food
Wings, ribs and Taylor Swift
By Stephanie Cain
Published Feb 1, 2024
Additional reporting by
Katherine Gillen
Katherine Gillen/Dinner at the Zoo
If there’s one thing Chiefs fans know about (well, besides football), it’s barbecue. Kansas City, Missouri, is famed for its smoky, tangy slow-roasted meats, and we are here for it. Whether you’re tuning in on February 11 to catch every play of Super Bowl 2024, you’re on T. Swift watch (no judgment) or you’re just in it for the snack spread, it’s time to ready yourself for wings, ribs, burgers and all the sides. (Don’t worry, we included mac and cheese too.) Ta-da: 17 Super Bowl recipes Chiefs fans will gobble up.
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- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Let’s start with the basics: a tried-and-true barbecue sauce recipe from a Kansas City local. It’s the ideal balance of sweet, tangy and smoky. Serve it brushed over slow-cooked ribs (ahem, see below) or as an alternate wing topper to the usual Buffalo sauce.
2. Oven Pork Ribs with Barbecue Sauce
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Once you’ve mastered the sauce, you’ll want to put it to good use. These pork ribs get slow-roasted in the oven so they’re as easy to make as they are delicious.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
3. Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
What goes best with your K.C. barbecue? The side dish to end all side dishes. (And we made ’em bite-sized, because who needs forks?)
Get the Recipe
Erin McDowell
4. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
It’s not really a football game-watch without copious amounts of Buffalo wings, is it? (Don’t forget to make extra sauce for dipping.) Whether you like ranch or blue cheese, these beginner-friendly bites will please everyone.
Get the recipe
5. Copycat Stroud’s Cinnamon Rolls
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
These sweet bites—made famous by the Kansas City institution Stroud’s—are like a cross between a dinner roll and a cinnamon bun. You won’t be able to stop at just one.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Missouri is home to many a dairy farm. Pay homage with a plate of these melty nuggets made from squeaky cheese and dipped in a crisp beer batter. (Choose something light, like a pilsner, for best results.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegetarian
Balance out all the smoke and spice of your barbecue-inspired spread with bites of this mayo-free sweet and crunchy coleslaw. The dressing is made with vinegar and a touch of Greek yogurt, so it’s just creamy enough.
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Cauliflower
8. Crispy Baked Cauliflower ‘Wings’
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Got a vegan on your couch? They won’t be left out of the fun, thanks to these as-good-as-the-real-deal cauliflower “wings.” (The secret ingredient is smoked paprika.)
Get the recipe
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, gluten free
If you’re all about the sides, you might want to make a double batch of this tasty potato salad, which features cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs. It’s cool and creamy—ideal for pairing with a rack of ribs.
10. Fried Chicken BLT with Jalapeño Honey
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein
With this incredible sandwich on the menu, no one will even be paying attention to the commercials. It’s a labor of love to fry the chicken, but one bite and you’ll realize it was worth the effort.
Get the Recipe
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Time Commitment: 6 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
OK, we know K.C. folks are picky about their baked beans. If you’re an absolute beginner, here’s a basic slow cooker recipe to get you started. (Besides, you’re using your oven for wings tonight.)
Get the Recipe
12. Burnt Ends
- Time Commitment: 23 hours
- Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Natives will need no introduction to burnt ends, but for the uninitiated, they’re basically the best part of a beef brisket. Think tender, juicy meat with just the right ratio of crispy edges. Plan ahead so it’s ready when your party starts.
Katherine Gillen
13. Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Hot Honey
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, gluten free
What’s the secret to crispy chicken wings in the oven? Baking powder. It helps the skin brown faster and will fool everyone into thinking they’re fried. (Try making a second batch with that homemade barbecue sauce.)
Get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
14. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater’s Aioli
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Whether or not your guests are Chiefs or 49ers fans, one thing is certain: They’re all fans of pigs in a blanket. (Who isn’t?) Everything bagel seasoning classes them up a touch.
Get the recipe
15. Instant Pot Baked Creamed Cheesy Corn with Ham
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
If you’re not serving your barbecue with a side of cheesy corn, well, you must not be a K.C. native. And good news, it also makes an excellent dip.
Katherine Gillen
16. Puff Pastry Pizza Bundles
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
These flaky bundles look fancy but take all of 10 minutes to put together (and will disappear from your party in even less time).
Get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
17. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
It’s cheesy, spicy and a given for any game-watch party, but our version has a secret: You can make it ahead. Just break out that slow cooker and let it do the hard work.
