Amazing Three-Ingredient Game-Day Snacks

If you have a love-hate relationship with game day — love to have friends over to watch the game, hate spending the day in the kitchen making snacks — we're right there with you. There's nothing quite like kicking your feet up, eating hot wings, and watching a football game —, but sometimes, the effort that it takes to feed your fellow fans sucks the fun right out of the big day. That's why we've rounded up a few recipes we think will help even the score — these are some of your favorite football snacks in three ingredients or fewer (many using ingredients you already have on hand).

Click here to see the Amazing Three-Ingredient Game-Day Snacks (Slideshow)

The easiest and most delicious game-day snacks are ones that you can easily customize to your pantry and taste. Dips, snack mixes, and dry rubs are all easy to adapt. Don't have sour cream on hand for a particular dip recipe? Try plain Greek yogurt instead. No ground chipotle pepper for a dry rub? Smoked paprika can lend a similar flavor. And, if you don't like chocolate chips in your snack mix, feel free to leave them out or throw in some dried fruit for sweetness instead. Don't feel limited by a recipe; make substitutions that make sense for your budget, pantry, and taste. It will make food prep easier and you'll be happier with the results.

Another trick for making game day snacks easier is to take advantage of high-quality pre-packaged or prepare items. There are lots of ways to add flavor to rotisserie chicken, frozen meatballs, or bagged coleslaw mix. And, salad dressing isn't just for greens;  try using it on game day as a way to quickly and easily add tons of flavor to meat, vegetables, dips, and spreads.

The bottom line is that making food for game day shouldn't interfere with your ability to kick back and enjoy the show. Looking for a few reliable recipes to get you started? Try some of our favorites:

Carrot Slaw

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This crunchy three-ingredient side dish is great on top of sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs too. Don't have carrots on hand? Try shredded cabbage instead.

Click here for the Three Ingredient Carrot Slaw Recipe.

Dry Rub

(Credit: Shutterstock)
No one will believe you added so much flavor to your wings, ribs, or grilled chicken with just three ingredients. This dry rub is a game day game-changer.

Click here for the Original Three Ingredient Rub Recipe.

Click here to see more amazing three-ingredient game-day snacks

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.