65 Healthy Game Day Recipes
Looking for healthy Game Day recipes? Look no further.
Americans consume more calories on Game Day than any other day of the year, thanks to tablefuls of wings, nachos, and vats of chips and dips.
Don’t be a statistic this year.
Instead, Be the MVP of your football party snack spread with these 65 healthy Game Day recipes to satisfy your snacky cravings without sacking your fitness goals.
65 Game Day Recipes
Fan Favorites
Vegetarian Snacks
Sandwiches and Quesadillas
Nachos
Pizzas
Chilis
Dips
Salsas
Chips, Fries, and Nuts
Desserts
Fan Favorites
1. Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers With Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
This recipe for almond-crusted chicken fingers with honey-mustard dipping sauce is a hit with kids of all ages. A light almond-panko crust bakes to a crisp, golden exterior, and the honey mustard sauce has the perfect blend of sweet and tangy.
Container Equivalents: 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A protein and FFC as part of lunch.
2. Shrimp Ceviche
This succulent, Baja California-style shrimp ceviche recipe is full of fresh flavors: avocado, tomato, crisp red onion, refreshing cucumber, tart lime juice, and Serrano chili peppers marinate together infusing every bite.
Make it as mild or spicy as you want by adjusting the chili peppers to your taste. Serve it in endive shells as a healthier alternative to fried tortilla chips.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Red, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great protein as part of lunch or dinner.
3. Turkey Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these scallops sound like a fancy restaurant appetizer — just don’t spill the secret about how easy they are to make!
Turkey bacon keeps them lean and low in calories; add a few dashes of spice and watch them fly off the table.
Container Equivalents: 1 Red
2B Mindset Plate It!: A protein as part of lunch or dinner.
4. Sweet Potato Skins With Turkey Bacon
Nutritious baked sweet potatoes replace fried white potatoes in this healthy makeover of the popular bar snack.
Instead of fatty bacon and sour cream, our sweet potato skins recipe uses turkey bacon and reduced-fat Greek yogurt.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC as part of breakfast or lunch.
5. Sweet Potato Skins With Chicken and Spinach
There’s no such thing as too many potato skin recipes on game day. In this version, baked sweet potato skins are topped with spinach, spiced chicken, and cilantro, with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Container Equivalents: ½ Red, 1 Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great protein and FFC side as part of lunch.
6. Buffalo Chicken Tenders
This recipe for healthier Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Blue Cheese Dip is so good and better for you than your average basket of wings.
These tangy, spicy buffalo chicken tenders are the perfect dish for setting out before a big game or at your next potluck.
Container Equivalents: 1 Red, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add veggies to make this a great snackional.
7. Teriyaki Salmon Bites
These tasty teriyaki salmon bites are perfect for a party: Tender bites of salmon, lightly glazed with healthier teriyaki sauce.
Our light teriyaki sauce is delicately sweetened and bursting with flavor thanks to reduced-sodium soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and a touch of raw honey.
Container Equivalents: ½ Red, ½ Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great protein as part of lunch or dinner.
8. Maple and Turkey Bacon–Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts lovers will inhale these savory little bites, and even people who are vegetable-averse will want to devour them once they see these tiny cabbages wrapped in turkey bacon and drizzled with a maple-and-balsamic glaze.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Red
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie and protein as part of lunch or dinner. Also makes a great snacktional.
9. Chicken Satay With Peanut Dipping Sauce
Skewers are a fun (and convenient!) way to snack at a game day party. We modified the traditional chicken satay recipe by swapping in healthier ingredients.
The chicken soaks in a flavorful marinade made with shallots, garlic, coconut milk, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, and turmeric. And instead of loads of added sugar, honey lightly sweetens these savory/sweet skewers.
Container Equivalents: 1 Red, ½ Blue, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A protein and accessory as part of lunch or dinner.
10. Pulled Chipotle Chicken With Cilantro Slaw
Your game day crowd is going to go wild for this pulled chicken recipe. Tender shredded chicken is smothered in an adobo- and chipotle-spiked barbecue sauce.
Serve it with a refreshing cilantro slaw to add a crunchy, creamy coolness.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Red, ½ Yellow, 2 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add a side salad or more veggies to make a great dinner option.
Vegetarian Recipes
11. Broccoli Tots
These broccoli tots are out-of-this-world good and healthy — they make a great snack, side dish, or a fun appetizer. They’re full of flavor and crunch; once you taste these tots, you’ll never go back to the deep-fried kind.
And they couldn’t be easier to make: Mix cooked broccoli florets with egg, Panko breadcrumbs, garlic, cheddar cheese, then pop them in the oven to get that crispy-crunchy exterior.
