100 Best Game Day Recipes
Who’s ready for sports? These easy game day recipes are the perfect way to create a delicious tailgate…right at home! Every recipe on this list packs a flavor and taste that you just won’t find anywhere else! There are dips, wings, drinks, and even keto friendly game day food ideas!
100+ Best Game Day Recipes
In our house, game day food is a thing.
When it comes time to make delicious recipes at home, you can’t go wrong with tailgating food. There’s nothing like making dips and eating hot wings with all of your family and friends.
Between your mouthful of bites and cheering on your favorite team, you’ll have plenty of time to dig in and enjoy all of these fab recipes!
There are lots of game day recipes out there, but what we focused on was:
- made for sharing
- bite-size and handheld a plus
- easy to make ahead
We divided the recipes into categories for easier navigating. Simple click on the table of contents below to go straight to a particular type of recipe!
Have fun trying to narrow it down – this list of game-day food is amazingly delicious!
Game Day Sliders
Big Mac Sliders – A copycat of the real thing, in a bite sized portion!
Hawaiian Sliders– Ham, cheese, and pineapple are layered on a sweet Hawaiian rolls and baked ’til warm and melty. These easy and cheesy Hawaiian Sliders are always a crowd pleaser!
Hawaiian Sliders – An irresistible combination of ham, cheese, and pineapple
Cuban Sliders – The classic Cubano sandwich in a mini version!
Buffalo Chicken Sliders These buffalo chicken sliders make the perfect game day appetizer. Shredded chicken and buffalo sauce are baked in Hawaiian buns and lots of cheese.
Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders Juicy beef and melty cheese come together in this family favorite. All the flavors of a cheeseburger in the palm of your hand!
French Dip Sliders Being able to use the Instant Pot makes this recipe a breeze!
Game Day BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders The sweet bread paired with the pork makes for a powerful combination.
Tailgate Dips
Crock Pot Cheeseburger Dip with Melty Velveeta Crockpot cheeseburger dip is a delicious and easy game-day recipe. Made in the slow cooker, making for only one pot to clean up when done!
Hot Caprese Dip– This hot Caprese dip is a tasty, fast and easy way to serve fresh cheese, tomatoes and basil. This 10-minute appetizer tastes delicious served with veggies, crackers, or pita chips!
Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip in a Bread Bowl I love this smoked buffalo chicken dip recipe. It’s got the perfect amount of flavor, and if you make this for your friends or family, they’ll be begging you to make more.
Easy Cheese Ball This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, bacon, and green onions takes just 10 minutes prep!
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken dip is affordable and easy to make. This spicy, creamy dip is loaded with chicken and cooks up in just minutes in your pressure cooker.
Knorr Spinach Dip – Chilled spinach dip served in a bread bowl. Super easy!
EASY Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip Gooey, hot, melty, cheesy goodness. This Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip is super easy to make and perfect for a small gathering. spinach artichoke dip on hand!
Individual 7 Layer Dip Cups– These easy 7-layer dip cups are an individually portioned version of the classic taco party dip. A delicious and less-messy way to share a favorite appetizer!
Cowboy Caviar Dip Everyone is going to love this Cowboy Caviar Dip! So colorful, delicious, and perfect for game day!
Pepperoncini Dip with Homemade Bagel Chips This easy pepperoncini dip is creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy. It is best served with homemade bagel chips, your favorite crackers, or even fresh vegetables and takes just 5 minutes to prepare!
Velveeta Skillet Queso All you need are some chips and you’ll be dipping the day away. Perfectly fast and easy to make.
3-Ingredient Sausage Cream Cheese Dip When it comes to party dips, you can’t beat this thick and zesty 3-ingredient Rotel sausage dip with cream cheese. It takes minutes to make and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Cheesy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe Don’t miss out on this super cheesy and yummy dish!
Easy Baked BLT Dip Super Easy Baked BLT Dip. A creamy dip made with sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream cheese. Topped with lettuce, tomato and bacon!
10 Minute Queso Dip Throw this 10-minute queso dip for your next game day watching party. It’s great to dip veggies, chips, and soft pretzels into.
Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese Adding a little bit of heat to your mac and cheese takes the flavor over the top.
Wow-Worthy Wings
Crispy Baked Lemon Pepper Wings These oven-baked lemon pepper chicken wings are coated with a lemon pepper dry rub then baked until they’re super crispy. Finally, they’re finished with a flavorful lemon butter sauce. They’re the perfect game day appetizer!
