Score Big With These New Orleans-Inspired Super Bowl Recipes
Game day just got a whole lot spicier, and I’m not talking about your uncle’s questionable hot takes on the halftime show. New Orleans cuisine brings bold flavors, rich history, and serious crowd-pleasing power to any Super Bowl spread.
Whether you’re feeding a stadium-sized crew or just your favorite couch companions, these Big Easy recipes will have everyone asking for seconds before kickoff even ends.
1. Cajun Shrimp Boil Skewers
Where traditional shrimp boils meet handheld convenience, magic happens on a stick. Cajun Shrimp Boil Skewers pack all that bayou goodness into bite-sized perfection.
Thread plump shrimp, chunks of andouille, baby potatoes, and corn onto skewers, then shower them with Cajun seasoning. Grill until everything gets those gorgeous char marks and the shrimp turn pink.
Your guests won’t need bibs or newspaper-covered tables. They’ll just need napkins and maybe a cold beverage to tame that spicy kick that sneaks up delightfully.
2. Muffuletta Sliders
This iconic sandwich from Central Grocery gets a game day makeover that’ll make your taste buds do a touchdown dance. Muffuletta Sliders bring all that briny, meaty glory in perfectly poppable portions.
Layer salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and that essential olive salad on slider buns. Bake the whole tray until the cheese melts into gooey submission and the bread gets slightly crispy.
Fair warning: people will fight over the last one. I’ve seen friendships tested over less.
3. Blackened Catfish Tacos
When Southern soul food crashes into Tex-Mex territory, beautiful things happen on your plate. Blackened Catfish Tacos combine that signature NOLA spice crust with fresh taco toppings.
Coat catfish fillets in blackening spices, sear them in a screaming-hot skillet until crusty perfection forms. Flake the fish into warm tortillas with crunchy slaw and a tangy remoulade.
The contrast between the fiery fish and cool toppings creates flavor fireworks. Your halftime spread just became infinitely more interesting than any commercial break.
4. Crawfish Monica Dip
Did you know this Jazz Fest legend translates brilliantly into dippable form? Crawfish Monica Dip takes that famous creamy pasta and reimagines it for chip-dunking glory.
Combine crawfish tails with cream cheese, half-and-half, Creole seasoning, and loads of green onions. Keep it warm in a slow cooker so the cheese stays silky throughout the entire game.
Serve with sturdy chips or toasted baguette slices. This isn’t dainty party food, this is serious business that requires structural integrity from your delivery vehicle.
5. Beignet Bites With Chocolate Sauce
Though traditionally a breakfast treat at Café Du Monde, these pillowy pockets of fried dough work overtime as game day dessert. Beignet Bites with Chocolate Sauce bring French Quarter charm to your coffee table.
Fry small squares of yeasted dough until they puff up like little golden clouds. Dust them aggressively with powdered sugar while they’re still warm and serve with rich chocolate sauce.
Warning: powdered sugar will coat everything within a three-foot radius. Embrace the mess; it’s part of the experience.
6. Andouille Sausage Gumbo
How many hours have Louisiana cooks spent perfecting their roux? Andouille Sausage Gumbo rewards that patience with layers of smoky, spicy, soul-warming flavor.
Start with a chocolate-brown roux, add the holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers, then simmer with andouille and chicken stock. Serve over rice with hot sauce on the side for those who like extra heat.
Make a big batch because this disappears faster than reasonable explanations for bad referee calls.
7. Oyster Po’Boy Sliders
Where crispy meets creamy on buttery bread, sandwich heaven exists in miniature form. Oyster Po’Boy Sliders capture everything magical about this New Orleans classic without the mess of full-sized versions.
Dredge fresh oysters in seasoned cornmeal, fry until golden and crunchy. Pile them onto toasted slider buns with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and plenty of remoulade sauce.
The oysters stay hot, the bread stays soft, and your guests stay happy. That’s the po’boy promise delivered in perfect game day proportions.
8. Red Beans And Rice Stuffed Peppers
This Monday tradition gets a creative makeover that makes it finger-food friendly and Instagram-worthy. Red Beans and Rice Stuffed Peppers pack classic comfort into edible bowls.
Simmer red beans with onions, garlic, and Creole seasoning until creamy. Mix with cooked rice and spoon into halved bell peppers, then top with cheese and bake until bubbly.
Each pepper becomes its own little portion of Louisiana love. No plates needed, which means fewer dishes and more time watching the game.
9. Cajun Chicken Wings
Are wings even a debate anymore when you can coat them in Cajun magic? Cajun Chicken Wings bring bayou heat to America’s favorite game day protein.
Toss wings in a mixture of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and dried herbs before baking or frying. The spice blend forms a flavorful crust that’s both crispy and intensely seasoned.
