If you are looking for game day appetizers you have come to the right place. We have rounded up 22 game day appetizer recipes that you are gonna love. Having a little food to enjoy together somehow helps everyone relax and visit more easily.
Game day is here. No matter the sport, the location, or the time of year. Maybe it is immediate family joining you or extended family as well. Maybe friends are coming over to add to the cheering section. Make a high-point splash with this list of 22 Game Day Appetizers you can’t miss!
1. Honey Garlic Meatballs
This is an easy, luscious slow-cooker recipe that serves up equal parts sweet and savory (and did I say very easy).
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2. Mini BLTs
Use a simple baguette from the grocery store to slice up, and you’ve got the perfect bread for the BLTs, small and cute enough to share for every bacon lover in the house..
3. Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers
People who love their jalapeños are going to love this baked game day finger food! You can make the bacon ranch jalapeño popper filling the day before!
4. Loaded Fingerling Potatoes
These are perfectly good warm or at room temp; there’s something about the cheesy bacon and potato melding together that makes for a great football food no matter what. Finger food fingerlings, you’re welcome!
5. Greek Salad Skewers
There’s something delectable, clever, and crowd-pleasing about these marinated skewer canapes. Stand them up or lay them flat, they are both great for individual party foods and a delicious, leveled-up TV watch party appetizer.
6. Chili Cheese Dip
This is one of those miracle recipes that only has 3 ingredients and you have a Crock-Pot full of flavorful cheese dip. Just add tortilla chips, and you can set it and forget it.
7. Bang Bang Sauce
If you really want to add another dipping sauce to the snack table, this one has just enough unique flavor that will raise eyebrows and get people asking for the recipe. A bit tangy and not too spicy, dip everything from fried shrimp to halloumi to carrot sticks in this universally winning sauce.
8. Sweet & Spicy Chicken Tenders
These sweet and spicy chicken tenders strike the ideal balance between sticky-sweet comfort and gentle heat, transforming simple frozen strips into restaurant-worthy finger food in just 30 minutes.
9. Turkey & Cranberry Sliders
While these are perfect to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, you can use a can of jellied cranberry sauce and turkey lunchmeat instead. Add a spoonful of prepared stuffing to the butter-basted Hawaiian-style rolls, and you are golden.
10. Bacon Cheddar Smashed Red Potatoes
Red potatoes are the perfect size for individual servings of these crisp, dippable smashed potatoes that make a great finger food warm or room temp. In the bang-bang sauce (#7), these are, well, bangin’.
11. Bacon-Wrapped Jicama With Cajun Spices
These easy low-carb game day appetizers are so satisfyingly crunchy and savory! Pronounced “hick-ah-mah” these root vegetables have a crisp snap and a light flavor.
12. Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Some game day apps are quick to make—like this one! Hawaiian-style rolls are filled with chicken tenders, sauce, cheese, then topped with melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning!
13. Crescent Roll Taco Ring
Tex-Mex flavors lend themselves to easy game day appetizers! This ring is made with crescent rolls filled with ground beef and cheese, and then baked. It makes an eye-catching centerpiece. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side.
14. Air Fryer Loaded Cheese Fries
Can anyone say “no” to a hot platter of gooey, decadent cheese fries with all their favorite toppings? I have yet to do so and I don’t recommend you turn them down either.
Check out our news story about helpful food safety tips on game day!
15. Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
Just a fantastic, easy and hearty hot game day appetizer; make enough for everyone to have three or four and you won’t need much else on the table.
16. Crispy Jalapeño Loaded Nachos Baked In The Oven
Nachos are easy game day appetizers and are fully customizable! Brown the beef, spread chips on a baking sheet, then add sauce and salsa. Sprinkle beef on nachos evenly and top with cheese. Bake to melt cheese and heat through.
End up with leftovers? Here are some tips for reheating nachos.
17. 7 Layer Black Bean Dip
Seven layers may sound daunting, but these style game day apps are fun to make and serve! Great pictures show all the layers of black beans, salsa, avocados, pico de gallo, cheese, olives, and green onion.
18. Open-Faced Cucumber Sandwiches
I think you’ll be surprised how these will disappear off the tray. Lightening things up a bit in the football food department, these are both easy to make and even easier to eat. Use mayo or soft cream cheese, whichever you have on hand.
19. Taco Dip
Nothing difficult or fancy about layering everything from sour cream with taco seasoning, shredded cheese, black olives, ground beef (if you want), diced tomatoes, and other tex-mex flavor into this easy dip meant to serve just four or five people.
20. Hand Pizza Pockets with Puff Pastry
This portable pizza pocket can be made ahead and frozen before baking. Puff pastry game day apps filled with sauce, cheese, and mini pepperonis (or whatever you choose), these are so good.
Of course, if this has you daydreaming about other puff pastry appetizers, we’ve got you covered.
21. Cranberry Sauce BBQ Meatballs
Homemade meatballs start with a combo of beef and pork with just the right amount of seasonings and finish with a spot in the oven to get the cranberry bbq sauce thick and sticky. A delicious appetizer for everyone—toothpicks optional.
Want some ideas for what else to serve with bbq meatballs? Naturally.
22. Cranberry Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites
When savory and sweet combine, they make the best game day appetizer ideas! Sliced and roasted sweet potatoes topped with whipped goat cheese and dried cranberries are the appetizer you never knew you needed!
The bottom line
Football food is the combination of comfort and convenience we all crave—but even better when you can say it’s homemade! Want even more game day meal ideas? Click through to see more:
