Who doesn’t love an appetizer board or salad loaded with a rainbow of colors? Adding a variety of colors makes food more appealing and enjoyable. When everything on your plate is tan or brown, your meal looks bland and not quite as appetizing. Also, when it comes to fruits and vegetables, each color category represents a different vitamin, mineral, or antioxidant, making “eating the rainbow” even more important.
Today, we’re talking about the color red. Vibrant red snacks and foods can instantly elevate any event, making plates and parties pop with color and flavor. Red foods are a must-have for any meal, party, or festive occasion. Here are some of our favorite red snacks and drinks, to inspire you while planning for both parties and everyday enjoyment.
Red Snacks for Color Party
Whether you’re trying to stick with a red theme for a Valentine’s Day bash, celebrate a win using your team’s colors, or host a rainbow-themed party, we have you covered with lots of red snacks for a color party.
Healthy Red Snacks
Let’s start with some healthy red snack options first.
Beetroot Chips
Beet chips are made from freeze-dried beets. These are slightly sweet, crunchy, and nutrient-rich, perfect for a health-conscious snack.
Red Fruit Salad
Try adding red-colored fruits to your fruit salad, like raspberries, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, red apples, and red grapes for a healthy and refreshing snack.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a sweet pop-and-go red snack that is loaded with vitamin C. These make a great addition to any party platter.
Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are also a source of vitamin C. Slice them up and add them to any red-themed party platter or appetizer plate.
Red Packaged Snacks
Sometimes we want convenient snacks that are either shelf-stable or packaged. Here are a few of our suggestions for red packaged snacks.
Chomps Original Beef Sticks
Our Original Chomps Beef sticks come in a bright red package and are an easy-to-transport protein source.
Sunmaid Raisins
Sunmade Raisins come in that traditional bright red package and make a great all-red snack paired with our Chomps Beef sticks.
Cheezits
Cheezits are crunchy cheese crackers that come in a bright red bag or box. Consider their low-fat cracker for a slightly healthier choice.
Popcorners Kettle Corn Flavor
Popcorners chips are made from popcorn and are a lower-fat alternative to regular potato chips. While Popcorners offers many flavors, their Kettle Corn Flavor comes in a bright red bag.
Red Foods That Make a Statement
If you are looking to make a splash at your next meal or gathering consider these naturally red foods that stand out for their vibrant color and unique flavors.
Red Fruits and Vegetables
Pomegranate Seeds
Although they can be messy to eat (often staining everything they touch), pomegranate seeds offer a sweet dose of antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Red Grapes
Red grapes may have a slightly purple-red flavor, but the color of their skin is an indication they are a source of the powerful antioxidant resveratrol.
Strawberries
A popular summer staple, strawberries are a versatile addition to any fruit salad, dessert, or beverage.
Beets
With their deep red-ish purple color, beets make any dish pop. Their color is an indication that they are a source of the antioxidant anthocyanin, which has benefits for cardiovascular and brain health.
Red Foods With Recipes
If you’re looking for red foods with specific recipes, we have you covered. Here are some of our favorites from our recipe collection.
Keto Italian Stuffed Peppers
These beautiful Keto Italian Stuffed Peppers use Chomps Beef Sticks as the protein source for flavor and simplicity making them a great weeknight dinner option.
Beet Hummus
This hummus alternative uses roasted beets to add a red color to the yummy dip. Serve with a side of red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and your favorite Chomps.
Beef Chili
Looking for another weeknight meal idea? This beef chili comes together in less than 30 minutes and is great for a cooler night.
Sweet and Savory Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
Our Valentine’s charcuterie board is loaded with red snacks to celebrate the day in a festive way.
Red Snacks and Drinks Combinations
If you’re looking to keep everything red at your gathering, here are some ideas for red snack and drink combos that will keep you on the theme.
Strawberry Lemonade with Red Fruit Skewers
Strawberry lemonade is a refreshing drink that can be paired with red fruits on a stick for a fun presentation.
Raspberry Smoothie with Red Veggie Chips
A smoothie can be a bit sweet at times, so balance out the flavors (and keep it all red) by adding a side of beet chips or other red-colored veggie chips.
Bloody Mary with Beef Sticks
It’s not uncommon for bacon or other types of meat to be added to Bloody Marys, so why not serve yours with our Chomps Beef sticks as a garnish?
Cranberry Mimosa with Red-Themed Charcuterie
A cranberry mimosa would be a great addition to a red-themed Valentine’s party or paired with a red charcuterie board.
