Put on your lucky jersey and get your favorite fans together because it’s time for football. Whether it’s college or pros, a winning snack spread is a must-have for watching the big game. These crowd-friendly recipes cover all your game day favorites—like wings, nachos, and chili—with tasty twists and smart shortcuts, so you don’t miss a single play. Affordable ingredients, easy prep, and a few sports-inspired touches make these game day foods a touchdown for any sofa superfan.
Air-Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
No matter who wins the game, you’re sure to score big with these cheesy, two-bite snacks that are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Boxed macaroni and cheese goes to the next level tossed with cheese cracker crumbs and Buffalo sauce (or swap in your favorite hot sauce) then air-fried into golden-brown bites.
Get the recipe: Air-Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
These spicy-sweet sliders are inspired by a Southern favorite and are easy to make with the help of a reliable freezer standby. Frozen chicken nuggets turn craveably crisp in the air fryer before getting sandwiched between sweet Hawaiian rolls with a drizzle of homemade hot honey.
Get the recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Jalapeno Poppers Pigs in a Blanket
We found a way to make two all-star game day munchies even better: by combining them. Jalapenos are stuffed with a savory cheddar and cream cheese mixture and mini cocktail franks before being wrapped in crescent dough and baked. The result? A crowd-pleasing super snack.
Get the recipe: Jalapeno Poppers Pigs in a Blanket
Football Dip
Make your snack table as exciting as the on-screen action with this Tex-Mex dip that doubles as a centerpiece. Store-bought guacamole, queso, pico de gallo, and sour cream turn a 9×13 baking dish into a football field complete with yard lines and end zones. Yellow and red grape tomatoes take their spot as “players” while broccoli and baby carrots look on as “spectators” from the sidelines. Serve with extra veggies, tortilla chips, and football-shaped dippers made from toasted pumpernickel bread.
Get the recipe: Football Dip
Lightened Up Buffalo Chicken Dip
This lighter take on Buffalo chicken is fit for any crowd thanks to two smart ingredient swaps. Reduced-fat cream cheese and light ranch dressing combined with shredded chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese crumbles for a 10-minute dip loaded with irresistible flavor.
Get the recipe: Lightened Up Buffalo Chicken Dip
Pull-Apart Meatball Parm Sliders
Keep the whole team satisfied with tear-and-share meatball sammies served hot from the oven. Mini potato rolls are brushed with garlicky butter to create a tasty canvas for turkey meatball sliders. Finish them off with marinara and melty mozzarella for a decadent bite. Pro tip: Keep the rolls connected in a casserole dish to make the sandwiches a breeze to assemble and serve.
Get the recipe: Pull-Apart Meatball Parm Sliders
Game Day Beef Chili
Nothing says game day like a big, simmering pot of chili and this tasty recipe can play two positions: meal-in-one or hearty snack. Loaded with seasoned ground beef and red beans, it’s thick enough to ladle over nachos and hearty enough to eat straight from the bowl with a spoon.
Get the recipe: Game Day Beef Chili
Cheddary Bean Dip
This vegetarian-friendly dip makes an eye-catching addition to the appetizer platter and it’s ready to hit the field in 16 minutes. Refried beans, sour cream, and two kinds of cheese combine into a savory spread that’s served inside a football-shaped bread bowl complete with green onion “laces.”
Get the recipe: Cheddary Bean Dip
Pizza Bagels
This homemade version of a frozen after-school snack also makes a winning addition to any game day menu. Ten minutes in the oven turns mini bagels layered with tomato sauce and mozzarella into two-bite pizzas with your choice of toppings.
Get the recipe: Pizza Bagels
Beef and Queso Nachos
No need to turn on the oven for these beefy nachos smothered in gooey cheese sauce. American cheese, salsa, and pickled jalapenos combine into microwave-ready queso drizzled over tortilla chips, slices of seared steak, and fresh tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Beef and Queso Nachos
Buffalo Chicken Pull-Apart Loaf
Don’t be surprised if you have to referee the snack table as everyone tries to get their hands on this cheesy pull-apart bread. Layers of store-bought biscuit dough form a flaky loaf stuffed with a savory Buffalo chicken and blue cheese filling that’s made for ripping and dipping.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pull-Apart Loaf
Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks
No matter which team you’re rooting for, this all-star from Philadelphia is always a crowd favorite. A single sheet pan is all you need to make classic Philly cheesesteak subs with seasoned flank steak, peppers, onions, and plenty of melty cheese sauce.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks
Slow Cooker Pork BBQ Sliders
This five-ingredient recipe cooks in the slow cooker so you don’t miss a minute of the pre-game party action. Pork tenderloin turns fall-apart tender braised low and slow in beer (or substitute chicken broth) before piling onto slider rolls with barbecue sauce and crunchy slaw.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork BBQ Sliders
Cajun Pizza
Skip the wait for pizza delivery and surprise your guests with this Cajun-inspired pie. Store-bought dough with tomato sauce and mozzarella topped with spicy andouille sausage, bell peppers, and onions will transport you right to Bourbon Street.
Get the recipe: Cajun Pizza
Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken Wings
This lighter take on crowd-pleasing wings is inspired by a Chinese takeout favorite. Frozen wings go directly from the freezer to the air fryer before getting tossed in a sticky glaze made with soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sriracha.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken Wings
Warm Jalapeno Ranch Dip
This game day winner brings the zing with just five minutes of hands-on prep. Ranch dressing, cream cheese and pickled jalapenos combine for a can’t-stop-eating-it dip served warm from the slow cooker.
Get the recipe: Warm Jalapeno Ranch Dip
Loaded Italian Subs
Salami, prosciutto, and provolone team up in these slice-and-serve party subs stacked on Italian bread. A homemade red pepper dressing is the final touch that puts them in the Game Day Grub Hall of Fame.
Get the recipe: Loaded Italian Subs
Crab Rangoon with Wonton Chips
Oven-crisped wonton wrappers serve as the dippers for this crowd-pleasing take on crab Rangoon. Ten minutes of prep is all you need for the warm, creamy spread made with sharp white cheddar, imitation crab, and green onions.
Get the recipe: Crab Rangoon with Wonton Chips
Garlic-Parmesan Wings
A quick garlic, butter, lemon, and cheese sauce makes these classic wings oh-so-good. They come together in the oven and bring Italian-inspired flavors right to your football party.
Get the recipe: Garlic-Parmesan Wings
