“Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” – Super Bowl Edition

Brilliant Hacks For Your Super Bowl Watch Party

The big game is just days away, and whether you’ll be rooting for the 49ers, cheering on the Chiefs, or tuning in solely for Usher, it’s sure to be a spectacle worth watching! (I consider events like this an excellent excuse to spend an evening eating all my favorite snack foods, and I know I’m not the only one!)

If you plan to get together with your favorite people and watch the game, this post is full of tips and tricks that will make your game-day gathering even better. Enjoy this very special Super Bowl edition of my ongoing series, “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”

1. Make Crispy Wings In Your Air Fryer

Wings are one of the most eaten foods during the Super Bowl, and one of the best ways to cook them is in your air fryer. It’s quick and easy, and they always come out extra crispy on the outside!

2. Keep Hot Dogs Warm In A Slow Cooker

When you’re feeding a crowd, you can’t beat the convenience of hot dogs! With the help of your crockpot, you can cook enough hot dogs for your whole crew and keep them warm all afternoon.

3. Slide Your Sodas

Stocking your fridge with canned drinks? Get them in the fridge in a flash by opening both ends of the box, setting one end on the shelf of your fridge, then gently pushing the cans into the fridge while sliding the box out. Easy!

4. Make A Tasty Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Making ribs or pulled pork? Get the recipe for my super secret barbecue sauce and give it a try! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and even better, it takes less than a minute to make!

5. Warm Two Foods In One Crockpot

Want to keep two dips or foods warm, but only have one crockpot? Use heavy-duty tin foil to create a divider in the center of your slow cooker, then put a slow cooker liner into each half and fill them with whatever you like!

6. Serve Chips In Their Own Bag

Chips are standard fare at game day gatherings, but did you know you can use a bag of chips as its own serving bowl? Start by opening the bag, then roll the top edge down to create a clean edge.

Poke the bottom corners of the bag towards the center to make a flat surface for the bag to stand on. Finally, roll the bottom of the bag upward to push the chips up to the top edge of the bag, and that’s it!

7. Use Kraft Paper As A Tablecloth

Instead of subjecting a fabric tablecloth to potential messes, cover your game day snack table with kraft paper. You won’t have to worry about drips, spills, and splatters, and you can use a maker to label all your snacks.

8. Shred Meats Effortlessly

If you’re planning on serving pulled pork, pulled chicken, or any other shredded meat, you can save a lot of time and effort by shredding it in your stand mixer rather than by hand.

Just put the meat into your stand mixer while it’s still hot, then use the paddle attachment the shred the meat on low speed until it’s shredded to your liking.

9. Chill Drinks Fast

Who among us hasn’t hosted a party or gathering and forgotten to put the drinks in the fridge ahead of time? Luckily, there’s an easy way to chill canned drinks in a hurry.

Wrap a damp paper towel around the drink, stick it in your freezer for 10-15 minutes, and it’ll come out frosty and ready to drink! (I highly recommend setting a timer so you don’t forget to take it out. Otherwise, you may end up with a very sticky mess in your freezer!)

10. Create A Chili Bar

Chili is one of the easiest things to make when you’re feeding a crowd! Make it even easier by setting up a “chili bar” so that everyone can help themselves!

Along with your pot of chili, set out a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, cornbread, salsa, sliced red onions, hot sauce, avocado, etc. Everyone can dish up their chili how they like it, and you won’t be stuck in the kitchen!

11. Offer Wipes For Sticky Fingers

If you’ll be serving wings or other finger foods, set out a package or two of wet wipes so your guests can keep their fingers (and your furniture) clean.

12. Bring A Cooler To A Tailgate

If you’re going to a tailgate party, there’s an easy way to keep your food warm while you’re out in the cold: put it in a cooler! Coolers are just as good at keeping food warm as they are at keeping it cold and are easy to carry around.

13. DIY Chip-And-Dip Dish

You know those fancy chip-and-dip serving dishes with separate compartments? You can DIY one with dishes you already have at home! Just fill a stemmed glass with salsa, set it in the center of a large bowl, then fill the rest of the bowl with chips.

Will you be watching the game this year?