Game day recipes are the secret to hosting a winning big game party, and this collection makes it easy! We've rounded up 30 of our favorites to help you pull off a fun, stress-free celebration your guests will love.
Jump to:
- Food selection tips
- Heartier fare options
- Our Favorite Recipe
- Recipes for Game Day Bites
- Easy Baked Feta Bites in Phyllo Dough
- How to Make a Cheese Plate (with step-by-step photos!)
- Herb and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Slow Cooker Cheese Dip with Leek and Garlic
- Herb and Cheese Wonton Crackers
- Margarita Chicken Quesadillas
- Beer Cheese Dip with Skillet Chili
- Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Smoked Salmon Spread
- 30 Minute Hoisin Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
- Smoked Salmon Tater Tot Bites
- Spicy Prawns
- Appetizer Crab Cakes
- Hot Crab Artichoke Dip
- Crab Filled Mushrooms
- Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits for a Crowd
- Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese Bites
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Mini Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls
- Jalapeño Popper Cups - Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer
- Sweet Bite Recipes
- Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
- Brownie Bites
- Easy Lemon Bars
- Pumpkin Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookies with Melted Butter
- Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mini Puff Pastry Apple Tart
- Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Some Drinks & Simple Syrups for your Party
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Big game day calls for great food, and this lineup delivers. We pulled together 30 crowd-pleasing bites to keep everyone happily snacking from kickoff to the final play. You'll find 20 of our favorite savory appetizers - packed with classic game-day flavors like jalapeños, seafood, and plenty of cheesy dips and bites - plus 10 sweet treats to round out the spread.
Food selection tips
When we plan a game day watch party, these five simple guidelines help us pull off a great buffet.
1. Make it easy
PIck foods you can prep fully or partially in advance. Crockpots, slow cookers, and easy-to-assemble dishes keep stress low and get you out of the kitchen so you can actually enjoy the game and your guests.
2. Remember food safety
Hot foods hot stay hot, cold foods stay cold - that's the rule and it's essential to ensure your guests safety. Use crockpots, warming trays, or chafing dishes to keep food hot. Ice packs and chilled serving dishes keep cold foods cold. Putting out smaller portions and refilling often also keeps things safe and fresh.
3. Account for dietary restrictions
A mix of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options makes eveyone feel welcome. And remember the classic game day flavors - buffalo chicken and jalapeño poppers - to keep the game day purists happy!
4. Variety is key
Games run long, and cravings change. Offer a mix of snacky foods (chips, dips, veggies), heartier bites (meat, seafood, warm dips), lighter options (fresh veggies, fruit), and a few sweets to round things out.
5. Make it easy to eat and serve
Most guests are watching the game, not sitting at a table, so choose foods that are easy to grab and eat. Make sure you have enough table space for serving dishes and the basics - plates, napkins, toothpicks, maybe a few utensils. The simpler, the better.
These tips help you build a stress-free, crowd-pleasing menu that keeps everyone happy and lets you enjoy the party, too.
Heartier fare options
We're focusing on game day appetizer recipes here, but if you're craving something a little more substantial, these hearty sandwich and salad options are perfect additions. They're great for guests with heartier appetites and fit right in with the same easy, crowd-pleasing vibe.
- Mini Bacon Cheeseburgers or Mini Buffalo Chicken Burgers
While still an appetizer, these mini burgers are a bit heartier. They're fun to eat, plus they score a 100% on the cuteness scale, these mini burgers will definitely impress your guests!
