When most people think Super Bowl, they think about football, the halftime show or the infamous advertisements that may or may not be more entertaining than the actual game. My mind, however, automatically wanders to the Super Bowl parties and to the food. While I cannot deny the deliciousness of cheesy nachos or greasy burgers, those might not be the healthiest options. Here are some recipes for healthier alternatives to add a kick to your next Super Bowl party. Your digestive tract (and taste buds) will thank you later.
- Guacamole And Corn Tortilla Chips
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Avocados are replete with healthy fats and tons of vitamins, ranging from vitamin C to vitamin B6, which makes them a much more nutritious alternative to the typical cholosterol-raising 7 layer dips. Below is my go-to guac recipe, which was originally created by food blogger Liv Bane. Just pair this with vegetables or corn (oven-baked) tortilla chips and enjoy!
Ingredients:
2 avocados
1 tbsp of lime juice
A pinch of salt, pepper and garlic powder
2 tsp diced red onions and chopped cilantro
Instructions:
1. Cut avocados in half and de-pit them.
2. Scoop avocados into a medium-sized bowl.
3. Mash with a fork until it reaches the consistency of your liking.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients.
5. Stir and add whatever other ingredients you would like (salt, pepper, etc.).
If you want to get even more creative, here is a link to an easy corn tortilla chip recipe.
- Sweet Potato Chips
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With almost half the calorie and carb count compared to regular potato chips, sweet potato chips are the perfect substitute for this party snack. While this recipe will take slightly more time, it is totally worth it!
Ingredients:
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled
5 tsp olive oil
11/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
2. Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/8th thick slices using a mandoline. Place the slices into a large bowl.
3. Add the olive oil and toss the bowl to coat.
4. Place the sweet potatoes on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the salt evenly.
5. Bake for one hour and 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Flourless Brownies
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These brownies are so good, you will not even be able to tell that they are not normal brownies. These brownies use almond butter instead of oil, so in addition to being absolutely delicious,they are also filled with monounsaturated fats (the healthy type of fat), fiber and vitamin E! I have been making this recipe from the website CookingLight since I began a gluten-free diet and it has yet to disappoint!
Ingredients:
2 eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup unsalted almond butter
3 tsp brewed and chilled coffee
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Then add in the almond butter, coffee and vanilla. Mix it all together.
3. Carefully add in the salt and cocoa powder and pour the brownie mix into the pan.
4. Bake for 24-26 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.
Keep your partygoers healthy and happy as they munch away on these snacks throughout the football game and the commercials. I hope that these recipes allow everyone to have a fun and healthy Super Bowl!