Are you planning to gather with friends and family to enjoy the big game? If so, you likely want everyone to be able to join in the fun — including the game-day appetizers and food you serve or share. This means carefully considering your loved ones’ dietary needs and preferences, especially those who need gluten-free options. For people with gluten sensitivities or Celiac disease, even a small amount of gluten can cause discomfort, so these recipes offer peace of mind for everyone.
SAN-J has crafted a collection of flavorful appetizers, snacks and shareables featuring premium SAN-J Sauces. These recipes transform game-day staples into gluten-free delights without sacrificing taste or simplicity. From crispy wings to creative dips, each recipe showcases our high-quality sauces while accommodating special diets. Tempt everyone’s taste buds by mixing and matching your favorites, whether you’re hosting a watch party or heading to a neighbor’s potluck.
Winning Wings for Every Palate
Game day and plump, juicy, gluten-free wings go hand in hand!
Oven-Roasted Korean BBQ Wings
Sauce: SAN-J Korean BBQ Sauce
Treat your friends and family with this twist on a classic, with a bold and savory flavor profile that deepens through oven roasting.
Soy-Garlic Chicken Wings
Sauce: SAN-J Organic Tamari with 25% less sodium
Consider these umami-rich crowd-pleasers — the ideal blend of sweet, sticky and not-too-salty that wing lovers crave.
Global Flavors Everyone Will Cheer For
Break out of the ordinary with options that bring Asian flavors to familiar favorites — the ideal update to traditional game-day appetizers!
Korean Nachos
Sauce: SAN-J Korean BBQ Sauce
While nachos may have originated south of the border, you can put more than a Tex-Mex spin on them. Serve these cheese-smothered treats with gluten-free tortilla chips for a guilt-free indulgence.
Hot Honey Tamari Steak Bites
Sauce: SAN-J Tamari Lite with 50% less sodium
Those with a more adventurous palate will appreciate this twist on another Southwest staple — a slightly spicy, protein-packed and easy-to-prepare option for meat lovers.
Spicy Ahi Poke on Black Sesame Rice Crackers
Sauce: SAN-J Tamari Soy Sauce
Elevate your food game with these bite-sized treats. The rich flavor and subtle saltiness of the sauce enhances the tuna’s flavor for a multiplication of umami that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Citrus Tamari Salmon Rice Paper Chips
Sauce: SAN-J Citrus Tamari Splash Sauce
Imagine guests nibbling on something light but also satisfying. Our specialized brewing process for certified gluten-free creates a depth of flavor that brings out the best in seafood while allowing the fish’s natural taste and mouthfeel to shine.
Hoisin Cauliflower Air Fryer Bites
Sauce: SAN-J Hoisin Sauce
Those with other dietary preferences don’t have to miss out either. Try these crispy, vegan-friendly alternatives to wings and other fried proteins.
Crowd-Pleasing Dips and Snacks
No globally inspired game-day gathering would be complete without an assortment of party snacks!
Umami-Rich Caramelized Onion Dip
Sauce: SAN-J Umami Tamari Splash
This dip is popular with guests seeking a creamy, flavorful option that’s anything but boring, with deep savory notes that complement the saltiness of potato chips.
Asian Hummus
Sauce: SAN-J Thai Peanut Sauce
Create a crave-worthy dip for scooping crunchy raw vegetables, gluten-free crackers, or pretzels.
Szechuan Party Mix
Sauce: SAN-J Szechuan Sauce
For another sweet-heat crunch snack, try this party mix — blended with ingredients like peanuts and corn cereal squares.
Tamari Caramel Peanut Popcorn
Sauce: SAN-J Sweet Tamari Splash.
Round out the snack tray with this craveable balance of sweet and savory that’s easy to grab and eat on the go.
Game-Day Success Strategies
When you’re hosting a gathering — especially a larger one — timing is everything. Thoughtful and well-planned prep strategies can help ensure you’re ready with the food when everyone’s hungry.
Start a Day or Two Before
Many of our gluten-free game-day bites are ideal for day-before preparation, freeing up valuable time to cheer on your favorite team. Make the umami caramelized onion dip the day before the big game, allowing the flavors to deepen and intensify overnight. You can also prepare Tamari caramel peanut popcorn and the Szechuan party mix one to two days ahead of time and store them in airtight containers.
Make the Most of the Morning
Get those wings marinating early — the SAN-J Tamari in our wing recipes helps tenderize the meat as it rests, locking in both moisture and flavor. Morning is also the ideal time to prep other ingredients so serving, cooking and assembling are easier when the time comes. Use this time to:
- Slice vegetables for dips.
- Prepare sauces.
- Cook the beef for the nachos.
- Pop the popcorn.
- Mix up the hummus.
- Measure out and group ingredients for other recipes, such as the gluten-free panko for the cauliflower bites.
- Chop fresh herbs for garnish.
Serve Like a Pro
The following tips can help you stay even more organized, maintain food safety and spend as much time socializing with others as possible:
- Keep foods at the right temperature: Use chafing dishes, slow cookers with warm settings, or an oven at a very low temperature to keep hot foods warm. Nestle dips and hummus into ice-filled bowls to keep them safely chilled.
- Gather and group the necessities: Collect the items you’ll need for serving, including toothpicks, tongs and utensils like large spoons or ladles. You’ll also want to set out an assortment of plates, silverware and napkins.
- Consider buffet-style service and an assembly-line approach: Set identical dishes on both sides of a longer table or counter so guests can navigate without congestion. Dishes like the nachos are best served as assemble-it-yourself, allowing everyone to customize their plate with the toppings they prefer.
Bring It All Together With SAN-J
SAN-J offers a wide variety of premium-quality, certified gluten-free sauces to help make game-day entertaining, more flavorful and stress-free. Our sauces are brewed using a time-tested process, delivering umami-rich flavors that elevate game-day foods. This process has been passed down through eight generations, beginning in 1804 when the founder of SAN-J began brewing soy sauce in Japan. SAN-J sauces are Non-GMO Project Verified, and many are organic, so you can feel good about the food you’re sharing with friends and family.
Are you ready to create the perfect game-day spread for your gathering? Browse our recipe collection for more globally inspired gluten-free options to indulge in. You can also shop online for convenient home delivery or find a local retailer near you and stock up for the big game.
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