When it comes to snacks, football fans don't venture far from the basics when they're watching the game. Most can get by with chips, beer and just have plenty of beer.
The Super Bowl is a chance to upgrade the menu, especially if you're hosting a watch party. But even then, you'll want to stick to standard fare, nothing too fancy. And with the halftime show pushing watch time to close to four hours, this is a night for hearty snacks, not amuse-bouche. Offering something called amuse-bouche would probably get you kicked out of a Super Bowl party anyway.
A new study has found that Americans love their dips for Super Bowl snacking, but they're divided on a favorite. Seven-Layer Dip was the most popular in seven states, followed by Buffalo Chicken Dip in six states. Rounding out those "chips and " choices are Beer Cheese Dip, Blue Cheese Dip, Hot Cheese Dip and Lobster Dip.
But the overall winner, according to the study, is Cocktail Wienies, Google's most-popular Super Bowl snack search in 11 states, including Tennessee. In Georgia and Alabama, Loaded Potato Skins are the preferred munchie.
Fan favorites
› Baked hot wings: Wyoming› Baked nachos: New Jersey, New Mexico› Barbecue wings: Montana› Beef sliders: Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon› Beer cheese dip: Alaska, Louisiana› Blue cheese dip: Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland› Buffalo chicken dip: Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah› Cocktail meatballs: South Dakota› Cocktail wienies: Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin› Garlic parmesan wings: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia› Hot cheese dip: Pennsylvania› Irish stew: Iowa› Loaded potato skins: Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, New York› Lobster dip: Washington› Party pinwheels: Ohio› Pigs in a blanket: Oklahoma› Seven-layer dip: Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas
Conducted on behalf of Bid on Equipment, the study used the Google AdWords platform to analyze search volume trends for more than 130 types of Super Bowl foods and snacks from January to February of 2019 in all 50 states and the 20 largest cities in the country.
A December survey of 1,224 Americans also found that, on average, fans spend about $69 on food, drinks, decorations or team merchandise for the game. For party hosts, the price tag more than doubles to $174 out of pocket.
Oddsmakers say this year's game, set to air at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, on Fox, has the Kansas City Chiefs as one-point favorites over the San Francisco 49ers. So keep the snacks coming. It could be a nail-biter.
Cocktail Wieners
This super-easy recipe from the Kraft Heinz website MyFoodandFamily.com has only three ingredients.
1 or 2 packages cocktail wieners
1 (12-ounce) jar grape jelly
1 (12-ounce) chili sauce
Put cocktail wieners into slow cooker.
Mix grape jelly and chili sauce. Pour over wieners.
Cook on low 2 hours.
Source: Kraft Heinz, www.MyFoodAndFamily.com
More game trivia
How fans plan to watch the game: 43% at home; 36% go to a party; 15% host a party; 7% watch at bar/restaurantOnly watch Super Bowl for the commercials: 25%Believe halftime show is too long: 39%Believe the Super Bowl should be moved to Saturday instead of Sunday: 43% yes; 57% noSource: www.bidonequipment.com
Loaded Baked Potato Skins
This recipe from the Idaho Potato Commission piles baked potato skins with chili, cheese and bacon bits.
4 medium russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 (15-ounce) can chili
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and scrub potatoes; pat dry. Place potatoes on foil-lined baking sheet. Rub with oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake 45 minutes or until potatoes pierce easily with a fork. Let stand 10 minutes.
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scoop out center of potato, leaving a 1/4-inch border on bottom and sides; be careful not to tear or pierce sides or bottom. Reserve potato pulp for another use.
Spoon chili into potatoes. Top with cheese and bacon bits.
Bake 10 minutes or until heated through.
Top each potato with 1 tablespoon sour cream, and sprinkle with green onions.
- From Idaho Potato Commission, www.idahopotato.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.