasing accompaniment.
Classic sports bar menu items are no-fail when it comes to football season, like our spicy buffalo chicken wings served with cool, creamy blue cheese dip. Baking rather than frying the wings make them a little lighter, and won’t make a mess of your kitchen. One added benefit? Any leftover dip can be used a salad dressing for you post-game day detox.
For those with less tolerance to spicy goods, add some philly cheese steak potato skins to the mix. These easy appetizers may look small, but are perfect for those who like an old-fashioned “meat and potatoes” meal. This is also a great option for smaller tummies, as the author explains: “A full-size Philly Cheese Steak can appear a little daunting to kids. Serving up the same flavor profile in a tasty potato skin package is perfect for small bites and small hands while still delivering BIG flavor.”
So which appetizers will you be trying this season? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter pages.
Photo Credit: Featured image courtesy of Parade
Alicia Hahn
Alicia Hahn excels at eating and enjoys writing, crosswords, and cooking (preferably with cheese). Originally from San Francisco, she moved to Boston for school and fell in love with the city (despite an annual campaign against winter). Her favorite place to be is the farmers’ market, where she finds weird and exciting ingredients to make or break her next meal.
