I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (2024)

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The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs. I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly. Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven. The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours. Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too. The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings. After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top. I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low. I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice. I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe. The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients. After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies. The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting. After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings. I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people. I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese. I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese. In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with. The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking. The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip. I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese. After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker. The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy —another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day. Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts FAQs

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Erin McDowell

Updated

2024-02-11T14:20:22Z

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (1)

Erin McDowell/Insider
  • Super Bowl Sunday is the perfect time to use your slow cooker for easy, hands-off recipes.
  • I made five game-day foods in my own Crock-Pot, including creamy queso dip and mac and cheese.
  • I loved every recipe, but the crispy and juicy Buffalo wings really impressed me.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (2)

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I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (4)

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In a bid to find simple Super Bowl party foods that didn't require hours in the kitchen, I decided to test out five slow-cooker recipes.

While I've made classics like Buffalo-chicken dip countless times in my Crock-Pot, I decided to try some other recipes like spicy wings, meatballs, and mac and cheese.

All of the dishes impressed me, but the wings were my favorite of the bunch.

Here's how I made the game-day appetizers in a slow cooker.

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The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (5)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

These meatballs by Chef Savvy are super versatile: You can serve them on their own with tomato sauce, in a roll for a delicious meatball sub, or with pasta. The ingredients for the meatballs are pretty standard — I used a meatball mix from the grocery store that included beef and pork.

It's really best to mix the ingredients in the bowl by hand to make sure the eggs, breadcrumbs, and meat are well incorporated.

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (6)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I could see the chopped onion and parsley peeking through the meat mixture. The recipe that I followed said you should have about 24 meatballs — I had that exact number, so I was confident that my meatballs were the right size.

Next, I broiled the meatballs in the oven for about four minutes on each side, careful not to burn them.

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Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (7)

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I then started gathering the ingredients for the tomato sauce: crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.

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The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (8)

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It's OK if the meatballs are placed on top of each other if your slow cooker is slightly smaller.

After adding my tomato sauce ingredients, I set the slow cooker on low for four hours, as per the recipe. However, when I pulled out my first meatball at the four-hour mark, I thought it looked a little underdone. It's important to check your meatballs before eating them, as there can be variations in the cooking time depending on the size of your meatballs or even your slow cooker.

I let mine continue cooking for another half-hour on high to make sure everything was done for dinner time.

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Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (9)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought the meatballs were perfectly juicy and well-seasoned, while the tomato sauce tasted like homemade marinara that had been cooking on the stove for hours.

I enjoyed the meatballs on their own as an appetizer. However, later in the week, I served some of the leftover meatballs and sauce with pasta for dinner, which really impressed me as well.

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The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (10)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I started by mixing together Buffalo sauce, minced garlic, chopped yellow onion, and brown sugar.

While I had heard you could make Buffalo wings in a slow cooker, I was admittedly skeptical. I was nervous that the wings wouldn't turn out crispy enough, since that's usually done in a traditional oven or a fryer.

However, Spend With Pennies' recipe called for putting the wings under the broiler after making them in the slow cooker, which would allow them to crisp up in just a few minutes.

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After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (11)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The chicken wings that I bought didn't have the drumsticks and flats separated, which added a bit of time to my preparation.

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I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (12)

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After they were fully cooked, I removed them from the slow cooker and placed them on a sheet pan with foil.

I then brushed some of the Buffalo sauce still in the slow cooker over the wings. I then put them under the broiler for about three minutes on each side until they were crispy and slightly blackened.

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I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (13)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these wings were to make, and loved how the slow cooker made the wings extremely tender.

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I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (14)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The wings were crispy on the outside, while the meat inside was tender, juicy, and moist. I also thought they were the perfect spice level — they had a kick but didn't set my mouth on fire.

I thought these would fit in well at any game-day or Super Bowl party.

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The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (15)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I've tried a number of Martha Stewart's slow-cooker recipes in the past, and I've enjoyed a majority of them. I was excited to see how Stewart's queso dip recipe would turn out.

Like a lot of her slow-cooker recipes, this dip only required a few ingredients, which I really appreciated when it came to braving the grocery store a week before Super Bowl Sunday.

I started by adding American cheese and pepper jack cheese to the slow cooker and mixed it with a small amount of cornstarch.

After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (16)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I mixed it until it was creamy and then seasoned it with salt.

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The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (17)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

You'll know it's done when the dip is bubbling and slightly thickened.

