12 Easy Crockpot Super Bowl Appetizers and Football Snacks
Hosting a Super Bowl party should be as fun for the host as it is for the guests, and nothing makes game day hosting easier than a reliable slow cooker. These 12 traditional football snacks are designed to be set and forgotten, allowing you to focus on the game-winning plays while your kitchen produces savory, crowd-pleasing appetizers. From spicy dips to glazed meatballs, these recipes are the ultimate lineup for any football fan.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
This creamy and spicy dip captures all the flavors of classic buffalo wings without the messy bones. It is a staple at any football gathering and pairs perfectly with crunchy celery sticks or sturdy tortilla chips.
Ingredients
- •2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- •1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- •1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- •1/2 cup ranch dressing
- •1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- •1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- •Green onions for garnish
Method
- 1
1. Begin by spreading the softened cream cheese across the bottom of a 3-quart or 4-quart slow cooker to create a smooth base layer.
- 2
2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
- 3
3. Pour the chicken mixture over the cream cheese in the slow cooker and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- 4
4. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low heat setting for approximately 2 to 3 hours, or on high for 1 hour, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling.
- 5
5. Stir the dip gently before serving to incorporate the layers and garnish with fresh green onions and blue cheese crumbles if desired.
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Sweet and Tangy BBQ Meatballs
These meatballs are a quintessential party snack, smothered in a rich, dark sauce that balances sweetness with a hint of spice. They are incredibly easy to serve with toothpicks for a mess-free finger food experience.
Ingredients
- •1 bag (32 oz) frozen meatballs
- •18 oz bottle of hickory-smoked BBQ sauce
- •1 cup grape jelly
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Method
- 1
1. Place the frozen meatballs directly into the basin of a large slow cooker without thawing them first.
- 2
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes until the jelly is broken down into small bits.
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3. Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs and use a large spoon to toss them until every meatball is completely and evenly coated.
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4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the sides.
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5. Once the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened into a sticky glaze, switch the setting to 'warm' for serving with toothpicks.
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Classic Grape Jelly Lil' Smokies
A nostalgic favorite, these tiny sausages are simmered in a simple two-ingredient sauce that creates a surprisingly deep and savory flavor profile that guests can't resist.
Ingredients
- •2 packages (14 oz each) cocktail sausages
- •1 jar (12 oz) grape jelly
- •1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
Method
- 1
1. Open the packages of cocktail sausages and drain any excess liquid before placing them into the slow cooker.
- 2
2. Add the entire jar of grape jelly and the full bottle of chili sauce directly onto the sausages in the pot.
- 3
3. Stir the ingredients together vigorously to ensure the jelly starts to combine with the chili sauce and coats the sausages.
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4. Cover and cook the mixture on high for about 2 hours or on low for 4 hours, stirring at the halfway mark to ensure even heating and sauce distribution.
- 5
5. Keep the slow cooker on the warm setting throughout your party to ensure the sausages stay hot and the sauce remains at a perfect dipping consistency.
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Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip
This dip is a restaurant-quality appetizer that remains perfectly melted and dippable for hours in the crockpot. It is rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- •10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- •14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- •1 cup sour cream
- •8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- •1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- •1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
Method
- 1
1. Ensure the frozen spinach is completely thawed and squeezed through a kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible to prevent a watery dip.
- 2
2. Place the spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, and minced garlic into the slow cooker and stir to distribute the vegetables.
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3. Add the cubed cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine the ingredients.
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4. Cover and cook on the low setting for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to help the cheeses melt together into a cohesive, creamy texture.
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5. Once the dip is hot and the cheese is fully melted, serve immediately with toasted baguette slices or warm pita bread chips.
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Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip
Often called 'the ultimate tailgate dip,' this recipe combines spicy sausage with melted cheese and diced tomatoes for a hearty snack that disappears in minutes.
Ingredients
- •1 lb ground breakfast sausage, browned and drained
- •1 block (16 oz) Velveeta cheese, cubed
- •1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- •1/2 cup heavy cream
Method
- 1
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground sausage until it is fully cooked through and then drain the excess fat carefully.
- 2
2. Transfer the cooked sausage into the slow cooker and add the cubed Velveeta cheese and the undrained can of Rotel tomatoes.
- 3
3. Pour in the heavy cream, which helps keep the dip at a smooth and dippable consistency even after it sits for a while.
- 4
4. Cook on the low setting for 1 to 2 hours, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes to ensure the cheese melts evenly without scorching.
- 5
5. Serve the warm dip directly from the slow cooker with a large bowl of salty tortilla chips or corn chips for the best experience.
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Skip the deep fryer and use your slow cooker to create tender, fall-off-the-bone wings that are finished with a savory garlic parmesan coating.
Ingredients
- •3 lbs chicken wings, thawed
- •1/2 cup butter, melted
- •4 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- •1 teaspoon dried parsley
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
Method
- 1
1. Place the chicken wings into the slow cooker and season them lightly with salt and pepper to establish a base flavor.
- 2
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and minced garlic, then pour half of the mixture over the wings in the pot.
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3. Cover and cook the wings on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours until they are tender and fully cooked.
- 4
4. For a crispy finish, place the cooked wings on a baking sheet and broil them in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes per side until the skin is golden.