Bacon Wrapped Wings — Because everything is better with bacon! Easy keto recipe!
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Wings The BEST wing recipe ever! Juicy chicken wings are oven-baked in a flavorful honey garlic sauce.
Honey Chipotle Wings– Sweet, sticky & finger-licking good, these honey chipotle wings are a must-have for your next party or game-day feast!
Crispy Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings Crispy Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings. Super easy to make and healthier than fried. Tossed in a sweet and spicy Honey Chipotle sauce!
Keto Buffalo Wings Recipe These low-carb wings are delicious and a great way to stick to your healthy eating habits.
Baked Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Wings A baked buffalo cauliflower bites recipe with just 6 ingredients. Everyone will love these easy, healthy, crispy, and low-carb buffalo cauliflower wings!
How to Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings (Secret Step Included) Homemade buffalo wings are so easy in the Instant Pot. This simple recipe makes the most tender flavorful spicy wings.
Extra Crispy Instant Pot and Air Fryer Chicken Wings These Air Fryer Wings come together in minutes, and are the perfect game day food! All you need is our delicious spice rub, and you will make the best wings ever.
Bite Size Appetizers
Twice-Baked Potatoes – Loaded baked potato skins filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon.
Chicken Flautas – aka Taquitos – Crispy fried tortillas wrapped around tender shredded chicken
Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos This air fryer garlic bread is ridiculously quick and easy. With just six ingredients it’s on the table in ten minutes. A great side dish or a delicious snack.
Seafood Egg Rolls Crispy, fried seafood egg rolls are packed with shrimp and crab. The perfect appetizer for entertaining family and friends on game day.
3-ingredient Crockpot Little Smokies These easy 3-ingredient little smokies are cocktail sausages cooked in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce in the slow cooker. They are perfect for parties and entertaining as they’re so tasty and fun to eat, and everyone loves them!\
Huli Huli Ribs– Huli Huli Ribs are a Hawaiian-style barbecue recipe where the meat is marinated, brushed with a tangy sauce and grilled until fall-off-the-bone tender.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pickles– Bacon wrapped pickles are crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The perfect savory low carb appetizer that’s easy to make in an air fryer!
Doritos Chicken Strips– These Doritos Chicken Strips are a crispy and cheesy twist on chicken tenders! Both kids and grown-ups alike will love them!
Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles– Refrigerator pickles are easy to make, with no canning equipment needed! This recipe makes delicious, crunchy dill pickles that keep for weeks in the fridge.
Pizza Quesadillas- Forget frozen pizza! These easy and cheesy pizza quesadillas are ready in 10 minutes or less and kids love them!
Veggie Pizza Roll-Ups Super-easy to make and packed with mixed vegetables, these veggie pizza puff pastry roll-ups are sure to go down a treat with the whole family.
Frozen Meatballs In Air Fryer Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these meatballs are perfect for serving with your favorite sauce or dip.
Ranch Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ups Ham Roll-Ups will be your favorite back-to-school lunch solution! Super quick and easy to make, these tasty ranch ham and cream cheese roll-ups are totally kid-approved
BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs Sweet and savory BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs are a classic party appetizer. Learn how to make homemade meatballs with this easy recipe!
Baked Ravioli Bites with Balsamic Dipping Sauce Baked Ravioli Bites With Balsamic Dipping Sauce is an easy recipe for a crowd-pleasing appetizer! Add a Balsamic Dipping Sauce and these ravioli bites will be the star of any party!
Must try: Garlic mushroom bombs These baked mushroom bombs are crispy from outside due to the bread crumbs and have a coating that will melt in the mouth. When you munch on these mushroom bombs you will taste an explosion of the garlicky and creamy crust before you start to chew on the perfectly baked mushrooms.
Mac and Cheese Balls Mac and Cheese Balls make a tasty game day food! All the great taste of macaroni cheese, but in crispy bites for a fun twist on the classic recipe. They can be fried, baked or air fried.
Mini Baked Potatoes This easy recipe for Mini Baked Potatoes makes a great appetizer for any party or game day! Roasted baby potatoes are loaded up with sour cream and chives. They’re a great finger food that everyone will love.
The Best Skinny Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are easy to make plus perfectly gooey and crunchy every time. Just a few minutes in the air fryer gives you a lightened-up mozzarella stick that is a healthier take on party time classic.