Serve with cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing because some folks need a fire extinguisher. Others will ask you to crank up the heat even more next time.
10. Jambalaya Nachos
When two iconic party foods collide, you get something greater than the sum of their delicious parts. Jambalaya Nachos layer Louisiana’s one-pot wonder onto crispy chips for maximum crowd appeal.
Make jambalaya with shrimp, andouille, and rice, then pile it onto sturdy tortilla chips. Add cheese, bake until melted, and top with green onions and hot sauce.
Every chip delivers a complete bite of spicy, savory goodness. This isn’t just fusion food, it’s flavor evolution happening right on your baking sheet.
11. Bourbon Street Meatballs
However you feel about crowded tourist streets, these meatballs capture the sweet and spicy spirit without the hangover. Bourbon Street Meatballs swim in a sticky glaze that’ll have people licking their fingers.
Combine frozen meatballs with a sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and Creole mustard. Let them simmer in a slow cooker until the sauce thickens into glossy perfection.
Keep toothpicks nearby because these disappear at an alarming rate. I’ve watched grown adults hover near the slow cooker waiting for refills.
12. Remoulade Deviled Eggs
Though deviled eggs appear at every gathering, these bring Louisiana flair to the classic. Remoulade Deviled Eggs swap boring mayo for tangy Creole sauce that transforms the whole experience.
Mix egg yolks with remoulade sauce, Creole mustard, and hot sauce instead of plain mayo. Pipe the pink-hued filling back into the whites and dust with paprika and fresh herbs.
The tangy, slightly spicy flavor profile makes these stand out from every other deviled egg on the buffet table. Finally, something different worth celebrating.
13. Praline Bacon Bites
Where sweet meets savory in the most unapologetically Southern way possible, Praline Bacon Bites happen. This isn’t just candied bacon, it’s a love letter to New Orleans’ famous pecan candy.
Coat thick bacon strips with brown sugar and chopped pecans, then bake until the sugar caramelizes. The bacon gets crispy while the coating forms a crunchy, sweet shell with nutty undertones.
Cut into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking. Fair warning: these vanish faster than any vegetable tray ever could, and nobody feels guilty about it.
14. Creole Cream Cheese Dip
This tangy, slightly sweet cheese is a New Orleans treasure that deserves more national attention. Creole Cream Cheese Dip showcases this regional specialty in snackable form.
Blend Creole cream cheese with sour cream, fresh herbs, garlic, and a touch of hot sauce. The result tastes like the sophisticated cousin of regular cream cheese dip.
Serve with fresh vegetables, crackers, or chips. The mild tanginess and creamy texture make it dangerously easy to eat way more than you planned while distracted by the game.
15. Fried Green Tomato Stacks
When Southern tradition gets vertical, impressive things happen on your appetizer spread. Fried Green Tomato Stacks layer crispy tart tomatoes with Gulf shrimp and creamy sauce.
Fry thick green tomato slices in seasoned cornmeal until golden. Stack them with remoulade-dressed shrimp between each layer, creating little towers of tangy, crunchy, seafood-y goodness.
These require forks, but they’re worth abandoning the finger-food rule. The combination of textures and flavors makes every bite feel like a mini celebration.
16. Dirty Rice Arancini
Hence the beauty of cultural mashups: Italian meets Louisiana in these crispy, savory spheres. Dirty Rice Arancini transform the Cajun classic into handheld fried perfection.
Make dirty rice with chicken livers, ground pork, and the holy trinity, then chill it thoroughly. Form into balls, bread them, and fry until the outside turns golden and crunchy.
The creamy, spicy interior contrasts beautifully with the crispy coating. Serve with remoulade or marinara for dipping, because why choose between cultures when both taste amazing?
17. Shrimp And Grits Bites
Are mini portions of comfort food the answer to all game day prayers? Shrimp and Grits Bites suggest yes, delivering Lowcountry luxury in cocktail-sized servings.
Cook creamy cheese grits and spoon into small cups. Top each with Cajun-spiced shrimp and a drizzle of rich gravy made with butter, garlic, and a splash of hot sauce.
Guests can grab these one-handed without missing a single play. The warm, creamy grits and plump shrimp create comfort food magic that feels fancy without any fuss.
18. Boudin Balls
This Cajun specialty deserves way more attention outside Louisiana gas stations and meat markets. Boudin Balls take spicy rice-and-pork sausage, roll it into spheres, and fry it into crispy bliss.
Remove boudin filling from casings, form into balls, bread them, and fry until crunchy. The exterior gets shatteringly crisp while the inside stays moist and flavorful.
Serve with Creole mustard for dipping. These pack serious flavor and spice, making them the boldest thing on your spread and probably everyone’s new favorite discovery.
