20+ Best Game Day Food Ideas
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Looking for the Best Game Day Food to serve for the big game? We’ve got you covered with plenty of easy game day snacks and the best game day appetizers around, including wings, dips, and of course, a few of our famous bread bomb recipes!
Best Game Day Food
When it comes to couch food, I’m always looking for classic, comforting flavors in easy-to-eat form — ideally, no utensils required. If it needs to be scooped, that’s what chips are for!
So, we’ve rounded up the top requested recipes whether we’re hosting the game at home or tailgating with friends.
If you’re new to hosting game day, set all of the food up in a spot that’s easy to access and won’t tear you away from the screen for too long.
Nothing’s worse than missing touchdowns or the winning play!
Make sure to have plenty of plates and napkins available and decorate in your team’s colors to help everyone get excited for the game.
And if you really want to go all out, check out our drink recipes for plenty of boozy and non-alcoholic options to share!
Click on the bold recipe title below each image to open the recipe in a new window. Then, you can print, save, or Pin for later!!
Best Game Day Recipes
We’re starting out with some of our all-time favorite and most requested recipes. You can bet that these make an appearance at regular weeknight games and Super Bowl parties.
From the best game day appetizers to sliders and wings, there’s sure to be something that tickles your fancy!
4 Layer Pizza Dip is packed with layers of ooey gooey cheese, tomatoes, pepperoni, and bacon, though you can easily include other toppings if you want! I love serving it with breadsticks or baguettes — perfect for dipping. The flavors are out of this world delicious!!!
This Spicy Queso Blanco tastes just like the one at Applebee’s… maybe even better! This creamy cheesy dip with a little kick is loaded with 2 cheeses, fresh herbs, and just enough heat to make your tongue tingle. Serve with chips and veggie sticks.
Philly Cheesesteak Bombs transform the famous sandwich into irresistible, poppable bites! Wrap meat, cheese, and peppers into homemade pretzel dough and bake until golden brown. You’ll want to make a double batch!
Try Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Bites instead of your usual delivery. Not only will you save a bundle, but you can customize them with different toppings! Ready in 30 minutes and one of the best game day recipes to make ahead of time!
Chicken Parmesan Sliders are absolutely heavenly and party-ready! Slices of pan-fried chicken, marinara sauce, and piles of mozzarella cheese top stuffed between toasted buns… sign me up!
Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings are so tender, the meat practically falls off the bone. Everyone can agree that wings make the best game day food, but this caramelized sweet and spicy sauce is truly enough to make your taste buds sing!
Jalapeno Popper Pretzel Bombs are soft and chewy pretzel poppers, stuffed with ooey gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and spicy jalapenos. This scrumptious recipe transforms one of the best game day appetizers into something new!
Easy Game Day Food
If you’re settling in for a full day on the couch, you’re going to need more than just some casual munchies!
Here’s some of the best game day food to keep you energized long past half time, and each recipe is super easy to make.
These Simple Pretzel Dogs are the tastiest you’ve ever tried — so much better than the frozen kind from the store! Have a variety of dipping sauces available to pair with this juicy hot dog wrapped in chewy dough. It’s a great make-ahead recipe too!
Pair Cheesy Big Mac Bites with homemade special sauce and you’ll never need to hit the drive-thru again! These cheesy meatball-stuffed bread bombs are the perfect handheld snack to fuel you well into overtime.
Easy Baked Hawaiian Meatballs have the most scrumptiously tangy pineapple glaze!! When it comes to easy game day food, this one’s definitely a winner. You can make a huge batch in just half an hour, and guests can serve themselves with toothpicks.
These Bacon Cheeseburger Cups are similar to the pizza cups above, but they’re loaded with ground beef, bacon, and plenty of cheddar cheese. Pair with all your favorite cheeseburger toppings like ketchup, mustard, relish, and more!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are the perfect savory and tangy combo, and you can make them by the pan-full. Don’t forget the seasoned butter and parmesan topping — they really tie it all together.
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Crockpot Chicken Wings are a total game-changer when it comes to easy game day food. Dump everything in at once and cook for a few hours, then reduce the sauce on the stove, slather all over the wings, and broil until they’re extra sticky. YUM!!
Make crispy Lemon Pepper Wings in the air fryer or oven for a lighter version of this popular snack. They’re just as juicy and crispy as deep-fried wings but far less greasy! And all you need to make the sauce is melted butter and a handful of spices.
Easy Game Day Snacks
We’re finishing off our list with some of the best game day food for tailgating, potlucks, or a lazy afternoon on the couch.
Each of these recipes is easy to put together last minute, and some can even be made ahead of time. Choose your favorite or make them all!
Cheesy Enchilada Dip with Beef is loaded with your favorite Mexican flavors and ready in just 25 minutes! It’s in regular rotation at our house and is also one of the first things to disappear when guests are over. Don’t forget the tortilla chips!
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers have every taste and texture you could ask for — creamy, crispy, savory, fresh, and a little bit spicy. I always have to make a double batch because these disappear like magic!
Soft Pretzel Bites are incredibly tender and chewy and taste soooo good with queso or cheese dip. They’re also one of those easy game day snacks you can make it large batches, and you can even freeze them ahead of time.
Mississippi Sin Dip is hot, creamy, and the perfect snack for tailgating. It’s baked in a bread bowl for easy snacking but is just as tasty with crackers, veggies, chips, and more. I love it with bacon mixed in, but you can easily make a vegetarian version without it!
Bacon Mac and Cheese Bombs are one of the easiest recipes to throw together last minute! Stuff thawed dough with prepared mac and cheese, chopped bacon, and even more cheese, then bake until golden. Even the kids can help!
Make Pizza Pull Apart Bread with sweet Hawaiian rolls and all your favorite pizza toppings. It’s one of the best game day recipes for sharing, but I don’t blame you for wanting to keep this pan all to yourself!
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts may seem like an odd choice, but trust me, they’re incredibly addicting. I usually make them as holiday appetizers, but the sweet and savory flavors are perfect for game day snacking. And they taste great with all kinds of dips!
Meat Lovers Pizza Pinwheels are such a fun spin on the classic slice, especially if you’re all about that doughy crust! The best part is that you can make this recipe ahead of time and warm when you’re ready. The perfect party food!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Originally published January 2018. Updated January 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
