In anticipation of the Super Bowl, we’ve pulled together 50+ Game Day Menu Ideas that are sure to win over any of your guests.  This list includes easy game day food recipes for simple dips, appetizers, pizzas, chicken wings, desserts, and much more.

Every single recipe on this list is easy to prepare and would fit right in at any kind of casual party or get together.

best game day recipes

Game Day Menu Ideas

When it comes to the food ideas for game day, simple appetizers and finger foods are where it’s at. There is nothing fancy about these game day menu ideas—just pure, simple deliciousness.  

We’ve included fun appetizers, delicious dips, healthy snacks, and finger-licking-good chicken recipes as well as game-day favorites like buffalo chicken, baked potato skins, soft pretzel bites, and more. 

And don’t forget the desserts—we’ve got those, too!  Whether you plan to host a full-on backyard tailgate or a small game day party at home, there is something here for everyone.

Best Party Food Appetizers

Pizza Pinwheels

These simple Pizza Pinwheels make the perfect appetizer or football party food. They’re made with crescent roll dough, pizza sauce, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings and can be ready in just about 20 minutes flat.

pizza pinwheels made with pillsbury crescent rolls dough, football party foods.

Pork Carnitas Nachos

These fully loaded sheet pan Pork Carnitas Nachos are sure to get the party started. We take slow cooker carnitas and bake them between layers of tortilla chips and cheese, then top with guacamole, ranch dressing, fresh cilantro and hot sauce for a seriously easy and delicious meal. It’s a game day food idea people will keep coming back for more.

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Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

This is one of our favorite game day recipes. These Buffalo Taquitos are crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and taste great served as is or with a side of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or even guacamole.

Buffalo chicken taquitos on a plate.

Italian Mini Kabobs

These Italian Mini Kabobs are a quick and easy no-bake appetizer, a football party food idea. They only take a matter of minutes to throw together, but look elegant and taste amazing.

A close up of an Italian appetizer sized kabob made with bread, meats and cheeses.

Cheese Filled Peppers

With just 5 ingredients and about 30 minutes, you can crank out these ooey-gooey, flavorful, and unbelievably simple appetizers that everyone will love.  They’re stuffed full of ranch-flavored cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese and then baked until melty. It’s an easy game day food you can make ahead of time and cook when you’re ready. It

peppers stuffed with cream cheese is one of the best football foods.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

These yummy little guys are a little sweet, a little spicy and totally delicious, a game day food favorite.   

bacon wrapped smokies on pineapple, one of the best food for game day.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

If you aren’t feeling the Lil Smokies, you can also make these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites.  Just as delicious and just as much fun to eat! They make the best food for a party any time of the year.

bacon wrapped chicken bites, easy game day appetizer recipe

Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos

This recipe is a consistent football party favorite, using just 3 ingredients and taking only about 10 minutes to make.

Cream cheese stuffed jalapenos topped with bacon.

Sweet Potato Fries

Not only are these Sweet Potato Fries delish, but this recipe also includes instructions for a smokey, spicy dipping sauce to go along with it! This food for football party goes with pretty much anything, everyone loves this spicy and creamy sauce.

Homemade sweet potato fries with dipping sauce

Crispy Potato Bites

They are fully loaded, made with thin slices of oven-baked potatoes topped with melted cheese, ranch dressing dip, homemade bacon bits, and green onions. 

Crispy potato bites garnished with sour cream, bacon and fresh greens.

Loaded Baked Potato Skins

You can’t go wrong with this football party food classic.  Feel free to mix and match ingredients, too!

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Toasted Raviolis

These crispy Toasted Ravioli are a classic that make the perfect easy appetizer or snack.  Made from fresh or frozen raviolis, they are dunked in eggs and breadcrumbs, then baked and served with warm marinara sauce for dipping. You can also make these in the air fryer!

Toasted ravioli in an air fryer basket.

Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites

These Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites have all of the zesty flavors of Buffalo chicken without the deep-fried breading.  They’re tender, juicy and taste great covered in blue cheese crumbles and ranch dressing for dipping. When you’re coming up with the best football food, put this one at the top of your list.

