Our chat feature will be down for maintenance on March 17, 2024, from approximately 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM ET.
Please check back after our maintenance has concluded, or submit a ticket to our email support if you require assistance.

Ready for a change? Learn More

10 Must-Have March Madness Recipes

by | Mar 5, 2015 | Last updated Apr 5, 2023

March Madness, beginning on March 15 (otherwise known as Selection Sunday to sports-savvy Noomers), sees 64 teams pitted against each other, vying for the national championship. Basketball fan or not, March Madness is a lot of fun. Whether you’re hosting a viewing party or heading to a friend’s, no sports party is complete without the amazing snacks. But there is a downside. These tasty foods aren’t great for anyone looking to lose or maintain their weight. In order to help you through the madness, we’ve put together a list of awesome recipes so you can enjoy the game while still keeping your healthy lifestyle in mind. Go team!

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Poppers via Skinny Taste

Mixing the best of both worlds, buffalo chicken is stuffed inside of jalapeno peppers, then dipped in panko crumbs in this inventive recipe. Baked instead of fried, these jalapeno poppers contain only 90 calories for two poppers!

Crispy Baked Chicken Spring Rolls via Just A Taste

These tasty spring rolls are filled with a hearty mix of ground chicken, shredded green cabbage, sliced shiitakes, and tons of fresh garlic and ginger. Clocking in at 200 calories a pop, these baked rolls are full of protein and good for you nutrients.

Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks via The Iron You

If you’ve ever been tempted to wolf down a basket of garlic breadsticks, this is the recipe for you. Made without any bread, this recipe uses cauliflower, mozzarella cheese, and garlic to create the bar snack favorite with only a portion of the calories. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Eggplant Bruschetta via Glow Kitchen

Want to class up your party? This recipe replaces bread with eggplant slices and is topped with tomatoes, onion, and olive oil. The eggplant gives the dish a meaty texture and mint gives this classic recipe a zesty twist.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip via Natasha’s Kitchen

This tasty spinach and artichoke dip uses greek yogurt to lighten up on calories without giving up flavor. It has 50% less cholesterol, 56% less fat, and 40% less salt than restaurant spinach and artichoke dip. Serve it warm and cheesy — your friends will never know it’s healthy!

Skinny Mini Burgers via Skinny Mom

Burgers are a classic game time food. This nifty spin uses lean turkey meat to cut down on fat and calories. Plus, they’re mini, leaving you with more room in your budget for other snacks!

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks via The Comfort of Cooking

Who doesn’t love mozz sticks? This delicious recipe is baked instead of fried, retaining all of the flavor without the greasy mess.

Grilled Sweet Potato Fries via Gimme Some Oven

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients including vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin D. This recipe uses this veggie and turns it into a healthy comfort food.

5 Layer Baked Hummus Dip via Iowa Girl Eats

5 Layer Baked Hummus Dip takes just 15 minutes to assemble, 15 minutes to bake, and can be completely made ahead of time! It features hummus, Italian sausage, tomatoes, and feta cheese.

Chipotle Honey Baked Wings via Foodie Crush

No sports gathering is complete without wings. This baked honey variety has a sticky sweet taste that is balanced out by smoky paprika. These wings are also skinless, leaving no slippery layers or added calories that come from frying.