10 Asian Finger Foods for Super Bowl Sunday

With game day just around the corner, I'm guessing I'm not the only one looking for snacks that don't require utensils. Whether you're rooting for the Seahawks or Patriots, here are some savory Asian snacks to spice up your Super Bowl Sunday.

1) Spicy Chicken Lettuce Cups

Let's face-it, Super Bowl Sunday is not a time to be on a diet. Can you really picture a bunch of Southie's in a pub cheering on the Patriots while snacking on kale chips?... That's why a lot of the stuff on this list is going to be fried, but I figured I'd kick things off with something that could almost be considered a salad. These spicy chicken lettuce cups not only look fantastic topped with crispy fried shallots and sriracha, they taste even better! I also have a second version, Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps, that includes a video.

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2) Korean Fried Chicken

As much as I love Buffalo Wings, I think I may love these Korean-style wings even more. A double fry gets the skin on the wings crackling crisp, and the sweet, spicy sauce seamlessly soaks into the chicken without rendering them soggy. It's a little magical and utterly irresistible. You could also check out my Tebasaki Wings and Teriyaki Wings recipes; maybe you'll go wing-obsessed and make all three!

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3) Coconut Shrimp

These could very well be my favorite finger food, ever! Something about the juicy shrimp encrusted in threads of impossibly crisp coconut, with a sweet citrusy dipping sauce makes these things irresistible. Honestly the biggest worry you'll have if you serve these is whether you're going to have a brawl on your hands when there's only one left. You'd better have a batch of my Crispy Shrimp Toasts ready just in case you need a peace offering.

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4) California Roll

I know... sushi at a Super Bowl party is not the norm, but these pop-able bites filled with avocado and crab are not only a crowd-pleaser, you can make them ahead. That leaves you with plenty of time to get your frying done pre-game so you don't miss a play. And jus in case "California" is a trigger word for some of your guests, I have a fantastic Spicy Tuna Roll you could make instead.

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5) Orange Chicken Polpettine

This is what you get when you mashup a Chinese-American favorite with an Italian classic. Tasty, easy to make, and they keep well in a crockpot. Yes, Polpettine is a fancy word to be bandying about at a Super Bowl party, but one bite and your guests will be repeating Polpettine for days to come!

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6) Shrimp Toast

This dim sum favorite is easy to prepare and makes for a novel and delicious addition to your Super Bowl menu. With minced shrimp that's spread on a finger of sandwich bread, which is then fried, the toasts crisp up to a golden brown while soaking up all the savory juices from the shrimp. The picture is from an older version; I've updated this recipe with a video and even more irresistible flavor and crunch.

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7) Japanese Fried Chicken (Tebasaki)

I know you're probably thinking "enough with the wings!", but for those of you that aren't down with face-melting heat, these Japanese wings are just as crispy as the Korean ones with a sweeter, milder sauce. Have you ever had leftover wings? Never!

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8) Pot Stickers

It's hard to go wrong with pot stickers or Japanese gyoza, and if you're hosting some vegetarians I've got a vegan version of these that are almost as good. My trick to making a ton of these for a party is to deep fry them. The wrappers come out golden brown and crisp, and it's a lot easier than pan-frying them, one skillet at a time. I also have a classic Pork Gyoza recipe and three Gyoza Dipping Sauces that will really up your pot sticker game.

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9) Green Curry Crab Cakes

If you feel like a getting a little fancy, these green curry crab cakes are loaded with real crabmeat and redolent of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime.

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10) Spring Rolls

Last, but not least, you can't have an Asian finger food roundup without some spring rolls. These classic spring rolls are loaded with pork, vegetables, mushrooms and glass noodles. Because you get a ton of flavor from all the veggies and mushrooms, you could easily make these vegetarian by swapping the meat for this vegetarian meat.

I also have a recipe for the Japanese version of spring rolls, called Harumaki. They're very similar to spring rolls, but with some delicious, juicy differences. Besides, Harumaki is fun to say!

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In addition to these ideas, I have a whole Party category with lots of enticing recipes, so if you don't find everything you're looking for here, be sure to check it out.