31 easy football appetizers for game day, from crispy wings and cheesy dips to sliders, loaded nachos and snack bowls, with plenty you can make ahead so you actually get to watch the game.
Game day at our house is really about the food. I'll admit I'm not always following every play, but I always know what's on the counter, and I have strong opinions about what belongs there: something crispy, something cheesy, something fresh to balance it all out, and at least one thing you can eat with one hand while yelling at the TV.
So I pulled together all of my favorite football appetizers in one place. These are the wings, dips, sliders, nachos, and snacks we make over and over during football season, and a lot of them can be made ahead so you're not stuck in the kitchen during the fourth quarter. Whether you're hosting the whole crew, heading to a tailgate, or just need some game day snacks for the couch, I've got you.
In This Post
What Makes A Great Game Day Spread
- Mostly make-ahead. Nobody wants to be tied to a stove during the game, so make-ahead is key. Many of these can be prepped a day early, from dips that chill overnight to snack bowls that keep for days.
- Built for a crowd. Several of these recipes serve 10 to 24, so you can feed a full house without making six batches of anything.
- A little of everything. Crispy, cheesy, spicy, and fresh all have a spot on this list, so your spread doesn't end up as twelve shades of beige.
- Easy on the cook. Lots of these come together in 20 minutes or less, and some don't need an oven at all. Win!
Wings
It's not really game day without wings. All three of these are baked, not fried, and still get seriously crispy.
Dips and Salsas
A great dip is the center of any good game day spread, and I'm of the firm belief that you can never serve just one. Here are the hot, cheesy ones, the cool and creamy ones, and a few fresh salsas to keep things interesting.
Sliders
Small, easy to hold and easy to eat without missing a play.
Nachos, Fries and Tots
Loaded, cheesy and meant for sharing. These are the ones that disappear first.
More Crowd-Pleasers
A few more favorites to round out the table, including a big pot of chili for long game days.
Snack Bowls
Set a few bowls of these around the room and let people graze all game long. Most can be made days ahead.
Tips for an Easy Game Day Spread
- Mix hot and cold. Pair one or two hot dishes (wings, queso or nachos) with a couple of no-cook options like Texas Caviar, 7 Layer Greek Dip or Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip, so you're not juggling oven space.
- Prep the day before. Deviled egg components, mashed potato balls, sloppy joe filling and most of the dips can all be prepped a day ahead. The snack bowls can be made days ahead.
- Keep dips warm in a slow cooker. The Rotel Sausage Dip and Jalapeño Corn Dip both work in a slow cooker, which keeps them warm and scoopable for the whole game.
- Save the fresh toppings for last. Avocado, fresh herbs, and anything crunchy go on right before serving. It keeps nachos crispy and guacamole green.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jalapeño Corn Dip (up to a day ahead), Texas Caviar (hold the avocado), sloppy joe filling, Bacon Jalapeño Deviled Eggs, and any of the snack bowls. For wings, season them ahead and bake close to game time so they stay crispy.
Salt and Pepper Cashews and Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip both take about 5 minutes. For bigger crowds, the Bacon Jalapeño Deviled Eggs make 24, and Smoked Queso, Jalapeño Corn Dip, and Cajun Crab Dip each serve 12.
Anything that travels well and doesn't need an oven when you get there: Texas Caviar, 7 Layer Greek Dip, Crack Chicken Chili in a slow cooker, and any of the snack bowls.
All three wing recipes are baked, and so are the Voodoo Fries, Garlic Knots, Tortilla Chips, and Spinach Artichoke Dip.
If you make any of these for your next game day, I'd love to hear how it went! Leave a comment and a star rating on the recipes you try. (It helps other readers pick their winners, too.)
Comments
No Comments