7 Spicy Snacks for Game Day (or Anytime)

January 21, 2024

Courtesy of Kevin Is Cooking

Craving a kick in your snacks? Yeah, us too – especially on game days, but really, we love them any time. Plus, research shows that spicy foods may benefit metabolism and cardiovascular health, so that’s a win-win. Trouble is, many store-bought spicy snacks are highly processed, made with unhealthy ingredients, or don’t have the level of heat that we want (so frustrating to buy a snack labeled “spicy” and then it’s… not). So we tracked down 7 healthy spicy snack recipes you can whip up any time to satisfy your cravings. The best part: You control the ingredients, so you can bring as much – or as little – heat as you like, and sneak in some good nutrition, too.

1. Sriracha Nooch Popcorn

Courtesy of Budget Bytes

No list of healthy spicy snacks could be complete without a take on popcorn. Here you toss freshly popped corn with butter, sriracha, and nutritional yeast, for a spicy and slightly cheesy snack that will make your next movie night memorable.

Try this recipe from Budget Bytes.

2. Spicy Kale Chips

Courtesy of White on Rice Couple

We’ve loved kale chips for a while now – they’re a tasty, crunchy way to get in some leafy greens. In this recipe, the twist is that you add chili flakes and paprika to bump up the spicy, smoky flavor. Tip: Try hot or smoked paprika for even more heat or smoke.

Try this recipe from White on Rice Couple.

3. Chili Lime Cashews

Courtesy of Healthy Little Peach

Made with Tajin seasoning, chili powder, lime, and olive oil, these quick and easy cashews are full of healthy fats and minerals like iron and magnesium. They make a perfect snack — or you can chop them up and sprinkle them on a salad or grain bowl.

Try this recipe from Healthy Little Peach.

4. Garlic Chili Edamame

Courtesy of Kevin Is Cooking

Steamed edamame with plenty of sea salt is a protein-rich, tasty snack on its own – but here, you toss the pods in a chili-garlic sauce made with chili paste, sesame oil, a little mayo, and soy sauce, and it takes those beans to a whole new level. If you love healthy spicy snacks, this is bound to become a new fave.

Try this recipe from Kevin Is Cooking.

5. Roasted Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Courtesy of Plant Based on a Budget

You may associate pumpkin seeds with fall, but we love these crunchy seeds all the time – especially when they’re spicy. Toss them with oil, salt, garlic, and as much cayenne as you can handle, bake or air fry, and you get a spicy snack full of fiber and minerals, and plenty of satisfying crunch.

Try this recipe from Plant Based on a Budget.

6. Korean BBQ Chickpeas

Courtesy of Wheat Free Meat Free

Korean food has been trending for a while now, and we totally get it – so much flavor, so many vegetables, so many spicy options. Here, regular roasted chickpeas get a spicy flavor upgrade thanks to gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), plus ginger, tamari, and a few other seasonings.

Try this recipe from Wheat Free Meat Free.

7. Harissa Yogurt Dip

Courtesy of Peas and Crayons

We love crunchy spicy snacks – but sometimes you just want a creamy dip to dunk veggies into. When that craving hits, grab that carton of protein-rich Greek yogurt and whip up this dip. The heat comes from harissa, a North African chili paste that’s available in supermarkets, and you can use as much or as little as you like based on how much heat you want.

Try this recipe from Peas and Crayons.