We’re Just Here for the (Superbowl) Snacks 🏈

Seattle-based entertaining expert Ali Hedin shares her game plan for game day.

Feb 05, 2026

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It’s game time. Whether you’re Team Seahawks, Team Pats or just Team Snacks, help is here to tackle game day.

If a tasty yet easy Super Bowl party spread = goals, Seattle-based entertaining expert Alexandra Hedin is making sure you don’t fumble the big day. The mom of three shares, “SUPERBOWL! We are a big football family. We’ve been talking about what we are going to eat for Super Bowl for at least a month now.”

Hedin, a self-proclaimed party girl, is the creator of the award winning blog, Weeknight Party Girl, and her simple approach to making everyday a reason to celebrate has made her an admired contributor to magazines, television, and the author of the cookbook Entertaining at Home.

Hedin’s golden rule: football food should hit hard without demanding constant attention.

Here’s her playbook to keep your head in the game:

Skip the Fryer

Her MVP move is skipping the fryer altogether and going all-in on pulled buffalo chicken. “I love a buffalo chicken sandwich, but usually the chicken is fried. But I hate frying food at home. It’s messy. It’s smelly. And it feels so unhealthy. So I decided to see how I felt about a ‘pulled chicken’ sandwich with buffalo and let me tell you - it’s awesome. It’s so simple to pull off and has all of the same flavors that make a buffalo chicken sandwich great.” Tossed in wing sauce, it’s the base for crowd favorites like buffalo chicken tots or piled-high sandwiches, all make-ahead friendly and stress-reducing.

Pack a Punch

When it comes to drinks, she’s anti-bartending. Batch cocktails or a bold punch keeps things flowing so no one misses a play. “I think a punch is the coolest. The less time you need to bartend or help friends digging around for drinks, the more time you can focus on the game and the ads! I love pouring big buckets of booze into a cute punch bowl. I also love that it’s a one and done kind of thing. Make a big batch and you won’t have to deal with it again for a while. What better time to not be tethered to the bar than Super Bowl?” Her favorites like the Seahawks ‘Beast Mode’ Punch or a Boozy Church Lady Punch can also be made booze-free for littles to enjoy. Bonus points for team-colored pours that double as décor.

It’s Always Crunch Time

“A crunchy snack is almost required for every party. I don’t make the rules - but it’s one of the key elements of an appetizer plate, a snack plate, or a football spread. For football, there’s something about crunching when nerves are running high.” Stressful fourth-down moments call for snacks with snap, think rosemary roasted cashews or ranch popcorn that can live on the table all game long.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Dessert deserves a moment and brownies are the quarterbacks here. “They’re fudgy and gooey and perfect for a ribbon of peanut butter or even with bacon. Salty, sweet, creamy, rich, perfect. This is the kind of thing I will make for a football watching party because they are done the day before, they are crazy rich so you don’t need a huge batch, and they are epic - so they will disappear fast! They are also not too hard to make, so they seem like you worked hard (homemade brownies!) but they are as simple as a regular cookie.” Her Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies or Double Bacon Brownies keep energy high through the final whistle.

Make It a Field Day

Her final hosting hack? Turn your coffee table into a field. Cover it with astroturf, load it with food and let everyone stay locked on the screen. Hosting should be fun, not fussy. And on Super Bowl Sunday, the couch is king.