The following recipes are from our friends at Life As A Strawberry. - Slow Cooker Boozy French Dips
Featuring delicious slow cooker caramelized onions and a cozy au jus broth for dipping, these French Dips are a great-make ahead, serve yourself dish for your game day party! - Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
These sandwiches are perfect for make-ahead game day food! Add your favorite toppings to make these sandwiches your own! - Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Sandwiches
Just a few ingredients create this deliciously filling chicken Caprese sandwich! Set up a build-your-own sandwich bar for your crowd, making it the perfect choice for game day! - Arugula Prosciutto Pizza
This is one of our favorite, easy pizza recipes, and it's ready in less time than it takes to wait for delivery if you use this fifteen minute pizza dough! - Spicy Sausage Arugula Pizza
Perfect for game day!. Use homemade pizza dough and sauce or save time and grab pre-made versions at the store. Topped with a quick lemon arugula salad. Ready in 30 minutes! - Portobello Mushroom Pizzas
Use large portobello mushroom caps instead of pizza crust for a quick and easy vegetarian pizza alternative. - 5 Ingredient Tortellini Salad
This quick and easy cold tortellini salad is a perfect addition to your game day table! Vegetarian. - Easy Lemon Orzo Salad
Prepare it a day in advance for a stress-free game day. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vibrant salad is a refreshing buffet addition. Vegan. - Strawberry Spinach Salad
Whip up this spinach and strawberry salad in under 10 minutes for a refreshing and vegetarian-friendly addition to your game day menu. - Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad
With homemade kale pesto, crispy prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes, this Caprese pasta salad is a crowd favorite that’s sure to impress!
Our Favorite Recipe
Asking us to pick one favorite recipe is just unfair. But if we had to choose JUST ONE DISH from this recipe collection, it would be this Hot Crab Artichoke Dip. We fell in love with a version of this dish at the coast and couldn't stop ordering it. When we got home, we knew we needed a way to enjoy those flavors anytime - and ta-da, here it is!
Quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious, this creamy dip practically melts in your mouth! It's rich savory and always the first thing to disappear, so making extra is always a good idea.
Recipes for Game Day Bites
Easy Baked Feta Bites in Phyllo Dough
These crispy, savory feta cheese appetizers are a simple yet impressive appetizer your guests will love. With only 4 ingredients, they come together in about 45 minutes - perfect for entertaining with low stress.
How to Make a Cheese Plate (with step-by-step photos!)
An easy and delicious cheese plate appetizer is perfect for a game day party or holiday entertaining! With a step-by-step photo tutorial.
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Herb and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Baked mushroom caps filled with creamy, tangy goat cheese, cream cheese and fresh herbs make these herb and goat cheese stuffed mushrooms the perfect bite!
Slow Cooker Cheese Dip with Leek and Garlic
Be the hit of your next party with this slow cooker cheese dip with leek and garlic!
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Herb and Cheese Wonton Crackers
A quick and easy herb and cheese wonton cracker perfect with your cheese plate, as a snack, or served with your favorite dip. Vegetarian!
Margarita Chicken Quesadillas
These easy Margarita Chicken Quesadillas are perfect for busy weeknights! An easy chicken quesadilla recipe. Ready in 30 minutes.
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Beer Cheese Dip with Skillet Chili
Beer cheese dip with skillet chili is the ultimate comfort food. Served with chips or pretzels this is sure to be a hit at your next game night, game day party, or potluck!
Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These cheese stuffed mushroom caps combine tangy goat cheese and smooth cream cheese with a little sherry, shallot, and parsley for a delicious, easy appetizer. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Smoked Salmon Spread
This smoked salmon spread is the perfect appetizer for any occasion! Quick and easy to make, serve on a buttery, toasted crostini for a delicious bite at your game day party!
30 Minute Hoisin Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
These hoisin shrimp lettuce wraps are full of flavor and ready in under 30 minutes. A perfect addition for your game day buffet.
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Smoked Salmon Tater Tot Bites
These easy smoked salmon tater tot bites are quick, easy, and ready in just 40 minutes! They're sure to be a guest favorite at your next game day, BBQ, or casual gathering!
Spicy Prawns
The simplicity of these spicy prawns is almost overwhelming. Ready in under 10 minutes and delicious! Serve as an appetizer or as part of another dish.
