Game Day Recipes

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25+ game day recipes to keep fans fed and satisfied, no matter which team is winning! You’ll find everything from dips and appetizers to pizzas and sandwiches, plus a few dessert options too!

collage of the best game day recipes featuring images of buffalo chicken pizza, pulled pork, dill dip with veggies, mozzarella sticks and beer cheese dip

30+ Game Day Recipes

I don’t know about you, but for me a “touchdown” on game day usually involves excellent food and some comfy, albeit festive clothes–my eyes are usually on what I plan to pile on my plate more than the TV. If you’re like me or feeding fans like me, you definitely need to check out this list of game day recipes!

I’m sharing everything that pairs well with football, baseball, or whatever sport you enjoy watching (or… kind of watching). This list guarantees that even if your team loses, at least you ate well–and that’s a win in my book!

Slice being pulled from a pizza made with buffalo chicken.

If you try just one recipe from this list, let it be my buffalo chicken pizza. This recipe transforms the popular chicken wing flavor into a crispy, cheesy pizza. Use my homemade pizza dough (or sourdough pizza crust!) for the best results, or keep things super easy with store-bought dough.

Everyone loves this pizza, with it’s ranch dressing drizzle and plenty of shredded chicken to keep things satisfying. If your crew likes wings or anything buffalo, definitely add this one to your menu!

Okay, let’s officially kick things off! 😉

1. Buffalo Chicken Pizza

My favorite recipe for any game day, buffalo chicken pizza combines popular game day foods into one delicious bite.

Homemade buffalo chicken on a wood serving platter.
4 from 1 vote

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

My buffalo chicken pizza is made with lots of stretchy cheese, zesty buffalo sauce, ranch, and onions. It's a crowd favorite!
BUFFALO CHICKEN PIZZA RECIPE

2. Taco Dip

One of the most popular game day recipes! This easy version knocks the store-bought kind out of the park.

Taco Dip
5 from 201 votes

Easy Taco Dip

Perfect any time of year! This dip starts with a cream cheese and sour cream base before it's topped off with your favorite taco toppings.
TACO DIP RECIPE

3. Smash Burgers

Perfect for a burger bar! These take minutes to make and work especially well if you prep the burger balls in advance.

Hands holding a smash burger topped with American cheese, onion, tomato, and lettuce.
5 from 7 votes

Smash Burger Recipe

Smash burgers liven up any party or cookout! Mine have a caramelized crust, plenty of melty cheese, and an easy burger sauce.
SMASH BURGERS RECIPE

4. Pizza Rolls

One of my newest and most favorite appetizers! These are so easy and truly taste like pizza, since they are made with real pizza dough.

Pile of pizza rolls on a plate with fresh basil and parmesan on top.
5 from 8 votes

Pizza Rolls

So easy and customizable with your favorite dough, sauce, and toppings!
PIZZA ROLLS RECIPE

5. Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip

If you are a bacon fan, be sure to try my maple bacon brussels sprouts too!

Cracker pulling cheese from a bacon jalapeno popper dip.
4.72 from 7 votes

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip

Flavorful jalapeno popper dip will be the star of your party! This dip is best served hot and bubbly.
BACON JALAPENO POPPER DIP RECIPE

6. Instant Pot Pulled Pork

What normally takes hours can be ready in just over one with the help of an Instant Pot. Don’t forget the coleslaw!

instant pot pulled pork on a sandwich topped with homemade coleslaw and pickles
5 from 12 votes

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This pulled pork has the same flavor and texture as slow-cooked versions, but in a fraction of the time! It's so good.
INSTANT POT PULLED PORK RECIPE

7. Chili

One of my most popular recipes! This award-winning recipe is a must-try. I also have recipes for turkey chili and white chicken chili.

the best chili in a blue bowl
4.97 from 2116 votes

The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)

This chili recipe has an incredible depth of flavor from a few key ingredients, like bacon, ancho chili powder, and fire roasted tomatoes.
THE BEST CHILI RECIPE

8. French Onion Dip

Made with real caramelized onions, this dip is PACKED with flavor. It has forever replaced the store-bought version in our house.

Bowl of homemade french onion dip surrounded by ripple chips.
5 from 3 votes

French Onion Dip

Perfect for making in advance! This dip is made 100% from-scratch without any soup mixes.
FRENCH ONION DIP RECIPE

9. Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Cheesy, saucy, and perfect for parties! I recommend serving this with some crusty bread (like artisan bread or sourdough bread!) for dipping.

Bread being dipped into a pepperoni pizza dip.
5 from 11 votes

Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Hot and bubbly pepperoni pizza dip is always a hit. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
PEPPERONI PIZZA DIP RECIPE

10. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

A must-have game day recipe! Start it in the morning so it’s ready to go for kickoff.

