Ready for the NFL season opening game? Food tips

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The National Football League’s season opener game takes place on Thursday, Sept. 5.

KHON2.com decided to make your life a bit easier and more delicious with a ready-made list of your favorite game day snacks.

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So, take a load off, gather your favorite foods, join your favorite friends and family and have a night to remember.

1. Chips and Dip

Description: Classic and easy, with options like salsa and guacamole.

Recipe: Buy or make your favorite dips. For guacamole, mash avocados with lime juice, salt, and diced tomatoes. For salsa, blend tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.

2. Spam Musubi

Description: A Hawaiian favorite, this sushi-like snack combines rice, Spam, and nori.

Recipe: Cook sushi rice and season with rice vinegar. Slice Spam and pan-fry until crisp. Press rice into a mold, place Spam on top, and wrap with nori. Serve with soy sauce or L&L musubi sauce.

3. Pigs in a Blanket

Description: Sausages wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked until golden.

Recipe: Wrap mini sausages in crescent roll dough and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes.

4. Popcorn

Description: Light and easy to snack on.

Recipe: Pop kernels using an air popper or stovetop. Season with melted butter, salt or other flavors.

5. Cheese and Crackers

Description: A simple yet sophisticated snack.

Recipe: Arrange an assortment of cheeses (cheddar, gouda, brie) with crackers on a platter.

6. Chicken Wings

Description: A game day staple with various flavors.

Recipe: Toss wings in sauce (buffalo, BBQ, etc.), bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes, turning halfway.

7. Loco Moco Sliders

Description: Mini burgers with a twist, topped with rice, a beef patty, a fried egg, and gravy.

Recipe: Cook mini beef patties. Layer rice, patties, and a fried egg on slider buns. Top with gravy.

8. Quesadillas

Description: Tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients, then grilled.

Recipe: Fill tortillas with cheese and fillings (chicken, veggies). Cook in a skillet over medium heat until cheese melts and tortillas are golden.

9. Nachos

Description: Tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and various toppings.

Recipe: Layer chips on a baking sheet, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until cheese melts. Top with jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole.

10. Spam Fried Rice

Description: A Hawaiian twist on fried rice with Spam, vegetables, and soy sauce.

Recipe: Sauté diced Spam, onions, carrots, and peas. Add cooked rice and soy sauce. Stir until heated through.

11. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Description: A creamy, spicy dip perfect for scooping with chips.

Recipe: Mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until bubbly.

12. Loaded Potato Skins

Description: Crispy potato skins topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions.

Recipe: Bake potato halves until tender, scoop out most of the flesh, brush with oil, and bake until crispy. Top with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions, then bake again until cheese melts.

13. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Description: A creamy dip with spinach and artichokes.

Recipe: Mix chopped spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.

14. Meatballs

Description: Bite-sized meatballs in marinara sauce.

Recipe: Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Form into balls and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Simmer in marinara sauce.

15. Fried Pickles

Description: Pickles coated in batter and deep-fried.

Recipe: Dip pickle slices in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs. Fry at 375°F (190°C) until crispy and golden.

16. Mini Tacos

Description: Small tacos that are easy to eat in a few bites.

Recipe: Use small tortillas and fill with seasoned ground beef or chicken, cheese, lettuce, and salsa.

17. BBQ Ribs

Description: Tender ribs coated in BBQ sauce.

Recipe: Rub ribs with spices, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5 hours, then brush with BBQ sauce and grill for 10 minutes.

18. Chicken Katsu Sliders

Description: Breaded and fried chicken cutlets served on mini buns with katsu sauce.

Recipe: Bread and fry chicken cutlets. Place on slider buns with katsu sauce and slaw.

19. Beef Nachos

Description: Nachos topped with seasoned beef.

Recipe: Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Layer on nachos with cheese and bake. Top with beef, jalapeños, and other desired toppings.

20. Potato Wedges

Description: Crispy baked potato wedges seasoned with herbs.

Recipe: Cut potatoes into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes.

21. Chicken Satay Skewers

Description: Grilled chicken skewers served with peanut sauce.

Recipe: Marinate chicken strips in coconut milk, curry powder, and soy sauce. Thread onto skewers and grill. Serve with a peanut dipping sauce.

22. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Description: Sweet dates wrapped in crispy bacon.

Recipe: Wrap pitted dates with bacon slices and secure with toothpicks. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.

23. Fajitas

Description: Sizzling strips of meat with bell peppers and onions.

Recipe: Sauté sliced beef or chicken with bell peppers and onions in a hot skillet. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

24. Beef Empanadas

Description: Pastry filled with seasoned beef.

Recipe: Prepare dough and fill with a mixture of ground beef, onions, and spices. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

25. Mac and Cheese Bites

Description: Creamy mac and cheese in bite-sized form.

Recipe: Prepare mac and cheese, let cool, then form into balls. Coat in breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

26. Shrimp Cocktail

Description: Chilled shrimp served with tangy cocktail sauce.

Recipe: Boil shrimp until pink and chill. Serve with a sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.

27. Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Description: Mini sandwiches with breaded chicken and marinara sauce.

Recipe: Bread and fry chicken strips. Place on slider buns with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese melts.

28. Loaded Chili Fries

Description: Fries topped with chili, cheese, and other toppings.

Recipe: Bake fries and top with chili and shredded cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, then top with green onions and sour cream.

29. Lomi Lomi Salmon

Description: A Hawaiian salad made with salted salmon, tomatoes, and onions.

Recipe: Mix diced salted salmon with chopped tomatoes, onions, and green onions. Chill before serving.

30. Stuffed Mushrooms

Description: Mushrooms filled with a savory stuffing.

Recipe: Remove stems from mushrooms. Mix cream cheese, garlic and herbs, then stuff mushrooms. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

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With these easy recipes, you should have no trouble eating and celebrating with friends and family. Enjoy the games and the variety of delicious foods!