40 Healthy Super Bowl Recipes That Score Big

Our version of cheesy, crave-worthy nachos has half the sat fat, 450mg less sodium, and double the fiber compared to the classic. Mexican chorizo packs a big flavor punch, helping a little meat go a long way here. Look for it in the butcher’s case next to the other fresh sausage. And because no tray of nachos is complete without cheese, a bit of shredded sharp cheddar adds just enough cheesy, salty kick

With big flavor and less heft, our healthier ode to the classic French onion dip is a delicious way to sneak in extra vegetables. Ditch the sodium-bomb seasoning packets and sour cream-and-mayonnaise–laden dip (which can pack a small meal’s worth of calories and sat fat into a single serving) for our homemade dip. And be patient with the caramelizing process—slowly sizzled onions have noteworthy sweetness and concentrated umami. And because no dip is complete without a dipper, baked sweet potatoes will satisfy your chip craving for half the calories of most bagged varieties. 

Our tangy Greek yogurt dip is the perfect light appetizer before a heavy meal. Pair with an assortment of fresh sliced vegetables such as carrots, radishes, cucumbers, little gem lettuce leaves, and mini bell peppers.

Comfort food just got quicker and easier courtesy of your air fryer. These crispy "baked" potatoes may seem indulgent, but smart portions of bacon, cheese, and sour cream add big flavor while keeping calories and sat fat in check. The secret is the center-cut bacon—it cooks up nice and crispy, and yields just enough pan drippings to make these potatoes really shine. 

We thicken the chili slightly, stir in more fresh fall vegetables, and bake with a flaky cheddar biscuit topper for a fun, fast take on a classic potpie. Creamy butternut squash and hearty beef chili provide combine to make this wholesome, easy weeknight dinner. We skipped the hassle of peeling and chopping the squash by buying the packaged cubes. Topped with flaky cheddar biscuits that rest atop the potpie like soft pillows, this meaty dish is a great way to repurpose chili and make use of seasonal fall vegetables. The kids won't be able to resisting dunking biscuit after biscuit in this flavorful beef chili. Use a vegetarian chili for a tasty meat-less option.

Saucy chuck roast and fluffy potatoes all cook together, with almost no prep. Be sure to wrap the potatoes in parchment paper; foil can add a metallic taste to the dish. If you can't find 6 (4-oz.) potatoes, use 4 (8-oz.) russets, and cut each in half before stuffing.

These mini meatballs are perfect for tailgating. We made them healthier by forgoing sodium-heavy ingredients like the usual ketchup and chili sauce and including whole-grain bulgur in place of breadcrumbs. You can also serve a larger portion of these meatballs for weeknight dinner. To up the kid-friendly factor, omit the ground red pepper in the glaze and serve with mashed potatoes (à la Swedish meatballs). 

Pork shoulder becomes meltingly tender as it slow-cooks in the chile- and garlic-infused citrus sauce. Searing the pork in a skillet for just a minute adds a depth of flavor you don't otherwise get in a slow cooker. 

A genius combination of jalapeño poppers and stuffed mushrooms, this appetizer lovechild gets a healthy makeover thanks to your air fryer. With loads less fat than their traditionally deep-fried parents, these mashup snacks get another kick of bold flavor from a quick stir-together blue cheese sauce.

The meat in these Instant Pot chicken tacos is tender, juicy, and flavorful. We keep it on the bones while it cooks to help infuse more flavor into the lean chicken breast meat. The toppings add fresh brightness and make the tacos sing, so pile them on and feel free to add any other toppers you love. If you have any leftover chicken, add it to nachos, taco salad, or soups.

What is chili without corn muffins? Pickled jalapeños add a little extra zip and dimension without too much heat. You can omit them or substitute minced cilantro if you like. Make the corn muffins a day or two ahead and refrigerate then leave out at room temperature. The addition of sour cream makes these muffins incredibly tender—they won't dry out if made in advance.

Take a break from sweet potato fries and try out tots instead. Oven-baked until they're brown and crispy, these tots will satisfy your wildest savory cravings without overloading you with calories and fat. Served with a zippy jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that's loaded with protein and fresh herbs, these cute sweet potato tots make for the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack that your kids will devour.

