Tired of the same old chips and dip for the big game? This year, score a major touchdown with your guests by serving up these incredible Sweet Potato Super Bowl Snacks. We’re talking about perfectly tender, flavor-packed sweet potato bites, shaped like mini footballs and loaded with all your favorite toppings. They’re the ultimate game day appetizer that’s both fun and ridiculously delicious.
These loaded sweet potato footballs are easy to make, packed with savory flavor, and guaranteed to disappear from the snack table before halftime. Get ready to win the Super Bowl of snacks!
Why These Sweet Potato Snacks Will Be the MVP of Your Super Bowl Party
Forget boring fries! These sweet potato bites are a creative twist on classic game day fare. They have a crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy inside, making them the perfect vessel for delicious toppings.
This recipe is incredibly versatile, so you can customize the toppings to please any crowd. Plus, they look fantastic on a platter, bringing a festive, on-theme touch to your Super Bowl spread. They’re a guaranteed conversation starter!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple ingredient list comes together for a truly impressive appetizer. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show! Look for medium-sized potatoes that are firm and have smooth skin.
- Olive Oil: Helps the potatoes get crispy and prevents them from sticking.
- Spices: A blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper gives these bites a savory, smoky flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For that essential cheesy, melty goodness.
- Cooked Bacon: Crumbled for a salty, crispy crunch.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: To create the “laces” on our footballs and add a cool, tangy finish.
- Fresh Chives: For a pop of color and fresh, mild onion flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Sweet Potato Football Bites
Making these crowd-pleasing sweet potato super bowl snacks is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a winning appetizer.
1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and peel your sweet potatoes. Cut them into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Using a small football-shaped cookie cutter, cut out your bites. If you don’t have one, you can carefully trim the rounds into an oval shape with a paring knife.
2. Season and Bake
In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato footballs with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. Arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are tender and the edges are slightly crisped.
3. Load Them Up!
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over each sweet potato football. Return them to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. For more appetizer ideas, check out these Buffalo Chicken Sliders.
Let the bites cool for a few minutes before the final step. Transfer a small amount of sour cream or Greek yogurt into a small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner. Carefully pipe thin lines onto each bite to create the football “laces.” Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately!
Pro Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Super Bowl Snacks
To ensure your snacks are legendary, keep these tips in mind. First, don’t overcrowd the pan. Giving the sweet potatoes space ensures they bake evenly and get crispy edges. Second, for perfectly defined laces, make sure the bites have cooled slightly before piping on the sour cream. For a bigger football-themed treat, try this Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Football Bread (coming soon).
Fun Variations and Topping Ideas
The beauty of these sweet potato game day recipes is their versatility. Feel free to get creative with your toppings!
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix and top with sliced jalapeños and a drizzle of hot honey.
- BBQ Bliss: Top with pulled pork or chicken, a swirl of BBQ sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped red onion.
- Taco Style: Load them up with seasoned ground beef, pico de gallo, and a dollop of guacamole. A perfect pairing would be these easy taco cups (coming soon).
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! To save time on game day, you can prepare the sweet potato footballs in advance. Bake them as directed without the toppings. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, arrange them on a baking sheet, add your toppings, and bake at 400°F until heated through and the cheese is melted.
FAQs for Sweet Potato Game Day Snacks
To get your sweet potato bites crispy, bake them at a high temperature (400°F / 200°C) and make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Arranging them in a single layer with space in between allows the hot air to circulate, crisping up the edges perfectly.
These loaded bites are fantastic on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of dips! Try serving them with ranch dressing, a spicy aioli, guacamole, or a simple chipotle-lime crema for an extra layer of flavor.
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for an air fryer. Place the seasoned sweet potato bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Add the toppings and air fry for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Sweet potatoes themselves are a great source of vitamins and fiber. While these bites are loaded with indulgent toppings like cheese and bacon, they can be part of a balanced snack table and are a more nutrient-dense option than many traditional fried snacks.
Store any leftover sweet potato bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat them in the oven or an air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
More Game Day Recipes You’ll Love
Keep the crowd happy with a full spread of delicious appetizers and snacks. These recipes are always a hit and perfect for any party.
Sweet Potato Super Bowl Snacks: Loaded Football Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a small football-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes from the sweet potato rounds. If you don't have one, trim the rounds into an oval shape with a knife.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato footballs with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly crisped.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly. Transfer sour cream to a small baggie, snip the corner, and pipe 'laces' onto each football. Garnish with fresh chives and serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
No Cookie Cutter?: Simply use the sweet potato rounds as a base. They will taste just as delicious!
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Show Off Your Winning Snacks!
These Loaded Sweet Potato Football Bites are the perfect way to elevate your game day menu. They’re fun, flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you make them, I’d love to see! Share a photo and tag me on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations always make my day!
