This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
What’s the score? Doesn’t matter ~ everybody’s winning with these Game Day recipes from chips and dips to meatballs, pizza, and more, I’ve got all your bases covered for a slam dunk event.
My best collection of game day recipes yet ~ because some of us don’t know a hat trick from a Hail Mary, we just come for the food…
it’s all about the bread
What is it about warm toasted bread? You almost don’t have to serve anything with it ~ but please do! Pairing gooey cheese with crusty bread is a no-fail game plan.
- Easy French Bread Pizza
- Mushroom Bruschetta with Gruyere
- How to Make Flatbread Pizza with a Tortilla
- Buttery Garlic Knots
- Soft Pretzel Focaccia Bread
French Bread Pizza
5 from 3 votes
French bread pizza brings family and friends together over homemade pizza made in minutes!
View this recipe
Mushroom Bruschetta with Gruyere
3.57 from 139 votes
Mushroom Bruschetta is a quick and easy appetizer ~ the savory mushroom toast with a hint of garlic and lots of melty Gruyere is a combination no one can resist!
View this recipe
How to Make Flatbread Pizza with a Tortilla
5 from 3 votes
How to make flatbread pizza with a tortilla ~ this FABULOUS no- fail recipe is a family favorite! It's the best easy appetizer or light dinner.
View this recipe
Everything Bagel Knots
5 from 1 vote
My everything bagel knots are soft, warm pull-apart rolls that taste just like an everything bagel!!
View this recipe
Pretzel Focaccia
5 from 10 votes
Pretzel Focaccia with maple mustard dipping sauce is the easiest way to get your fix of soft, homemade pretzel-y goodness. This easy one hour pretzel bread recipe skips the messy bits and gets right to the 'yum'.
View this recipe
game day hot dips
It’s a good thing we humans have been hard wired with the ability to keep our eyes glued to the screen while simultaneously dipping and inserting hot gooey cheese straight into our mouths.
- Queso Dip ~ easy foolproof recipe
- Baked Caramelized Onion Dip
- Sweet Vidalia Onion Dip
- Cheesy Hatch Green Chile Dip
- Smokey Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Beer Cheese Dip
- Hot Crab Dip
Foolproof Queso Dip
5 from 17 votes
My queso dip recipe is a deliciously silky cheese dip perfect for Game Day snacking!
View this recipe
Caramelized Onion Dip
5 from 10 votes
Baked Caramelized Onion Dip has to be the queen of all hot appetizers, and once you learn to properly caramelize onions, this simple dip with incredibly complex flavors can be yours.
View this recipe
Sweet Vidalia Onion Dip
3.85 from 437 votes
Sweet Vidalia Onion Dip is an easy hot appetizer that will have everybody begging for the recipe! It’s perfect for game nights, holiday entertaining, or just a romantic night in.
View this recipe
Cheesy Hatch Green Chile Dip
3.42 from 503 votes
Cheesy Hatch Green Chile Dip is an irresistible hot dip made with roasted Hatch chile peppers and lots of cheese!
View this recipe
Smokey Spinach Artichoke Dip
3.66 from 23 votes
Smokey Spinach Artichoke Dip ~ a warm, cheesy classic that's an absolutenecessityif you've got friends coming over on a chilly night. My smokey recipe takes this familiar comfort food and gives it a delicious edge.
View this recipe
Easy Beer Cheese Dip
5 from 2 votes
15 minute beer cheese dip will be your go to fall appetizer for game days, co*cktail parties, and holiday gatherings!
View this recipe
Hot Crab Dip
5 from 10 votes
Hot Crab Dip is a delicious hot cheesy appetizer, perfect for holidays and game days, but easy enough for everyday ~ it always disappears fast!
View this recipe
beef it up!
Adding meat to your appetizer spread is always a winning strategy. My game day recipes for co*cktail meatballs and poppers are always the first to go.
