by The Super Bowl is coming up this weekend and whether you are really excited about the game or just want to hang out with friends during the event, you are going to need something to munch on throughout the evening. And if you happen to want some snacks that bring the heat, I have you covered here with a list of ten spicy snacks that can kick up any Super Bowl party. Feel free to mix and match or add some of your own ideas. And also be sure to have some beer or other libation on hand because you will need something to dowse the heat! (Click on the links for my full reviews.)
1. Paqui Haunted Ghost Chili Chips: I’m starting out with the real heat because these surely bring the burn! These come from the One Chip Challenge folks and the Haunted Ghost Chili flavor is the hottest among their regular line. You can pair these up with a milder salsa or queso and that might temper the heat some. Or if you want to go the other direction put one of the Mrs. Renfro’s dips next to them (see below) along with a fire extinguisher! These are among the hottest chips out there and they definitely will kick things up for the game!
2. HEB Carolina Reaper Pepper Cheese Puffs: This is another snack that will really spice things up at game time, and who doesn’t love cheese puffs? Not only do these bring the heat, they deliver on the taste as well with the Reaper seasoning adding just a bit of smokiness. If you don’t have an HEB nearby, you might be able to find something similar in a different brand. I know that Herr’s makes a version of these and I have seen Carolina Reaper/Ghost Pepper cheese puffs from other brands as well, so check around to see what is available.
3. Lay’s Kettle Cooked EXTRA Honey Habanero Chips: Potato chips are always a good selection for the game, but don’t bother with the Flamin’ Hot ones because they are more sour than hot (unless you go with the tastier baked version). Instead, try these Kettle Cooked Honey Habanero chips that have good heat and flavor as well. They are a little bit harder to locate (though I have found them at both Target and Kroger), but if you can track some down then count that as a score before the game even begins!
4. Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa/Nacho Cheese Sauce: Looking for something to dip those chips into? Well, I have to admit that I have been remiss on reviewing salsas at this site (something I plan to rectify), but I do have a couple of suggestions. Mrs. Renfro’s brand salsas are definitely a good option as well as their nacho cheese sauce. The Ghost Pepper version is one of my favorites, delivering a rich, full-flavored salsa with plenty of kick. And their Ghost Pepper Nacho Cheese sauce pairs quite well with that (unless you are looking for something to dowse the flames, then you are out of luck!). You may not want to set these out with the Haunted Ghost Chili chips mentioned above, so be sure to have a bag of regular tortilla chips on hand for these dips!
5. Blue Diamond Almonds Xtremes: Looking to put out something more than just chips? Then pick up the Blue Diamond Almonds Xtremes for some nuts that bring the heat. My favorite among their Xtremes selection is the Ghost Pepper flavor because it delivers on the spice but also has really good taste. The Cayenne is a step down on the heat scale, but still pretty tasty. And if you want their hottest variety, that is easily the Caroline Reaper almonds. Their Bold selections are pretty good as well with both the Habanero BBQ and the Wasabi and Soy Sauce offering tasty selections that are closer to the heat tolerance of the average mortal.
6. Gold Emblem Extreme Hot Cheese Popcorn: Popcorn always works as a good snack for the game, and if you have a CVS nearby they should have you covered on a spicy version of the popped kernels. This is their brand and it delivers a tasty bag full of the kicked-up snack. And if you can’t find the CVS version, the Smartfood Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar Popcorn is a pretty close substitute. You can even claim you are eating healthy with this snack!
7. Julio’s Freakin’ Hot Corn Tortilla Chips: If the Paqui Haunted Ghost Chili Chips tip the heat scale a bit too much, then look for a bag of Julio’s Freakin’ Hot chips. These are not quite at the inferno level of the Paqui snacks, but they still have somewhat of a kick. And they deliver on the flavor as well. Plus, they will be more tolerable when pairing with dips. But if you use these with the Mrs. Renfro’s selections mentioned above, be sure to have a beer or something else cool close by to temper the heat!
8. HEB Carolina Reaper Pepper Cracker Cuts Cheese: Want to set out some cheese to go along with the crunchy snacks you are offering? Well, here is something that will kick up any cracker or chip. This blend of Monterey Jack and Ghost Peppers is not for the meek, but you will find that it can be pretty addictive. If you don’t have an HEB close by, check your local grocer for their own version of cracker cuts. I have seen the same thing in other brands and it should be similar in taste in heat. And if you want to step it down one level, the habanero version is pretty good as well.
9. Hot Habanero Chile Pepper Nuts from The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg: If you need another option from the nut family, this one is worth setting out with your other snacks. These gourmet peanuts deliver on the crunch and pack a lot of flavor along with some decent heat. They are a little bit harder to find (I get them from Total Wine and you may also find them at Specs), but they are definitely worth the effort for another non-chip selection.
10. Doritos Spicy Nacho Dip: My last suggestion is one that counters the heat from some of the selections above. This cheese sauce does have a little bit of a kick, but nothing like the Mrs. Renfro’s Nacho Cheese. So this would pair well with some of the spicier chips I have already mentioned. It may not be as good as homemade queso, but for a quick and easy dip that you can heat up in the microwave, it is pretty convenient at game time.