- 5
5. Toss the hot wings with the remaining garlic butter, parmesan cheese, and dried parsley before serving on a large platter with ranch dressing.
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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders
These sliders feature tender, juicy pork that has been slow-cooked in a seasoned sauce, making them the perfect heavy appetizer for hungry football fans.
Ingredients
- •3 lb pork shoulder roast
- •1 cup BBQ sauce
- •1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- •1 tablespoon brown sugar
- •1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- •Slider buns and pickles for serving
Method
- 1
1. Place the pork shoulder roast into the slow cooker and rub it with the brown sugar and smoked paprika to build a smoky crust.
- 2
2. Pour the apple cider vinegar around the base of the roast to provide acidity and moisture during the long cooking process.
- 3
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to be easily shredded with two forks.
- 4
4. Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred it completely, and return it to the pot after draining most of the excess liquid.
- 5
5. Stir in the BBQ sauce and let it heat through for another 20 minutes before piling the pork onto slider buns with a slice of pickle.
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Loaded Baked Potato Dip
All the flavors of a fully loaded baked potato are packed into this warm, cheesy dip that is best served with waffle fries or thick potato chips.
Ingredients
- •2 blocks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- •1 cup sour cream
- •1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- •1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- •1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Method
- 1
1. Use a hand mixer to blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
- 2
2. Stir in the garlic powder, one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the bacon bits until they are evenly distributed.
- 3
3. Spread the mixture into a small 2-quart slow cooker and top with the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese.
- 4
4. Cook on low for about 2 hours, or until the dip is heated through and the cheese on top has melted into a golden layer.
- 5
5. Before serving, sprinkle the remaining bacon bits and the fresh chives over the top for a pop of color and extra flavor.
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Spicy Jalapeño Popper Dip
This dip offers the heat of jalapeños balanced by cooling cream cheese and a crunchy topping, mimicking the experience of eating a stuffed jalapeño popper.
Ingredients
- •2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- •1 cup mayonnaise
- •4 oz can diced jalapeños, drained
- •1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- •1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- •2 tablespoons butter, melted
Method
- 1
1. In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- 2
2. Stir in the diced jalapeños and the shredded Mexican blend cheese until the spicy peppers are well-integrated into the base.
- 3
3. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and smooth the top with a spoon to ensure even cooking.
- 4
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle them over the top of the dip.
- 5
5. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, then serve the dip with crackers or toasted baguette slices to highlight the crunchy topping.
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Honey Garlic Party Meatballs
For those who prefer a savory-sweet flavor profile, these honey garlic meatballs provide a sophisticated twist on the traditional BBQ version.
Ingredients
- •1 bag (32 oz) frozen meatballs
- •1/2 cup honey
- •1/2 cup soy sauce
- •2 tablespoons ketchup
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 teaspoon ginger, grated
Method
- 1
1. Place the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker and ensure they are spread out relatively evenly across the bottom.
- 2
2. In a small jug, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the honey is fully dissolved.
- 3
3. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs and stir well to ensure every single meatball is covered in the liquid.
- 4
4. Cook the meatballs on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, stirring once or twice to redistribute the sauce as it thickens.
- 5
5. Serve the meatballs warm with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or sliced green onions for a professional, finished look.
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Sticky Teriyaki Chicken Wings
These wings are slow-cooked in a thick teriyaki glaze until they are incredibly tender, offering a sweet and salty alternative to spicy game day snacks.
Ingredients
- •3 lbs chicken wings
- •1 cup teriyaki sauce
- •1/4 cup brown sugar
- •1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- •1 teaspoon sesame oil
- •1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
Method
- 1
1. Arrange the chicken wings in the slow cooker and sprinkle them with ginger powder for an aromatic base flavor.
- 2
2. Whisk together the teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a bowl, then pour the mixture over the chicken.
- 3
3. Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 3 hours, ensuring the wings are fully cooked and the meat is beginning to pull away from the bone.
- 4
4. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the liquid at the end of cooking, simmer it in a saucepan with a cornstarch slurry, and pour it back over.
- 5
5. Serve the sticky wings on a large platter, garnished with sliced scallions to balance the sweetness of the teriyaki glaze.
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Classic Chili Cheese Dip
This three-ingredient dip is the ultimate time-saver, combining hearty chili with melted cheese for a thick, savory appetizer that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- •1 can (15 oz) chili with or without beans
- •1 block (16 oz) Velveeta cheese, sliced
- •1/2 cup salsa
Method
- 1
1. Place the slices of Velveeta cheese into the bottom of the slow cooker to allow them to melt quickly.
- 2
2. Pour the can of chili and the salsa over the cheese, which adds a bit of texture and a kick of extra spices to the mix.
- 3
3. Cover the pot and cook on the high setting for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- 4
4. Use a whisk or a heavy spoon to stir the ingredients together until the dip is uniform in color and texture.
- 5
5. Lower the heat to the warm setting and serve with large corn chips or use it as a topping for hot dogs during the game.
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Wrapping Up
With these 12 crockpot recipes in your playbook, your Super Bowl party is guaranteed to be a culinary touchdown. These snacks are not only easy to prepare but also stay warm throughout the entire game, ensuring every guest gets a delicious bite from kickoff to the final whistle. Enjoy the game and the fantastic food!