5 Easy Game Day Snacks

You don’t want your guests to be too hungry before the big game starts – but you don’t want to ruin their appetites, either. Make sure to provide a variety of satisfying snacks to munch on before the game – the sort that will entice the crowd and get them ready for the kickoff.

1. Sweet and Salty Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 pound unsalted mixed nuts (use any type of mixed nuts or just 2 types if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Spread the nuts onto a baking sheet. Toast until lightly golden brown (about 10 minutes).
2. In a large saucepan, combine the rosemary, cayenne, cumin, both sugars, salt, pepper and butter. Cook over medium heat for about a minute, constantly stirring.
3. Add the nuts to the mixture, cook and stir constantly for another few minutes to coat the nuts.

>>Spiced Nuts Recipe

2. Asian-inspired Popcorn Bars

Makes about 12 bars

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (2.9 ounces) of buttered microwave popcorn
• 2 cups of chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili oil
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• Butter for coating the pan

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. After popping the popcorn per the bag’s directions, add the popcorn, noodles, sesame seeds and peanuts into a large bowl and combine.
2. Using a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add the corn syrup and stir. Cook for 3-4 minutes while constantly stirring. Add the sesame oil and red chili oil, mixing well.
3. Pour the mixture over the popcorn
4. Coat a 13x9-inch baking dish with the butter.  Bake for about 20 minutes and when finished and cool to touch, cut the mixture into bar-sized pieces.

>>It's Da Bomb Ranch Popcorn

3. Kale Chips

Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of Kale, rinsed, dried and stems removed
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
2. Tear the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces
3. Place the kale pieces onto a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and parmesan cheese
4. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the outer edges are crispy

>>Vegetable Chips Recipes

4. Salted Soft Pretzel Bites

Makes about 12 bites

Ingredients:

• 6 prepared, frozen dinner rolls
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Defrost the prepared rolls until completely thawed
2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
3. Cut the dough into two even pieces
4. Cut 1-inch pieces from the two larger pieces of dough and shape into small bite-sized rounds
5. Stick the small rounds with a toothpick and brush them on both sides with the melted butter. Place them on a baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Sprinkle the rounds with the coarse salt
7. Bake for about 13-15 minutes
8. Serve with any variety of mustard-flavored dips or ranch-type dressing

>>Ham and Cheese Pretzel Pickups Recipe

5. Sophisticated Goat Cheese Celery Sticks

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 6 stalks of celery
• 1, 4-ounce package of goat cheese
• 2 tablespoon sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 6 black olives, pits removed and finely chopped

Directions:

1. Wash celery, remove leaves and dry. Cut celery stalks into 2-3, 3-inch pieces.
2. Combine goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and olives and mix until smooth
3. Spread the goat cheese mixture evenly onto each celery stalk
   
   

>>Baguette with Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers and Basil