Getting your greens in has never been so fun!
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great veggie side as part of lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe.
12. Cucumber Avocado Roll-Ups
These vegan-friendly appetizers are filled with a blend of buttery avocado, fresh basil, and tangy lime and super easy to pull together. A sprinkling of smoked paprika adds color and a gentle spiciness.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great snackional.
13. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These Spinach- and Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms are 100 percent delicious and healthy.
Each mushroom is filled with a mixture of finely chopped mushrooms, garlic, onion, and creamy ricotta, and topped with a sprinkling of mozzarella that bakes to a beautiful golden brown.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great veggie side as part of lunch or dinner.
14. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites With Blue Cheese Sauce
These vegetarian cauliflower bites will have even the most ardent meat-lovers craving more!
We smothered baked cauliflower florets in a much healthier version of buffalo sauce that has the same tangy, spicy flavor and paired it with a two-ingredient blue cheese sauce.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie as part of lunch or dinner. Also makes a great snacktional.
15. Greek Spinach Pie
Greek spinach pie, or spanakopita, is a heavenly pastry dish made with spinach, feta cheese, and crispy pastry.
You can make a simple version — and just as delicious – at home with only nine ingredients. Store-bought phyllo dough is a great shortcut, plus it’s lower in fat compared to the traditional puff pastry that’s usually used to make this spinach pie.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Yellow, ½ Blue, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A veggie and FFC as part of breakfast or lunch.
16. Hummus-Filled Eggs
Level up your deviled eggs game with this easy recipe for hummus-filled eggs. Kalamata olives add an unexpected, earthy kick to these easy snacks.
Container Equivalents: ½ Red, ½ Blue, ½ Orange
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great protein and FFC as part of lunch or snacktional.
17. Mushroom and White Bean Meatballs
We get it; you’re probably thinking, “Vegetarian meatballs are not a thing.” But they are — just wait until you get a taste of these gorgeously “meaty” meatballs made with mushrooms and white beans.
Mushrooms provide a savory texture and flavor, and breadcrumbs help bind everything together and give the meatballs a lightly crisp exterior.
Fresh lemon juice and herbs add that extra “oomph” to this meatballs — so don’t skimp on the oregano, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great FFC as part of lunch.
18. Bell Pepper and Cabbage Slaw
It’s not a party until the slaw shows up: This crisp, colorful slaw recipe adds a tangy kick to any meal and it’s an ideal side at a big celebration.
Use it to top tacos or serve it with burgers, grilled chicken, fish, and just about any meat that you can throw on a grill.
And by skipping the mayo, this healthier cabbage slaw won’t throw your healthy meal plan off the rails.
Container Equivalents: 1½ Green
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie option to add to any meal or snacktional.
19. Black Bean Salad
Our vibrantly colored black bean salad recipe has only a handful of ingredients and takes just minutes to prepare — perfect when you’re swamped with hungry guests!
This black bean- and corn-based side dish hits all the right notes: It’s easy to make, bright, tangy, and satisfying.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1 Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great FFC side as part of breakfast or lunch.
Sandwich and Quesadilla Recipes
20. Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese With Arugula and Roasted Red Peppers
This is grilled cheese all grown up: Our grilled cheese sandwich recipe stars smoked gouda, a boldly flavored cheese, so you can use less and still enjoy the cheesy goodness.
A light spreading of Dijon mustard, roasted red peppers, and peppery arugula make this a grilled cheese sandwich surefire hit.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, 1 Blue, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Serve open-faced with a side of veggies and protein for lunch.
21. Philly Cheese Steak Sliders
With a few tweaks, Philly cheesesteak sliders can fit into your healthy eating plan and have the same authentic flavor without excessive fat and calories.
This recipe piles fresh veggies, lean sirloin steak, banana peppers, and cheese (of course!) on whole-wheat rolls for the win.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Red, 2 Yellow, ½ Blue, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Serve with a side salad or veggies at lunch.
22. Barbecue Spaghetti Squash Sliders
These vegetarian sliders take a little bit of work, but boy, are they worth it!
To recreate the flavor of succulent barbecue pork meat, we saute spaghetti squash with your favorite smoky barbecue sauce and spices like cumin and paprika (try a dash of cayenne pepper for extra kick).
The combination of flavors and textures creates a convincing, plant-based version of pulled pork.
Pile your saucy “pulled squash” on whole-grain dinner rolls and top them with a tangy, fresh cabbage slaw and sliced pickles for sliders that vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love.
Container Equivalents: 2 Green, 2 Yellow, 2 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A veggie and FFC as part of lunch.
23. Grilled Veggie Quesadilla
This elevated vegetable quesadilla recipe blends the rich flavors of squash, meaty portobello mushrooms, sweet red onions, and crunchy bell peppers.
