Each week of football season is full of excitement, from gearing up in your team’s colors to setting out an epic snack spread to munch on while you watch the game. The food is as much a part of football culture as the game itself.
Classic game-day fare, like chicken wings, pizza, chips, and brownies, are high in calories, unhealthy fat, and added sugar with little nutritional value. If you’re trying to make better nutritional choices or hosting guests who have dietary restrictions, serving lightened-up takes on classic flavors and healthy game day snacks will give everyone something to cheer for.
Here are some of our favorite healthy football snacks.
CHOMPS Italian Style Beef Jerky
Seasoned with oregano, basil, onion, and garlic, CHOMPS Italian Style Beef Jerky captures the essence of an Italian hoagie in meat sticks that are a good source of protein. These healthy game snacks come individually wrapped, so you can set out a jar full of meat sticks for guests to help themselves to or slice them into bite-sized pieces to arrange on a charcuterie or crudite board.
Dips
No football party is complete without at least one chip and dip offering. We love both hot and cold dips for dipping everything from veggies to chips, crackers, and even jerky. Dairy-based dips, like French onion and queso, are high in saturated fat and calories. You can make or buy healthy football party snacks that still taste amazing.
Try replacing cream cheese and sour cream in dips with plain Greek yogurt for extra protein, a cashew cheese or vegan queso make a great dairy-free alternative, and guacamole tastes indulgent but is loaded with healthy fats and vitamins. Salsa is low in calories and hummus is a good source of plant-based fiber and protein.
Vegetables
You’re going to need something to scoop up those dips. Raw vegetables are some our favorite healthy football snacks for dipping. A tray of assorted veggies (think bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, baby carrots, celery sticks, snap peas, or cherry tomatoes) is aesthetically pleasing and offers a variety of textures to pair with cold, hot, creamy, and spicy dips. Raw veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, so they’re more nutrient dense compared to chips, pretzels, and crackers.
Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips pair well with salsa, guacamole, queso, and bean dips. For healthy football snacks, look for brands that use organic, non-GMO corn and have less than 100 milligrams of sodium per serving. There are also grain-free tortilla chips, like Siete which are made from cassava and cooked in avocado oil for anyone following a Paleo or other grain-free diet.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a whole grain, a good source of fiber, and easy to make at home. Pop your own healthy football snacks in a large pot with avocado oil or coconut oil and season with sea salt, herbs, or fresh grated Parmesan. If you opt for store-bought, look for air-popped options or popcorn that’s been cooked in a healthier oil, like olive or avocado.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Try a cauliflower crust baked with your favorite toppings for healthy game day snacks that are both lower-carb and gluten-free. You can also find ready-made cauliflower crusts and pizzas in the freezer aisle that you can pop in the oven.
Baked or Air-Fried Buffalo Wings
Skip the deep-fried take-out wings and try making your own healthy football snacks. Baking or air frying can still give you a crispy texture, but saves fat and calories compared to the fried version. Plus, you can control how spicy the sauce is, or try other flavor combos like garlic and herb or honey barbeque. For a meatless version, try buffalo cauliflower poppers.
DIY Chocolate Nut Butter Cups
Making your own nut butter cups lets you control what goes in them and how much sugar they contain. The process is as simple as melting chocolate and layering it with natural nut butter in cupcake liners or a silicone mold. Try making these healthy football snacks with dark chocolate for extra health benefits and less added sugar.
CHOMPS Jalapeno Beef Jerky
If you like meaty nachos, try topping them with a few CHOMPS Jalapeno Beef Jerky Meat Sticks chopped into small pieces. These nutritious football snacks will add extra protein, spice, and meaty texture without all the mess or fat found in traditional taco beef or meat chili.
Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites
Transform fresh zucchini into delectable healthy football snacks that capture all the flavors of pizza without the carbs. They’re bite-sized treats that feature crispy zucchini rounds topped with marinara, melted mozzarella, and CHOMPS Original Beef sticks for an extra protein boost.
Perfect for guests following keto or gluten-free diets, these healthy game day snacks are a creative way to incorporate more vegetables into your spread. The almond flour coating adds a satisfying crunch, while the turkey pepperoni provides that classic pizza taste everyone loves.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Elevate your spread of healthy football snacks with these savory stuffed mushrooms. These protein-rich bites combine the umami flavor of mushrooms with the bold taste of Italian-seasoned grass-fed beef sticks from CHOMPS.
The creamy parmesan filling makes these healthy game day snacks feel indulgent while keeping the nutritional profile in check. Perfect for making ahead and reheating just before kickoff, these stuffed mushrooms offer a sophisticated twist on traditional game day fare.
Whole30 Spinach Artichoke Dip
This reimagined classic ranks high among healthy football snacks while featuring a protein boost from CHOMPS meat sticks. The combination of artichoke hearts, spinach, and dairy creates a rich, creamy dip that pairs perfectly with both vegetables and chips.
As one of our favorite healthy game day snacks, this dip proves that comfort food can align with better-for-you choices. Serve it hot and bubbling with a variety of dipping options to accommodate different dietary preferences.
Game Day Mini Pizza Bagels
Mini pizza bagels are the ideal crowd-pleasing healthy football snacks thanks to their endless topping possibilities. These bite-sized pizzas offer the perfect balance of convenience and nutrition.
As versatile healthy game day snacks, you can customize each bagel to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs. The combination of classic pizza flavors with CHOMPS Italian Beef Sticks makes these mini bagels a touchdown at any gathering.
Whole30 Jalapeño Poppers
Spice up your spread of healthy football snacks with these protein-rich jalapeño poppers. This dairy-free version uses compliant cream cheese and nutritional yeast to create that classic creamy filling while maintaining Whole30 standards.
Make healthy game day snacks that deliver the perfect balance of heat and savory flavors. These jalapeño poppers are an excellent choice for those who like their game day fare with a kick.
Discover the surprising health benefits of jalapenos, from boosting metabolism to reducing inflammation and improving heart health.
Build-Your-Own Pretzel Board
Create an impressive spread of healthy football snacks with a customizable pretzel board. Featuring soft pretzels, fresh vegetables, and a variety of CHOMPS meat sticks, this board offers something for everyone.
As healthy game day snacks go, this option allows guests to mix and match their favorite combinations while incorporating protein. The variety of textures and flavors makes this board an eye-catching centerpiece for any game day gathering.
Sweet and Savory Keto Pork Rinds
Round out your menu of healthy football snacks with cinnamon-dusted pork rinds that keep carbs in check. These keto chips are perfect for maintaining energy throughout the game.
The combination of protein and healthy fats make them a filling option that won't spike blood sugar. As an innovative take on healthy game day snacks, they prove that following a keto diet doesn't mean missing out on game day treats.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re watching solo or hosting a gathering for a prime time matchup, serving healthy snacks for football games will help keep up the spectator energy through the game. Save this list for planning your next spread of healthy game day appetizers and visit CHOMPS for more game-worthy snacks (like Chomplings mini meat sticks).
Game day turned into game night? No problem! We've listed 20 of the best game night snacks to keep the fun going.
