Home Recipes Meal Types Snacks
Laura DenbyUpdated: Feb. 17, 2024
Football food should be cheesy, delicious and fit for a crowd. Check out our list of addictive game day food ideas, then dig in to dips, sliders, wings and other tasty eats.
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Cheesy Pizza Rolls
The cast-iron skillet browns these delicious rolls to perfection. My family can’t get enough. Use whatever pizza toppings your family likes best. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas
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Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings
For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. They’re the perfect football food. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it’s so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Cheesy Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders are a fun way to serve meatballs at your party without using a slow cooker. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Discover what a pro football player eats in a day.
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Football Cake Pops
My son loves football! For his eighth birthday, I made cake pops with a rich chocolate cake center and a yummy peanut butter coating. These are sure to be winners at parties, bake sales and sports-watching events.—Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, WV
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Spicy Honey Sriracha Game Day Dip
You can easily whip up this creamy, spicy and salty dip for game day food. I love dips for parties in the slow cooker—just turn the slow cooker to low once it is cooked and let your guests help themselves. No need to worry about the dip getting cold and having to reheat it. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Learn how to build a Super Bowl snack stadium for the ultimate game day spread.
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Touchdown Brat Sliders
Hello, football food! It’s game time when these mini sausage sliders make an appearance. Two things my husband loves—beer and brats—get stepped up a notch with crunchy flavored chips. —Kirsten Shabaz, Lakeville, Minnesota
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Mustard Pretzel Nuggets
This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It’s a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
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Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
One of my favorite slow-cooker recipes is this impressive buffalo chicken egg rolls appetizer. You can wrap the filling in egg roll wrappers and bake, or, for a bite-size version, use smaller wonton wraps. —Tara Odegaard, Omaha, Nebraska
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Maple-Bacon Rice Krispies Treats
Sweet with a touch of smoky flavor, these maple-bacon Rice Krispies Treats will make you fall in love with this classic flavor combo even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Texas Taco Dip Platter
When I'm entertaining, this colorful dish is my top menu choice. My friends can't resist the hearty appetizer topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives. —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
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Soft Beer Pretzel Nuggets
What goes together better than beer and pretzels? Not much that I can think of. That’s why I put them together into one recipe. I’m always looking for new ways to combine fun flavors. I love the way this recipe turned out! —Alyssa Wilhite, Whitehouse, Texas
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I love pork sliders! This sweet and savory recipe was created out of leftover ingredients I had in my fridge. It is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special-occasion potluck. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Air-Fryer Ravioli
While visiting a friend in St. Louis, Missouri, I tried fried ravioli at almost every restaurant we visited. When I got home, I had to try to replicate them, and I think this air-fryer ravioli recipe comes pretty close. —Cristina Carrera, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Waffle-Iron Pizzas
These little pizza pockets are a fun mashup using a waffle iron. Try adding your favorite toppings or even a few breakfast fillings, such as ham and eggs. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Beer Dip
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It’s the perfect football food when paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it’s hard to stop eating once you’ve started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I’ve taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado
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With a caramel-like coating and a touch of heat from the hot sauce, these crunchy peanuts make a tasty anytime snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pulled Pork Taters
This recipe is as hearty as it gets—part barbecued pork, part potatoes, but completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this comforting, warm-you-up baked potato dish. —Shannon Harris, Tyler, Texas
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Barbecue and Beer Meatballs
These game-day bites couldn’t be easier to make. You only need three ingredients!
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Club Roll-Ups
Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties. We love this recipe as game day food, too!
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Popcorn Cookies
It's so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They're definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
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Pizza Stromboli
I used to own a bakery, and this stromboli recipe was one of our customers’ favorites. Once they smelled the aroma of pizza and sampled these tempting spiral slices, they just couldn’t resist taking some home. —John Morcom, Oxford, Michigan
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Savory Cracker Snack Mix
A Taste of Home recipe inspired this one! Because I love everything bagel seasoning, I decided to give this a try. A friend later suggested I make the mix more versatile with something other than oyster crackers, and now it’s a deliciously addictive snack! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida—Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
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Pretzel Bread Bowl with Cheese Dip
Our town is known as Pretzel City—even our local sports teams are known as The Pretzels. I came up with this dish for an annual community recipe contest. People couldn’t believe that the delicious bread had pretzels in the mix! For variety, try using different flavors of pretzels. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois
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Spicy Touchdown Chili
For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma
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Savory Stuffed Peppers
Our family’s holiday dinners include a giant antipasto, and my mom’s anchovy stuffed peppers are always the star dish. There isn’t a holiday that we don’t make them in her honor. Serve warm or cold with a nice loaf of Italian bread and a glass of wine. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
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Honey and Ale Pulled Chicken Sliders
Score big with your guests with a little bit of sweet heat! This recipe works well for a football party—the extra liquid in the slow cooker keeps the chicken nice and juicy all day long. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Chili Queso Dip
