Game Day Appetizers | The Austin Artisan
Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or dinner with friends, hors d’oeuvres always steal the show. What your guests love is the opportunity to sample and pick which delicious appetizer they please with each of the game’s biggest moments. They get to try a variety of small bites without committing to a full portion of any one thing. It’s like ordering five mini entrees off the menu instead of just one.
As the host, this is your chance to really showcase your cooking style. But it can be difficult to find great recipes. It may even seem simpler to go for a tub of dip or a frozen pizza. I hear you, but I can also help you. Check out these easy, elegant game-day appetizer recipes you can create without overwhelm. We promise, the perfect appetizer CAN leave more time for the game and less time in the kitchen!
Our 3 Favorite Game Day Appetizers
Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego Cheese
A little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and a little bit crunchy. These bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with manchego cheese might just be so good, they will have your guests paying less attention to the football game and more attention to snagging the last piece.
Instructions: Split open the dates and fill with cheese. Wrap each date with a piece of bacon and skewer individually to hold them together. Place dates on a baking sheet with space in between each so the bacon can crisp up. Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes. Hint: Cook the bacon to the texture you would enjoy at breakfast.
Baked Brie with Jam
A personal favorite of mine, this effortless appetizer uses a few key ingredients and requires hardly any effort. And if you ask us, it belongs at any appetizer almost as much as blue cheese dip.
Instructions: Rest a wedge of brie on a cheese board or platter. Top with good-quality cherry preserves (want to make your own? check out our cherry preserves recipe here!) or serve cherries alongside the cheese in a ramekin. Enjoy with crostini. You can also warm the cheese and cherries on a greased baking sheet for about 10 minutes in a 350° F before serving.
Fancy Wonton Nachos w/ Pickled Onions
Nachos and cheese are a must at any Super Bowl party, with Dorito’s nacho cheese flavor taking the top pick for Americans. But this wonton version is full of even more craveable flavors.
Instructions: Fry wonton wrappers in hot oil for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, season with salt, and let cool. (Alternatively, replace wonton wrappers with baked tortilla chips.) Spread onto an oven-safe serving dish. Top with black beans or refried beans, and Oaxaca or fresh mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350° F just to melt the cheese. Add pickled onions and serve.
For Homemade Pickled Onions: Thinly slice 1 sweet onion and transfer to a 1-pint deli container. Fill the container with enough red-wine vinegar to submerge the onions. Add ½-1 tsp. of sugar, if desired. Let sit overnight.
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Posted in: Entertaining Tips, Recipes