Crispy Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries Golden brown and crispy, these parmesan garlic zucchini fries are amazing every time! Perfect as a side or appetizer!
Easy Cucumber Hummus Bite Appetizers These cucumber hummus appetizers are a hit at parties and make delicious finger food! Made with crisp cucumber, creamy hummus dip and flavorful roasted red peppers, everyone will love this tasty bite! This hummus appetizer recipe is super easy to customize and makes a great healthy snack for any party.
Beer-Battered Onion Rings Fried foods are a game day classic. These beer-battered onion rings will hit the spot.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites Ultra crispy on the outside with melty cheese and spicy jalapenos on the inside. One of the best bites you’ll ever put in your mouth.
Mini BLT Bites with Avocado Vinaigrette Dressing It’s always fun to eat off a stick and these BLT bites prove just that.
Jalapeno Cream Cheese Bacon Bites I love how fast and easy these are to make. Loaded down with creamy texture and taste.
Empanadas De Pollo (Chicken Empanadas) Get ready. Everyone is going to be asking for this recipe after just one bite.
Slow-cooker BBQ Glazed Kielbasa Grab the toothpicks and let everyone dig in!
Air Fryer Paneer This simple air fryer paneer will win over the crowd! How can you go wrong with warm melty cheese on a stick?
Air Fryer Ravioli Toasted Ravioli is one of the most popular appetizers for a reason.
Homemade Mexican Potato Skins These potato skins pack a ton of fresh ingredients with loads of yummy flavor.
Healthy Baked Avocado Fries I bet that you’ve never had a recipe quite like this! Crunchy and full of healthy fats!
Bacon-wrapped Mac and Cheese Bites Try this unique spin on the classic mac and cheese recipe. Adults and kids love it!
Restaurant-Style Easy Fried Pickles Fried pickles are one fried treat that you’re just going to have to indulge in.
Homemade Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce Homemade Pretzel Bites with a creamy cheddar cheese dipping sauce! Popable and super addicting these homemade pretzel bites will go fast!
BBQ Stuffed Avocado There are so many fun ways to eat avocado and this is one that you have to try!
Dr. Pepper Instant Pot Meatballs I love how tender and juicy these meatballs are. One of my top favorite recipes!
Sajtos Töltött Paprika – Hungarian Stuffed Peppers Cheesy Stuffed Peppers are quick and easy to put together. Everyone will be begging for more of these luscious peppers!
Aruba Pastechi Tuna – Tuna Pie Tuna Hand Pies can be made two ways. Here you will find instructions for frying them up the traditional way or using the Air Fryer for a healthier version.
Walking Taco Bar Our Walking Taco Bar is the perfect way to serve up a saucy taco filling and your favorite toppings for the big game. Crush the chips in your bag, top them with a flavorful beef taco filling, piled high with lots of taco toppings, add a plastic fork and you’re all set!
Easy Pita Football Appetizer Football shaped food that tastes great is always going to be a hit!
Pulled Pork Nachos Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos are a great way to use up leftover pulled pork especially as an appetizer for a party or a filling main meal for the family. Quick to put together, and done in 30 minutes this is a huge crowd pleaser!
Sweet & Spicy Buffalo Chex Mix Grabbing a hand full of snack mix is the perfect game-day snack.
Ranch Snack Mix – A zesty snack mix that’s always a favorite in our family for tailgating or holidays!
Breads
Air Fryer Soft Pretzels — Soft and chewy on the inside, with a crispy golden brown crust, Air Fryer Soft Pretzels taste just like the concession stand favorite.
Pizza Muffins – Pizza flavor in a mess free handheld bites!
West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls – If you know, you know! A delicious pocket of melty cheese and spicy pepperoni is tucked inside soft baked rolls!
Sourdough Soft Pretzels with Homemade Beer Cheese These sourdough soft pretzels are made with leftover sourdough starter discard and served with a creamy homemade beer cheese dip. They’re soft, chewy, and surprisingly easy to make!
Bacon & Cheddar Flatbread Bacon & Cheddar Flatbread made with your favorite pizza dough, crispy crumbled bacon, and shredded sharp Cheddar cheese with a creamy horseradish sauce
Bacon Puff Pastry Twists These glazed bacon and puff pastry twists are the perfect appetizers for game day! Bacon-wrapped with parmesan and brown sugar – you won’t believe how tasty these are. They’re quick too. They need just 15 minutes in the oven!
