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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Appetizers for Game Day – 25 of the Best Recipes!

    Appetizers for Game Day – 25 of the Best Recipes!

    Published: Jan 8, 2022 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    25 of the Best Game Day Appetizers in a collage.

    Whether it’s football, basketball or hockey, we all need some appetizers for game day to munch on while we cheer on our favorite team. Here are 25 of some of the best!. You’ll find some traditional football snacks like buffalo chicken wings along with others that are a little different like a peach salsa to go with those chips.

    A bowl of homemade Chex mix.

    How to plan a Game Day Party 🏈

    When having friends over to watch a game, I like to have a variety of appetizers on hand so that everyone can find something they love. Along with great food, here are some planning tips for a stress free party.

    • If your friends offer to bring something, give them a suggestion so that you don’t have five cheese dips. If you already have the food covered, suggest that they bring drinks or ice.
    • Choose some food that can be made well in advance and frozen so that all you have to do is let it thaw. This works great for desserts.
    • If you have a slow cooker or chafing dish, make a dip that is best served warm. If not, then choose a dip that is good at room temperature, football games last a long time!
    • Try to serve food that can be eaten without utensils, finger food is a must.
    • If something needs to be baked or heated, have it ready so that all you have to do is pop it in the oven. No one wants to cook and miss out on a big play.
    • Try to serve food that will still be delicious at room temperature.
    • While wings and sausage balls are great appetizers for game day, throw in some fresh veggies and dips or a charcuterie tray for those that may have dietary restrictions.

    FAQs about Game Day Food 🏀

    What can you bring to a football party?

    If you’re bringing something to a party, try bringing an appetizer that can be served at room temperature like a peach salsa or guacamole.

    What game day food can be made ahead of time?

    Some easy appetizers you can make ahead would be homemade chex mix or cheese crackers. You can make them weeks in advance and store in the freezer.

    What football snacks can be served at room temperature?

    There’s nothing worse then eating a room temperature appetizer that’s meant to be served warm. Instead, plan some appetizers that can sit out for several hours without loosing their flavor like spinach pinwheels or baked brie with pears.

    How can you keep dips warm during a party?

    The best way to keep dips warm is by using a slow cooker, or if you’re old school pull out a chafing dish.

    Whether you’re throwing a party, going to a party, or just hanging out at home, browse around and find some new favorites to enjoy.

    Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip

    A baking dish of creamy Buffalo chicken dip
    Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip
    This easy buffalo chicken dip is an all time favorite game day appetizer. With homemade buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, it's a must for any party. Use rotisserie chicken and a quick and easy Buffalo sauce for that "hot wing" taste.
    Get the Recipe

    Baked Brie with Pears and Pistachios

    A baked brie appetizer topped with pecans and pears on parchment.
    Baked Brie with Pears and Pistachios
    You won’t find a better holiday snack than Baked Brie with Pears, Pistachios, and Honey! A real crowd-pleaser, all of your guests will love the comforting bites of pistachios, sweet honey, and herbaceous thyme leaves with the creamy melted brie.
    Get the Recipe

    Hot Corn Dip

    A casserole dish of corn Dip.
    Hot Corn Dip
    This cheesy, delicious hot corn dip (from Mom Endeavors) is sure to be a win at your next football tailgate or party! 
    Get the Recipe

    Stuffed Roasted Peppers

    Peppers stuffed with cheese and sausage on a platter.
    Stuffed Roasted Peppers
    Stuffed roasted peppers with a filling of Muenster cheese and sausage definitely holds its own; not just spicy but bursting with flavor. These stuffed mini peppers are a great appetizer for your next gathering or a great side to any meal.
    Get the Recipe

    Mexican Street Corn Tacos

    A platter of Mexican Street Corn Tacos.
    Mexican Street Corn Tacos
    Leftover steak or beef tenderloin makes the best individual nachos especially when topped with homemade Mexican street corn or esquites. An easy one bite appetizer with something for everyone!
    Get the Recipe

    Peach Salsa

    A bowl of corn and peach salsa with peaches and tomatoes
    Peach Salsa
    Fresh peaches, tomatoes and corn are combined for a fresh and healthy salsa.  Peach Salsa is easy to make and a perfect summer appetizer for your next cookout.
    Get the Recipe

    Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

    A baking dish of soft pretzel bites with dip.
    Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
    Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites (from Two Peas and Their Pod) -these little pretzel bites are fun to make at home and are great for parties and game day! 
    Get the Recipe

    White Queso Dip Recipe

    Corn chips surrounding a bowl of creamy queso dip.
    White Queso Dip Recipe
    White Queso Dip is a creamy smooth cheese dip, like the ones served in Mexican restaurants. Fabulous as an appetizer for game day. You can use it as a simple dip or as a cheese sauce for a meal. Prepare this in just 15 minutes and it will stay creamy for the entire game!
    Get the Recipe

    Touchdown Taco Cups

    Game day appetizers in a Plastic cup.
    Touchdown Taco Cups
    When I started planning out our football party menu for this season, I knew I needed to get my head in the game and bring out the snacks and drinks that fans would really love! My family loves to spice things up a bit when it comes to game day foods, and what better way to kick off the start of the season than with these delicious Touchdown Taco Cups (from Southern Made Simple)!
    Get the Recipe

    Pimento Cheese Dip

    Hot pimento cheese dip in a skillet.
    Pimento Cheese Dip
    Transform a Southern classic, Pimento Cheese Dip, into a quick and easy burrito dinner. Or, keep it warm in a crock pot for an amazing hot dip to serve for Game Day or your next get together. If you’ve never tried pimento cheese as a warm crockpot dip instead of a cold spread, you’re going to love it.
    Get the Recipe

