Kenji Lopez-Alt, a culinary expert and author of "The Food Lab," shares his passion for Super Bowl party food, particularly chicken wings and pizza, with a humorous twist on his indifference to football. He reveals tips for achieving perfect crispy wings using air-chilled chicken and offers a simple, no-knead pizza recipe made in a cast iron pan. The discussion also includes innovative veggie recipes, the evolution of pepperoni preferences, and delightful snack ideas to elevate any game day celebration.
Super Bowl Sunday highlights America's food-centric culture, with billions spent primarily on chicken wings and pizzas for gatherings.
Kenji provides unique recipes for preparing crispy oven-fried chicken wings and simplified pan pizza, making them accessible for all.
Deep dives
Super Bowl Food Consumption Statistics
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most food-centric holidays in America, with staggering consumption statistics that highlight its significance. An estimated 1.45 billion chicken wings were consumed during the Super Bowl in 2024, and this year’s numbers are expected to match or exceed that. Spending also ramps up considerably, with adults projected to spend around $17.3 billion on food and beverages for the event, making food and beverages the largest spending category. On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans consume about 12.5 million pizzas, underscoring the day’s status as a culinary highlight, often surpassing Thanksgiving.
Oven-Fried Chicken Wings Recipe
A popular recipe for oven-fried chicken wings is characterized by its unique preparation technique to achieve maximum crispiness without deep frying. The wings are first seasoned with a mixture of baking powder, salt, and often cornstarch, which helps create a crunchy texture. After being seasoned, the wings are left to brine in the fridge overnight, allowing them to absorb flavors and dry out before roasting. This method results in wings that are crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside, making it a go-to recipe for Super Bowl gatherings.
Foolproof Pan Pizza Preparation
A straightforward yet delicious pan pizza recipe simplifies the traditional pizza-making process, making it accessible for all skill levels. This no-knead dough requires minimal effort, as the ingredients are simply stirred together and left to rise overnight before being placed into a well-oiled cast-iron pan. The dough stretches naturally in the pan, eliminating the need for stretching or tossing. This method yields a crispy, deep-dish style pizza reminiscent of classic pizzerias, combining simplicity with satisfying results.
Veggie Alternatives for Super Bowl Snacks
For those seeking vegetarian options for their Super Bowl spread, fried cauliflower is presented as a standout alternative to traditional chicken wings. The preparation involves coating cauliflower with a similar cornstarch mixture, achieving a satisfying crunch when fried. Additionally, a vegan nacho recipe utilizes overcooked potatoes blended with cashews to create a creamy cheese-like sauce, paired with fresh ingredients for a hearty dish. These options demonstrate that even without meat, Super Bowl snacks can remain flavorful and enjoyable.
The Super Bowl is coming up, so for Super Bowl party food advice who better to turn to than Kenji. The man loves chicken wings and pizza and he gives us some sage advice about making them at home. But he does not love football.