This post has been sponsored by Tyson Foods®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I won't pretend to be an expert on football...or any sport for that matter. Both of my brothers played football up through college and I typically took a book or magazine to games when I went. One thing I do know, though, is how to put together a good party spread. Another thing I know is that people love to pop up on you last minute. So today, I've partnered with Tyson® to share a bunch of easy options for watch party eats available at HEB as well as tips for pulling off an easy and stress-free gathering--even at the last minute. There's something for everyone in this spread, from easy sliders made with Tyson® Any'tizers® Snacks to a variety of dipping options.
In case you don't know by now, I love a nice stroll through the grocery store--probably more so than your average millennial. H-E-B is my go-to grocery store for so many reasons (friendly employees, great floral selection, and Texas-centric foods, to name a few) but, in case you aren't as familiar with the layout as I am, start in the produce section to get all the makings for a good bowl of guac. For me, that means three avocados, fresh lime, a red onion, one jalapeno, and a bit of cilantro. That will add some color and flavor to your spread. The entire spread will come together quickly and easily but the mixing up of the guac is probably the task that calls for the most brain power and it takes no time and can even be done in advance. Just store it with a tight layer of plastic wrap to keep it fresh and maintain the color.
After that, grab some cheese from the deli then swing by beer & wine, if you feel so inclined, to grab your guests' favorites. A more schedule and budget-friendly option is to have each person bring a six-pack or bottle of their favorite so you can just focus on the food! I always recommend keeping still or sparkling water on hand for those who don't drink or just want to keep hydrated. Just load a cooler with ice and you're good to go. From my humble observations of football fans over the years, watching a big game is a marathon, not a sprint. Folks are bound to get thirsty, right?
To grab the stars of this spread, stop by the refrigerated and frozen sections to pick up Aidells® Meatballs, Ball Park® Hot Dogs, State Fair® Corn Dogs, Tyson® Any'tizers ® Pepperoni Mozzerella Chicken Snackers, and Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips. These will be huge time savers when it comes time to pull everything together. Gather all your ingredients by finding your nearest HEB store here and click here to save now at your local HEB from 1/16/19 - 1/22/19.
Everything in this spread is quick and easy--just about one hour from start to finish!
The goal is to minimize your time spent in the kitchen and here's a little tip on that front: If you're going with the Tyson Any'tizers Snackers, Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips, and State Fair Corn Dogs, bake them all together on one big sheet pan lined with foil. This will also cut down on clean up. Add the Aidells Meatballs and Ball Park Franks to this lineup and you'll have a great assortment of filling, protein-packed options with a good variety of flavors. From there, add in bits and bites like the cheese, nuts, and fresh fruit & veggies.
Aside from the easiness of a spread like this, both you and your guests will appreciate how you can mix and match the components. Just place everything on a couple of trays within reach and let everybody pick the dippers, sauces, etc. they want to get into. At a watch party, nobody wants to tear their eyes away from the screen so your best bet is to set up all the food near the action, aka, television. If you won't be moving your coffee table out of the way, clear it off and place the eats there.
Looking for more watch party prep help? Check out everything entertaining here and a bunch of appetizer recipes. Also, cocktails because...duh. Thanks for reading!
P.S. Here's a printable shopping list to recreate this spread:
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