Food and Recipes Entertaining Ideas & Tips 82 Game Day Food Recipes Football Fans Will Cheer For The game day food is as important as the match itself. By Kimberly Holland Kimberly Holland Kimberly Holland is a writer and editor with 15 years of experience in food, lifestyle, health, and nutrition content. She has been published in Southern Living, Real Simple, Allrecipes, EatingWell, Cooking Light, and other publications. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 3, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez In the South, game day food is just as important as the game itself. Fast-food wings and grocery-store veggie trays just won't cut it. That's why we've gathered all of our favorite football party food recipes into one go-to game-day collection. From dips like Jalapeño Popper Dip to handhelds like Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, these crowd-winning dishes deserve to be displayed on your tailgate spread. We find a wide assortment of grab-and-go snacks work best with eager football fans, so whip up a few of these easy recipes to be the talk of the tailgate, like our Buffalo Chicken Dip (Hook 'em horns!) or Mini Potato Skins (Geaux Tigers!). Forget a touchdown—everyone at the tailgate or watch party will cheer when they see you've made Pulled Pork Nachos and Mini Muffulettas. You can bet on our Fried Pickle Chips and Bacon Bites, then once your favorite team wins, celebrate with Spiked Arnold Palmer and Kitchen Sink Cookies. Get ready for kick-off by preparing these easy-to-make, grab-and-go recipes that are perfect for game day gatherings. 01 of 82 Florida State Fried Chicken Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey Since the 1990s, this fried chicken has been a favorite of athletes at Florida State University. A honey drizzle is just the finishing touch fried chicken needs. Get The Recipe 02 of 82 Tiny Tacos Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Everyone loves a taco on game day, and these mini tacos are no exception. This recipe makes 65 of these bite-sized tacos, more than enough for a hungry crowd. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days (makes for the perfect snack post-game day.) Get The Recipe 03 of 82 Ranch-Cheese Crackers Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Make a big bowl of these ranch-cheese crackers for your next game day gathering. A pro? They taste so good with ice-cold beer, which we know you'll most likely have on tap for the game. Get The Recipe 04 of 82 Crispy Fried Chicken Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless We recommend making extra of these finger-lickin' crispy chicken pieces to feed a room full of football fans. The chicken marinades in a buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce mixture for hours, giving the chicken a wonderful tangy flavor that everyone will love. Serve with hot pickled peppers on top for more zing in every bite. Get The Recipe 05 of 82 Pulled Pork Nachos Antonis Achilleos This hearty crowd-pleaser comes together in just 15 minutes. With lots of opportunities for ingredient substitutions and variations, it's impossible to fumble this dish. Get The Recipe 06 of 82 Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Snack recipes come and go but this dip recipe is one you'll want to keep in your recipe box forever. Get The Recipe 07 of 82 Ham-and-Cheese Sliders Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Throw this bake in the oven for easy, handheld delight. Hawaiian Rolls and gruyère cheese will tempt tailgaters until the platter's empty. Get The Recipe 08 of 82 Double-Fried Gator Bites With Georgia Barbecue Sauce Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey Tied to game day at the University of Georgia, gator bites are simply chicken nuggets that are set out on the tailgate spread. We think this homemade version beats the fast food variety. Get The Recipe 09 of 82 Mini Potato Skins Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer These potato skins will be a hit at any watch party. Made with only five ingredients, these handhelds are convenient and delicious with a beer occupying your other hand. Get The Recipe 10 of 82 Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Photographer: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley These crispy wings are easy to make and taste as good as any restaurant wings. Thanks to an air fryer, they're done in a flash and will fly off the platter in no time. We like them best with honey mustard dipping sauce. Get The Recipe 11 of 82 Smoky-Sweet Baked Beans Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely A game day cookout isn't complete without at least one casserole dish filled with baked beans. You'll know these beans are ready to come out of the oven when the edges start to bubble. Get The Recipe 12 of 82 Guacamole Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox