It doesn’t get bigger than this. With the series locked at 1-1, tonight’s State of Origin Game 3 decider at Suncorp Stadium is shaping up to be an absolute cracker, and whether you’re a die-hard Maroons supporter or bleeding Blue, one thing everyone can agree on is that good footy deserves good snacks.

You don’t need to be a whiz in the kitchen to lift your game-day spread from “bowl of chips” to “genuinely impressive.” Here are three easy, proudly Australian snacks you can throw together before kick-off – no fuss, no fancy equipment, just good honest tucker to enjoy while you shout at the telly.

Aussie Party Pie Sausage Rolls

You can’t have a footy night without something warm, meaty and golden coming out of the oven, and nothing says “Australian game day” quite like a tray of mini sausage rolls with a good dollop of tomato sauce.

You’ll need:

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
500g beef or beef and pork mince
1 small onion, finely grated
1 carrot, finely grated
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg, plus 1 extra egg for egg wash
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tomato sauce, to serve

Method:

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced) and line two baking trays with baking paper.
In a large bowl, combine the mince, onion, carrot, breadcrumbs, egg and Worcestershire sauce. Season well and mix thoroughly with your hands.
Cut each pastry sheet in half lengthways. Spoon a line of the mince mixture along one long edge of each strip, then roll up firmly to enclose the filling, sealing the edge with a little water.
Cut each roll into bite-sized pieces (about 4cm long) and place seam-side down on the trays.
Brush with the extra beaten egg and bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Serve hot with plenty of tomato sauce for dunking.

Chicken and Cheese Party Pinwheels

Easy to make ahead of time and even easier to eat while keeping your eyes on the screen, these pinwheels are a crowd favourite and can be assembled in minutes.

You’ll need:

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (a store-bought roast chicken works perfectly)
1/2 cup grated tasty cheese
2 tablespoons barbecue or sweet chilli sauce
2 tablespoons chopped chives or spring onion
1 egg, beaten, for egg wash

Method:

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Lay the pastry sheet flat and spread the barbecue or sweet chilli sauce evenly across the surface.
Scatter over the shredded chicken, cheese and chives, leaving a small border around the edges.
Starting from one edge, roll the pastry up tightly into a log.
Slice into rounds about 2cm thick and place flat-side down on the tray.
Brush with the beaten egg and bake for 15–18 minutes, until puffed and golden.

Loaded Aussie Chicken Salt Wedges

Simple, shareable and endlessly popular, chicken salt is a proudly Australian obsession, and it turns basic potato wedges into something genuinely special.

You’ll need:

1kg potatoes, cut into wedges
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chicken salt (or to taste)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
2 rashers bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup grated tasty cheese
2 tablespoons chopped spring onion

Method:

Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Toss the potato wedges in olive oil and chicken salt, then spread out in a single layer on the tray.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
Transfer the wedges to a large serving platter, scatter over the crumbled bacon and cheese, and return to the oven for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Drizzle generously with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce, and finish with a scattering of spring onion.

Game on

Whether you’re barracking for the Maroons on home turf or hoping the Blues can pull off an away-day upset, these three snacks will keep everyone fed and happy through all 80 minutes. Get the oven going before kick-off, grab a cold drink, and settle in for what promises to be one of the great deciders.

Enjoy the game!