10 Fantastic Super Bowl WFPB Appetizers (Vegan, Oil-Free, Healthy)

Hey babes,

So, little personal anecdote: as part of my current job duties, I help sort out the food for parties thrown by my company and boss. This may come as a shock, but between work, school, my kids, this website, the gym, and any remaining personal hobbies and relationships, I’m not much of a party-goer. So, of course, I had to take to the internet to figure out what the heck people eat at Superbowl parties when I got the task of arranging a bash for this weekend.

I know, max-level shut-in has to Google what people eat at parties. I can feel you cringing from here. But once I managed to sort it out (and confirm with some of my coworkers), here was the run-down: wings, dips, chips, cheese, maybe tacos, sliders, nachos, etc. While I know from past experience that it’s tasty, it’s also high in saturated fat and cholesterol and very low in fiber. I can hear my gut microbiome staging an insurrection as I type.

Thankfully, a lot of these offerings have WFPB alternatives that will leave the palate just as satisfied and the gut much much happier. So, as a result, I have compiled 10 of my favorite recipes that I think would be the perfect addition to any Superbowl party.

White bean “cheese” dip

I don’t know how it works in the rest of the United States or the world at large, but here in Texas, queso remains the king of party foods. Unfortunately, a half-cup of queso will clock 2/3 of your day’s sodium, as well as a massive smack of cholesterol, saturated fat, and calories, and that’s if I’m being conservative with the estimate. Now, I know a lot of people have problems with the two more traditional vegan queso, made from either a base of cashews or boiled potatoes and carrots. They both take a long time, and some hate the high calorie content in cashews and the rich carbohydrate load of the latter. Thankfully, there is another, faster way: white beans. This recipe from Brita at Food with Feeling can be combined in a blender and heated quickly on the stove, perfect for a busy afternoon leading up to game day.

Masaman hummus

This is one of my oldest recipes but still one of my favorites. Thai curry spices infused with hot peppers and chickpeas make for an amazing, spicy dip. I prefer it with carrots or celery sticks, but for a party it would also be great with whole-wheat crackers, pita crackers, or pita bread.

Guacamole

What’s a plant-based lifestyle without avocados? Sad, that’s what. For those of us that avoid added oil, avocado is a crucial addition to our diets for those healthy fats every diet needs. And it helps that it’s delicious. Creamy, a little savory, and a perfect addition to a meal or party, never sleep on avocado. So, when you find yourself attending a party that may or may not have WFPB food available, here’s a tip: cook some tortillas in the air-fryer for some “tortilla chips“, and make a huge thing of guacamole. You’ll be happy, and probably get invited back.

Cauliflower bites

I know, I know, wings are traditional. People love to eat chicken wings when they watch football. It’s ingrained in their DNA. But hear me out. I’ve talked before about the health detriments of chicken, but let me play to a different soft-spot: your wallet. That’s right, friends. Thanks to the recent inflation, chicken wing prices are soaring compared to the last few years.

But fear not. because cauliflower still seems to be relatively stable (at least according to my local grocers). Cauliflower compared to chicken, depending on the retailer, is less than half the price per serving, and that’s assuming you buy your chicken completely unprepped. If you go for the full, pre-breaded and sauced variety, it’s even greater. And it’s even easier to prep, healthy, and cruelty free. And as a bonus, you can serve it with vegan ranch. Either make your own, or if you’re feeling dangerous, Hidden Valley now has a fully plant-based version that is the same price as the dairy-rich alternative.

Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a true jack-of-all trades. They make great burritos, stews, casseroles, dips, and yes, even a great crunchy snack. They’re also wonderfully inexpensive, roughly $1.25 for a pound of dried or $0.70 for two cups of canned. I always keep several bags in the freezer for quick, easy meals. Roasted chickpeas make a great snack for vegans and omnivores alike, spiced to your liking and packing a respectable dose of fiber, protein, copper, manganese, folate, iron, and zinc. This recipe by Alexa over at Fooduzzi has this great “Cheez-it” flavored recipe using nutritional yeast and a little cayenne pepper.

Fajitas

A fajita bar may not be the most conventional idea, but it’s really easy to make for a small crowd. Grab a couple of sheet pans and a bunch of peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and you can crank out enough to feed an army in an hour. Put that out with a big stack of corn or whole fiber tortillas, vegan sour cream, salsa, some of that aforementioned queso or guacamole, and a spring mix, and you’ve got a healthy, delicious fajita bar.

Vegan Nachos

Is there anyone alive that doesn’t like nachos? Only two kinds of people: people who have never had them, and liars. Just saying. But they certainly don’t have to be the calorie and fat bomb that most people are accustomed to. I like to use a big stack of corn tortillas in the air fryer to make some healthy chips, then make a big sheet pan with any of the following: TVP taco meat, mole lentils, bean queso, guacamole, tofu sour cream, salsa, cilantro, diced red onions, corn, black or pinto beans, pickled or fresh jalapenos, green onions, and of course Valentina hot sauce. Just throw all the hot ingredients in the oven on a big sheet pan at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes and then add all the cold ingredients. It’s really that easy, and it’s freaking delicious.

Cowgirl Caviar

Being a Texas girl, this recipe always strikes gold at parties. Spicy, filling, cheap, and easy to make ahead and serve cold, this is a staple for parties of all varieties. Made with lots of vegetables, beans, and an easy dressing, I would highly recommend adding this to your game-day party. You can make it ahead and forget about it, then toss that bad boy on the table with some chips (homemade or otherwise).

Air-fried potato wedges

I usually reserve this recipe for burger night with the family, but it’s a great addition to parties as well. You can make it in the air-fryer or oven, but either way it’s a fan favorite (okay, I know exactly one person that despises potatoes but otherwise it’s widely praised). If you want to get really fancy, you can swap out the nacho chips for wedge fries and make a huge pan of loaded fries for your guests. Definitely party food of the year.

Barbeque Seitan Bites

As much as I love spicy foods, some people just can’t hang, and that’s totally fine. My kids refuse to even look at anything they deem as spicy, and many of my coworkers spice their foods with the 1/8 tsp measurement. Thankfully, we have another flavor in Texas to meet those people in their happy place: sweet. Barbeque sauce certainly isn’t renounced for its health benefits, but if you choose a healthy, oil and sugar free variety and use it to coat some delicious seitan bites before a quick, 5 minute sauté in the old cast iron, you have a great party food perfect for more sensitive palates.

So, give these a try. A lot should be much easier to find in a pinch than your traditional fare, and a hell of a lot cheaper to make. While you’re at it, let me know your favorite plant-based party foods!

1 Comment

  1. Ms. Monica,
    How can I subscribe to your Whole Food Plant Babe blog?
    I have not been able to find the follow link that WordPress talks about.
    Thanks

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