6 Football Snacks you can Meal Prep Ahead of Time

Football season is upon us, which means game day gatherings, cheering for your favorite team, and of course, delicious snacks! But who wants to spend all their time in the kitchen when the game’s on? These meal-preppable snacks are here to save the day. Make them ahead of time, so you can focus on the fun and keep your guests fueled up.

1. Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed Mini Peppers

Forget messy chips and dip! These stuffed peppers are a fun, healthy twist on a classic game day favorite.

Ingredients

• 12 mini sweet peppers, halved and seeded
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (adjust to your preferred level of heat)
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional toppings: chopped green onions, extra blue cheese crumbles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, blue cheese, and ranch dressing. Mix until well combined.
3. Fill each pepper half with the chicken mixture.
4. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. If desired, top with chopped green onions and additional blue cheese crumbles.

Why they’re great for meal prep: The filling can be made days ahead, and you can even stuff the peppers in advance for an easy grab-and-go snack.

2. Spicy Black Bean and Corn Salsa with Baked Tortilla Chips

This salsa is a flavor explosion – sweet corn, smoky black beans, a hint of spice – and it pairs perfectly with homemade baked tortilla chips.

Ingredients

• For the salsa:
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, minced (remove seeds for less heat)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For the baked tortilla chips:
  • 6 corn tortillas, cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Make the salsa: In a large bowl, combine all salsa ingredients. Stir until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
2. Make the baked tortilla chips: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. In a large bowl, toss tortilla wedges with olive oil, chili powder, and salt.
4. Arrange tortilla wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve salsa with baked tortilla chips.

Why it’s great for meal prep: The salsa gets better as it sits, so make a big batch at the beginning of the week. The tortilla chips can be baked in advance and stored in an airtight container.

3. Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders

These sliders are a healthier alternative to traditional beef sliders. They’re packed with protein and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 slider buns
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
6. To assemble sliders: Cut slider buns in half. Place a meatball on the bottom half of each bun. Top with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve immediately.

Why they’re great for meal prep: The meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve. Assemble the sliders right before the game for the freshest taste.

4. 7-Layer Dip Cups

These individual dip cups are a fun and portable way to enjoy a classic 7-layer dip.

Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
• 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup guacamole
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 12 small clear plastic cups or mason jars

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine refried beans and taco seasoning.
2. Layer ingredients in each cup in the following order: refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheddar cheese, black olives, and green onions.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks.

Why they’re great for meal prep: Layer the ingredients in advance, and grab a cup whenever you’re ready for a snack.

5. Honey Sriracha Chicken Skewers

These skewers are sweet, spicy, and packed with flavor. They’re perfect for grilling or baking.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sriracha
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, sriracha, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and ground ginger.
2. Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat.
3. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
4. Preheat grill or broiler.
5. Thread chicken cubes onto skewers.
6. Grill or broil skewers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. Serve immediately.

Why they’re great for meal prep: Marinate the chicken in advance for maximum flavor. Thread the skewers ahead of time, so they’re ready to cook when you are.

6. No-Bake Energy Bites

These energy bites are a healthy and satisfying snack that’s perfect for a quick energy boost.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix until well combined.
2. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the bites to firm up.
4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Why they’re great for meal prep: Make a big batch at the beginning of the week, and grab a few whenever you need a snack. They’re also perfect for taking on the go.

Conclusion

With these delicious and easy-to-make snacks, you’ll be the MVP of your next football gathering. No more stressing about what to serve – just meal prep ahead of time and enjoy the game!