Get ready to score big with these Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks! This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for any football party, offering a fun and delicious way to enjoy a classic spinach dip baked right into irresistible breadsticks. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone cheering for more!
Key Ingredients for Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks
- For the Spinach Dip Filling:
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional, but recommended!)
- For the Breadsticks:
- 1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough (or your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks
These Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks are incredibly easy to assemble, making them the perfect addition to your game day spread. You’ll love how the creamy, savory spinach dip melds perfectly with the chewy, golden-brown breadsticks, creating a flavor and texture combination that’s simply irresistible. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes, you can whip up this delightful snack even on short notice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Make the Spinach Dip Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
- Add the Spinach: Gently fold in the well-drained frozen chopped spinach into the cream cheese mixture. Ensure the spinach is evenly distributed throughout the dip.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Shape the Footballs: This is where the fun begins! You have a couple of options for shaping:
- Option 1 (Easier): Cut the pizza dough into football-sized rectangles. Then, using a knife or pizza cutter, trim the corners of each rectangle to create a gently rounded football shape.
- Option 2 (More Decorative): Roll out the dough slightly thinner. Cut out football shapes using a football-shaped cookie cutter (if you have one) or by freehand with a knife. You can also create “laces” for the football by cutting small strips of dough and placing them on top of the breadsticks before baking.
- Fill the Breadsticks: Place a generous tablespoon or two of the spinach dip filling onto the center of each football-shaped dough piece. Be careful not to overfill, as the filling might spill out during baking.
- Seal the Breadsticks: Gently bring the edges of the pizza dough up and over the filling, pinching them together to seal. You want to create a pocket for the dip, ensuring it’s fully enclosed. Smooth any excess dough or press the seams firmly to prevent leakage.
- Arrange and Brush: Place the sealed football-shaped breadsticks onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Lightly brush the tops of the breadsticks with olive oil.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the tops of the breadsticks with additional grated Parmesan cheese. If you opted for the “laces” in step 5, gently press them onto the top of the breadsticks now.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 12-18 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown and puffed up, and the filling is bubbly and heated through. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the breadsticks from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks
These Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks are a touchdown for your taste buds! Their star feature is the incredible combination of a creamy, savory spinach dip nestled within a perfectly baked, golden-brown breadstick crust – it’s like getting two appetizers in one! Plus, making these at home is significantly more budget-friendly than buying pre-made versions, allowing you to serve a crowd without breaking the bank. The rich blend of spinach, cream cheese, garlic, and Parmesan creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and irresistibly delicious, far surpassing any store-bought snack.
Unlike a traditional bowl of spinach dip that requires separate dippers, these breadsticks are a self-contained marvel of flavor and texture. Imagine dipping your favorite chips or bread into a warm, cheesy concoction – now, imagine that delightful flavor baked directly into a chewy breadstick! It’s a game-changer for any gathering. So, this football season, ditch the ordinary and elevate your snacking game with these fun and flavorful Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks. Your guests will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
For optimal enjoyment, store any leftover Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure they have cooled completely before storing to prevent condensation from making them soggy.
To reheat, you have a few delicious options:
- Oven Method (Recommended): For the crispiest results, reheat the breadsticks in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is re-crisped.
- Toaster Oven: A toaster oven works similarly to a regular oven and is excellent for reheating smaller batches.
- Microwave (Use with Caution): While the microwave is the fastest option, it can sometimes lead to a softer, less crispy breadstick. If using the microwave, reheat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
You can also freeze the unbaked Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks. Once assembled and sealed, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake from frozen, you can either bake them directly from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the baking time) or allow them to thaw slightly in the refrigerator before baking as per the original instructions. Frozen breadsticks can be kept for up to 1 month.
Final Thoughts
These Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks are a delightful and incredibly easy way to impress your guests. Give them a try this game day – they’re guaranteed to be a winning recipe!
Football Shaped Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 clove garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, pinch nutmeg
- Gently fold in the well-drained frozen chopped spinach into the cream cheese mixture. Ensure the spinach is evenly distributed throughout the dip.10 ounces frozen chopped spinach
- Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
- Cut the pizza dough into football-sized rectangles. Then, using a knife or pizza cutter, trim the corners of each rectangle to create a gently rounded football shape. Alternatively, roll out the dough slightly thinner. Cut out football shapes using a football-shaped cookie cutter or by freehand with a knife. You can also create “laces” for the football by cutting small strips of dough and placing them on top of the breadsticks before baking.
- Place a generous tablespoon or two of the spinach dip filling onto the center of each football-shaped dough piece. Be careful not to overfill, as the filling might spill out during baking.
- Gently bring the edges of the pizza dough up and over the filling, pinching them together to seal. You want to create a pocket for the dip, ensuring it’s fully enclosed. Smooth any excess dough or press the seams firmly to prevent leakage.
- Place the sealed football-shaped breadsticks onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Lightly brush the tops of the breadsticks with olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sprinkle the tops of the breadsticks with additional grated Parmesan cheese. If you opted for the “laces” in step 5, gently press them onto the top of the breadsticks now.1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake for 12-18 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown and puffed up, and the filling is bubbly and heated through. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Once baked, remove the breadsticks from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Let them cool slightly before serving.1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley