10 seriously good snacks for watching sports
Katy Salter
Settle in for a summer of sport with these seriously good TV snacks. Summer 2024 is jam-packed with major sporting events, including the Euros, Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.
Watching the sport just doesn’t feel right without a choice of snacks to share and we’ve got a brilliant selection to see you through all this year’s top sporting action. Our 10 best sporting snacks include sharing platters, dips, wings and more… Try making your own smash burgers or cater for plant-based pals with our chip-stuffed gyros wraps. Rustle up some loaded sweet potato fries in the air fryer to share in front of the football or make an epic strawberry ice cream cake for the Wimbledon finals.
Whatever sports you enjoy, gather your friends and family and tuck into these epic snacks…
What is the Summer of Sport?
Summer 2024 has been dubbed the Summer of Sport. Euro 2024, the Paris Olympics, the Paralympics and both men’s and women’s cricket T20 World Cups are all taking place this year. Add in annual events like Wimbledon, The Open and the Tour de France and you’ve got the recipe for a mega summer of professional sport.
What makes a good sporting snack?
Good sporting snacks are easy to prepare and share. Think crowdpleasers like potato skins, nachos and loaded fries. Add in some dips, plus some bigger dishes like burgers or hot dogs if you’re settling in front of the TV for the long haul. Take the pressure off by asking friends to bring a dish or two and mix and match your homemade snacks with some shop-bought options. Think fun, not formal dining!
10 of our best summer of sport snacks
The air fryer is so handy for making batches of sporting snacks. These crispy sweet potato fries are ready in just 12 minutes. Make a few batches then load them up with black beans, a zesty green sauce and chillies. Our recipe is plant-based, but if you’re not vegan then melted cheese would definitely not go amiss.
These vegan gyros are crammed with goodies: crispy crinkle fries, thick wedges of spiced mushrooms, creamy plant-based tzatziki and tomato salad for brightness.
Lamb chop platter with cheesy potato skins
This hearty platter is perfect for sharing dinner in front of the games. Tuck into a stack of rosemary chops, potato skins filled with garlicky, cheesy mash, crispy potato sticks and tender veg.
No need to cook up two separate mains: everyone will love these plant-based hot dogs. If the sun’s out, cook them on the barbecue for extra smokiness, otherwise use a griddle pan to get those eye-catching grill marks.
Burnt sweetcorn soured cream dip
Take your dip game to the next level by serving up this spicy bowlful. Toast sweetcorn in a pan until nicely charred, then blend with spring onions and sour cream. Finish with candied jalapeños for sweetness and heat.
Lemon and oregano chicken wings
Food writer Georgina Hayden gives chicken wings a Greek spin with a sticky lemon and oregano marinade. Dunk them in the rich feta dip (also excellent for fat chips).
Crunchy mozzarella-stuffed olives
Salty, crunchy, creamy: there’s a lot of texture and flavour packed into these little bites. Stuffed and breaded olives are fried until golden, then served with herby honey to dip. Perfect with ice-cold beers.
Bacon and harissa flatbread pizzas
Top shop-bought flatbreads with your favourite pizza toppings for a low-fuss TV dinner. We’ve given them a little heat by stirring harissa into cream cheese, then finishing with bacon, kale and pine nuts.
Smash burgers have a devoted following. Smooshing down the burgers gives you more caramelisation and crispy edges. Recreate this street food fave at home with our DIY smash burgers recipe.
Finish on a high with this epic dessert. It wouldn’t be Wimbledon fortnight without ripe strawberries… For a crowdpleasing alternative to strawberries and cream, make this easy ice cream cake ahead – so you don’t miss a single serve or break point.
Discover dozens more dips, platters, burgers, pizzas and sweet things in our complete summer of sport recipe collection.
Subscribe to our magazine
Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.
Subscribe
Unleash your inner chef
Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter