32 different nations, 64 matches and 96 hours’ worth of Football to watch – and that’s without any extra time! If you’re a sports fan, there’s plenty to look forward to in this winter’s FIFA World Cup.
But if you or friends and family are intending to watch every moment, that’s a lot of sitting, watching and no doubt, eating, to do. Whilst we’re not outlawing crisps and chocolate for every match, why not feel inspired by the athletes on screen at the World Cup, and serve up and enjoy some lighter, quick and healthy snacks to munch on as you watch?Â
With kick off times ranging from 10am to 7pm throughout the tournament, these recommended World Cup snacks will serve as a healthy treat to serve pre- or post-meal times, or as a welcome addition to a buffet at a World Cup party.
Footy Fan Fruit Based Snacks
Simple Banana Ice Cream
This is a guide to quick and healthy snacks remember, so we wouldn’t be suggesting regular ice cream. Instead, simply peel and freeze five bananas, until solid. Then put them in a food processor and work until smooth before serving. Consider adding in a few extras like orange segments or chocolate chips. This is a refreshing fruit based snack which can be served as a tasty dessert if you are allowing the kids to break from the dinner table to catch the 7pm kick-off...
Frozen Yoghurt Bites
These are a hand held treat perfect to gorge on when the tension gets too much. Simply take some Greek Yoghurt (Greece haven’t qualified this year sadly, so feel free to serve these during any game!), and mix with some crunchy granola and berries. Put them in the freezer and serve when solid. These are a handy option for a morning kick off, as they also double as a healthy breakfast.
Spiced apple crisps
We did say crisps weren’t off limits! This method can be applied to other ingredients to make a selection of fruit and vegetable snacks to leave in a bowl on the coffee table whilst you enjoy the game. Take three Granny Smith apples and remove the core using a corer. Lay each apple on its side and cut them into approximately 2mm slices, so you end up with thin discs with a hole in their centre. Dust them with cinnamon and lay them on a baking sheet with lined with greaseproof paper. Cook for 45 minutes at 140°C, turning at half time, then leave to cool and serve.
Simple Savoury World Cup Snacks
Carrot Hummus with Dippers
When a crowd is gathered around the TV, there’s often a communal dipping of snacks into dips. Though they don’t tend to be healthy snacks – or dips! In this case however, you can keep the communal excitement without so many calories. How many of each ingredient you need will depend on the number of people you have on the sofa, but you will need carrots, hummus, lemon, coriander and pitta breads. Take your carrots, peel and slice, then boil them until tender. Grate the carrots into a pulp and add to your hummus before mixing well. Squirt in the juice from your lemon, add in some coriander and mix before adding to a serving bowl. Toast your pitta breads, slice into fingers and serve alongside. Your fellow watchers can ‘stick it in’ whilst shouting the same at the TV.
Oven Baked Carrot Chips
Chips anyone? The same crunch and satisfaction, but this time from a different vegetable, and without the frying. Take 10 large carrots, peel them, remove the ends and slice lengthways into chips. Put them in a bowl and mix with 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of salt and two twists of black pepper. Make sure they are all coated before laying out on a baking tray and roasting for 20 minutes at 220°C. Serve them with a choice of sauces to have your home team celebrating.
Pesto Roasted Almonds
We’ve given you a crisp alternative, so how about an alternative to peanuts to help build up a thirst as you watch? Take a packet of lightly salted almonds, a pot of pesto and 40g of grated parmesan cheese. Put the almonds and pesto in a bowl, mix well and leave for around 10 minutes. Stir in your parmesan, then lay them out on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes at 220°C. The pesto should become dried and the almonds nice and crunchy ready to be enjoyed alongside a cold drink at game time.
Healthy Party Snacks for your World Cup Party
Grilled Fruit Pizza
Pizza and Football are a dream line-up for any World Cup Party. For a healthy party snack, how about a grilled fruit pizza? Replace the usual base with a quick and easy round, plain naan bread. Mix 200g of cream cheese with 1 tbsp of honey, 1.5 tsp of fresh rosemary and a pinch of salt. Place your naan bread under a grill for one minute per side then spread with your honey cream cheese. Top your pizza with sliced fruits of your choice, such as strawberries, berries, kiwi and peaches (for dense fruit such as apples, you may wish to grill or bake these first to soften). Drizzle with honey and serve sliced. Much healthier than a half time delivery!
Little Gem Cups with Prawn and Mango Salsa
The World Cup brings together a range of styles and cultures and with these little treats, you can deliver something bright and colourful, that is healthy and internationally inspired. Break three little gem lettuces down into individual leaves. Peel and dice one ripe mango, and add to a bowl with one finely chopped red onion, one chopped mild red chilli, the juice of one lime and four tbsp of light olive oil. Mix well and cover with cling film to stand for approximately 10 minutes. Take 225g of cooked and peeled tiger prawns, cut them in half lengthways and add to the mix – spoon a serving of each mix (which includes a prawn) into each lettuce leaf and serve. Â
Enjoy every second of this summer’s World Cup with these quick and healthy snacks. Find all the ingredients you’ll need, as well as plenty of healthy (and some not so healthy!) ready-to-serve snacks at your local SPAR