Game Day Appetizers
Are you planning any upcoming football-focused festivities? If you’re in the mood for sliders and wings, we’ve got you covered!
Here are more helpful tips to keep in mind as you tackle football feasting:
- Include a vegetable platter or other healthy foods as part of the spread.
- Try to wait 20 minutes after eating to consider whether you need to go back for seconds.
- Offer water in addition to other beverages to quench thirst over alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks.
Scroll down for some healthy plant-based wing and slider substitutes that are sure to pack in extra nutrients and cut calories from saturated fat.
Related:
- Tips for Hosting a Virtual Football Party
- How to Cut Back on Excess Sugar
- Meat Substitutes: Are They Healthy?
Photo credit: Shanthi Appelö

Ingredients
For the “wings”
- 2 heads cauliflower (1 head for each sauce)
- Spray oil
- 1/3 cup flour
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 3 Tbsp. milk
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
For the Honey, Garlic, Chili Wing Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 Tbsp. oil (canola, olive or avocado oil)
- Garnish: chopped green onion
For the Chipotle Lime Sauce
- 2 Tbsp. chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- Zest of 1 lime
- Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
- Garnish: chopped green onion cilantro
Cauli “Wings” Two Ways
Instructions
1. Separate cauliflower head into individual florets.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and preheat large baking dish with parchment paper along with it.
3. In a bowl, spray cauliflower with olive oil and toss with flour and garlic powder.
4. Add milk of choice and toss, then add panko breadcrumbs and toss to coat the cauliflower.
5. Place cauliflower on baking dish, attempting to leave space between each floret.
6. Bake on the center rack 25 minutes.
7. Combine ingredients from desired sauce above while cauliflower is baking.
8. Toss in sauce and bake for another 5-10 minutes until desired color.
9. Top with garnish and enjoy with a dipping sauce of choice.

Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 6 portobella mushroom caps, cleaned and trimmed
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. honey
Toppings for each slider
- Slider-sized buns
- Arugula leaves
- 2 tsp. goat cheese
- 1 Tbsp. sundried tomatoes
- 1 tsp. pesto
- Vegan alternative: substitute pesto for flavored vegan mayo and goat cheese with 1 tsp. nutritional yeast
Portobella Mushroom Sliders
Instructions
1. Cut mushroom caps into desired shape and size for the slider.
2. Combine all marinade ingredients and allow mushrooms to marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Grill or sear mushrooms for 3-5 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.
4. Assemble slider.
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