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Ham and Cheese Pinwheels loaded with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese. All wrapped up in a homemade pizza dough and brushed with a dijon butter sauce! These are addicting!
Air Fryer Garlic Bread This air fryer garlic bread is ridiculously quick and easy. With just six ingredients it’s on the table in ten minutes. A great side dish or a delicious snack.
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich You’ll never believe how fast and easy it is to make this sandwich right at home.
Cheesy Pizza Bread Recipe This saucy cheesy pizza bread recipe is a fun appetizer, snack, or dinner for the family. Homemade Italian bread dough is braided with marinara, seasonings, and cheese. Add in your favorite pizza toppings for an extra special treat!
Sweet Treats for Sharing
Caramel Popcorn This delicious caramel popcorn is made without corn syrup and baked for maximum crunch and flavor. It’s perfect for family movie night or game night.
Chocolate Puppy Chow This easy Puppy Chow is a delicious treat made with Chex cereal, chocolate chips, and peanut butter into a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack the whole family will love.
Easy Apple Dessert Pizza (Like Apple Crisp!) Holy moly, this easy apple dessert pizza is one of those desserts that just stops people in their tracks. Part apple crisp, part pizza this dessert is full of cinnamon and sweet apples with a buttery crumble topping.
Fudgy Football Brownies Recipe Don’t forget that all good game day parties need to have delicious desserts as well.
Nutter Butter Snowmen Football Player Cookies These nutter butter cookies are literally the cutest thing ever! And so much fun to make!
Protein Packed Game Day Appetizers
Quick Hawaiian Tortilla Pizza How affordable yet delicious can a ‘fake-away’ pizza get? Try this Hawaiian tortilla pizza that takes just minutes to prep and cook thanks to the tortilla base.
How to Make Ribs with a Simple Sauce and Herbs Learn how to make oven ribs with this tutorial – the delicious, juiciest, and yummiest ribs ever! You’ll love this recipe for the best ribs you’ve ever had.
Buffalo Chicken Nuggets These buffalo chicken nuggets are chicken breast pieces lightly battered and fried to crispy perfection, then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets Who says that you have to bust your low carb eating plan? There are so many great keto recipes to try!
Pellet Grill Ribs Ribs are the perfect handheld game day food any time of year.
Homestyle Chili This hearty homestyle chili is loaded with ground beef, beans, and tomatoes all simmered together in chili spices and is perfect for game day!
Crispy Chicken Strips with Candied Bacon Aioli I dare you to stop dipping after just one dip. You can’t! This aioli recipe is so good!
Guinness & Honey Glazed Chicken Tenders The sweet and stickiness of these chicken tenders are addictive.
Keto & Low Carb Appetizers
Keto Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (1g net carbs!) As you can tell, there are hardly any carbs at all to be found in this recipe!
Buffalo Chicken Keto Cauliflower Tots – Crispy and Cheesy (with Video) Who knew that cauliflower could taste this good?!
Keto Blooming Onion (with video) You don’t have to go to a restaurant any longer to grab that blooming onion that you love.
Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Dip – Keto, Low Carb Using your Instant Pot to make this dip is a fast and efficient cooking method!
Easy Keto Jalapeño Poppers Be ready – you might find some bites that are spicier than others. It all depends on the jalapenos that you’re going to use.
Keto Cheese Crisps Skip the chips and try this simple crisp recipe instead!
Low Carb Stuffed Mushrooms They’re loaded with flavor, and only take about 45 minutes to make.
Easy Drink Recipes
Game day isn’t complete without something to sip on! These are some of our favorite easy cocktail recipes that you can mix up in advance.
Crown Apple Cider – Only 2 ingredients! Smooth, sweet, and spicy!
Crown Peach Jello Shots – Sweet and flavorful, perfect to make for a party!
Fall Margarita – This is always a hit with our crew! You’ve never had a margarita like this one!
Sweet Tea Sangria – A favorite in Texas!
Frozen Whiskey Sours – Cool and refreshing, this is both fruity and strong!
Watermelon Margarita– Looking for a new take on margaritas? These Watermelon Margaritas are a sweet and summery cocktail that’s made with fresh fruit!
Spicy Jalapeno Margarita– A spicy twist on the classic margarita, featuring tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and spicy jalapeño slices.
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