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!
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!
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.
2. Taco Dip
One of the most popular game day recipes! This easy version knocks the store-bought kind out of the park.
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.
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.
5. Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip
If you are a bacon fan, be sure to try my maple bacon brussels sprouts too!
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!
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.
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.
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.
10. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
A must-have game day recipe! Start it in the morning so it’s ready to go for kickoff.
11. Fried Pickles
A restaurant favorite, everyone will be so impressed if you make homemade fried pickles! Don’t forget the dipping sauce.
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!
13. Bacon Mac and Cheese
Possibly my favorite way to spruce up mac and cheese! This is the perfect recipe to use my trick to cook bacon in the oven.
14. Mozzarella Sticks
Also check out my arancini–they are Italian fried rice balls that taste similar and are SO good.
15. Beer Cheese Dip
Another one of my must-have game day recipes, this creamy dip will have everyone going back for seconds!
16. BBQ Chicken Pizza
Crispy and cheesy with just the right amount of BBQ sauce!
17. Sour Cream and Onion Dip
One of my favorite game day recipes, this dip is SO easy to make.
18. Sloppy Joes
Perfect for sandwiches or eating by the spoonful! Doubles easily and can be kept warm in the slow cooker.
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!).
20. Buffalo Chicken Dip
We can all agree this is pretty much a requirement on game day, right? Yum!
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).
22. Jalapeno Poppers
Fried to golden perfection! I recommend you make my raspberry dipping sauce on the side too.
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.
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.
25. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Another buffalo twist! Not too spicy and of course, perfectly cheesy.
26. BLT Dip
This chilled dip is perfect for summer (and baseball season!). It’s as flavorful as it is refreshing.
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!
28. Corn Dip
Something a bit different for game day, this is like a heartier, more flavorful, and cheesy version of creamed corn.
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!
30. Spinach Artichoke Dip
I also have an artichoke dip, if spinach isn’t your thing 😊
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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!
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!
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
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