    OREO Cookie Footballs

    A platter of football shaped Oreo balls.
    OREO Cookie Footballs
    Any opportunity to get together with others and share food!  And what better food to share than OREOs?  Not to mention OREOs that are crushed up, mixed with cream cheese and decorated to look like footballs (from House of Yumm) These OREO Cookie Balls are a sure win!
    Get the Recipe

    Baked Buffalo Wings Recipe

    Baked Buffalo chicken wings with a blue cheese dipping sauce.
    Baked Buffalo Wings Recipe
    Crispy baked buffalo wings that are NOT fried are just what you need to snack on during the game or movie night.  Topped with a spicy homemade Buffalo sauce, and a homemade blue cheese dip, it's a classic for football games or any other gathering.
    Get the Recipe

    Football Brownies

    A brownie with a chocolate football on top with green sprinkles.
    Football Brownies
    Delicious brownies, topped with fun chocolate dipped strawberries that look like footballs! These Game Day Football Brownies (from Love From The Oven) are perfect for making and sharing for the big game!
    Get the Recipe

    Pinwheels with Spinach and Prosciutto

    A white tray of pinwheels filled with spinach and sun dried tomatoes.
    Pinwheels with Spinach and Prosciutto
    Pinwheels with spinach and prosciutto are rich and flavorful, a great do ahead appetizer that you can eat with your fingers.  Easy to freeze the roll and have it on hand when you need a quick appetizer.
    Get the Recipe

    Sausage Balls with Flour

    A pile of sausage balls with a linen napkin in the background.
    Sausage Balls with Flour
    This Sausage ball recipe is made with flour and no Bisquick. They are a classic favorite at our house. Less greasy than the traditional recipe making them perfect for game days, brunch, and holiday get togethers.
    Get the Recipe

    Cheese Fondue

    A saucepan of cheese fondue.
    Cheese Fondue
    This cheese fondue recipe (from The Foreign Fork) is the perfect date night activity! Make this recipe with white wine, Swiss cheese and shallots, and prepare for an incredible time indulging in creamy cheese with friends!
    Get the Recipe

    Tequila Lime Chicken Wings Recipe

    A platter of chicken wings with dipping sauce.
    Tequila Lime Chicken Wings Recipe
    Baked tequila lime chicken wings are marinated in Tequila, lime juice and harissa paste for a slightly sweet and spicy appetizer. Great for game night! Switch up your favorite wings and enjoy the unique flavor tequila adds to chicken.
    Get the Recipe

    What to put in Classic Guac

    A bowl of Guac.
    What to put in Classic Guac
    Make this classic guac (from Pip and Ebby) in minutes and learn what to put in guacamole to make it even tastier! This is a healthy snack and also a delicious appetizer/party food when served with chips. Make it spicy or go mild! Either way, this party staple will not disappoint.
    Get the Recipe

    Mushroom Crescent Rolls

    A serving platter with mushroom crescent rolls
    Mushroom Crescent Rolls
    Mushroom crescent rolls are a quick and easy appetizer you can throw together at the last minute with guaranteed success, perfect for any party or get together. All it takes is crescent rolls mushrooms and cream cheese. 
    Get the Recipe

    Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

    A stack of hot ham and cheese sliders for game day..
    Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
    Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders (from Sweet Tea and Thyme) are a fun, easy, and crazy delicious freezer-friendly dish that is a hit at get-togethers with adults and kids alike! Use your favorite cheese and type of ham in between soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls then slather on plenty of that amazing garlic butter sauce that is full of great flavor. 
    Get the Recipe

    Mini Croque Monsieur

    A plate of Mini Croque-Monsieur
    Mini Croque Monsieur
    If you can’t be in France you can still enjoy Mini Croque Monsieur appetizers.  An easy appetizer with puff pastry and a béchamel sauce. Your guests will love this take on a French classic.
    Get the Recipe

    Game Day Tailgating Charcuterie Board

    A football themed charcuterie board.
    Game Day Tailgating Charcuterie Board
    This Game Day Tailgating Charcuterie Board (from Big Family Blessings) is the perfect edition to every football game, whether you are tailgating at the stadium, or in your own home.
    Get the Recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Potato Bites

    A bowl of dip with bacon wrapped potato bites around it.
    Bacon Wrapped Potato Bites
    Bacon wrapped potatoes with a spicy dipping sauce are a perfect appetizer for a holiday gathering, party or game day. Baked so they’re not greasy, a match made in heaven.
    Get the Recipe

    Rotel Cheese Dip

    A bowl of rotel dip with veggies.
    Rotel Cheese Dip
    Made with just three ingredients — Velveeta, Rotel and Hamburger — this Rotel dip (from Spaceships and Laser Beams) has the perfect amount of spicy heat in each bite.
    Get the Recipe

    Homemade Chex Mix

    Baked Chex mix in a bowl.
    Homemade Chex Mix
    A batch of homemade Chex mix coated in a bold and buttery seasoning is an ideal snack. Great for road trips or back to school. It’s an old fashioned snack that never goes out of style.
    Get the Recipe

    Sour Cream Onion Dip

    Sour cream onion dip in a black bowl next to chips on a wooden board.
    Sour Cream Onion Dip
    Take a classic appetizer to the next level with this from-scratch Sour Cream and Onion Dip. Fresh ingredients and caramelized onions make it so much better than anything you get from a dried seasoning packet. It’s sure to be a hit!
    Get the Recipe

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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