The whole lot is blanketed in mozzarella and goat cheese and drizzled with fresh basil pesto.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1½ Yellow, ½ Blue, 1½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add a protein for lunch.
24. Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Banana Sweet Quesadilla
This deliciously decadent-tasting quesadilla is a unique way to satisfy the sweet tooths among your game day crowd.
Chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas are all delicious on their own — put them together and you have a scrumptious treat.
Container Equivalents: 1 Purple, 1½ Yellow, 3 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy as an occasional treat (with a bonus FFC). Be sure to track it.
Nacho Recipes
25. Classic Nachos
We made these healthier nachos made with freshly baked tortilla chips and loaded them with all kinds of good stuff: diced tomatoes, ripe avocado, pinto beans, jalapeños, and fresh lime juice.
Add any other fresh veggies you want, like shredded lettuce or cabbage, radishes, or green onions.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Yellow, 1 Blue, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy as an occasional snacktional. Be sure to track it.
26. Cheesy Cauliflower Nachos
A nacho recipe without chips?! Yes, it’s real and they’re DELICIOUS.
Roast cauliflower florets in the oven with a little oil, cumin, sea salt, chili powder, and garlic powder until they’re golden brown, then top them with diced tomato, red onion, chopped orange bell pepper, avocado, and jalapeño.
One bite of these “nachos” and you’ll be sold!
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Blue, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great veggie side as part of lunch or dinner. Also makes a great snacktional.
27. Vegan Kale Nachos
Kale “chips” are a creative way to show kids (and adults!) that there’s more than one way to eat your vegetables.
These nachos are also a great way to get the whole family involved: They’re fun to make and eat. Another bonus? Now your sports-crazy vegan friends don’t have to avoid the snack table anymore.
Thanks to Autumn and Bobby Calabrese, you can now have your cake, er, nachos, and eat them, too, courtesy of their FIXATE-exclusive Vegan Kale Nachos recipe.
To get the full recipe, including step-by-step instructions, watch the FIXATE episode on the BODi app.
28. Bell Pepper Nachos
Slices of sweet, crunchy orange bell peppers are topped with seasoned ground turkey, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and sharp cheddar cheese.
If you want to add a little more flair to your “nachos,” add diced avocado or a dollop of low-fat Greek yogurt.
Container Equivalents: 2 Green, 1 Red, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great dinner option. Add an FFC for lunch.
Pizza Recipes
29. Chicken Pizza
The next time you get a hankering for a pie, skip the takeout menu and make this delicious homemade chicken pizza instead.
You can feel good about this homemade pizza because it’s made with wholesome ingredients like all-natural pizza sauce, cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, arugula, and tender chicken breast. Yum!
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Serve with additional protein and a side salad for lunch.
30. Rainbow Veggie Flatbread Pizza
These personal-sized flatbread pizzas will be a hit with your kid and adult guests.
Entertain the kids by letting them help decorate their own pizzas. They might even forget that those pretty colors are made from v-e-g-g-i-e-s.
Look for whole-grain pita (or another flatbread like naan or tortillas), jarred marinara sauce (look for a brand that is low in sugar), mozzarella cheese, and your favorite vegetables.
Container Equivalents: 1½ Green, ½ Purple, 2 Yellow, 1 Blue
31. Artichoke Pizza
This savory pizza with marinated artichokes, mushrooms, onion, and olives for your vegetarian friends. (Even meat lovers will love this pie!)
Italian seasoning, oregano, and garlic add a flavorful, herb-y kick.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add protein and more veggies for lunch.
32. Margherita Pizza
This simple recipe for margherita pizza relies on classic quality ingredients to highlight the flavors — all you need is tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Our version cuts out the white flour in favor of whole-wheat pizza dough.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add protein and more veggies for lunch.
33. Individual Pita Pizzas
These hand-held pita pizzas are perfect for game day — or any day, really.
They’re so easy to make and this recipe is endlessly customizable. We used freshly chopped basil, crisp yellow bell pepper, and fragrant onion, but you can sub in different vegetables like artichoke hearts, broccoli, or cauliflower for a quick, healthy bite.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add protein and more veggies for lunch.
Chili Recipes
34. Vegan Habanero Chili
Chili is a no-brainer for big parties — make a big batch, set it on the table and watch it disappear.
But what’s a non-meat-eater to do? Make this hot, flavorful habanero chili made with seitan, a vegan meat-alternative that crumbles just like ground beef, and absorbs the spicy flavors of the sauce.
The chili recipe makes 10 servings, so if you happen to have leftovers (doubtful), you can use just freeze the remaining portions.