Get the recipe
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Stephanie Cain
Freelance PureWow Editor
read full bio
Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
read full bio
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm an expert in the field of food and cooking, with a deep knowledge and understanding of various culinary concepts and techniques. I have extensive experience in recipe development, food styling, and a degree in culinary arts. I can provide you with information on a wide range of topics related to food and cooking.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article:
Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is a staple in Kansas City, Missouri, known for its sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor. It can be used as a glaze for slow-cooked ribs or as a delicious alternative to Buffalo sauce for wings. If you're interested in making your own barbecue sauce, I can provide you with a tried-and-true recipe from a local Kansas City source [[1]].
Oven Pork Ribs with Barbecue Sauce
Once you have your homemade barbecue sauce ready, you can use it to make oven-baked pork ribs. These ribs are slow-roasted in the oven for a tender and flavorful result. It's a crowd-pleaser dish that is perfect for special occasions or game day gatherings [[2]].
Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites
To complement your Kansas City barbecue, you can prepare some delicious baked mac-and-cheese bites. These bite-sized treats are a crowd-pleaser and perfect for both kids and adults. They are easy to make and don't require any utensils, making them a convenient side dish for your barbecue spread [[3]].
Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
No football game-watch is complete without Buffalo wings. These oven-baked wings are a crowd-pleaser and beginner-friendly. They are made with a crispy skin and can be served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Don't forget to make extra sauce for dipping [[4]].
Copycat Stroud's Cinnamon Rolls
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love these copycat Stroud's cinnamon rolls. Made famous by the Kansas City institution Stroud's, these rolls are a cross between a dinner roll and a cinnamon bun. They are incredibly delicious and hard to resist [[5]].
Beer-Battered Cheese Curds
Pay homage to Missouri's dairy farms with a plate of beer-battered cheese curds. These melty nuggets are made from squeaky cheese and dipped in a crisp beer batter. They are a vegetarian-friendly option that pairs well with a light beer, like a pilsner [[6]].
Light and Tangy Coleslaw
Balance out the smoky and spicy flavors of your barbecue with a refreshing coleslaw. This light and tangy coleslaw is mayo-free and made with vinegar and a touch of Greek yogurt. It provides a sweet and crunchy bite that complements the richness of the barbecue [[7]].
Crispy Baked Cauliflower 'Wings'
For your vegan guests, you can prepare crispy baked cauliflower "wings." These cauliflower florets are coated in a flavorful batter and baked until crispy. They are a great alternative to traditional wings and can be enjoyed by everyone [[8]].
Classic Potato Salad
If you're a fan of side dishes, you might want to make a classic potato salad. This crowd-pleaser features cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs, adding a refreshing and creamy element to your barbecue spread [[9]].
Fried Chicken BLT with Jalapeño Honey
For a special occasion-worthy sandwich, try the fried chicken BLT with jalapeño honey. This sandwich is a labor of love, with crispy fried chicken and a touch of heat from the jalapeño honey. It's a delicious option that will surely impress your guests [[10]].
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Baked beans are a must-have for any Kansas City barbecue. This slow cooker recipe allows you to prepare flavorful baked beans with minimal effort. It's a great make-ahead option that frees up your oven for other dishes [[11]].
Burnt Ends
Burnt ends are a Kansas City specialty and considered the best part of a beef brisket. These tender and juicy meat morsels have a perfect balance of tender meat and crispy edges. They require a longer cooking time, so it's important to plan ahead if you want to serve them at your party [[12]].
Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Hot Honey
If you're looking for a spicy twist on traditional wings, try the baked chicken wings with chipotle hot honey. Baking powder is the secret ingredient that helps achieve a crispy skin, fooling everyone into thinking they're fried. You can also use the homemade barbecue sauce as an alternative sauce for these wings [[13]].
Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater's Aioli
Pigs in a blanket are always a hit at any gathering. This recipe takes them up a notch by using everything bagel seasoning to add extra flavor. They are a crowd-pleaser and perfect for both kids and adults [[14]].
Instant Pot Baked Creamed Cheesy Corn with Ham
Cheesy corn is a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with barbecue. This Instant Pot recipe allows you to make creamy and cheesy corn with ham in just 30 minutes. It can also be served as a delicious dip [[15]].
Puff Pastry Pizza Bundles
If you're looking for a quick and easy appetizer, try making puff pastry pizza bundles. These flaky bundles are filled with pizza toppings and take only 25 minutes to put together. They are a crowd-pleaser and will disappear from your party in no time [[16]].
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
No game-watch party is complete without a cheesy and spicy buffalo chicken dip. This slow cooker recipe allows you to make the dip ahead of time, so you can focus on enjoying the game. It's a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with tortilla chips or celery sticks [[17]].
I hope this information helps you prepare a delicious spread for your Super Bowl party or any other occasion. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!