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (18)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I added sliced jalapeños, red onion, and cilantro.

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I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (19)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought the pepper jack and American cheeses meshed well together, while the tomatoes and green chilies added a lot of flavor. I really liked the texture of the dip — it wasn't too thick or too watery.

I also really liked how this dip only called for a few ingredients. It would definitely make life a lot easier when cooking for a group of people on Super Bowl Sunday.

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I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (20)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The celebrity chef shared her recipe for slow-cooker macaroni and cheese in her cookbook, "Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker."

The recipe calls for three cups of white sharp cheddar cheese and one cup of Gruyere which creates the sauce. The third and final cheese in this recipe, Parmigiano Reggiano, is added later to the breadcrumb mixture.

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I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (21)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I softened the chopped onion with a tablespoon of butter.

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (22)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After mixing the ingredients with the uncooked macaroni, simply leave the slow cooker to cook on high.

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I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (23)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

To make the breadcrumbs, the recipe instructed me to pulse two slices of bread in a food processor. I then toasted the breadcrumb pieces on the stove for a few minutes until they were golden brown.

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (24)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought that the three different kinds of cheese, especially the smoked Gruyere, made for a complex flavor profile, while the onions added a savory flavor to the dish.

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The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (25)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The base for the Buffalo chicken dip by Taste of Home calls for crumbled blue cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing.

I mixed those ingredients in a medium-sized bowl before spreading the dip in a single layer in the bottom of my slow cooker.

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (26)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

You can use rotisserie chicken or simply boil up some chicken breasts and shred them yourself with a fork, like I did.

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Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (27)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I could already tell this dip was going to be delicious.

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (28)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I set the slow cooker to warm and began prepping my toppings. I added another layer of American cheese and put the lid on the slow cooker to allow the cheese to melt. Then, I chopped up one green onion and added it to the top.

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The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy —another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (29)

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The layers of the dip were perfectly proportioned. With each bite, I got a delicious mouthful of cheese, hot sauce, and chicken. This recipe really impressed me, and I would definitely make it again.

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

About Me

I'm a passionate food enthusiast with a deep understanding of slow-cooker recipes and a wealth of experience in creating delicious, hands-off dishes. I've spent years experimenting with various slow-cooker techniques and recipes, honing my skills and knowledge to become an expert in this area. My expertise is demonstrated through my ability to understand the nuances of slow-cooker cooking, from achieving the perfect texture to balancing flavors and creating impressive dishes for any occasion.

Slow-Cooker Recipes

Italian Meatballs: The Italian meatballs recipe involves mixing beef and pork with eggs, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, and parsley. The meatballs are then browned in the oven before being placed in the slow cooker with a tomato sauce mixture. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the slow cooker used. The final result is juicy, well-seasoned meatballs with a flavorful tomato sauce. The leftovers can be served with pasta for a delightful meal.

Buffalo Chicken Wings: The Buffalo wings recipe includes a mixture of Buffalo sauce, minced garlic, chopped yellow onion, and brown sugar poured over chicken wings in the slow cooker. After cooking, the wings are placed under the broiler to achieve a crispy exterior. The wings turn out tender, juicy, and perfectly spiced, making them an ideal addition to any game-day or Super Bowl party.

Queso Dip: Martha Stewart's queso dip recipe involves combining American cheese, pepper jack cheese, cornstarch, evaporated milk, and diced tomatoes with chilies in the slow cooker. After cooking, the dip is topped with sliced jalapeños, red onion, and cilantro. The result is a creamy and flavorful dip that's perfect for entertaining a large group of people.

Macaroni and Cheese: The indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese recipe by Martha Stewart features a combination of white sharp cheddar cheese, Gruyere, and Parmigiano Reggiano. The dish also includes sautéed onion, evaporated milk, regular milk, Dijon mustard, and breadcrumbs. The mac and cheese is cooked on high in the slow cooker, resulting in a complex flavor profile with a savory twist from the onions.

Buffalo Chicken Dip: The Buffalo chicken dip recipe involves a base of crumbled blue cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing, layered with shredded chicken, Buffalo wing sauce, and shredded American cheese in the slow cooker. The dip is topped with green onions and melts into a perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy delight.

These slow-cooker recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures, making them ideal for Super Bowl Sunday or any game-day gathering. Whether it's meatballs, wings, dip, or mac and cheese, these recipes are sure to impress your guests with their delicious and convenient preparation.