Buffalo chicken bites stuck with toothpicks, surrounded by ranch dressing, carrots and celery sticks.

Mini Veggie Cups

No game day menu is complete without these Mini Veggie Cups. They are a perfect no-mess appetizer or snack for everything including baby showers, toddler birthday parties and after school snacks.  They are fun, healthy, fresh and super simple to prep.

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Best Game Day Dip Recipes

Homemade Guacamole

This Homemade Guacamole recipe is quick, easy, and just as good as anything you’ll find at a restaurant.  With a few simple ingredients (and no cooking), you can have the zestiest, fresh, and flavorful party dip in no time – just add chips!

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Homemade Ranch Dressing

Our Homemade Ranch Dressing is creamy, tangy, flavorful and so much better than the store-bought version.  Loaded with buttermilk, mayonnaise and a simple spice mix, this simple recipe works great as a salad dressing, veggie dip or even drizzled over pizza or chicken.

homemade ranch dressing recipe in a white bowl, how to make ranch at home.

Cheesy Bean Dip

This Cheesy Bean Dip makes the absolute best appetizer.  It’s a warm, cream cheese bean dip, full of great Mexican flavors and tastes great served with everything from tortilla chips to fresh veggies.

cream cheese bean dip served with tortilla chips.

Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip

This recipe tastes just like buffalo chicken wings in creamy, cheesy dip form.

Frank's buffalo chicken dip in a serving dish.

Everything Bagel Seasoning Dip

We love serving this simple dip with crackers, chips, pretzels, pita bread, crostini or even fresh veggies.

everything bagel seasoning dip recipe

BLT Dip

This recipe brings together all of the bacon, lettuce and tomato goodness of the classic sandwich and turns it into a cream cheese, sour cream and ranch based dip that everyone will love.

BLT dip in a glass baking dish.

7 Layer Bean Dip

Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics.  Whether you make this for the Super Bowl or a summer BBQ, it’s one of those dishes that everyone seems to know and love.

cold 7 layer bean dip, easy appetizer, layered bean dip recipe

Refried Black Beans

These easy Refried Black Beans make a perfect side dish to go along with all of your Mexican-inspired favorites.  They are loaded with flavor and can be enjoyed plain, as a warm cheesy dip or filled inside enchiladas, tacos, burritos or quesadillas!

refried beans topped with cheese, one of the best party foods.

Easy Homemade Salsa

You’ll love this restaurant-quality, fresh and easy salsa because it’s super quick, always delicious and can be made far in advance!

fresh salsa in a bowl with a side bowl of tortilla chips.

Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

This warm and cheesy Jalapeño Artichoke Dip is simple to make and a total crowd-pleaser.  It’s sure to be a hit for your next game day or Super Bowl party, and can be served with any of your favorite crackers, chips or raw veggies.

artichoke dip recipe, Corn chip being dipped in jalapeno Artichoke Dip recipe.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

If you like jalapeno poppers, you will love this dip.  It’s warm, creamy, spicy and cheesy with a crispy crunchy cracker topping.

Jalapeno popper dip in a white serving dish.

Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Dip Recipe

cheesy chicken alfredo dip recipe

Loaded Queso Dip

This Loaded Queso Dip is the ultimate game-day appetizer. Packed full of ground beef, creamy queso, Rotel tomatoes, beans, and plenty of cheese, everyone loves a simple, hearty dip recipe.

Bread and Pizza Recipes

Combination Pizza

When is comes to game day dinner ideas, this homemade Combination Pizza Recipe is chock full of meat, veggies, melted mozzarella cheese and plenty of flavor.  Complete with a chewy homemade crust, this pizza is a great way to keep everyone happy.

Combination pizza, best party food ideas.

Homemade Taco Pizza

Made with refried beans and salsa and topped with seasoned taco meat, shredded cheese and your favorite taco fixings, this baby is easy-peasy and oh-so-delicious.

homemade taco pizza recipe, with taco pizza sauce.

