Super Bowl Snacks: Host a Dip Buffet

Are you hosting a Super Bowl party this year? Even if you are not a football fan, Super Bowl parties are fun for everybody and food is a big part of it. Keep it easy on yourself and wow your friends at the same time by putting together a Super Bowl dip buffet.

As you create your Super Bowl dip buffet menu, keep these things in mind. Provide a variety of dippers such as different raw vegetables, assorted crackers, bread sticks, several fruit varieties, shortbread cookies or other mild flavor, and small squares of pound cake. Include both salty and sweet dip choices to complement your dippers, and be sure to offer dip selections for vegetarian guests. If you want to include hot dips, consider that some may need to be kept warm using a small crock-pot. Also, make at least one lower fat or light dip. Check out these Super Bowl snacks to help you host a fabulous dip buffet.

Hot Pizza Dip

Your Super Bowl guests won't even miss the pizza when you serve this snack

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
½ cup light sour cream
¼ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup pizza sauce
½ cup sliced black olives
¼ cup green pepper, chopped
¼ cup onion, chopped
½ cup pepperoni, chopped
¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Assorted crackers and/or breadsticks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, basil, oregano, parsley, and garlic powder. Spread mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Pour pizza sauce over cheese mixture. Top with black olives, green peppers, onions, and, pepperoni. Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven and sprinkle with both cheeses. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve with bread sticks or crackers. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

Hot Macadamia Spread

A unique and scrumptious Super Bowl snack; adapted from Taste of Home Annual Recipes, 1998

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
½ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
¼ cup finely chopped green pepper
1 green onion, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup chopped macadamia nuts or almonds
2 teaspoons butter
Assorted crackers

In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Stir in sour cream, horseradish, green pepper, onion, garlic salt and pepper. Spoon into ungreased shallow 2-cup baking dish; set aside. In skillet, sauté nuts in butter for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle over cream cheese mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with crackers.

Hot Broccoli Dip

A Super Bowl snack with actual nutrition; adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook

1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli
1 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Dash garlic powder
Assorted raw vegetables
Assorted crackers

Cook broccoli according to package directions. Drain; reserve 1/3-cup liquid, adding water to make it full enough if necessary. Stir bouillon granules into reserved liquid.

In a blender, combine broccoli, reserved liquid, and sour cream. Cover and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape sides of blender if necessary. Pour broccoli mixture into saucepan. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder; heat through. Transfer to small crock-pot and heat on low. Serve with raw vegetables and crackers. Makes 2 cups.

Light Spinach Dip

Your Super Bowl guests won't guess this dip is on the lighter side; adapted from Weight Watchers

1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup non-fat sour cream
1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 packet Knorr vegetable soup mix
Assorted raw veggies

Drain the spinach and squeeze dry. In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add spinach and mix well. Refrigerate 3 hours before serving with an assortment of veggies.

Fruit Dip

This Super Bowl snack is a delicious contrast to the heavier dips; adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook

1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup apricot, peach, or berry preserves, or orange marmalade
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts or almonds
2-3 tablespoons milk
Assorted fresh fruits
Shortbread cookies or pound cake squares

In a small bowl, combine sour cream, preserves, and walnuts; mix well. Stir in enough milk to make mixture of dipping consistency; chill. To serve, insert wooden toothpicks into chilled fruit pieces or pound cake squares.

Caramel Peanut Butter Dip

A yummy Super Bowl snack to offer your guests; adapted from Taste of Home Annual Recipes, 1998

30 caramels
1-2 tablespoons warm water
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
¼ cup finely crushed peanuts, optional
Sliced apples

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave caramels and water on high for one minute and stir. Microwave one minute more until smooth. Add peanut butter and mix well; microwave for 30 seconds or until smooth. Stir in peanuts if desired. Serve warm with apple slices. To keep your apples slices from turning brown before serving, store in a mixture of cold water and lemon juice. Keep refrigerated until serving time.

Your guests will love all of these Super Bowl snacks. They'll compliment your creativity for hosting a dip buffet, and you'll love how easy it is to put together. Best of all, you can actually enjoy both the Super Bowl and your friends without worrying about snack patrol. Try all of these Super Bowl snacks this year.