Countdown to the Big Game: Best Cheesy Starters

Detail of Host Giada de Laurentiis' Bleu Cheese and Bacon Truffles, as seen on Food Network’s Giada Entertains, Season 1.

Detail of Host Giada de Laurentiis' Bleu Cheese and Bacon Truffles, as seen on Food Network’s Giada Entertains, Season 1.

Photo by: Eddy Chen ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Eddy Chen, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

If you’re going the cheesy app route for your Super Bowl party, make it count. Wedges on a cheese board might do for a dinner party, but for game day, cheese deserves something extra – whether it’s melted down, fried or stuffed in a popper. Here are the best bites to get started on with hours to go until game time.

With a velvety cream cheese and Gorgonzola base, bits of crispy bacon and a crunchy pretzel exterior, these two-bite truffles are the total package. Get the cheese mixture ready in the morning and keep refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

Several Jalapeno Peppers Stuffed With a Gouda and Chorizo Mixture on a White Dish

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Several Jalapeno Peppers Stuffed With a Gouda and Chorizo Mixture on a White Dish

It’s hard it imagine game day without jalapeno poppers. Make this year’s dish more memorable with a spicy kick from chorizo and hot sauce.

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Photo by: Andrew Purcell

Andrew Purcell

Food Network Magazine’s Queso Fundido makes for a melted cheese dream in only 40 minutes with cheddar and Muenster cheese, poblanos, lager and chorizo.

Food Network Kitchen's Kids Can Make: Mac 'n' Cheese Bites for Food Network

Food Network Kitchen's Kids Can Make: Mac 'n' Cheese Bites for Food Network

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

It’s not wrong to want to sit through the game with a bowl of mac and cheese in your lap. If you’re planning to share with your guests though, these Mac 'n' Cheese Bites might be a better way to go. Portion the dish into mini muffin liners and top each one with buttery breadcrumbs for the perfect amount of crust in every bite.

This dish might take a bit more work but it’ll be worth it for every crispy bite that oozes melty mozzarella cheese. Give the coated cheese sticks about 2 hours to freeze before frying to keep the cheese from melting out of the breading.

Food Nework Kitchen's Holiday One-Offs, Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread.

Food Nework Kitchen's Holiday One-Offs, Caramelized Onion and Bacon Pull-Apart Bread.

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

As stunning as it is, this cheese-stuffed pull-apart bread is also great for sharing. Caramelized onions and Gouda help add a subtle sweetness to all the savory flavors in the dish.

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