Appetizer Crab Cakes
Amaze your guests with this homemade mini crab cakes appetizer recipe. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and adorable! A sure hit at your next party.
Hot Crab Artichoke Dip
Indulge in the ultimate party dip with this Hot Crab Artichoke Dip! A creamy, savory blend of tender crab meat and artichokes, perfect for serving with fresh veggies, crackers, or bread.
Crab Filled Mushrooms
These delicious crab filled mushrooms are easy to make and sure to amaze your guests! Perfect for a crowd at your next party.
Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits for a Crowd
Warm, buttery, and packed with cheesy, spicy flavor, these jalapeño cheddar biscuits are the perfect savory twist on a classic. Easy to make and ready in just 35 minutes! Vegetarian.
Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese Bites
These jalapeño popper mac & cheese bites combine the creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the awesomeness of jalapeño poppers! Baking these in mini muffin tins makes them easy to enjoy and perfect for any casual gathering.
Jalapeno Popper Dip
This easy jalapeño popper dip recipe is a take on one of our all time favorite party foods, stuffed jalapeños! Perfect for holiday parties, big game day parties, or whenever you want a simple, delicious appetizer.
Mini Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls
We've wrapped all the delicious flavors of the classic jalapeño popper appetizer in a wonton wrapper to make these mini jalapeño popper egg rolls! Easy to make and fun to eat!
Jalapeño Popper Cups - Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer
If you love the spicy, creamy, cheesy goodness of jalapeño poppers, these jalapeño popper cups are about to become your new obsession. They're crispy, savory, and packed with flavor - plus they're easy to make and even easier to devour!
Sweet Bite Recipes
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
These no-bake cheesecake stuffed strawberries deliver all the flavors of strawberry cheesecake in a single bite! Quick, easy, and ready in just 35 minutes.
Brownie Bites
These rich, chocolately, gooey brownies are a perfect bite!
Easy Lemon Bars
These homemade Lemon Bars are so easy to make and only need 5 ingredients! A crispy shortbread crust topped with a creamy, tart lemon filling.
Pumpkin Bars
These pumpkin bars are the ultimate fall treat! Packed with warm pumpkin spice flavors and topped with rich cream cheese frosting, each bite is as delicious as it is easy to make.
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Melted Butter
Make the best chocolate chip cookies with MELTED butter (no waiting for cold butter to soften!) With step by step photos.
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Pecan Shortbread Cookies
This easy pecan shortbread cookie is absolutely delicious - and did we mention EASY! The perfect balance of buttery flavor, crisp bite, and subtle sweetness combined with toasted pecans.
Kitchen Sink Cookies
These everything-but-the- kitchen sink cookies are easy to customize with your favorite chocolate chips, candy, pretzels, and more!
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chewy whole wheat chocolate chip cookies get a burst of rich, nutty flavor from whole wheat flour! With step by step photos.
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Mini Puff Pastry Apple Tart
A fun twist on the classic apple pie, these mini puff pastry apple tarts are sure to WOW your friends and family! Individual-sized for easy eating and bursting with cuteness! Vegetarian.
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
This simple banana bread recipe is packed with chocolate chunks! Mashed over-ripe bananas keep this loaf moist. Easy to make ahead of time and delicious!
Recipe & Photo: Life As A Strawberry
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep these five tips in mind; ease, safety, variety, inclusivity, and serving. Think about your setup, too. Most people are balancing plates on the couch while watching and cheering. They're not sitting at tables with utensils, so choose foods that are simple to grab and even easier to eat.
For a 3-4 hour buffet-style party with 10-15 guests, aim for 5-8 total dishes. A good mix might be a couple of snacky bites, a few heartier options, and a couple of sweets. Adjust up or down based on your guests, the time of day, and how long you're hosting. And remember - cheese and charcuterie boards work beautifully for any group size.
We hope you loved this guide to game day recipes for snack foods! If you have any questions, drop a comment below. For more recipe ideas, visit us at Appetizer Bliss.
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