Paleo Game Day Snacks To Nibble On As Your Team WINS

The passion. The excitement. The game day snacks. Really, what’s not to love about football?

Usually, game day food is something you can eat with your hands. It’s appropriately messy. It’s hearty. And sometimes you can pick it up with a toothpick or do a little dip (if you’re lucky, both). Sort of like what might happen if a plate of hors d’oeuvres met dive bar eats.

But how about a real food spin on all the breaded, gooey, crunchy bites?

Of course, we went there. Here are some of our favorite game day snacks to carry your through the cooler months ahead and into Super Bowl Sunday.

#1

Jalapeno pizza poppers

A quick little recipe that’s also classic game day eats. Secure these poppers with pepperoni and a toothpick. And skip the cheese if you want full fledged paleo poppers.

#2

Green-ola, grain-free kale granola

Missing your chex mix and pretzels? A little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and a whole lot of crunch. Coconut oil and bits of toasted kale give this granola an almost buttery popcorn finish. Don’t believe us? Try it.

#3

Loaded carnitas trash can lid nachos

Offered to friends and family in a sheet pan, not a trash can lid, these loaded nachos are one hundred percent paleo and hit all the sweet spots of game day food. The only difference? You’ll feel awesome after eating these nachos because they’re actually good for you.

#4

Paleo nacho cheese

Drizzled over trash can lid nachos, this “cheese” works best when it’s warm. It also makes a wonderful dip for cheese lovers who cannot tolerate dairy.

Sweet potato gives paleo nacho cheese its body, nutritional yeast flakes mimic the taste of cheese, and coconut milk gives it a smooth texture. You may want to double the recipe.

#5

Paleo fried chicken meatballs with ranch dressing

Breaded fried chicken meatballs. It’s as good as it sounds. Like all fried chicken, these savory bites taste delicious cold and travel well. And they’re freezable.

Serve with a toothpick and dip into Mel Joulwan’s paleo ranch dressing to keep fans cheering.

#6

Wonton meatballs

Ground pork, chopped shrimp, shiitake, scallions, cilantro, and a splash of fish sauce. In other words, these are surf and turf in one umami bomb of explosive GOOD. Be sure to top your balls with a spoonful of homemade sriracha.

#7

Baby pizza bites

A skewer of toasty button mushrooms, spicy Italian sausage, and pizza sauce. While the recipe calls for a grill, you could easily bake these in the oven at 375F for ten to twelve minutes. Boom. Done.

#8

Sloppy joe meatball cornbread sliders

Have you ever wondered how to get the taste of cornbread…without corn? Here’s an idea: Add a touch of honey and signature cornbread flavors (like jalapeño) to a solid grain free flour. Voila – you’ve got paleo cornbread.

Paired with pork meatballs that have been topped with a sloppy joe sauce, these little sliders satisfy all your game day cravings.

About Emily Montes

Emily Montes is the co-founder of RealPlans.com. She's also an acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine, a published author, and a mom of two. Emily loves making meal planning easier and inspiring families to share more meals around the table.

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