- How to Make the Best Bourbon Meatballs Ever!
- Apple Butter Brandy Meatballs
- Middle Eastern ‘Nachos’
- Mahogany Chicken Wings
- Crock Pot Frito Pie
- Cheeseburger Jalapeño Poppers
- Cheesy Skillet Meatballs with Garlic Toast
Bourbon Glazed Meatballs
3.56 from 675 votes
These luscious little Bourbon Meatballs are going to be the hit of your next co*cktail party ~ people will flock to the meatballs, but they'll hang around for the sauce!!
View this recipe
Apple Butter Brandy Meatballs
3.79 from 52 votes
Apple Butter Brandy Meatballs, the name tells you all you need to know. These luscious meatballs are smothered in a sweet and tangy apple butter brandy sauce that will bring you to your knees. Technically for the co*cktail hour, no one will complain if you serve them for dinner.
View this recipe
Middle Eastern ‘Nachos’
4.15 from 7 votes
These Middle Eastern ‘Nachos’ are my take on one of our favorite appetizers, perfect for Game Day snacks or a romantic dinner for two ~ you decide!
View this recipe
Mahogany Chicken Wings
5 from 16 votes
Mahogany Chicken Wings are just plain irresistible, these yummy little guys are glazed to a deep burnished brown and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Just be sure to make lots — they go fast!
View this recipe
Crock Pot Frito Pie
4.20 from 25 votes
Frito pie is the ingenious combination of a fabulously meaty chili on top of crunchy Fritos corn chips. Dinner (or game day) doesn't get any better!
Cheeseburger Jalapeno Poppers
5 from 2 votes
Cheeseburger Jalapeño Poppers are one of the most satisfying appetizers on the planet! These healthier baked jalapeño poppers are stuffed with seasoned ground beef, topped with plenty of melty cheese.
View this recipe
Cheesy Skillet Meatballs with Garlic Toast
3.35 from 44 votes
These Cheesy Skillet Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food — serve them as a tapas style appetizer with crisp garlic toast, or a light dinner with a salad.
View this recipe
salsa
This is where you’ll find me, no matter who’s playing who ~ I’ll be huddling up with the chips and salsa.
- Cowboy Caviar Recipe
- Better Than Restaurant Salsa
- Fire Roasted Salsa Negra (black salsa)
- Pineapple Salsa
- Sweet Corn and Hatch Chile Salsa
- Mango Salsa
Cowboy Caviar
4 from 104 votes
Cowboy Caviar ~ whether you call it Texas caviar, black bean salsa, black-eyed pea salad, or Southwestern bean dip, this all-American cross between a salsa and a salad is just plain GOOD!
View this recipe
Better Than Restaurant Salsa
4.50 from 8 votes
Restaurant style salsa has that deep rich roasted tomato flavor you love from your favorite cantina, brightened with fresh veggies and cilantro.
View this recipe
Fire Roasted Salsa Negra (black salsa)
3.71 from 274 votes
Fire Roasted Salsa Negra ~ this intense Mexican black salsa is made with roasted tomatoes and peppers for a deep dark color and a gutsy flavor.
View this recipe
Pineapple Salsa
5 from 3 votes
My vibrant pineapple salsa is a brighter, juicier version of pico de gallo ~ we serve it with chicken, steak, pork, and fish. But it's also the best excuse I know of to buy a big old bag of chips!
View this recipe
Sweet Corn and Hatch Chile Salsa
4.78 from 22 votes
Sweet corn and Hatch chile salsa can be served as a summer side dish, or scooped up with chips ~ we can't stop eating it!
View this recipe
Mango Salsa
5 from 2 votes
Mango Salsa with ripe mangoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime is one of the world's great recipes ~ enjoy with chips, tacos, chicken or fish!
View this recipe
game day fry fest
There’s no contest here, fried snacks are the champs.
