The 2021 CrossFit Games is a tossup; anything can happen and no one knows who will be standing on the podium by the end of the competition. The only thing that’s for certain is that even though you may not be working out, just watching these fit guys and gals will work up your appetite! If you’re getting together with your fitness friends this weekend to tune into the CrossFit Games (or just watching by yourself between meetings at work), here are some of our favorite bites to cook up for the occasion.
Appetizers.
Similar to the athletes competing in Madison this week, you’ll be warming up…but not for a workout. Munching on appetizers before a meal is equivalent to stretching before a WOD: you need to prepare your body for what you’re about to do!
Athletic Brew Beer Shrimp
This is a perfect quick appetizer; it comes together in less than 30 minutes and is bursting with flavor. Plus, it has “Athletic” in the recipe title so I’d say that alone makes it the perfect thing to eat while cheering on your favorites elite athletes from home. Athletic Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beers are great if you want to enjoy a delicious craft beer while keeping your healthy habits intact. Plus, they’re great for cooking with!
Shopping list.
- Salted butter
- 1 sweet onion
- Garlic
- Old bay seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- 2 pounds fresh shrimp
- 1 can Upside Dawn Athletic Brew Beer
- Sourdough bread
Spicy Ale Chicken Taquitos
One Upside Dawn Golden Ale Athletic Brew for the Spicy Ale Chicken, one for you! A dynamic duo of BBQ and beer wrapped in a tortilla. The chicken is the perfect make ahead recipe and it becomes the ideal finger food when you turn it into a crispy taquito.
Shopping list.
- 1 1/2 pounds Butcher Box boneless skinless chicken breast
- Taco seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ sauce
- Upside Dawn Golden Ale Athletic Brew
- Green onions
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- 10-12 flour tortillas (or corn, CAUTION: they break as they bake)
- 1 jalapeno
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Scoop this up with pita chips, tortilla chips, veggies, toasted bread…it doesn’t matter! This dip is dangerous, you’ll eat the whole pan before you even realize it. You could serve this Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip with celery and carrot sticks just like you’d get at a sports bar on wing night.
Shopping list.
- Ricotta
- Cream cheese
- Cooked chicken, shredded
- Franks Hot Buffalo Sauce
- Mozzarella
- Green onions
- Ranch dressing
- Pita chips (or whatever you want to pair with your dip!)
Main Course.
I like to think of the CrossFit Games as the Super Bowl for really really cool people. These foods are like the ones you’d see at any sports viewing party, but with pizzazz!
Sheet Pan Nachos with Carnitas & Roasted Pineapple
Pile a plate high with these Sheet Pan Nachos with Carnitas & Roasted Pineapple. The pulled pork is so tender and lightly crispy, the roasted pineapple is juicy and sweet, and the nachos are salty and crunchy. Sit back and watch the Games athletes fight for the titles of fittest man and woman on earth while you fight to finish the mountain of food in front of you. You can do it!!
Shopping List.
- 1 Butcherbox Boneless Pork Butt
- 1 can crushed pineapple
- Pineapple juice
- 1 Siete Foods Carnitas Seasoning packet
- Fresh pineapple
- Olive oil
- Ground cumin
- Salted tortilla chips
- Mexican blend shredded cheese
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 radish
- 3 ripe avocados
- Lime juice
- Kosher salt
- 1 red onion
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Taco seasoning
- Red salsa
Gochugaru Chicken Tenders w/ Cucumber Kimchi & Gochujang Avocado Dip
Think of these Gochugaru Chicken Tenders w/ Cucumber Kimchi & Gochujang Avocado Dip as adultified chicken fingers. Cooking these in the Ninja Foodi makes the coating perfectly crispy but doesn’t dry out the chicken. A healthy dose of spice from the chicken and gochujang avocado dip pairs well with the refreshing cucumber kimchi.
Shopping List.
- 1 English cucumber
- Kosher salt
- Pork panko
- Gochugaru chile flakes
- 2 pounds ButcherBox chicken breast, cut into tenders
- Sugar
- Scallions
- 3 ripe avocados
- Lime juice
- Gochujang sauce
- Furikake
Huli Huli Chicken Wings
These Huli Huli Chicken Wings combine sweet and heat. Dip them in the zesty citrus yogurt sauce to cool off your tastebuds. The AirFryer takes away the hassle of making chicken wings in a pan of hot oil and is also healthier!
Shopping List.
- 3 pounds ButcherBox Party Wings
- Salt
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne
- Pineapple juice
- Ketchup
- Tamari (or soy sauce)
- Mike’s hot honey
- Ginger juice
- Garlic
- Red wine vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Plain greek yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Cilantro
- Fresno chili
Dessert.
These dessert recipes are so easy to make, you could probably prepare them in between watching the different events.
Easy Cannoli Dip with Waffle Cones
Essentially deconstructed cannolis, this lightly sweet dessert dip is perfect for guests and is so simple to make! Trust me when I warn that you won’t be able to stop dipping until it’s completely gone.
Shopping List.
- Ricotta
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips
- 1 box waffle cones
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Buns w/ Sweet Cream Frosting
Hawaiian rolls are great for sliders, pulled pork and deli meat sandwiches, but have you ever thought of using them in a dessert recipe? This dish is sweet on sweet on sweet. The best part is, it’s super quick and easy to make and you’ll probably have most if not all of the ingredients in your pantry already. If your fit friends decide to have an impromptu Games watch party and you’re in charge of dessert, this is the thing to bring.
Shopping List.
- Large eggs
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla
- Ground cinnamon
- 1 package King’s Hawaiian Rolls
- Butter
- Dark brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
There’s something so tranquil about sitting in front of the TV with a big bowl of ice cream, it feels like all your worries just MELT away! This is essential to help cool you off when you inevitably feel hot watching the athletes sweat. I recommend drenching your cold treat in chocolate sauce and topping with a heap of whipped cream, or maybe some fresh fruit if you want to feel healthy!
Shopping List.
- Heavy whipping cream
- Milk
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla bean paste
- Salt
- Eggs
The CrossFit Games is like a holiday for CF lovers, so don’t hesitate to enjoy the week with fit friends and good food!
Lastly, if you make any of these recipes, be sure to leave a comment! Above all, I love to hear from ya’ll and do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make these recipes, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of your dayyyummm good recreations is my favorite!
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