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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 mac and cheese! This is the perfect recipe to use my trick to cook bacon in the oven.
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.
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!
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!
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.
18. Sloppy Joes
Perfect for sandwiches or eating by the spoonful! Doubles easily and can be kept warm in the slow cooker.
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!).
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 😊
Just 30 minutes to make! My recipe is made with four types of cheese for the best flavor.
SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP RECIPE
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!
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