Drumettes have more meat than wings—that's what we use in this tasty recipe for air fryer chicken wings—but either will work. The air fryer basket gets overcrowded easily, so only cook 10 wings at a time, or stir the wings frequently so that they cook evenly. These wings have a sweet and spicy Asian flavor; sprinkle them with some toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch.

We love the double-cheese contrast here: Shredded cheese melts into a bubbly blanket over the tortillas, while cumbly queso fresco covers the veggies with a salty kick. It's an impressive dish for coffee table dining—it's fun to keep it all on the baking pan and serve as a shared platter.

Crispy, crunchy, and addictive, air fryer potato chips have 60 percent less fat than their store-bought counterparts. Yes, making potato chips in your air fryer requires a little bit of effort—but the result is a salty snack that’s actually pretty healthy. Does it get much better than that?

This beefy pie delivers all the zingy flavors of a street taco: tangy lime, pungent onion, fragrant cilantro, and smoky, spicy chiles. The three-cheese blend offers extra meltiness.
 

This spicy air-fried cauliflower bites recipe checks all the boxes, whether you're having vegetarian friends over to watch the game or you just enjoy recipe mashups starring your favorite flavors. A smidgen of blue cheese adds a lot of flavor to the quick stir-together sauce. (If you’re not a fan of pungent blue cheese, try milder gorgonzola, or even feta.) To make this no-fuss recipe even easier, pick up a package of pre-cut cauliflower florets.

Ah, onion rings—the ultimate deep-fried indulgence. Thanks to your air fryer, you can rescue this crunchy favorite from the realm of diet banishment and invite it back to your plate. These rings of allium awesomeness come out of the air fryer boasting a superbly crispy coating without any heavy greasiness.

And if you’ve ever had comeback sauce, you know its tangy and sweet flavor is the perfect pairing with the crunchy, savory onion.

If any one dish is devoured quickly and constantly (usually by the fistful) throughout the Super Bowl, it’s snack mix. Consisting of salty nuts, pretzels, and cereal doused with a Worcestershire and butter, this innocent munchie racks up sodium and calories quickly. Our healthier version gives you all the salt, crunch, and bold spices of the original with the addition of whole-grain popcorn, toasty whole-wheat cereal, and spicy wasabi peas. The peas inspired an Asian track with toasty sesame oil and reduced-sodium soy sauce, cashews, and pungent ground ginger.

Welcome to Calzone Making 101. Don’t worry—you’ll ace this course. Our easy recipe shows you the way to perfectly browned and crunchy calzones in the air fryer. We love using whole-wheat pizza dough for the fiber boost it offers, but regular pizza dough will work just fine. Serve these cheesy guys with a side of marinara for dipping.

Get ready—this dip is about to become your party go-to. It’s quick and easy to make, and you can serve it with any type of vegetable (we particularly like it with carrots, radishes, and cucumbers). Be sure not to puree the chives or pepper, as they will discolor your sauce. Use leftover dip as a spread for pulled pork, hamburgers, or other sandwiches, or thin it out with water or another tablespoon or two of buttermilk to dress lettuces.

Who doesn’t love a corn dog? These whimsical, perfect little bites of smoky hot dog goodness come with a crunchy cornflake coating—thanks to the air fryer—that will make party guests smile. Look for high-quality uncured hot dogs at upscale grocery stores such as Whole Foods. Mustard is best friends with corn dogs, so pick out your favorite to serve with these fun and festive snacks.

Adding cinnamon gives these meatballs a slight Moroccan feel. You can make this a day ahead and reheat on the stovetop before the party. Using different types of beef adds moisture to the meatballs while keeping sat fat in check.

Filling but not heavy, air fryer quesadillas make a quick and satisfying weeknight supper. Black beans bring protein and fiber to the party; peppers and zucchini bring color, crunch, and up your daily veggie count. Shop for sprouted tortillas at well-stocked supermarkets; regular whole-wheat tortillas will work in a pinch.

Public Service Announcement: These quesadillas pair perfectly with ice-cold beer; limes optional.

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad for the entire family—a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Use this fun riff on classic chickpea hummus to anchor a tray of fresh, seasonal vegetable dippers­—we recommend multicolored carrots, radishes, and cauliflower florets. You can prepare the hummus up to three days ahead; wash and trim the crudités a day in advance, and store them in ziplock plastic bags lined with paper towels.

Asian dumplings are an amazing appetizer—the perfect combination of crispy and chewy. No surprise here: Your air fryer can rock this recipe like a champ.

