The 3 High-Protein Tailgating Snacks Every Parking Lot Party Needs

Julia Gartland2 min readCARB-HEAVY TAILGATE snacks can weigh you down come game time. We called an audible by laddering up classic apps with more of the gut-filling, muscle-building nutrient.Julia GartlandDeviled Eggs and BaconProtein per serving: 14 grams (g)Halve 6 hard-boiled eggs lengthwise and pop the yolks into a small bowl. Mix in ½ cup cottage cheese and 2 tsp Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Crumble in 2 crispy bacon slices and stir to combine. Load the mixture into the egg white halves. Chill until serving. Makes 3 servings (4 halves each)Julia GartlandThree-Bean SaladProtein per serving: 12gIn a medium bowl, mix 1 cup each drained and rinsed black beans, dark red kidney beans, and chickpeas, plus 3 cubed mini cucumbers, 12 halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 cup chopped mixed herbs (basil, parsley, mint). In a small jar, shake ½ cup olive oil, 6 Tbsp lemon juice, 1½ tsp garlic powder, 1½ tsp kosher salt, and a few hearty pinches of red pepper flakes. Pour over the beans and toss to coat. Season to taste with more salt and lemon juice. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes 6 servings (1 cup each)Julia GartlandChocolate Peanut Butter PopcornProtein per serving: 19gPop 6 Tbsp popcorn kernels in an air popper or on the stovetop. In a small pot over medium-low, melt ¼ cup coconut oil. Stir in ¼ cup natural peanut butter and a scoop of chocolate protein powder. Drizzle over the popcorn and toss. Sprinkle with 1 tsp flaky sea salt and transfer to the fridge to harden the drizzle. After 10 minutes, transfer to a cooler. At the tailgate, toss with 2 Tbsp chopped peanuts and serve. Makes 4 servings (3 cups each)Photographs by Julia GartlandFood Styling by Rebecca JurkevichPaul Kita is a Deputy Editor at Men's Health, where he has covered food, cooking, nutrition, supplements, grooming, tech, travel, and fatherhood at the brand for more than 15 years. He is also the author of two Men's Health cookbooks, Guy Gourmet and A Man, A Pan, A Plan, and the winner of a James Beard Award.Julissa Roberts is a recipe developer who has created incredible dishes for tons of brands, including Women's Health, Runner's World, and Bicycling.