Jules has a few dietary restrictions (mostly gluten and dairy free), but this has prevented our family from enjoying our favorite foods. With a little creativity and a lot of taste testing, I found a lot of great crowd-pleasing substitutions. There’s no need to disclaim responsibility for these Game Day snacks—your party people won’t be able to tell the difference between my nachos and the “real thing.”
These are staples in our house (because they’re so easy), but you can dress them up for a big game with all the accessories.
Better than Buffalo Chicken Dip, this snack-a-tizer has subtle heat and tons of flavor. It’s the kind of sauce that’s so good that everyone stands around until it’s gone.
Sweet and spicy, these are the wings of my dreams. Pro tip: Grill (or grill) or wings before smothering them in this awesome sauce. The sugar won’t burn, and you’ll be left with killer (finger) flavor.
The Air Fryer is a great method for crisping chicken wings, and lime + cilantro is a glaze that everyone loves. This is a bit unexpected, so if you’re bringing something to the party – surprise them with this.
Crispy beef, creamy guac, simple toppings. Best of all, this handheld snack can be consumed in two or three bites, leaving you free for celebratory high fives.
They are tender and sharp and easily pierced with a toothpick. This is a great hot app to go through when the chips are down.
There is a formula for this. A playbook, if you will. Make sure all key players are present and accounted for. (There are plenty of gluten-free crackers and dairy-free cheeses to fill the board, but a sampler like this can have something for everyone.)
This hummus is better than anything you can buy at the store, and you can put it together during a commercial break.
If you have a grill with a flat top or a grill, you must burger this way. It’s just crispier and juicier than a regular hamburger — and therefore, far better. Don’t skimp on the condiments, sauce or pickles, please. (Substitute vegan cheddar for the win.)
I started making them in my Keto era and continue to make them to this day because they are gluten, grain and dairy free. Oh, and they’re delicious. Also, the Creole cocktail sauce is so good you’ll wish you made more shrimp.
I started making them around the holidays because they looked “fancy” to me, but they are so easy to make, and our family asks for them at almost every gathering. Pickled peppers meet creamy “cheese” and crispy bacon…it’s a bite everyone is talking about.
Sticky, crunchy, salty, sweet. This treat is such a fan favorite, you’ll want to get your own bowl 🙂
I’ve never met a damn egg I didn’t like. — But I probably think about this smoked salmon dressing once a week. Serve these babies on lettuce cups for a little crunch.
I like to serve meatballs at a party. They’re a warm, “heavy” app that’s filling and satisfying and delicious to boot. I make mine with smoked marinara for that killer barbecue flavor, but you can add them to the sauce however you like. Just don’t forget those little forks 😉
If you’re going to make crab dip — do your best. I make these dips as a trio: classic crab “cream cheese” cold dip, baked buffalo crab dip, and crab guacamole. (Shhh! Everyone will be arguing about which one is their favorite, and they won’t notice that you switched the dairy.)