Pork and ginger are the star flavors in these savory little bites, along with quick stir-fried bok choy. These easy-to-assemble appetizers make a great family cooking project—just stuff, seal, and air-fry your way to homemade takeout goodness. Look for thin dumpling wrappers at Asian grocery stores; regular egg roll wrappers will work in a pinch.

This tasty, yet basic, chili is great for both football weekends and busy school nights, thanks to the ease and speed of an Instant Pot. This beef and bean chili has all the classic flavors, plus a bit of a kick from chipotle chili powder. The sour cream and cheese add a touch of creaminess and temper the heat. Leftovers make for a hearty lunch at your desk, or get a little more creative and use them as a topping for nachos, or add to pasta for Chili Mac. Look for the 25% less sodium packet of taco seasoning next to the standard taco seasoning in the Mexican food aisle.

The fries are easy to make in an air fryer—and they pick up tons of flavor from the spice mix. If your fresh oregano is strong, start with less than what’s called for and add more to taste. To speed things up, prep all the ingredients in advance so you can assemble quickly while the fries are still hot.

This Southwestern-inspired chili is hearty and comforting, with pork in every bite. Your Instant Pot can easily cook up the unsoaked cannellini beans in about an hour, making this a weeknight-friendly meal the whole family will love. Creamy cheese and avocado make ideal toppings, while a squeeze of lime juice elevates this filling dish.

Our healthier take on a beach-side burger, these patties have a delectable seared crust but are juicy inside, especially if you use a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet.

Classic salmon dip boasts one of our favorite sources of Omega-3 fats—but globs of mayo don’t make this easy appetizer the healthiest option. Our mayo-free version is just as satisfying and indulgent, thanks to Greek yogurt and Neufchâtel cream cheese, which contains 1/3 less fat than regular cream cheese. 

This recipe remakes pays homage to the classic Little Debbie dessert, the Cosmic Brownie. Our version uses creamy almond butter in place of oil, lending fudge-y richness plus heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and lots of immune-supporting vitamin E.

This take on Cincinnati chili forgoes the traditional spaghetti accompaniment, though you can serve it over hot cooked noodles if you like. While many cooks think of cinnamon only as a spice for baked goods and sweets, it’s fantastic in savory dishes—particularly roasted, braised, and stewed meats like beef, pork, and chicken.

These craveworthy chocolate chip cookies—made with whole-wheat flour—are wonderfully crisp around the edges and chewy in the middle; the soft center comes from using all brown sugar (no granulated) and a drizzle of honey.

A handful of fresh mint boosts the flavor of ground turkey, while cream cheese keeps the patties moist. Mild-flavored pepperoncini peppers top these sliders served on water rolls.

Get the chili started in the morning and keep warm in the slow cooker while you're out. Calling for a mixture of beans and hominy, this recipe boasts bold, rich flavor, something that can often be dulled in a slow cooker. Whirring some of the beans in a food processor thickens the soup, lending a heartier texture to the dish. We suggest serving the soup with green onions, cheese, cilantro, peppers, and plain yogurt, a great substitute for sour cream. Serve with Cheesy Jalapeno-Sour Cream Corn Muffins (next slide).

Hawaii’s traditional Kalua pork requires a beach pit, a whole hog, and a day’s worth of smoking. Our weeknight version delivers all the flavor with a fraction of the effort—no shovel required. Pineapple pulls double duty in this recipe—caramelized rings add smoky sweetness, while the just-tangy-enough pineapple juice makes the slaw a tasty stand-alone side dish. Save time by picking up a peeled and cored pineapple in the produce section—the flavor is far superior to canned rings.

You can easily make these on the grill instead of the stovetop. Just preheat the grill to high, and set a cast-iron skillet on the grill grate to preheat also. Be careful when touching the skillet, as the handle will be extremely hot. A pinch of sugar in the beef patty mixture helps deliver deep-brown, caramelized crust to the burgers without making them taste sweet.

The rich nuttiness of the tahini is amplified in the blondie and matched by the whole-wheat flour. We like Soom brand tahini; it's unctuous and creamy with no oil slick on top (perfect for stirring into batters). Pecans contribute natural sweetness and indulgent crunch, but feel free to sub in an equal amount of another nut or a few chocolate or butterscotch chips.