Ah, the Super Bowl – that magical time of year when even the most clueless about football suddenly become die-hard fans, if only for the commercials and the halftime show. But let’s face it, for many of us, the real MVP of Super Bowl Sunday is not the quarterback, but the snack spread. And who better to assist us in our snack touchdown than Trader Joe’s, the quirky, overachieving cousin in the grocery store family? Buckle up, snack enthusiasts, as we dive into the top ten Trader Joe’s treats that will have your guests forgetting whether they’re there for the football or the food. Spoiler alert: It’s definitely the food.
I grew up on football smack dab between Washington DC and Baltimore but my parents worked in DC so we leaned towards that team we can’t name anymore with the Native American logo on the helmut. Until I moved to Seattle and then we rabidly adopted the Hawks and became eager 12th men/women/kids. It’s been 10 years since our team went to the Super Bowl here in Seattle and we miss it, but the Super Bowl has transcended regular football fans and now is almost equivalent to a national holiday. If you are like me and my family and friends, we put on the game and lay out a big snack spread and just nosh all the way through the game.
Here is my rundown of the Top Ten snacks you can buy from Trader Joe’s to serve your rabid football friends:
Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Any good party should have a good dip to go with some chips. Trader Joe’s has so many that I could do a single post on the top 20 dips and I still wouldn’t cover half of them. If I had to choose one dip that I like the best it’s the Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Serve with your favorite chip or multiple chips! Potato Chips, Corn Dippers, Pretzels, those weird Quinoa chips. You name it, they all go with Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip! Plus I have heard this makes a great base for pasta dishes!
Trader Joe’s Perfectly Pickled Pups
Trader Joe’s Pickled Pups, a delightful twist on the classic party favorite that’s bound to score big at your Super Bowl bash. Imagine tiny hotdogs, not just any ordinary franks, but ones that have been lovingly infused with an irresistible blend of pickle spices. This tangy, savory seasoning perfectly complements the juicy, meaty flavor of the hotdogs. But wait, there’s more – each of these pint-sized pups is meticulously wrapped in a light, crispy batter and coated with golden breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. These Pickled Pups are not only incredibly delicious but also conveniently bite-sized, making them the ideal finger food for an energetic Super Bowl party. They’re easy to serve and even easier to devour, ensuring your guests can keep their eyes on the game while enjoying a mouthwatering snack. Whether you’re a hardcore football fan or just there for the commercials and halftime show, these Pickled Pups are sure to be the real MVP of your snack table.
Trader Joe’s Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers
Dive into the fiery and flavorful world of Trader Joe’s Buffalo Styled Chicken Poppers, a snack destined to bring some heat to your Super Bowl festivities. Each popper is a masterful blend of tender chicken meat, robustly spiced with a blend of zesty cheese and fiery peppers, creating a taste sensation that perfectly captures the essence of classic buffalo wings. But the real game-changer is the exterior – each morsel is encased in a delicate, crispy wonton wrapper, adding an irresistible crunch that elevates these poppers to new heights of snack-time glory. The combination of the spicy, savory filling with the light, crunchy wonton creates a delightful contrast in textures that’s both satisfying and addictive. Easy to serve and eat, these poppers are the ideal finger food for a Super Bowl party, allowing your guests to grab, dip, and munch without missing a single play. They’re a surefire way to please both spice enthusiasts and lovers of traditional game day fare, making them a versatile and exciting addition to your snack lineup. In short, Trader Joe’s Buffalo Styled Chicken Poppers are not just snacks; they’re a bite-sized celebration of all the excitement and energy that embodies Super Bowl Sunday.
Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites
Elevate your Super Bowl party to gourmet heights with the irresistibly cheesy Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites. These aren’t just any starters; they’re a cheese lover’s dream come true. Imagine a decadent blend of Cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, and Gouda – yes, the very same cheeses that star in the iconic TJ’s Diner Mac N’ Cheese – now brought together in one tantalizing bite. But why stop there? Trader Joe’s ups the ante by adding Cream Cheese, Monterey Jack, and Pecorino Romano into the mix, creating a cheese symphony that will make your taste buds dance. These bites are not just about the cheese though; they’re encased in a thinner, crispier shell of panko-style breading, offering the perfect crunchy contrast to the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. This new take on breading ensures each bite is a harmonious blend of textures, from the golden crisp exterior to the gooey, cheesy middle. These Mac and Cheese Bites are the epitome of comfort food with a gourmet twist, making them an ideal choice for Super Bowl party guests who appreciate a sophisticated yet utterly satisfying snack. They’re easy to serve and even easier to enjoy, ensuring your Super Bowl party will be remembered for its winning food as much as the game itself. Serve with a side of warm spicy marinara and don’t forget the toothpicks!
Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah
Ah, Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah – because apparently, “just shrimp” is too mainstream for the trendsetters at TJ’s. Here we have shrimp, liberated from their pesky tails, enrobed in a crispy batter that’s probably crunchier than your fantasy football team’s performance last season. And then there’s the dipping sauce – a spicy-sweet concoction that’s as bold and audacious as your buddy’s claim that his team will make the playoffs this year. Serving these at your Super Bowl party will not only raise your snack game but also provide a welcome distraction from the heated debates about which quarterback is the G.O.A.T. Let’s be honest, the real competition won’t be on the screen; it’ll be between your guests trying to get the last of these tantalizing, crispy sea morsels. Shrimp Boom Bah isn’t just a snack, it’s a conversation starter, a peacekeeper, and possibly the only thing everyone at your party can agree on.
Trader Joe’s Movie Theater Popcorn
Ah, Trader Joe’s Movie Theater Popcorn, is the perfect snack for those Super Bowl partygoers who think a mild buttery flavor is the height of culinary daring. This popcorn is for those who believe the Super Bowl is as much about understated snacking as it is about over-the-top halftime shows and multi-million dollar commercials. It’s like Trader Joe’s took the concept of movie theater popcorn, notoriously known for its artery-clogging buttery bliss, and gave it a chill pill. The result? A snack that whispers “butter” so subtly, you might just miss it while you’re yelling at the referee’s latest call. It’s the ideal choice for those who want to pretend they’re at a movie rather than watching the biggest sporting event of the year. So, grab a handful of this politely flavored popcorn and enjoy the game – or at least pretend to while you’re really just there for the commercials and the halftime show. After all, when the snacks are this unassumingly tasty, who needs the drama of a football game? Sprinkle one of the many seasonings that Trader Joe’s offers on this popcorn for an extra boost.
Trader Joe’s Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Trader Joe’s Breaded Mozzarella Sticks, because nothing screams “gourmet Super Bowl snacking” quite like cheese in a stick form, right? These are for those moments when you want to class up your party but still acknowledge that deep down, everyone really just wants to eat something they can dunk in the marinara sauce while questioning the referee’s life choices. They’re the culinary equivalent of a Hail Mary pass – slightly desperate, but if done right, surprisingly satisfying. Perfect for the halftime debate on whether that last play was actually genius or just dumb luck. Each mozzarella stick, encased in its golden breadcrumb sarcophagus, is like a deep-fried mystery waiting to be solved – will it be the gooey cheese pull of your dreams, or a lukewarm letdown like your team’s defense? Only one way to find out. So, raise a mozzarella stick in honor of sportsmanship, questionable play calls, and the universal love for all things cheesy.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Karaage
Serving Trader Joe’s Frozen Japanese Chicken Karaage at your Super Bowl party is like telling your guests, “Sure, we’re here for American football, but why not take a culinary detour to Japan?” It’s the perfect way to add a touch of international flair to an event typically dominated by buffalo wings and nachos. These bite-sized, crispy delights are like the wide receivers of the snack world – small, speedy, and they’ll disappear off your plate faster than you can say “touchdown.” Watch as your friends, who can’t locate Japan on a map, turn into instant fans of Japanese cuisine, grabbing these chicken morsels with more enthusiasm than they show for the halftime show. And let’s be real, serving something as fancy as karaage is your subtle way of saying, “I’m sophisticated enough to go beyond the standard game day fare, but also I bought these frozen, so not really.” It’s the perfect snack to munch on while debating whether the quarterback’s last move was a stroke of genius or just a really lucky fluke. So, buckle up and get ready to take your taste buds on a quick trip to Tokyo while your eyes stay glued to the good ol’ American game.
Trader Joe’s Mini Meatballs
Trader Joe’s Mini Meatballs, are the unsung heroes of Super Bowl parties. They’re the perfect size to pop in your mouth between yelling at the TV and debating which commercial was the best. These little spheres of joy should be lovingly simmered in marinara sauce, because let’s face it, everything tastes better when it’s been swimming in tomatoey goodness. Serving them on toothpicks? A stroke of genius. It’s like saying, “Look at me, being all fancy and civilized, eating meatballs one at a time instead of shoveling them in by the handful.” It’s the snack that says, “I want to party, but I also don’t want to get my fingers dirty.” Plus, they’re a great way to test your guests’ coordination – can they successfully navigate a mini meatball from plate to mouth without a sauce mishap? It’s the Super Bowl of snacking, really. So here’s to the mini meatballs – small in size, but mighty in the ability to make adults feel like they’ve got their life together, one toothpick skewered meatball at a time.
Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas
Serving Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas at your Super Bowl party is like bringing a Bollywood dance number into a football huddle – unexpectedly delightful and slightly out of place. These little pockets of joy are a fusion food touchdown, combining the spice of Indian cuisine with the “I need something to munch on while I pretend to understand football” necessity of Super Bowl Sunday. They’re the perfect size for popping into your mouth during a commercial break, and just exotic enough to make your guests feel worldly without leaving the comfort of your living room. Watch as your friends try to pronounce ‘samosa’ after a few beers, turning snack time into an impromptu language lesson. The best part? Every time someone double-dips a samosa in the chutney, you can throw a penalty flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. So go ahead, give your Super Bowl party an international twist – because why settle for plain old chips and dip when you can travel to India between plays?