BBQ chicken
4.98 from 316 votes

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

This is the easiest, most hands-off recipe for pulled chicken! You will love the spice blend I use for extra flavor.
CROCK POT PULLED CHICKEN RECIPE

11. Fried Pickles

A restaurant favorite, everyone will be so impressed if you make homemade fried pickles! Don’t forget the dipping sauce.

Homemade fried pickles stacked around a dipping sauce.
4.91 from 50 votes

Fried Pickles

Crispy, well-seasoned, and so flavorful! These are an instant hit at parties.
FRIED PICKLES RECIPE

12. Dill Dip

Skip the store-bought version and whip up this super easy homemade dill dip. Tastes great with veggies, bread, and sourdough crackers!

Bowl of dill dip with crackers, tomatoes, and bread surrounding it.
5 from 13 votes

Dill Dip Recipe

No mixes or chopping needed! This super easy dip is perfect for parties.
DILL DIP RECIPE

13. Bacon Mac and Cheese

Possibly my favorite way to spruce up baked mac and cheese! This is the perfect recipe to use my trick to cook bacon in the oven.

close-up view of bacon mac and cheese topped with crispy panko in white casserole dish
4.91 from 11 votes

Bacon Mac and Cheese

Feed a crowd in just over 30 minutes with this next-level mac and cheese! Don't skip that crispy bacon-infused topping.
BACON MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

14. Mozzarella Sticks

Also check out my arancini–they are Italian fried rice balls that taste similar and are SO good.

Homemade mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce on plate.
4.92 from 34 votes

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

My recipe can be baked, fried, or air-fried. We love keeping a batch in the freezer for a quick snack!
MOZZARELLA STICKS ROUNDUP

15. Beer Cheese Dip

Another one of my must-have game day recipes, this creamy dip will have everyone going back for seconds!

Pretzel being dipped into a bowl of beer cheese dip.
5 from 2 votes

Beer Cheese Dip

So easy and creamy! This dip takes just 15 minutes to make and can be customized with your favorite cheese and beer.
BEER CHEESE DIP RECIPE

16. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Crispy and cheesy with just the right amount of BBQ sauce!

BBQ chicken pizza topped with red onion, bell pepper, and more.
5 from 1 vote

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Swap your traditional pizza with this fun BBQ chicken version! Recipe can be made with homemade or store-bought crust.
BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA RECIPE

17. Sour Cream and Onion Dip

One of my favorite game day recipes, this dip is SO easy to make.

Wavy potato chips being dipped into a homemade sour cream and onion dip.
No ratings yet

Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Only 6-ingredients! This dip takes seconds to whip up with pantry staples.
SOUR CREAM AND ONION DIP RECIPE

18. Sloppy Joes

Perfect for sandwiches or eating by the spoonful! Doubles easily and can be kept warm in the slow cooker.

sloppy joe sandwich resting on a wood cutting board
5 from 44 votes

The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

Less than 30 minutes to make without a drop of ketchup! Swap the beef with turkey for a lightened up version.
SLOPPY JOES RECIPE

19. Soft Pretzel Bites

Soft and chewy, these taste great on their own or with the beer cheese dip I mentioned earlier (alternatively, try my sourdough pretzels!).

plate full of homemade soft pretzel bites served with a side of melted cheese
5 from 15 votes

Soft Pretzel Bites

These soft pretzel bites are easy enough that anyone can make them. They taste SO much better than the ones in the freezer aisle.
SOFT PRETZEL BITES RECIPE

20. Buffalo Chicken Dip

We can all agree this is pretty much a requirement on game day, right? Yum!

overhead of buffalo chicken dip in white dish
5 from 14 votes

Buffalo Chicken Dip

A party staple! This 5-ingredient recipe easily doubles to feed a hungry, buffalo-chicken-loving crowd.
BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP RECIPE

21. Deviled Eggs

I highly suggest making a double batch if you make these for a party–it’s hard to eat just one (or two, or three).

Deviled egg topped with bacon, paprika, and a pickle slice.
4.96 from 1430 votes

Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

One of my most popular recipes! Deviled eggs are a classic party food, and these million dollar deviled eggs live up to every cent of their name.
DEVILED EGGS RECIPE

22. Jalapeno Poppers

Fried to golden perfection! I recommend you make my raspberry dipping sauce on the side too.

