10 Super B.C. Snacks for Super Bowl Sunday

Some of us come to watch the big game. Some of us come to see the half-time show. But let’s admit the truth: most of us come for the smorgasbord of snacks on Super Bowl Sunday. Get ready for the big game on February 8 with an assortment of tasty treats made by B.C. companies.

1. OHME! Foods

The freeze-dried fruits from OHME! pack in tons of flavour and nutrients along with a big crunch, with no added sugar. They’re perfect for snacking on their own. Any leftovers after game day can be used as toppings for yogurt or oatmeal, tasty additions to baked goods or colourful garnishes for cocktails. Choose from strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, sliced mango, dragon fruit and more. The Vancouver company also makes yogurt crunches: dried fruits covered in Greek yogurt.

Availability: London Drugs, Urban Fare.

2. Chiwis

Nutritionist Sarah Goodman experimented extensively to perfect the finicky process of air-drying kiwi fruit to achieve a crisp crunch instead of a chewy texture. The time and effort were clearly worth it because Chiwis kiwi chips are light, crispy and highly addictive. They taste like sour candies, except the only ingredient is kiwi—no added sugars, no preservatives—meaning they’re packed with antioxidants. The Squamish-based company also turns apples, pineapples and oranges into dried snacks. As much as possible, Goodman minimizes waste by using “ugly” fruit, which doesn’t look perfect enough to be sold in grocery stores. For a Super Bowl party, she recommends serving kiwi chips as a palate cleanser, pairing apple chips with a caramel dip for a sweet treat and using orange chips as garnishes in cocktails.

Availability: London Drugs, Whole Foods, Nesters, Choices.

3. Karameller

Vancouver-based Karameller sells Swedish candies, which are less sweet than typical North American candies and have more complex flavour profiles. And you won’t find any GMOs, trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup in these confections. The candy board is perfect for any party—it’s like a charcuterie board but with an assortment of sweet treats and sour candies instead of meats and cheeses. And if you fall in love with Karameller’s creations, you can sign up for a monthly candy subscription.

Availability: Karameller shop in Kitsilano (Vancouver).

4. Truffle Pig

For 20 years, Shelley Wallace has been experimenting with chocolate, and still she never tires of eating the tantalizing treat. She likens quality chocolate to fine wine. Wallace’s Burnaby-based company, Truffle Pig, uses only high-quality, ethically sourced cocoa in all of its creations. For a party, she recommends placing an assortment of milk and dark chocolate “piglets” (small Truffle Pig chocolates) on a serving board along with some pretzels—anything salty goes well with milk chocolate in particular—and pairing them with beer. And she recommends melting some of the chocolates to use as a dip for strawberries or potato chips.

Availability: Urban Fare, Nature’s Fare.

5. FreeYumm

Sarah Clarke founded FreeYumm after her son was diagnosed with food allergies and she struggled to find allergen-free snacks that tasted good. The Vancouver company’s crackers, cracker bites, cookies and bars are so delicious that few people would guess they contain none of the top nine allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, soy, sesame, sulphites, eggs or shellfish. FreeYumm’s snacks are also certified kosher and use only non-GMO ingredients. They’re sweetened with a mix of maple syrup, organic honey and coconut palm sugar, which is an unrefined brown sugar made from the nectar of the coconut palm blossom, delivering a rich caramel flavour.

Availability: London Drugs, Save-On-Foods.

6. Louis Pasture

Salty, crunchy snacks are hard to find for anyone following a keto or paleo diet. But for 10 years now, Primal Sisters Jennifer and Tamara Wensley have been filling that gap in the market. They make each batch of Louis Pasture Pork Crisps by hand using ethically raised pork. These preservative-free snacks come in mouthwatering flavours such as barbecue, white cheddar, jalapeño cheddar and salt and vinegar. You don’t need to be following keto or paleo to appreciate just how scrumptious they are. The Vancouver Island company also sells beef crisps and pork cracklings.

Availability: Fresh St. Market, Thrifty Foods.

7. Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps

Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps taste great on their own, but where they really shine is when paired with cheese and charcuterie. These artisan crackers come in mouthwatering flavours such as fig and olive, salty date and almond, cranberry and hazelnut, and rosemary raisin pecan. The Vancouver company also makes a gluten-free version of their crisps, available in three flavours: salty date, rosemary raisin and cranberry.

Availability: London Drugs, Nesters, IGA, Urban Fare, Whole Foods.

8. The Lemon Square

The Lemon Square kiosk on Granville Island sells just one item, so you’d better believe it’s been perfected over the years. Co-owners Dan Spratling and Wally Mitchell tweaked an old recipe from Spratling’s family and now make their zesty treat using fresh lemons, B.C. butter and a bit of coconut. The result is deliciously decadent squares that can be stored on the counter, in the fridge or in the freezer, so you can always have some on hand for whenever a craving strikes. Party packs are available.

Availability: The Lemon Square kiosk on Granville Island (Vancouver), The Lemon Square kitchen in Yaletown (Vancouver).

9. Purdys

Any gathering can be improved by Purdys chocolates. Founded in downtown Vancouver in 1907, Purdys is known for using sustainable cocoa in all of its sweet creations. For a party, you can’t go wrong with a big box of hedgehogs, Sweet Georgia Browns or an assortment of milk, dark and white chocolates. Several of their chocolates are also available in vegan versions that are just as rich, creamy and decadent as their dairy-forward counterparts.

Availability: Save-On-Foods, Purdys stores throughout the province.

10. Hardbite Chips

Made in Surrey, in the only manufacturing facility for potato chips in British Columbia, Hardbite Chips deliver big flavour and an even bigger crunch. Choose from Southwest chili, tikka masala, avocado and lime, rock salt and vinegar, spicy ketchup, sweet ghost pepper, smokin’ BBQ and other yummy flavours. Gluten-free, GMO-free and certified kosher, these tasty chips are all vegan except for the honey Dijon flavour, which is vegetarian.

Availability: London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, IGA, Nesters, Urban Fare.