Finally! The weather is just starting to cool off, my favorite alma mater T-shirt is hanging front and center, and college football kicks off tomorrow. It’s almost more excitement than I can bear. I know I’m not alone, and I know I’m not the only one preparing a first game feast for my friends.
Whether you tailgate at home or from your couch, you can consume A LOT of calories in the four hours it takes to win a football game. I, for one, don’t want to be bloated when the big score comes in at the end, so I make a healthier spread. It’s far from rabbit food, but it’s also not the calorie bomb that most of my fellow fans are dishing up.
If I can promise you bold-flavored, sticky-fingered buffalo chicken, wicked dips, and killer desserts, can you promise to try at least one lighter tailgate party this season? I’m pretty sure everyone scores in that deal!
No one needs a half-pound pile of pulled pork, but a tiny slider or two can really fill you up. Our little pork sliders are smothered in a homemade barbecue sauce and a little coleslaw for a cool crunch.
We guarantee everything about this recipe is the same as any you’ve tried before, except we’ve cut more than 200 calories out of it! A few simple swaps make this appetizer just as creamy, spicy, and in demand as its gut-busting counterpart.
Chunky Guacamole with Serrano Peppers
We really love guacamole. In fact, tailgating is just one more excuse to eat it as far as we’re concerned. This recipe by Eva Longoria is crazy good, really easy, and perfect for dipping chips, pretzels, veggies, or piling on a sandwich.
Boneless Buffalo Strips Platter
Swap the bone-in chicken wings for boneless strips, make your own hot sauce, and even have veggies and blue cheese for dipping for LESS than 300 calories! Chef Devin Alexander scored a touchdown with this football favorite. Just make enough to share!
Here’s another gem from Chef Devin. You will not believe how much this recipe tastes like real chorizo! Ground turkey is seasoned well and tossed with oats, then ground on top of tortilla chips with cheese and veggies. Prepare to make enough to share because this recipe will be a hit.
To the victor go the spoils… and the sweets! Don’t leave your tailgate goers with a sweet tooth. These guilt free peanut butter cookies are stuffed with peanut butter and jam for an ooey gooey treat. Sport team colors by using grape for purple, strawberry for red, or peach for orange.