Hawaiian Pizza

This homemade Hawaiian Pizza is sweet, salty, cheesy and totally delicious.  It’s topped with tomato sauce, Canadian bacon, fresh pineapple and plenty of cheese.

Hawaiian Pizza Recipe with Hawaiian Pizza Toppings.

Easy Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza

Making this is sure to win you a few lifelong friends!  It’s got a chewy garlic bread crust on the outside, ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese on the inside and couldn’t be easier to put together.

Cheese Stuffed Crust on a serving plate.

French Bread Pizza

The toppings and flavor combinations that you can make with this French Bread Pizza are endless.  Whether it’s BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken, sausage or plain cheese, this is sure to be a party pleaser. Game day food couldn’t be easier than french bread pizza.

french bread pizza recipe, game day party food ideas.

Pizza Monkey Bread

This pull apart pizza is fun to eat, super nostalgic and couldn’t be simpler.

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Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks

Our cheesy breadsticks are made with pizza dough, a hint of garlic and plenty of mozzarella cheese.  Basically, they are pizza sticks without the sauce.  Yum!

cheesy breadsticks recipe, football party foods

Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Serve this yummy bread along with a bowl of marinara sauce and your family and friends will be in heaven.  It’s soft and cheesy, crusty and buttery and full of garlic flavor.

soft garlic bread recipe, pull apart garlic bread recipe, Crusty and Chewy Garlic Bread, layers of buttery delight!

Soft Pretzel Bites

You can make these as classic salted pretzel bites, or switch it up and flavor them with cinnamon sugar, garlic Parmesan or anything else you can think of.

Soft pretzel bites with a side of marinara sauce.

Herb Focaccia Bread

This Italian Herb Focaccia Bread is soft and chewy with a crisp outside and lots of flavor.  We use plenty of olive oil, Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese and flakey sea salt to make sure that this simple bread is as delicious as possible.

homemade herbed focaccia bread recipe

Main Course Menu Ideas

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

These Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, absolutely delicious and made without having to fire up the grill.  They’re seasoned with a simple dry spice rub and slathered in BBQ sauce then slow cooked to juicy perfection. 

baby back ribs on a sheet tray.

Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders

An absolute party favorite, these are made by dredging chicken tenders in a buttermilk ranch mixture and rolling them in crunchy, spicy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

cheeto chicken tenders,. hot cheeto chicken.

Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Healthier than deep fried wings, these are baked until golden and smothered in sweet and spicy buffalo sauce.

Buffalo chicken wings on a serving platter with a side of dip.

Parmesan Wings

These beauties, drenched in buttery garlic, Parmesan and red pepper flake sauce, are a delicious and satisfying alternative to buffalo wings.  So yummy!

Garlic Parmesan chicken wings on a serving platter.

Green Chili Chicken Taquitos

These Mexican-inspired Green Chili Chicken Taquitos are super creamy on the inside, baked to crunchy perfection, and have just the right amount of spicy kick.  Chicken Green Chili Taquitos are great for snacking, as an appetizer, or served as part of a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

homemade chicken taquitos with green chili, an easy football party food.

Chicken Quesadillas

These crispy, delicious Chicken Quesadillas are the perfect quick and easy game day snack.

chicken quesadillas stacked on top of each other, the perfect game day menu idea.

White Chicken Chili

This is a great alternative to traditional chili, made with a thick, creamy broth packed with chicken, onions, white beans, green chili and spices.  You’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!

A bowl of white chicken chili garnished with fried tortilla strips, jalapenos and avocado.

Easy Crockpot Ranch Chicken

If you want to serve mini sandwiches, might we suggest making this super simple crockpot ranch shredded chicken?  Toss onto a slider bun with a little lettuce, ranch dressing, and cheese and you’ll have some happy guests.

crockpot ranch sandwich

Kalua Pork (Slow Cooker)

This Slow Cooker Kalua Pork recipe puts a simple twist on the classic Hawaiian luau dish.  It’s smokey, tender, unbelievably delicious, and made easy thanks to the crockpot.