If you find habanero too spicy, you can substitute with jalapeño or bell pepper.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Red, 1 Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add a side salad or veggies to make a great dinner option for the vegan plan. For non-vegans, add a side salad or veggies for lunch.
35. Slow Cooker Beef Chili
This simple slow-cooker beef chili recipe is everything you could hope for: a little chopping, a little browning and sautéing, then pop all of the ingredients into a slow cooker and forget about it for several hours.
Slow cooking the meat transforms it to fall-apart tender and it develops a deep and satisfying flavor.
Pro tip: In a rush? You can also make this in an Instant Pot; see the instructions in the Recipes Notes.
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add a side salad or more veggies to make a great lunch option. For dinner, omit the beans and add a side salad or more veggies.
36. Black Bean Chili
This healthier chili recipe stars both cannellini and black beans, a flavorful spice blend, low-sodium organic chicken broth, and diced fresh green chilis.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1½ Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: For the vegan plan, serve with a side salad or veggies for a great lunch option. For non-vegans, serve with a side salad or veggies and replace half of the beans with a protein for lunch.
37. Double Bean Chili
Double beans = double the flavor and texture in this chili recipe.
This easy recipe is a mostly hands-off endeavor that’s done in under an hour.
It features simple, fresh ingredients like white cannellini beans, red pinto beans paired with a spice blend that could knock the socks of a fireman.
If you prefer five-alarm chili, pump up the spice and increase the cumin and chili powder to your liking.
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add more veggies and protein to this FFC as part of lunch for the regular plan. Makes a great protein and/or FFC option as part of the vegan plan for lunch.
38. Easy Turkey Chili
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add a small side salad or more veggies to make this a great lunch option.
Dip Recipes
39. Healthier Seven-Layer Dip
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Yellow, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add more veggies and FFC to this dip as part of lunch or a snacktional.
40. Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Red, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A protein and veggie dip as part of dinner or a snacktional.
41. Black Bean Hummus
Container Equivalents: 1 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC as part of breakfast, lunch or a snacktional.
42. French Onion Dip
Container Equivalents: ½ Red, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A protein dip as part of any meal or snacktional.
43. Guacamole
Container Equivalents: 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great accessory to enjoy with any meal.
44. Spinach Dip
Container Equivalents: ¼ cup serving = Free food
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie snacktional with a little bit of bonus protein.
45. Vegan Cashew Queso Sauce
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great accessory with any meal.
46. White Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC as part of breakfast, lunch or snacktional.
47. Avocado Hummus
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, ½ Blue, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Add raw dipping veggies to make this a great snacktional.
48. Homemade Hummus
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, 1½ tsp.
Salsa Recipes
49. Roasted Tomato Salsa
Container Equivalents: ½ Green
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie-based “freebie” accessory.
50. Salsa Verde
Container Equivalents: ½ Green
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie-based “freebie” accessory.
51. Chunky Rainbow Salsa
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great veggie- and FFC-filled accessory to pair with lunch or snacktional.
52. Chunky Salsa
Container Equivalents: 1½ Green
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great veggie-based “freebie” accessory.
Chips, Fries, and Nuts
53. Baked Corn Tortilla Chips
Container Equivalents: 1 Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC to enjoy with lunch or as part of a snacktional.
54. Kale Chips
Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great snacktional.
55. Tomato-Thyme Pita Crisps
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great snacktional or enjoy as part of breakfast or lunch.
56. Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
Container Equivalents: 1 Yellow, 2 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC as part of breakfast or lunch.
57. Maple Chai Roasted Chickpeas
Container Equivalents: 1 Yellow, ½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: An FFC as part of breakfast, lunch, or snacktional.
58. Zucchini Fries
Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It!: A great snacktional or can be used as a veggie and FFC as part of lunch.
59. Spiced Nuts
Container Equivalents: 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A fats-based accessory that can be added to any meal.
60. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
Container Equivalents: 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It!: A fats-based accessory that can be added to any meal.
Dessert Recipes
61. Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls
Watch FIXATE for this delicious dessert recipe and the equivalents. And don’t miss their Game Day Recipes Special!
62. Chocolate Superfood Bites
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, ½ Blue, ½ Orange
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy these as an occasional treat. Be sure to track it.
63. Coconut Macaroons With Chocolate Drizzle
Container Equivalents: ½ Yellow, 1 Orange
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy as an occasional treat. Be sure to track it.
64. Fudgy Avocado Brownies
Container Equivalents: 1 Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy this as an occasional treat. Be sure to track it.
65. Flourless Brownie Muffins
Container Equivalents: 1½ Yellow, 1 tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!: Enjoy this treat as an occasional snacktional.
