Everyone knows the real meat of a football watch party is the vegetarian snack spread. Now you may be wondering, with a culture so tied to buffalo wings and burgers and hot dogs and also more wings, what even is there for our football-loving vegetarian friendos?
Trust me when I tell you, SO MUCH. A lot of the best football snacks are actually vegetarian, and to help you pick the best ones we have created this list of the best vegetarian game day snacks. So whether you are a tailgating type or a chillin’-on-the-couch-alone-with-a-bowl-of-chips type, this list has a snack you’ll love. So let’s get (first) down to business and talk vegetarian snacks for game day.
- Fritos Hot Bean Dip
People tend to forget bean dip is even an option. I am guilty of this— wasn’t going to include bean dip on this list of vegetarian game day snacks and then my vegetarian roommate happened to mention that they wanted some bean dip. Life is funny like that. So if you, like me, were reminded about the magic of bean dip by this here article, do yourself a flavor and get Fritos Hot Bean Dip. You will not be disappointed. Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling said this bean dip is so good she actually craves it from time to time. “It’s smooth. It’s creamy. And it has layer upon layer of flavor,” she wrote. GO GET THIS DIP. It’s a surefire home run (which is definitely the correct sport, I’m an expert when it comes to these things). —Jessica Block
Related: Best Bean Dip in a Can (and Jar)
- Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Tater Tots
Is there a better vegetarian football snack than little football-shaped (sorta) tots? In her ranking of the best tater tots you can buy, managing editor Gwynedd Stuart said that Ore-Ida delivers on its extra-crispy promise. “That crackly coating gives way to a hot, creamy potato center that contributes a convincing freshly fried feel,” she wrote. Crispy finger foods like this give football watch parties a good name. —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best tater tots
- La Tierra Fina Artichoke & Jalapeno Dip
If you want a vegetarian football snack that actually involves veggies, La Tierra Fina’s Artichoke & Jalapeno Dip is your jam. Sporked senior writer Jordan Myrick wrote that this dip is “so rich and super tangy. The artichokes are briny and the pickled jalapeños are bright.” You’ll be reaching for this delicious and substantial dip throughout the game, even if your team is blowing it (or, if you eat your feelings, because your team is blowing it). —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best Costco dips
- Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos
When the Sporked team set out to rank the best Doritos, everyone agreed that Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos are a revelation. “They have a rich umami taste,” Jordan wrote. If you want a vegetarian football snack that’s also a conversation starter, I suggest picking up a bag of these. —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best Doritos
- On the Border Café Style Tortilla Chips
No vegetarian game day snack spread is complete without tortilla chips. I mean, what else will we use to scoop up all our lovely veggie dips? “They are salty enough to make the chip great for eating on its own, but are also mild enough to not overpower whatever you’re dipping them into,” Jordan noted. We want versatility in our tortilla chips and that’s why we love these. —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best tortilla chips
- On the Border Salsa Con Queso
Don’t worry, we’ve cracked the queso. This is, in fact, one of the best vegetarian snacks out there (and honestly one of the best snacks in general—who doesn’t love some hot n’ gooey cheese?). But this brand specifically takes the queso game to the next level. This is big leagues queso and we here at Sporked will not hear otherwise. Why do we love this queso so McFrickin much? Well as Jordan Myrick put it, this queso is “so creamy and smooth,” and “the fruitiness from the jalapeno really shines.” Plus, just in queso you were still on the fence, this queso is good whether it is hot or cold. How neat is that? —Jessica Block
Related: Best Store-Bought Queso: Get Cheesy with the 7 Best Quesos
- Deep River Mesquite BBQ Potato Chips
Indulging in authentic barbeque flavor can be tough when you’re vegetarian, but Deep River Snacks Mesquite BBQ potato chips deliver on that smoky goodness oh so well. In his ranking of the best BBQ chips, contributor Danny Palumbo described them as “salty, sweet, smoky, and zesty.” You’ll definitely need these in your vegetarian football snacks line up. —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best barbecue potato chips
- TGI Fridays Mozzarella Sticks
Finger foods make for quick and easy vegetarian game day snacks, and no finger food spread is complete without the cheesy goodness that is a mozzarella stick! These TGI Fridays mozzarella sticks are some of our faves. “TGI Fridays breaded mozzarella sticks have good flavor, great quality cheese, and a crispy, crunchy panko breading,” Danny wrote. They even come with a packet of marinara sauce! TGI Friday? More like TGI game day, amirite? —Naajia Shukri
Read the full ranking of the best frozen mozzarella sticks
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!