Best Food for a Live Fantasy Football Draft

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What food should you bring to a fantasy football draft? It's a question that every fantasy draft host must ask themselves each year, especially with the Scott Fish Bowl - or the #SFB14 - approaching. With live drafts happening all across the country, we will see different cultures and styles of each area come to life with the food they choose to serve. And while there are no wrong answers, there are definitely some right ones.

The best food for a fantasy football draft party is the kind that will keep everyone happy and satisfied throughout the entire event - from the first pick to the last. Grab your Draft Boards and your Custom Championship Trophies; Here are some great ideas to get you started:

Grilling Out

There's nothing quite like firing up the grill and enjoying some good food with friends. Whether it's burgers, hot dogs, or steaks, grilling is always an excellent option for a fantasy football draft. Get your marinade and your spatula because it's time to heat the party up!

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Grilling

Baby back or St. Louis-style ribs marinated for 24 hours in Cholula, honey, ginger, and soy sauce—of course seasoned with salt and pepper. Wrap them in tinfoil and throw them in the oven at 215° for four to six hours. Finish them on the grill with some corn and potatoes on the side. They are easy to make and three to four racks should suffice for the entire party.   

Sushi

If you want something a little fancier, sushi is always a good choice. It's light, healthy, and delicious. Plus, it'll make you look like a total foodie in front of your friends. Don’t make the mistake of ordering just a couple of rolls; it will be gone before you know it!

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Sushi

You can't go wrong will a California roll; they are cheap and everyone likes them. However, the correct decision is to opt for the Volcano roll. The Mixture of spicy tuna, crab, avocado, and cucumber hit the pallet flawlessly, having most people going back for seconds.

Pizza

Let's be honest, pizza is the ultimate draft food. It's easy to order, it's always good, and it's pretty much guaranteed to please everyone in your group. You can even get creative and offer a variety of toppings to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. So go ahead and order that extra-large pie; you're going to need it.

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Pizza

Always make sure you have the bases covered with cheese and peperoni. However, going with a prosciutto and pineapple (yes, pineapple belongs on pizza), then complimenting it with a barbeque chicken pizza is the route. The combination of the two different types will let people satisfied and grateful you went the pizza route. 

Chicken Wings

A must-have for any football party, chicken wings are the perfect finger food for a fantasy football draft. It’s a lock for any draft party and will likely be the first thing gone. It might get messy but go all out when getting a massive platter of wings.

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Wings

You really can't go wrong with wings. However, getting them dirty is the right answer. Without going through the complex custom sauce I make for these, they finish off as an old bay/hot/teriyaki style wing. First let them cook through in a deep fryer. Some people also boil them instead. After saucing them with the old bay hot sauce, throw them back in the deep fryer for 30 seconds. Sauce them a second time with a honey-Worcestershire mix and, although I used to finish them on the girl, I now throw them in the air fryer to get that caramelized coating. 

 

Sandwiches

An easy food to prepare ahead of time, sandwiches are always a good option for a group event. Everything from hoagies, to meatball subs, to Philly cheesesteaks. Be sure to have a variety on hand to accommodate different taste preferences. Doing so is a sure fire way to have the best food at your fantasy draft.

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Sandwiches

There are so many routes to go for sandwiches. I'm going to go with my favorite sub to keep it simple: The Philly cheesesteak. Its easy to prepare in mass quantities, and sure, it might not be as amazing as one straight out of Philadelphia, it will do the trick.

Chips and Dip

Here me out…Nacho table. pic.twitter.com/qu4B28RTOw

— Willyfoster (@jjwgator) June 20, 2022

A classic for a reason, chips and dip are always a crowd-pleaser. You can’t go wrong with the combination, as someone will always love even the strangest of flavors. It’s a great way to get people ready to dive into the main course.

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Chips and Dip

This one is easy for me. Tortilla chips with a buffalo chicken dip never disappoint. Get some nice, spicy chicken dip and let people indulge in deliciousness .

Vegetable and Fruit Platters

For those looking for something a little healthier, vegetables and dip are always a good choice. Not everyone wants to get bogged down by grease and carbs. So give those who might not like fatty food an option—although we are not one of them.

Another excellent choice for those looking for some energy, a fruit platter is a perfect way to fuel up for a long day of drafting. Everything from pineapple to strawberries can be thrown together as a mix or individual finger food. If no deserts are available, one might even get a little wild by having a side of melted chocolate.

Chase's No.1 Food Draft Pick for Vegetable and Fruit Platters

Blueberries, strawberries and pineapples, eight days a week. Nothing is more refreshing than those three and will keep people digging in the entire time. Keep it light, and keep it easy. Don't over complicate the dish and stay away from things like cauliflower who only one or two people might dig into. Make your life easier and stick with the fruits most people prefer.  

With so many great options, it's easy to see why food is vital to any fantasy football draft party! So be sure to plan ahead and have plenty of options.

No matter what food you choose to serve at your draft party, the most important thing is ensuring there is enough for everyone. After all, stuffed drafters are happy drafters and happy drafters make for a successful draft!

For more tips on how to throw an amazing draft party, follow Chase Vernon on Twitter!