If you're short on time, you can pull this party dip together in just 15 minutes so you don't have to show up empty-handed. Topping with pomegranate seeds gives the dip a colorful finish. Get The Recipe 13 of 82 Cook-The-Enemy Gumbo Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey While this recipe calls for shrimp, you can add the meat of your choice depending on your team's opponent. You can add chicken for the Gamecocks, pork shoulder for the Razorbacks, sliced brats for the Dawgs, or even gator. Get The Recipe 14 of 82 Buffalo Chicken Bites Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke If you don't want to go through the mess of eating wings, make these Buffalo Chicken Bites and offer toothpicks to your guests for a mess-free eating experience. Serve with ranch or blue cheese for the full buffalo wing experience without the sticky fingers. Get The Recipe 15 of 82 West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey Frozen dough is the secret ingredient that helps this classic West Virginia appetizer come together easily. You may want to double (or triple) this recipe for hungry tailgaters. Get The Recipe 16 of 82 Hot Corn Dip Jessica Furniss If you show up to the game day party with this corn dip in hand, it'll guarantee that you're invited back for every game of the season. Plus, it's simple to make and easy to transport. Get The Recipe 17 of 82 Toomer's Lemonade Sheet Cake Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey Whether you've visited Auburn or not, you've likely heard of the famous lemonade that's sold at Toomer’s Drugs. This cake was inspired by the lemonade and has plenty of lemon juice as well as lemon zest on the ingredient list. Get The Recipe 18 of 82 Chicken Nachos Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Set out a sheet pan of these chicken nachos, and your tailgate guests are sure to shout with joy! Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe extra easy. You can add all the toppings before you serve the nachos, or you can let people top their own. Get The Recipe 19 of 82 Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland You can't go wrong with this classic appetizer that has been pleasing crowds for decades. Plus, they're made in a slow cooker so they'll stay warm until it's time to dig in. Get The Recipe 20 of 82 Copycat Publix Buffalo Chicken Dip Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Thanks to the poached chicken, this copycat recipe just might be even better than the original. This step takes the flavor of the chicken to the next level. Get The Recipe 21 of 82 Million Dollar Dip Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Think of this dip as an easier version of a cheese ball. It comes together with just six ingredients and a little bit of stirring rather than forming it into a ball. Get The Recipe 22 of 82 Grove-Worthy Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey While the name of these sandwiches implies that they're suitable for tailgating at The Grove in Oxford, Mississippi, we think they'd be welcome at any other game day gathering as well. Get The Recipe 23 of 82 Dill Pickle Dip Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie cox This dip can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so it's a great make-ahead option for busy weekends. Dill pickle chips make great dippers and amplify the pickle flavor. Get The Recipe 24 of 82 Party Poppers Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Simply named, they're called Party Poppers for a reason: We think they're essential for any festivity. If your tailgate spread needs a Hail Mary, these wrapped and stuffed peppers will do the trick. Get The Recipe 25 of 82 Kentucky Bourbon Balls Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely These no-bake candies are a chocolatey version of classic bourbon balls. You can also make them without the alcohol, but it will change the flavor. Get The Recipe 26 of 82 Alabama Yellowhammer Cocktail Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox With four different types of liquor on the ingredient list, this game day drink made famous by Gallettes in Tuscaloosa packs a strong punch. The bar serves nearly 5,000 cups of this fruity punch on game days. Get The Recipe 27 of 82 Football Cake Photgrapher: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke No party is complete without a cake, and this football-shaped dessert can be enjoyed by fans of all teams. No special equipment is required. You make the football shape using two round cake pans. Get The Recipe 28 of 82 Baked BLT Dip Skyler Burt We can never say no to a BLT. This recipe lets us get all the delicious flavors from the sandwich in one scoop. Get The Recipe 29 of 82 Beer-Cheese Fondue Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Serve up this piping hot fondue with bratwurst, steamed broccoli