- Beer Battered Fried Mushrooms
- Fried Olives
- Vidalia Onion Strings
- Guinness Beer Battered Onion Rings
- Cornflake Crusted Cheese Curds
- Fried Green Beans
Beer Battered Mushrooms with Herbed Ranch
4.43 from 21 votes
These Beer Battered Mushrooms with Herbed Ranch Dip are crispy on the outside, and insanely juicy on the inside…they're in my top ten appetizers of all time!
View this recipe
Fried Olives
3.92 from 46 votes
Fried Olives are the best little appetizers in the world ~ they're crisp on the outside, warm and juicy on the inside ~ dip them in a little garlicky aioli and you'll be in heaven, guaranteed!
View this recipe
Vidalia Onion Strings with Horseradish Aioli
3.72 from 53 votes
Vidalia Onion Strings with Horseradish Aioli might just be the world's most perfect appetizer, these thin sweet onions rings are fried to perfection in minutes!
View this recipe
Guinness Battered Onion Rings
4.55 from 33 votes
These Guinness beer battered onion rings with a spicy curried mayo dip are the ultimate appetizer!
View this recipe
Cornflake Crusted Cheese Curds
5 from 2 votes
Cornflake crusted cheese curds are a twist on a favorite Midwestern snack that anyone can make ~ cornflakes are the secret to my extra delicious crispy crust.
View this recipe
Fried Green Beans
5 from 2 votes
Fried green beans definitely give French fries a run for their money…these crispy beer battered beans are irresistible!
View this recipe
finger food
When the game gets close, the snacking goes on auto-pilot. My Game Day recipes for easy finger food are tailor made for couch potatoes 🙂
- Sweet and Spicy Bar Mix
- Gruyere Cheese Crackers
- Gone Loco Party Mix ~ the Ultimate No Bake Recipe
- Dark Roasted Almonds
- Homemade Baked Pita Chips
- Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Pretzel Mix
5 from 7 votes
Spicy Sweet and Spicy Bar Mix whether you're celebrating the beginning of a new year or the end of a busy week, this snack mix recipe will be your best friend. The only downside is that you really can't stop once you start!
View this recipe
Gruyere Cheese Crackers
4.67 from 9 votes
Crisp Gruyere cheese crackers to serve with wine or as part of a charcuterie board!
View this recipe
Ultimate Party Mix
5 from 4 votes
Gone Loco Party Mix ~ the Ultimate No Bake Recipe is a decadent sweet and spicy snack mix loaded with your favorite guilty pleasures, and it's a-mazing!!
View this recipe
Dark Roasted Almonds
4.80 from 5 votes
Deeply roasted almonds with an unexpectedly intense flavor ~ the easiest most delicious appetizer we've ever had!
View this recipe
Baked Pita Chips 5 Ways
4.48 from 17 votes
Easy homemade baked pita chips can be customized with endless flavors.
View this recipe
Party Mix
4 from 12 votes
My Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe is updated take on classic Chex snack mix combining spicy, salty, and sweet flavors into one seriously irresistible snack. It's endlessly customizable, just make sure to save some for Santa!
View this recipe
kick it up a notch
Game day grub doesn’t have to be lowbrow ~ here are some delicious game day recipes to upscale your spread.
- Crispy Crab Balls
- Jarcuterie!
- Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baked Feta Cheese with Olives and Lemon
- How to Bake Brie
- Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe
- Copycat Raincoast Crisps® Crackers
- Rainbow Crudités with Fire Feta
Crispy Crab Balls
4.98 from 47 votes
My crispy crab balls are crunchy on the outside, velvety smooth and packed with crab inside. A classic co*cktail party appetizer that's great for date nights in, and game day nibbling, too.
View this recipe
Jarcuterie
5 from 15 votes
Jarcuterie are single serve charcuterie in adorable jars or cups. Everybody gets to take their meat and cheese appetizer with them as they mingle (the concept is pure genius!)
