Nikole Stewart
The Super Bowl is tomorrow, and if you’re still struggling to figure out the best appetizers to make for your big party, then look no further. We’ve gathered some of the tastiest, yet affordable Super Bowl appetizers that will impress any guest. From classic appetizers to unique options, these are our favorite finds.
6. Meat, Cheese, and Crackers
You don’t have to create a charcuterie board that costs a lot of money. You can easily grab a few things of smoked sausage, block cheese, some off-brand crackers, and some vegetables. Slice the sausage and cheese at home instead of buying them pre-sliced to save a lot of money. Lay everything out on a cutting board or a nice place and let guests munch as they wait for the rest of the appetizers to finish cooking.
5. BBQ Chicken Sliders
Kickoff isn’t until 5:30CT, which means you have all morning to throw some chicken in the slow cooker with BBQ sauce and let it get tender for some delicious sliders. Just 20 minutes before the game, prepare the buns. Slicing Hawaiian rolls in half and heating the bottom half slightly in the oven to get it crisp.
From there, top the bottoms of the rolls with BBQ chicken, and even a drizzle of more BBQ on top with some cheese. Throw those in the oven with the tops, which are buttered and seasoned with garlic powder, and get them hot and crisp.
4. 7-Layer Dip
Having various dips for your football watch party is a classic option, and it’s quite affordable. But instead of grabbing those pre-made dips, you can make them yourself and get more out of them. 7-layer dip is one of the best dips because it’s full of flavor, plus it’s packed with protein to keep your guests full.
All you need is to spread out a can or two of refried beans into a dish, top with smashed avocado, and then a layer of sour cream. You can then do a layer of sliced tomatoes or chunky salsa, whichever is your preference. Sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese, sliced black olives, and green onions.
3. Sweet-and-Spicy Smokies
Little smokies are another classic appetizer to have with the game. They’re perfect bite-sized pieces that are full of flavor and pair well with so many other dishes. If you want something that’s not only affordable but super simple to prepare, then definitely try this recipe.
All you need are a couple of packages of little smokies along with a few ingredients you might already have in the pantry, including brown sugar, cane syrup, ketchup, spicy brown mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and bourbon for added flavor, but that’s optional.
2. Buffalo Chicken Bites
Chicken wings are delicious, but if you want an easy appetizer that doesn’t involve munching around a bone, opt for chicken nuggets. These buffalo chicken bites are quite affordable if you grab a large bag of frozen chicken bites with some basic buffalo sauce.
Simply air fry, or even deep fry, your chicken bites when they’re coated in buffalo sauce, and drizzle some more over the cooked chicken once it’s done. These easy shortcuts make your game-day experience less stressful but full of flavor.
1. Rotel Cheese Dip
Of course, one of the best yet affordable Super Bowl appetizers has to be the classic Rotel and Velveeta cheese dip. It’s thick, hearty, and packs on the flavor. The classic dip just sees melting Velveeta in a pot with seasonings like onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, and maybe other spices to bring on the heat.
Most add in ground spicy sausage, and once the cheese is pretty melted, you add a few cans of Rotel. If you want a cheaper route, though, skip the sausage and add black beans.