19. King Cake Cookies
When Mardi Gras meets game day, festive cookies happen in traditional purple, green, and gold glory. King Cake Cookies bring carnival spirit to your Super Bowl celebration.
Make soft sugar cookies flavored with cinnamon and a hint of lemon zest. Decorate with icing in Mardi Gras colors and don’t forget the colored sugar sprinkles for authenticity.
Hide a tiny plastic baby in one cookie if you’re feeling traditional, or skip that choking hazard for liability reasons. Either way, these sweet treats add colorful fun to your dessert lineup.
20. Cajun Popcorn Shrimp
Where tiny shrimp get big flavor treatment, snacking perfection emerges from the fryer. Cajun Popcorn Shrimp delivers bite-sized seafood with serious spice in every crunchy morsel.
Toss small shrimp in seasoned flour loaded with Cajun spices, then fry until golden and crispy. The small size means maximum crunch-to-shrimp ratio and perfect poppability.
Serve in paper cones or bowls with remoulade or cocktail sauce. These disappear so fast you’ll wonder if you made enough, and the answer is always no.
21. Bananas Foster Dip
Did you know this famous flambéed dessert translates beautifully into shareable dip form? Bananas Foster Dip captures all that caramelized banana and rum sauce magic without the tableside theatrics.
Cook bananas in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of rum extract until jammy and thick. Keep warm in a small slow cooker or fondue pot.
Serve with pound cake cubes, graham crackers, or apple slices for dipping. The warm, sweet, buttery sauce makes every dipper taste like dessert heaven happened on your spoon.
22. Muffuletta Pinwheels
However much you love traditional muffulettas, these rolled versions make serving crowds infinitely easier. Muffuletta Pinwheels deliver all those briny, meaty flavors in neat, sliceable spirals.
Spread olive salad on large flour tortillas, layer with Italian meats and provolone cheese. Roll tightly, chill thoroughly, then slice into colorful pinwheels that show off all the layers.
Each bite contains every component of the classic sandwich without the structural challenges of eating a giant round loaf. Plus, they look impressive arranged on a platter.
23. Crawfish Étouffée Puffs
When classic Louisiana comfort food meets fancy pastry shells, elegant appetizers emerge from your oven. Crawfish Étouffée Puffs pack rich, saucy crawfish into crispy, buttery vessels.
Make traditional étouffée with crawfish tails, roux, and the holy trinity of vegetables. Spoon the thick, creamy mixture into pre-baked puff pastry cups or phyllo shells.
The contrast between flaky pastry and rich filling creates textural magic. These look fancy enough for upscale gatherings but taste comforting enough for casual couch-sitting game watching.
24. Praline Cheesecake Bars
This dessert combines two Southern obsessions into one perfectly portable treat. Praline Cheesecake Bars marry creamy New York-style cheesecake with crunchy pecan praline topping.
Bake a graham cracker crust, top with classic cheesecake filling, then add a layer of brown sugar and pecans. The praline topping caramelizes into sweet, nutty perfection during baking.
Cut into squares for easy serving and eating. The combination of smooth, tangy cheesecake and crunchy, sweet praline creates dessert harmony that’ll make people forget about the score.
25. Chargrilled Oysters
Though Drago’s made these famous, you can absolutely recreate this magic at home. Chargrilled Oysters bring smoky, garlicky, buttery decadence to your game day lineup.
Top shucked oysters with garlic butter, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, then grill or broil until bubbly and slightly charred. The oysters stay plump while the topping gets golden and aromatic.
Serve immediately on a platter with lemon wedges. These feel luxurious and special, elevating your spread from ordinary to unforgettable without requiring culinary school skills.
26. Cajun Honey Butter Cornbread
When sweet meets heat in tender, crumbly bread form, Southern comfort reaches new heights. Cajun Honey Butter Cornbread balances spicy seasoning with sweet honey richness.
Add Cajun spices to classic cornbread batter, and bake until golden. Serve warm with whipped honey butter that melts into every nook and cranny of the tender crumb.
This isn’t just a side dish, it’s a reason to keep reaching for more. The slight heat from the spices plays beautifully against the sweet butter coating each bite.
27. BBQ Shrimp Crostini
Are we calling it BBQ even though no grill is involved? Yes, because that’s the New Orleans way, and tradition matters. BBQ Shrimp Crostini puts buttery, peppery shrimp on crispy bread.
Sauté shrimp in ridiculous amounts of butter, black pepper, Worcestershire, and garlic until the sauce thickens. Spoon onto toasted baguette slices while everything’s still hot and saucy.
The bread soaks up that peppery butter sauce while staying crispy on the bottom. Have napkins ready because this gets gloriously messy in the best possible way.