A plate full of shredded pork, rice and pineapple slices.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This classic Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe is full of tender rotisserie chicken, creamy dill dressing and crunchy apples and celery.  Serve as a chicken salad croissant roll, sandwich bread or in a bowl with crackers for a simple make-ahead lunch.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches made on croissants and arranged on a serving platter.

Party Desserts

Fruit Charcuterie Board

This Fruit Charcuterie Board is a great idea for dinner parties and get-togethers all year long.   Served with a side of cream cheese dip, it’s a beautiful and simple option that takes very little preparation and is easy to adapt.

Fruit Charcuterie Board for breakfast, brunch , baby shower, bridal shower, or game day.

Caramel Dip for Apples

This easy homemade Caramel Dip for Apples is smooth, silky, and perfectly sweet.  It’s a fall favorite that pairs perfectly with tart and crisp fresh apple slices.

caramel cream cheese fruit dip recipe, caramel dip with cream cheese

No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Dip

Topped with cherry pie filling, this No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake tastes amazing with all types of cookies and crackers.

no bake cheesecake dip with cherries on top, cherry delight dessert.

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is deliciously rich and totally fun dessert that’s perfect for game days, holidays and birthdays. 

milk Chocolate fondue recipe with white chocolate hearts in a fondue pot, how to make chocolate fondue. best chocolate fondue recipe.

Buckeye Dip

Inspired by the Buckeye candy (and Ohio State, of course), this creamy dip is packed full of peanut butter, cream cheese, marshmallow cream and mini chocolate chips.

Buckeye dip in a white serving bowl.

Coconut Caramel Popcorn

There are so many layers of flavor in this super addicting game day snack.  This recipe has toasted coconut, coconut flavored caramel and even a chocolate drizzle.

Coconut caramel popcorn in small party cups.

Candied Pecans

These quick and easy Candied Pecans are the best sweet and salty garnish, mix-in, gift or snack.  They are super versatile, crazy simple to make and totally addicting.

easy candied pecans recipe, how to candy pecans.

Peanut Butter Bars

These yummy no-bake Peanut Butter Bars are rich, extra thick and perfect for setting out after half-time.  

homemade peanut butter bars, easy not bake recipe

Rice Krispies Treats

Our version of Rice Krispies Treats is as gooey, buttery and delicious as the original with a few small tweaks.  A little extra salted butter and a hint of pure vanilla extract turns this already amazing sweet treat into something truly special.

Classic Rice Krispies Treats cut into squares and stacked on top of each other.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

No list of party food would be complete without these classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are buttery, tender, and so simple to make.  No need to roll or chill the dough for these chewy sugar cookies – just make, bake and eat. They’re delicious with or without frosting!

soft sugar cookies recipe, how to make drop sugar cookies soft

No Bake Nutella Cookies

And if you’re looking for a quick and easy no bake option, try these incredible Nutella No-Bake Cookies.  They are always a crowd favorite too. 

A stack of no-bake cookies.

Game Day Party Food FAQs

What is the most popular gameday food?

You might be surprised, but according to this CBS Sports survey, the top game day foods in the U.S. include brisket sandwiches, cheeseburger empanadas and buffalo mac and cheese!  This article also lists popular food items by region (fried pickles anyone?).

What is the best warm dip recipe?

If we had to choose just one, it would probably be this easy warm bean dip that is made in just over 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

What is the best appetizer with bacon?

This is a tough one because I love bacon!  However, this easy Bacon Jalapeno Cheeseball is one I go back to time and again because it can be made ahead of time and is a total crowd pleaser!

This list of the Best Game Day Party Food Recipes has all of the traditional classics, like chicken wings and dip, along with plenty of fun new favorites.  These simple, crowd-pleasing finger foods are sure to win over any of your family and friends.

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2 Comments

  1. Darcy Young says:

    Loved these so much!!! Thank you Jill. You’re awesome!

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