There’s nothing like getting the friends or family together for another weekly board game night! And, if you happen to be hosting this time around, you’ll want to provide plenty of drinks and snacks for your guests to partake in for a fun and comfortable experience.
Here, we’ve compiled some of our favorite board game night snacks, many of which you can purchase at your local convenience store or online. Not only are these munchies designed for intimate gatherings, but they can also add another layer of fun to your hangout.
Roasted Chickpeas
Want to show your friends how health-conscious you are? Look no further than roasted chickpeas. With the right ingredients, you can make a bottomless bowl of these savory snacks. Just follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
- Open a can of chickpeas and drain the liquid
- Spread the chickpeas evenly on a baking sheet
- Add salt and olive oil (or other spices, like paprika)
- Leave in the oven for 25 minutes or until crispy
You should eat them immediately after they come out of the oven––which shouldn’t be a problem for a room of hungry guests!
Chex Mix
When you reach your hand into a bag of chips, you almost always know what to expect. But, Chex Mix is different; every handful is a surprise. This delightful blend, sometimes made with M&Ms, pretzels, pumpernickel chips, and mixed nuts, is not only low in calories but low in messes.
Here are some additional benefits to this snack:
- You can get to the bottom of the bag with no regrets. A single serving is 140 calories.
- The secret is in the texture. The salty and sweet combination satisfies the taste buds in more ways than one.
- There’s something there for everyone. Didn’t really care for the first handful? No problem; each one is different. Whether you’re a fan of the salty or an admirer of the sweet, Chex Mix doesn’t disappoint.
Chex Mix also comes in 15 different flavors, including cheddar, chocolate, and chipotle. And if you really want a unique snack, try making your own Chex Mix with some of these recipes!
Popcorn
We’ve all been there. One minute you’re watching TV snacking on some popcorn, and the next minute, all that’s left is the kernels. There’s a simple reason for that: popcorn is a low-cost, healthy alternative to the other products in the snack aisle. Additionally, a single bag can feed an entire party.
If a bag of standard microwave popcorn is a little too bland for you, here are some things around the house that you can add to your popcorn to spice it up:
- Parmesan cheese. This salty/sweet combination really hits the spot. You can add garlic powder to take matters a step further.
- Cinnamon-sugar. With a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dash of sugar, you’ll feel like you’re eating a cinnamon pretzel at the mall.
- Flavored salt. It’s incredible what you can do with salt. Some flavors include Himalayan salt, truffle salt, and pickle salt. The sky’s the limit.
Also, as tempted as you may be, melted butter is not your friend for this game night snack. Just one handful, and your game pieces could be stained for good.
Pizza Rolls
Pizza is a fan favorite. However, if you don’t feel like waiting around for delivery, you can opt for Totino’s pizza rolls. In less than 15 minutes, you could make 40 pizza rolls in the oven. They also come in various flavors, including cheese, bacon, pepperoni, and meat lovers.
If you really feel like going all in, you can get 140 rolls in a single bag. Additionally, as opposed to ordering a pizza, the oil and cheese won’t get on your hands, so you can play and munch to your heart’s content.
Goldfish
We’ve always been told not to play with our food. However, you just can’t help it with Goldfish. Coming in over 21 flavors, not only can you eat them, but you could also even incorporate them into your game. Whether you’re using them as point markers or game pieces, the only limit is your imagination.
Additionally, Goldfish come in generous serving sizes. One serving comprises 55 Goldfish. Talk about having plenty of fish in the sea (or bag)!
Oreos
We get it. When you’re going head-to-head over a three-hour game of Monopoly, your focus is on winning––not preparing your next snack. When you’ve got a pack of Oreos, you just rip open the plastic and go to town. Since the cookie’s conception in 1912, they’ve released tons of flavors, including:
- Double stuffed
- Birthday cake
- Thin mints
- Peanut butter
- Fudge dipped
- Coffee
- Velvet cake
- Dark chocolate
If you’ve got some milk in the fridge, you’re golden.
Marshmallows
While you’re plotting your next move, why not make things more interesting? If you can’t beat your friend at Sorry!, maybe you can cement your legacy as a record-breaker.
Try stuffing as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible. If you’re really up for a challenge, the world record for the most marshmallows eaten in one minute is 25, according to the Guinness World Book of Records.
But beyond being able to add a game on top of the board game you’re already playing, you also have a lot of options when it comes to preparing your snack. You can roast them, microwave them, and even bake them!
Board Game Night Snacks You Should Avoid
When choosing the best snacks for board game night, the number one thing you want to avoid is dusty fingers. Cheetos, Fritos, and Doritos (actually, anything with an “ito”) are off-limits, as the residue could permanently stain your favorite game.
Additionally, you want to stay away from anything that could give you a sugar rush; a sugar rush can quickly turn into a sugar bust, making you a less-than-ideal competitor.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the best snacks for board game night depend on your personal preferences. While you can’t go wrong with your old-time favorites, consider how the above suggestions could get your party started.
A final note: some of the flavorful snacks listed above may be good for the tastebuds, but not necessarily for your game pieces; make sure if you do decide to snack on some of the more seasoned options that you have wet naps on hand so that players can wipe their hands clean before interacting with your games!