Best Super Bowl appetizers and snacks for Super Bowl 56 (2024)

While the game might be on TV, it’s the appetizers, snacks, and food that steal the show and make a Super Bowl party what it is. It’ll keep your friends coming back for more. Whether you are a fan of the Rams or Bengals or simply just want everyone to have a good time for Super Bowl 56, planning your food choices now sets you up for success when kickoff arrives.

Best Super Bowl appetizers and snacks in 2022

If there is something we excel at as Americans, it’s football and food. It should come as no surprise the two days where the most food is consumed in the USA — the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving — involve both. Super Bowl 56 is a celebration of appetizers, food, and snacks as much as it is about the Bengals and Rams.

Make sure to include some form of chicken and hot sauce as Super Bowl food

There is no need to reinvent the wheel here. Everyone likes chicken wings or some kind of spicy chicken appetizer. It’s foolproof, not to mention you can take it in a myriad of ways.

Obviously, there are the classic buffalo wings. Whether you are a drums person or a person of culture like me and prefer flats, these will be downed in no time. You can make this as exciting or classic as you want for your Super Bowl. These are a guaranteed hit for Super Bowl appetizers, including anything from a traditional buffalo sauce to a mango habanero, bourbon barbeque, or even a smoked dry rub.

Do you want your chicken to be a bit easier to handle and take fewer paper towels or napkins? Make it a sandwich or a slider. Take a trip to Music City and fire up the guests’ taste buds with Nashville Hot Chicken. Then, sit back and watch the sweat begin to pour.

You can’t go wrong with a buffalo chicken dip as a Super Bowl appetizer for my money. Not only is it easy to eat, but it saves the remote from being ruined by wing sauce that will never come out. No one needs that in their life. Also, it’s safer for everyone when nature calls. Take my word on this one. You’re welcome.

Bench the subs and make sliders a starter for your Super Bowl food

If I see a giant sub when I walk in the door, I am likely to walk right back out like Grandpa Simpson. I already know that was made at least the day before, and by this point, it’s all just a mouthful of disappointment and regret.

Sliders, on the other hand — that’s where the money is. The only limit is your creativity. Bust out the King Hawaiian rolls and throw some ham and cheese sliders together. Craving something else? Pulled pork or brisket sliders are always a hit. Pull-apart cheeseburger sliders are a great way to go as well. And hear me out — mini-waffle breakfast sliders. How can that be bad? As I said, get as creative as you want with these and your Super Bowl guests will enjoy the food.

How about a taco bar to add a do-it-yourself option to the Super Bowl food?

I don’t know about you, but I could eat tacos every day. My food-delivery history can back this up. In my not-so-humble opinion, tacos should be their own food group. Plus, you can taco basically anything.

This takes some effort to get right, but Birria tacos might be the best thing you have ever eaten. When dipped in the rich and flavorful consommé, you will be hard-pressed to be find something better. Just be prepared to leave your dignity at the door as this gets a bit messy.

Are you craving some seafood? Chipotle lime fish tacos are fantastic; how about a surf ‘n’ turf variant with steak and grilled lobster tail with a cilantro chili crema? Carne asada al pastor will always be a crowd-pleaser, just like chorizo. Use some of that bacon fat you have stored and make your own tortillas. It’s not that difficult, plus the stand mixer you bought four lockdowns ago needs the dust knocked off of it.

As a host, this also makes it easy on you. Most of the work can be done ahead of time. Plus, sitting all the food out allows the Super Bowl guests to make them as they desire rather than you need to do all of the work. You get all the credit while cracking open a cold one and relaxing.

Consider some vegan Super Bowl food and appetizers

Being a host for a Super Bowl means considering the needs of all your guests. With more and more talk and emphasis on healthier eating and lifestyles, more and more people are ditching meat.

As tempting as it might be just to throw them a head of lettuce in your best Matthew Stafford impersonation, this doesn’t go over too well. Believe it or not, a head of lettuce carries some energy when aimed at your temple.

One of the best vegan Super Bowl appetizers that you can find is subbing out the chicken for cauliflower florets and making vegan chicken wings. Sure, they’re not wings and are a bit of false advertising, but they will be appreciated nonetheless.

Dips are also a massive hit for Super Bowls. Believe it or not, chips and salsa fall into this category, as does hummus or a seven-layer dip. How about some vegan potato skins? You can use substitute bacon with a creamy cashew cheese sauce that will fool even the staunchest carnivore among your party.

You cannot forget the guacamole as well. It’s not only the most popular food during the Super Bowl statistically, but it’s also vegan. Nachos are on the menu, too, as you can put basically anything on top of them. When it comes to Super Bowl foods and appetizers, the vegan options are just as plentiful.