Whether you’re a football fan or tuning in just to see Beyonce and Coldplay, Super Bowl 50 is an appropriate time to toss diets aside and indulge in some tasty snacks.

In honor of the Feb. 7 matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, Test Kitchen offers a few delicious and good-looking treats perfect for any Super Bowl party. If you’re not into football, tuck these recipes away because they will come in handy at some point.

Chicken wings are probably the No. 1 snack during football season. Fried, grilled, breaded or baked, it’s the sauce on these bites that matter. We made a Carolina barbecue sauce, which has a mustard base and vinegar flavor not typically found in regular barbecue sauces.

An incredibly easy recipe, this barbecue sauce will go perfect with wings, pulled pork or ribs.

Taco dip is another classic. You can’t really go wrong with this one. There are only a few ingredients, but tap into your creative and chef and take some liberties with this recipe. It doesn’t require actual cooking, enabling hungry snackers to attack right away. Pick a strong man to mix the cream cheese, sour cream and taco mix while you prep the toppings and it’s that much quicker.

Sticking with dips, how does a pizza dip sound?

Get that strong man (or woman) back to help mix one package of cream cheese with some grated parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Add in any pizza spices, such as oregano, parsley, Italian blend, basil or whatever you like. Place the mixture at the bottom of a pie pan then top with additional parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Add pepperoni, peppers, mushrooms, or any of your favorite pizza toppings.

Cook this dip in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the top and sides are bubbling and have slightly browned.

Let this dip cool a little before serving. Serve with chips, baguettes, crescent rolls or crackers.

No party spread would be complete without some jalapeno poppers.

Grab some ever-popular crescent rolls, diced peppers, bacon bits and cream cheese and you’ve got a winner.

Warning: If you’re dicing the jalapenos with your bare hands, take every precaution to not touch your eyes mouth or nose, as the burn from the peppers is very unpleasant. Wash your hands with soap, hot water and some lemon juice when you’re finished handling the peppers.

First, unroll the crescent rolls and separate them into their pre-cut triangle shapes. Make sure the dough is really chilled, it’s much easier to work with. Once they’re separated, place a dollop of cream cheese, about 1-2 teaspoons, in the middle. Next add a teaspoon each of peppers and bacon (or no bacon for the vegetarians) and then seal up the crescent. Dabbing a little water on your fingers and sealing any seams will help keep the pastry from oozing out while cooking in a 350-degree oven.

TACO DIP

What you’ll need:

1 package taco seasoning

1 16 oz package cream cheese

1 16 oz container sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

1 can diced tomatoes (or one fresh tomato diced)

Shredded lettuce

Other additions to consider are taco meat, black olives, salsa, hot peppers or anything else you like

Procedure:

Mix room temperature cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning together, blending well.

Place the mixture on a platter or in a 9×9 glass pan. Top with shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and other toppings.

Add some chips around the edges of the dip and serve.

Dips, poppers and barbecue sauce perfect for any party

By Sarah Haase

shaase@timesleader.com

Are you a Carolina Panther fan? Then you have to try this Carolina barbecue sauce that has a mustard base. Perfect on top of wings, pulled pork and ribs.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_bbq-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAre you a Carolina Panther fan? Then you have to try this Carolina barbecue sauce that has a mustard base. Perfect on top of wings, pulled pork and ribs. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Gather your ingredients for this taco dip. You’ll need cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4347-1.jpg.optimal.jpgGather your ingredients for this taco dip. You’ll need cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Combine the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4349-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCombine the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Layer your dip in a glass pan and then top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and any other ingredients you want to include.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4350-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLayer your dip in a glass pan and then top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and any other ingredients you want to include. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Serve the taco dip with chips and enjoy.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4354-1.jpg.optimal.jpgServe the taco dip with chips and enjoy. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Crescent rolls are a great option for making jalapeno poppers. All you need is the dough, spicy peppers, cream cheese and some bacon.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4371-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCrescent rolls are a great option for making jalapeno poppers. All you need is the dough, spicy peppers, cream cheese and some bacon. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Dice the jalapenos removing as many seeds as possible.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4374-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDice the jalapenos removing as many seeds as possible. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Unroll the crescent rolls and place a little cream cheese on each piece.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4376-1.jpg.optimal.jpgUnroll the crescent rolls and place a little cream cheese on each piece. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Add peppers and bacon to the cream cheese.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4378-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAdd peppers and bacon to the cream cheese. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Close each roll around the ingredients making sure to seal it as well as you can.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4380-1.jpg.optimal.jpgClose each roll around the ingredients making sure to seal it as well as you can. Sarah Haase | Weekender

These poppers are sure to be the hit at any party.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4381-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThese poppers are sure to be the hit at any party. Sarah Haase | Weekender

These poppers are sure to be the hit at any party.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4384-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThese poppers are sure to be the hit at any party. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Pizza dip is a creative way to incorporate a classic at your next party. Gather cream cheese, parmesan and mozzarella with pizza sauce and your favorite pizza toppings.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4385-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPizza dip is a creative way to incorporate a classic at your next party. Gather cream cheese, parmesan and mozzarella with pizza sauce and your favorite pizza toppings. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Combine the cream cheese, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese until fluffy.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4386-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCombine the cream cheese, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese until fluffy. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Top the mixture with pizza sauce and the shredded cheeses set aside.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4387-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTop the mixture with pizza sauce and the shredded cheeses set aside. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Add pepperoni and then place in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the sides start to bubble.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4388-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAdd pepperoni and then place in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the sides start to bubble. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Are you a Carolina Panther fan? Then you have to try this Carolina barbecue sauce that has a mustard base. Perfect on top of wings, pulled pork and ribs.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4389-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAre you a Carolina Panther fan? Then you have to try this Carolina barbecue sauce that has a mustard base. Perfect on top of wings, pulled pork and ribs. Sarah Haase | Weekender

Add pepperoni and then place in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the sides start to bubble.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_4391-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAdd pepperoni and then place in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the sides start to bubble. Sarah Haase | Weekender