What to Cook This Weekend

What to Eat While You Watch the Red Carpet This Weekend

Oscars parties might be passé, but you can still snack in style while you watch the highlights on TikTok.
Cocktail glass with old fashioned surrounded by popcorn.
 Photo by Madelynne Boykin

The age of the Academy Awards viewing party, with its themed cocktails and menus of glamorous appetizers, seems to be coming to an end. Ratings for awards shows are dwindling, and more and more viewers opt to watch highlights on YouTube and TikTok rather than sit through hours of pageantry. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat and drink in style this weekend. Whether you're donning your finest gowns and tuxes for a full-on watch party, swaddling yourself in comfy pajamas to watch the funniest and/or most iconic moments on your phone, or anything in between, it's fun to whip up some snacks and drinks befitting the occasion.

We love bubbly cocktails for a red carpet moment, but what film-centric experience would be complete without popcorn and, by extension, a popcorn-infused old-fashioned? Scroll down for drinks, plus lots of savory bites and easy sweets to enjoy during your Oscars highlights reel viewing session.

  • Plate of sliced cucumbers radishes jicama and oranges with a bowl of chili lime salt.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini
    1/12

    Crudités With Chile-Lime Salt

    You could serve crudités with dip, but consider instead pairing fresh veggies with strongly seasoned salt. This chile-lime salt adds zest and heat that pairs well with vegetables and fruit.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    2/12

    Chaat Masala Mixed Nuts With Cornflakes

    This ensemble cast of spiced nuts and cornflakes brings the tangy-spicy flavors and tons of crunch. Make a big bowl full, since you'll be coming back for more all through your viewing party.

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  • Photo by Kelly Puleio
    3/12

    Bitter French

    This cocktail is a fusion of the French 75 and a Negroni. It combines the sweet taste of victory and the bitter taste of defeat—ideal for watching an award ceremony.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    4/12

    Scallion-Oil Noodles

    Everything Everywhere All At Once features lots of different foods, including everything bagels and scallion noodles. If you're rooting for Michelle Yeoh like we are, whip up these noodles to slurp as you watch.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    5/12

    Honey Butter Potato Chip Tower With Crispy Salami

    Anybody can open a bag of chips and tip them into a bowl, but we recommend this sweet-savory-salty chip-based recipe for ambitious snackers.

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  • Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca
    6/12

    Spiced Marshmallow Popcorn Bars

    If you love popcorn and you're feeling extra, this sweet-savory recipe from Chris Morocco is the snack you need this weekend.

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  • Photo by Thomas Schauer
    7/12

    Labne Deviled Eggs with Paprika and Ginger

    These beautifully spiced deviled eggs get such a punch from the mustard and ginger that you'll be screaming like a banshee (of Inisherin or otherwise) for more.

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  • Photo & Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin
    8/12

    Pork Meatballs and Cucumber Salad

    In a world where olives and golden raisins add brininess and sweetness to savory pork meatballs, an unlikely hero (you) serves them over a crisp, bright salad of cucumbers and fresh herbs for a feel-good blockbuster hit.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    9/12

    Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates

    Give bacon-wrapped dates the multiverse treatment. This alternate-reality version of the classic appetizer uses the date as the wrapper for a filling of salty salami and creamy goat cheese.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    10/12

    Polenta Bites With Wild Mushrooms and Fontina

    A blend of mushrooms plays the starring role in this bite-sized snack for a pleasing variety of textures, supported by discs of creamy polenta with a guest appearance by melty fontina cheese.

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Jarrett Melendez is a Boston-based food and comic book writer. Jarrett has worked in bakeries, diners, and restaurants in Maine and Mexico, specializing in Mexican, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, the latter of which he learned from endlessly patient host mothers while he was studying abroad outside of Tokyo and a ... Read More
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