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Easy Game Day Football Charcuterie Board with Pretzel Bites

football charcuterie board - featured image
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This Game Day Loaded Football Charcuterie Board with Pretzel Bites is a fun, crowd-pleasing snack board shaped like a football. It features warm buttery pretzel bites, a creamy cheese dip, and an assortment of cured meats and cheeses, perfect for sharing during the big game.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag (16 oz) frozen pretzel bites
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz salami, thinly sliced
  • 6 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
  • 6 oz pepperoni slices
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
  • 8 oz Gouda cheese, sliced
  • 1 cup dill pickle spears or cornichons
  • 1/2 cup whole grain mustard or honey mustard
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the frozen pretzel bites in a single layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy. While hot, toss in a bowl with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Make the cheese dip: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, milk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk constantly until cheese is fully melted and dip is smooth and creamy (about 5 minutes). Add more milk if too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small ramekin.
  3. Prepare the board: Place a large cutting board or platter on a flat surface. Position a football-shaped board with pointy ends at top and bottom. Place the ramekin of cheese dip in the center.
  4. Arrange the meats: Fold or roll salami slices into rosettes or fan them around one side. Do the same with prosciutto and pepperoni. Group by type in the upper and lower thirds of the board, leaving the center open for the dip.
  5. Add the cheeses: Scatter cheddar cubes and Gouda slices around the meats, placing them opposite each other for balance.
  6. Fill in the gaps: Tuck dill pickle spears, pepperoncini, and cherry tomatoes into empty spaces around the board.
  7. Place the pretzel bites: Arrange warm pretzel bites in a line down the center of the board to form the ‘laces’ of the football. Scatter extra pretzel bites around the edges. Leave the cheese dip ramekin in the middle.
  8. Garnish and serve: Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around the board. Add small bowls of whole grain mustard and honey mustard if desired. Serve immediately while pretzel bites are warm and cheese dip is gooey.

Notes

For best results, let cream cheese come to room temperature before making the dip. If the dip thickens as it sits, microwave for 15-20 seconds and stir. Keep pretzel bites warm in a low oven (200°F) for up to 20 minutes if making ahead. The cheese dip can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and improves in flavor overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: game day, football, charcuterie board, pretzel bites, cheese dip, party snack, Super Bowl

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/easy-game-day-football-charcuterie-board-with-pretzel-bites/