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again (2024)

FAQs

Can I just throw a bunch of ingredients in the crockpot? ›

One of the main attractions for many people is the ease of a slow cooker, so when you're looking for recipes, avoid those that suggest a lot of pre-preparation. For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in.

What is the temperature conversion from a slow cooker to an oven? ›

Conversion to Oven

The low setting of a slow cooker ranges from 190°F to 200°F. To mimic this in an oven, set your temperature to approximately 325°F. The high setting of a slow cooker ranges from 290°F to 300°F; in oven terms, this is roughly equivalent to 375°F.

What foods should be slow cooked? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Your Slow Cooker
  • Long-Cooking Cuts of Meat. Tough cuts of meat that turn out meltingly tender when cooked low and slow are made for this appliance. ...
  • Whole Chicken & Chicken Thighs. ...
  • Soups, Stews & Chilis. ...
  • Dips.
Jan 6, 2020

What food should I bring to a Super Bowl party? ›

Here are some delicious yet casual food ideas that are popular for Super Bowl parties:
  • Buffalo chicken wings - Always a crowd-pleaser. ...
  • Pizza - Order a variety of pies or make individual flatbreads.
  • Sliders/mini burgers - Make them easy to eat while watching the game.
  • Chicken tenders - Bake or fry with dipping sauces.
Feb 5, 2024

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

What happens if you leave food in a slow cooker too long? ›

That being said, however, it's not a good idea to leave food in a slow cooker for days at a time. The food will not only stain the cooker's interior, but it will also be soggy and overcooked and be left open to bacteria.

What is the best temperature for a slow cooker? ›

A good slow cooking temperature typically falls in the range of 200°F to 300°F (95°C to 150°C). Slow cooking involves cooking food over low heat for an extended period, allowing the flavors to meld together and the ingredients to become tender and flavorful.

Should crockpot be on high or low setting? ›

The high setting will cook the food quicker, while the low setting will cook it slower. We recommend cooking on the low setting whenever possible. This allows for the food to evenly and slowly cook, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish.

What is the equivalent of 8 hours on low in slow cooker? ›

Cooking Conversions for Slow Cookers
Traditional Oven or Stovetop LowLow Slow Cooker Setting (about 200°F)High Slow Cooker Setting (about 300°F)
15-30 minutes4-6 hours1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours
35-45 minutes6-8 hours3-4 hours
50 minutes- 3 hours8-10 hours4-6 hours
Dec 8, 2016

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What's the difference between a slow cooker and a Crockpot? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Is a Crockpot the same as a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

What are the 5 most popular Super Bowl foods? ›

Super Bowl Food: What is the most popular for parties?
  • #8- Meatballs. ...
  • #7- Pigs in a blanket. ...
  • #6- Veggie tray. ...
  • #5- Deviled Eggs. ...
  • #4- Sliders. ...
  • #3- Nachos. ...
  • #2- Pizza. ...
  • #1- Wings. According to the National Chicken Council, 1.45 billion chicken wings are expected to be consumed for Super Bowl Sunday.
Feb 11, 2024

What is the number 1 Super Bowl food? ›

"But what are people ordering for their Super Bowl watch parties?" is a question you may ask yourself because you're looking to create a game day menu. The three most popular Super Bowl dishes people order are pizza, chicken wings, and chips with dips.

What snacks are common at Super Bowl? ›

Some perennial favorites for Super Bowl snacks in the United States include:
  • Chicken wings.
  • Pizza.
  • Chips and dip (especially guacamole and salsa)
  • Nachos.
  • Sliders or mini sandwiches.
  • Chili.
  • Veggie trays with ranch dip.
  • Cheese platters.
Jan 28, 2017

Can you throw anything in a Crockpot? ›

Even on crazy days, you can make Crockpot dump dinners happen fast! In the morning, just throw everything in your slow cooker—no browning, no sauteing, no searing.

Can you cook everything in a Crockpot? ›

Most people use a slow cooker for meat, poultry and vegetables, although fruits, desserts, stuffing and oatmeal can also be prepared. All ingredients placed in a slow cooker should be thawed. Choose to make foods with high moisture content such as chili, soup, stew or spaghetti sauce.

How much food can you put in a Crockpot? ›

You'll get the best results by filling your slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. It's fine to cook whole chickens or large cuts of meat in your Crockpot slow cooker, as long as it is roomy enough to allow food to fit comfortably inside, with the lid fitting snugly on top.

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