I’ve had this recipe for more than 42 years and have updated it from time to time. This is an easy party favorite, and everyone loves the taquito dippers. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos
I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer.—James Schend, Dairy Freed
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Hot Chipotle Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Lime
I make spinach and artichoke dip for party guests all the time, but I wanted to give it a Mexican twist. I amped up this app with smoky chipotle chiles and tangy lime for an unexpected kick. —Joseph Sciascia, San Mateo, California
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Double-Chocolate Rolo Cookies with Pretzels
These chocolate Rolo cookies were a big hit with my father. The generous size makes them wonderful for gift-giving, and they’re always the first to go at parties. —Melissa Keenan, Larchmont, New York
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Sloppy Joe Slider Bake
Ground beef is turned up a notch in these party sliders that are sure to please your crowd. I love how easy they are! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Habanero and Mango Guacamole
For the ultimate game day food, pair mango guacamole with fresh habanero chili peppers. Depending on your preferences, you can control the guac’s heat with the number of pepper seeds you use. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cheesy Caramelized Onion Skillet Bread
This appetizer is perfect for a football game or informal party, but it came about because I have two sons who are always hungry. I needed time to get dinner on the table after coming home from work. They love the skillet bread for the flavor, and I love it because it keeps them in the kitchen to chat while I prepare the rest of dinner! If you’d like, you can use homemade biscuits instead of prepared. —Mary M. Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
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Pretzel Puppy Chow
This variation on regular puppy chow replaces peanut butter with Nutella and chipotle for a delicious spicy-sweet combination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Slow-Cooker Cheeseburger Dip
This fun dip recipe uses ingredients that I always have in the fridge, so it's easy to throw together on short notice. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
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Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before—they won’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa
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Crispy Sriracha Spring Rolls
While in the Bahamas, friends suggested a restaurant that served amazing chicken spring rolls. When I got home, I created my own version. Such a great appetizer to have waiting in the freezer! —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Hot Italian Party Sandwiches
It doesn’t get much easier, or more delicious, than this hot Italian sandwich recipe. These sandwiches are the perfect appetizer for parties, gatherings or a hungry family. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Spruced-Up Cheese Spread
A neighbor who’s a wonderful cook gave me the recipe for this zippy cracker spread. It’s easy to shape into a Christmas tree for a festive occasion, but it looks enticing in a bowl or on a plate, too. —Judy Grimes, Brandon, Mississippi
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My sons always say I'm the best mom in the world when I make this creamy mac-and-cheese perfection. Does it get any better than that? —Heidi Fleek, Hamburg, Pennsylvania
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Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Homemade Tortilla Chips
I make these homemade tortilla chips to serve with roasted tomatillo salsa. They have a little heat from the chipotle. If you prefer plain, just sprinkle with salt after frying. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington
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Cuban Sliders
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
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Blue Cheese Potato Chips
Game day calls for something bold. I top potato chips with tomatoes, bacon and tangy blue cheese. I make two big pans, and they always disappear. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
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Game-Day Thai Chicken Meatballs
These Thai chicken meatballs make a great game-day snack. We also like to serve them as a main dish over stir-fried veggies. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
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"Secret's in the Sauce" BBQ Ribs
A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Bacon Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Buffalo dip is must-have dish at our annual Fourth of July backyard barbecue! It celebrates America’s love for Buffalo chicken dipped in heaps of creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing. And the bacon? That’s just a bonus! My kids aren’t big fans of blue cheese, but its strong flavor can be mellowed out by adding more mild cheddar in its place. —Katie O’Keeffe, Derry, New Hampshire
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent Ring
A classic cordon bleu has chicken, cheese and ham. To change it up, roll everything inside crescent dough for a hand-held meal. —Stella Culotta, Pasadena, Maryland
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Cheesy Stuffed Peppers
This is my favorite summertime supper because I can use peppers and tomatoes fresh from my garden.—Betty DeRoad, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Bacon Cheeseburger Buns
This is a fun way to serve bacon cheeseburgers without all the fuss of assembling the sandwiches to serve a gang. These convenient packets can be dipped into ketchup or barbecue sauce as you eat them. —Marjorie Miller, Haven, Kansas
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Fudgy S'mores Brownies
I combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota
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Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches
My Asian pulled pork is a happy flavor mashup of Vietnamese pho noodle soup and a banh mi sandwich. It's one seriously delicious slow-cooker dish. —Stacie Anderson, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Walking Tacos
These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
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BLT Waffle Sliders
Craving a BLT for breakfast? Try a deliciously different version that features crisp bacon and fresh tomatoes between two golden cornmeal waffles. Prepare the waffles ahead of time and reheat in the toaster for quick assembly. —Stacy Joura, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
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Originally Published: September 01, 2021
Laura Denby
Cooking and writing have been Laura’s passion for 10 years. In addition to Taste of Home, Laura writes about food and culinary arts on sites like Food & Wine, Food Network and Delish. Though she’s a trained professional chef, Laura has branched into the wine and spirits space too. She has worked in multiple vineyards and earned a WSET Level 2 award in wine and spirits. Her work in professional kitchens, love of organizing and eye for the best kitchen products gives her a range of writing experience from cooking techniques to product testing. Outside of work, Laura loves wine tasting, traveling and hanging out with her dog and family.