10 Fast and Fancy Snacks for Your Next TV Viewing Party
Here’s the situation: You invited your friends over for movie night (i.e. to watch The Bachelor) and you want to strike the right balance between easy and impressive (i.e. the food equivalent of “oh this old thing?”). Your best course of action is to make a few different one- or two-bite apps you can munch on while focusing on the show and call it dinner. Here are 10 of our favorite snacks that are fast, fancy, and perfect for eating in front of the TV.
1. Butter-Baked Saltines with Chili-Crisp Yogurt Dip
The best thing about this buttery Saltine upgrade is that it feels familiar and fancy all at once, and packs a surprising amount of flavor. It’s so knock-your-socks-off good that friends will beg for the recipe, but it’s easy enough that you can whip it up while deciding what to watch.
Get the recipe: Butter-Baked Saltines with Chili-Crisp Yogurt Dip
2. Breakfast Deviled Eggs
We all know everything bagel spice is great on deviled eggs, but what makes this version extra special is the tangy cream cheese mixed into the yolk filling. NOM.
Get the recipe: Breakfast Deviled Eggs
3. Flamin’ Hot Tots
Sure you could put a plain tray of tater tots on the coffee table, but give them a coating that tastes just like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them like this all along.
Get the recipe: Flamin’ Hot Tots
4. Puppy Chow / Muddy Buddies
It doesn’t matter whether you’re team puppy chow or team muddy buddies, this is one of the best and easiest-to-make snacks if you have a sweet tooth. Hint: Keep the bowl within arms’ reach to make sure you get your fair share.
Get the recipe: Puppy Chow
5. Cacio e Pepe Popcorn
We cannot talk about TV snacks without including popcorn! If you’re watching something high-brow and want a snack that matches your refined tastes, take some inspiration from pasta night and fancy up your bowl with a shower of grated Romano and a couple twists of fresh black pepper.
Get the recipe: Cacio e Pepe Popcorn
6. Cranberry Brie Bites
These cheesy, puffy, sweet snacks cook up in under 20 minutes and call for just three ingredients. If you don’t have cranberry sauce, any kind of jam or jelly makes a nice substitute.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
7. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Want all the ohhs and ahhs? Wrap some stuffed dates in bacon, and you have a winner. They’re totally irresistible. You can even get a head start by assembling the dates a day or two in advance, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Get the recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates
8. The Easiest Pigs in a Blanket
The joy of seeing a plate of pigs in a blanket is something that will never fade. This version starts with a pack of smoked chicken sausages and a box of puff pastry.
Get the recipe: The Easiest Pigs in a Blanket
9. Smoked Salmon and Créme Fraîche Kettle Chips
This easy fancy app is my favorite thing to serve when I want something kind of impressive, but also super-easy to pull together.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon and Créme Fraîche Kettle Chips
10. Chocolate & Pistachio Popcorn Trail Mix
It’s worth pulling out the good chocolate for this sweet treat. The one thing that makes it even better is a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Get the recipe: Chocolate & Pistachio Popcorn Trail Mix