View this recipe
Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms
5 from 10 votes
Juicy baked mushroom caps stuffed with creamy Boursin cheese ~ this ultra easy appetizer will be the hit of your next party, guaranteed!
View this recipe
Baked Feta Cheese with Olives, Lemon and Rosemary
3.51 from 413 votes
Baked Feta Cheese with Olives and Lemon ~ an easy baked cheese appetizer that shows off the spectacular sun drenched flavors of the Mediterranean.
View this recipe
Baked Brie
5 from 17 votes
Do you know how to bake Brie the right way? Baked brie is one of the most luxuriously easy appetizers ever invented, and I'm sharing all the secrets to getting that perfectly oozy, gooey Brie every time.
View this recipe
Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe
3.38 from 304 votes
My Homemade Boursin Cheese recipe is easy to do, and the flavor is spot on. This copy cat garlic and herb creamy cheese will save you SO MUCH money! It's perfect for any occasion.
View this recipe
Copycat Raincoast Crisps Crackers
5 from 31 votes
Homemade Raincoast Crisps are a copycat version of the famously beautiful and crunchy crackers that dominate cheese boards everywhere, and they're so easy to make!
View this recipe
Fire Feta
5 from 9 votes
Rainbow Crudités with Fire Feta ~ an oasis of freshness and crunch in a season full of comfort foods and holiday treats, people will flock to this colorful healthy appetizer!
View this recipe
go big
Don’t get caught short if the game goes into overtime! These main course game day recipes will keep your crowd going.
- Sheet Pan Smashburgers
- Sheet Pan Tuna Melts
- Sheet Pan Peppers and Brats
- Mexican Short Rib Tacos
- Tunapeño Poppers
- Authentic Chicago Hot Dogs
- Chili Mac and Cheese
- How to Make the Ultimate Cheese Board
- Turkey Reuben Sandwiches
Sheet Pan Smashburgers
5 from 4 votes
Juicy smashburgers with all the fixings made quick and easy on a sheet pan!
View this recipe
Sheet Pan Tuna Melts
5 from 9 votes
Sheet pan tuna melts are a quick and easy meal that everyone loves!
View this recipe
Sheet Pan Peppers and Brats
3.52 from 98 votes
Sheet Pan Peppers and Brats ~ a quick and easy way to feed a Game Day crowd or a hungry family. This yummy sheet pan dinner is a favorite!
View this recipe
Beer Braised Short Rib Tacos
5 from 8 votes
Mexican short rib tacos are the BEST tacos ~ melt-in-your-mouth tender beef braised in a beer and guajillo chile sauce for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or just because!
View this recipe
Tunapeño Poppers
5 from 3 votes
Tunapeño poppers are irresistible little peppers stuffed with tuna and baked up with lots of bubbly cheese.
View this recipe
Chicago Hot Dogs
5 from 5 votes
The Chicago Hot Dog: an all-beef legend with all the trimmings!
View this recipe
Chili Mac and Cheese
4.09 from 47 votes
Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate fall comfort dinner, a combo of meaty chili, pasta, and lots of gooey cheese. Perfect for Game Day or every day!
View this recipe
How to Make the Ultimate Cheese Board
4.70 from 13 votes
How to Make the Ultimate Cheese Board ~ an easy meat and cheese platter is ideal for the busy holiday season. ~ it’s quick to throw together, looks stunning, feeds 2 or 200 as an appetizer or a light meal, and even the pickiest eaters can't resist!
View this recipe
Sheet Pan Turkey Reuben Sandwiches
5 from 5 votes
Deli style turkey Reuben sandwiches grilled up in the oven, on a sheet pan!
View this recipe
More fun appetizer recipes to try
Antipasto Skewers
8
reviews
Baked Jalapeno Poppers
7
reviews
Cheesy Beer Dip with Pretzel Rolls
9
reviews
Crudité ~ it’s the new charcuterie!
Explore Similar Articles in: