With Super Bowl LVIII quickly approaching, football fans are scrambling to think of what food staples to include in their menus. After all, a Super Bowl party is complete with a table full of dishes to celebratory consume, or stress eat from. Every year brings new creations and twists on familiar recipes, but these five foods are the tried and true picks of Americans for Sunday’s big game.
5. Potato Skins
This classic appetizer is simple, yet delicious. All one needs is a batch of russet potatoes that are baked and scooped out, then filled with your favorite toppings. Cheddar cheese and bacon with a side of sour cream are the picture-perfect combination, but taco-seasoned ground beef or pulled pork can be used for some variety. Popularized by restaurant TGI Friday’s in the mid-1960s, this staple still remains a nationwide favorite.
4. Baked Chicken Wings
Wings are an obvious choice for any football game party, so the only surprise here is that they aren’t higher on the list. This year, though, Google Trends has shown an over 5000% trend towards baking rather than frying, likely for the health benefits and added convenience.
Dry the wings, coat them with a rub of choice, bake for up to an hour while flipping them every 20 minutes, and they’re ready to be tossed in your dipping sauce of choice. For those who don’t feel like getting their hands dirty, Wingstop offers party packs of up to 100 wings for $140.
Originating from Buffalo, New York in the 1960s, chicken wings have become almost synonymous with American football, and this year is no exception.
3. Buffalo Chicken Dip
It’s a guarantee that a Super Bowl party is going to have chips, either potato or tortilla, so a good dip to accompany them is essential. The ingredients are rather simple, including: 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken, 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of buffalo sauce, ½ cup of ranch dressing and ½ cup of blue cheese crumbles.
After mixing in a large bowl, all that is left is to put it in an oven set at 350 F for 20 minutes. For added flavor, lightly sprinkle green onions on top to get an added intensity. Continuing the ‘60s-era trend, this dish has spiked in popularity leading up to the big game.
2. Nachos
What makes nachos so great is their versatility. They can be plain or layered with toppings such as melted cheese. Though nachos originated in Mexico in the 13th century, the iconic nachos with cheese sauce became popular in America after being introduced at Arlington Stadium in 1976.
Buy a bag of corn tortilla chips, and the rest is up to personal preference. Beans, sour cream and jalapeños are only a few of the endless options for toppings. Ground beef, carnitas or bacon are also excellent choices for added savoriness.
1. Pizza
By far, pizza is the number one pick for Super Bowl foods. It’s a quick and easy way to feed a party. Like nachos, one of its biggest strengths is the versatility that can come from various toppings. But with so many pizza-chain options, the question arises of which one is most popular among the people.
In the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Domino’s has seen a significant spike in internet traffic. It’s clear that this is the pizza of choice, but this can also make it hard to place an order that’ll be ready in time. Pizza Hut, Little Caesars and Papa John’s are the three most popular behind Domino’s and may serve as helpful alternatives for many.
For those who want to support local Fresno businesses, Kam’s Pizza, Dough Boys, and 99 Craft would be worth checking out.
If there’s one thing this list makes clear, it’s that Americans love their savory classics when it comes to the Super Bowl. So long as any combination of these five foods is present at a party, it’s a safe bet that guests will be stuffing their faces.