Cross section of a jalapeno popper.
5 from 4 votes

Jalapeno Poppers

You will love the flavorful filling I use in this recipe. Paired with the berry sauce, these are irresistible!
JALAPENO POPPERS RECIPE

23. Queso

Perfect for nachos, as a dip, or a topping for loaded fries or potato wedges, this queso is SO much better than that stuff in a jar.

cast iron skillet of homemade queso topped with cilantro and diced tomatoes
4.81 from 100 votes

The Best Queso Recipe

Only 15 minutes from start to finish! My recipe is flavorful and so smooth.
QUESO RECIPE

24. Meatballs

Perfect for meatball subs or as cocktail meatballs! Keep them warm in a slow cooker so guests can enjoy them all day long.

meatballs in pot with wooden spoon
5 from 29 votes

The BEST Meatball Recipe

Tender, moist, flavorful meatball perfection! These will fly out of the pan–that's how good they are!
MEATBALL RECIPE

25. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Another buffalo twist! Not too spicy and of course, perfectly cheesy.

plate full of creamy buffalo chicken mac and cheese
4.80 from 177 votes

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

This creamy macaroni and cheese gets a flavorful boost from zesty buffalo sauce and a crunchy panko topping.
BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE

26. BLT Dip

This chilled dip is perfect for summer (and baseball season!). It’s as flavorful as it is refreshing.

blt dip in white quiche dish
5 from 13 votes

BLT Dip

Made with all of the classic ingredients (plus a few more), this dip is so satisfying. It's a unique addition to the usual lineup!
BLT DIP RECIPE

27. Coconut Shrimp

Perfectly crispy with plenty of coconut flavor! Also be sure to check out my recipe for garlic butter shrimp–it tastes incredible with some garlic knots for sopping up the sauce!

Homemade coconut shrimp on a plate.
5 from 10 votes

Coconut Shrimp

Better than anything from a restaurant! My recipe is carefully designed to each piece of shrimp has an even, crispy coating.
COCONUT SHRIMP RECIPE

28. Corn Dip

Something a bit different for game day, this is like a heartier, more flavorful, and cheesy version of creamed corn.

Cheesy corn dip in a skillet after baking.
5 from 9 votes

Corn Dip

Flavored with bacon, green onions, and fresh jalapeno, this cheesy dip is a unique and crave-worthy appetizer. Can be served hot or cold!
CORN DIP RECIPE

29. Texas Caviar

This recipe works as a dip with chips or a flavorful side dish. I also have a fantastic guacamole recipe and salsa recipe!

Texas Caviar
5 from 10 votes

Texas Caviar

10 minutes to prep and plenty of fresh veggie flavor. Also known as cowboy caviar!
TEXAS CAVIAR RECIPE

30. Spinach Artichoke Dip

I also have an artichoke dip, if spinach isn’t your thing 😊

artichoke dip in white pie plate
5 from 12 votes

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Just 30 minutes to make! My recipe is made with four types of cheese for the best flavor.
SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP RECIPE

31. BBQ Chicken Meatballs

This is the perfect game day recipe: quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing!

BBQ chicken meatballs in a skillet.
5 from 3 votes

BBQ Chicken Meatballs

Easy, fast, and flavorful, these BBQ chicken meatballs are perfect for appetizers or as a meal with mashed potatoes and a veggie.
BBQ CHICKEN MEATBALLS RECIPE

Frequently Asked Questions

What game day recipes can I make ahead of time?

My smash burgers, French onion dip, pulled pork, chili recipe, crockpot BBQ chicken, sloppy joes, and dill dip are especially perfect for making in advance.

Super cheesy dips or recipes with fresh veggies (like taco dip or BLT dip) do not do super well texturally when made in advance.

What game day recipes are good for a crowd?

Most of these recipes are crowd pleasers and can be easily doubled/tripled to feed a group. Anything buffalo chicken is usually a big hit, and most people are bacon fans too, so you can’t go wrong with any of those recipes!

Do you have any game day desserts?

Yes! I include my favorite options below, but some others include my chocolate cupcakes or vanilla cupcakes (feel free to color the icing to match the teams playing), chocolate covered strawberries (easy to make into footballs/basketballs/baseballs with some creativity!), cookie dough dip, and Texas sheet cake.

Keep scrolling for a few more game day dessert ideas below!

Overhead view of a bowl of french onion dip surrounded by ripple potato chips and baby carrots.

I know this list isn’t my usual sweet dessert content, but I hope you like it just the same. Do you enjoy seeing these roundup posts? If so, let me know if you have any requests for the future!

Enjoy, and good luck to your team! 🏅

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook

Game Day Desserts

Bowl of soup made with vegetables and veggie broth.
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4 Comments

  1. Cheryl K Buchholtz says:

    I am using your best chili recipe for a church chili cookoff this weekend. I will let you know the results.

    1. Casey @ Sugar Spun Run says:

      I hope everyone loves it, Cheryl! Let us know how it goes. ☺️

  2. Noreen McCafferty says:

    Do you have any cookbooks?

    1. Sam Merritt says:

      Not a physical cookbook, yet, but I am working on one. 🙂