florets, roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted fingerling potatoes for dipping, and you've got a game day crowd-pleaser. This dip is decadent with just enough lager to make it an ideal tailgate snack. Get The Recipe 30 of 82 Tiger Tea Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This boozy version of an Arnold Palmer is synonymous with game day in Baton Rouge. Sweet tea vodka and lemonade replicate the famous combination, but swap the vodka for sweet tea for a non-alcoholic version. Get The Recipe 31 of 82 Rotel Sausage Dip Caitlin Bensel It's not a game day party without this six-ingredient dip. Serve this meaty Velveeta dip with scoop chips, and you're ready to go. Get The Recipe 32 of 82 Jalapeño Popper Dip Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke If stuffed jalapeños are a hit at your usual gatherings, this dip will be a winning surprise. Cheesy and spicy, this dip has all the kick of a handheld popper but with extra points for creamy texture. Get The Recipe 33 of 82 Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings Jennifer Causey If the wings are good, so is the party. This pitmaster-approved recipe packs in the paprika and uses a smoker for dry-rub wings good enough to steal the show from the quarterback. Cook low and slow for tender wings. Get The Recipe 34 of 82 Bulldog Tequila Negroni Robbie Caponetto This cocktail recipe requires just four ingredients and is just the right shade of red for Georgia game days. Get The Recipe 35 of 82 Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Skyler Burt Let your slow cooker do the work for you and soon enough, you'll have party-worthy dip that's creamy with a kick. We used Frank's Red Hot, but feel free to use your favorite hot sauce. Get The Recipe 36 of 82 Classic Deviled Eggs Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Deviled eggs are a welcome addition to any Southern gathering. Forget the football teams playing, the real rivalry is the one between Duke's Mayo and Hellmann's. Which will you choose for the yolk filling? Get The Recipe 37 of 82 Party Potatoes Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox It just isn't a Super Bowl party without a batch of aptly named Party Potatoes. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 82 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman We suggest at least doubling this two-ingredient recipe for your game day crowd. It's impossible to eat just one of these buttery cracker and salty bacon concoctions. Get The Recipe 39 of 82 Homemade Brownies Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Skip the boxed mix and impress your game day crowd with homemade brownies. Add a little cinnamon or cayenne to set them apart from other brownies. Get The Recipe 40 of 82 Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This nostalgic dish will never go out of style. Creamy, fruity, and with a salty crunch on top from the pretzels, this dish will always be welcome at game day gatherings. Get The Recipe 41 of 82 Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner These pinwheels have all the fixings found with your typical buffalo chicken dip but with the ease of a handheld vessel. Finally, a pastry that goes great with beer. Get The Recipe 42 of 82 Quesadillas al Pastor Skyler Burt Quesadillas are an easy crowd-pleaser. Add smoked shredded pork for an upgraded and slightly sophisticated version. Get The Recipe 43 of 82 Tex-Mex Skillet Poblano Dip Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning Break out your best cast iron to make this deliciously decadent poblano dip. GET THE RECIPE 44 of 82 Pizza Pepper Poppers Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Ready in just 30 minutes, these finger foods are great as an after-school snack, but they are even better complementing a good game. Cheese and pepperoni work hard to make sure this is unlike any other stuffed pepper you've had. Get The Recipe 45 of 82 Pull Apart Pizza Bread Alison Miksch Instead of ordering pizza, serve this bread with your favorite marinara sauce. A savory, Italian take on monkey bread, this biscuit-based Bundt snack is a crowd-pleaser worthy of its own touchdown dance. Get The Recipe 46 of 82 Game Day Chili Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas A cool fall Saturday isn't complete without a big batch of chili. Simmering in your Dutch oven, ground chuck, spices, and a bottle of dark beer will become a go-to recipe, and fill your home with a savory aroma that you'll come to associate with game day. Get The Recipe 47 of 82 Sausage Balls Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox You're only three ingredients away from the perfect party snack. Sausage balls are a great salty bite for any occasion, so you know you can rely on them to satisfy everyone at the tailgate. Get The Recipe 48 of 82 Ranch Snacker Crackers Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox A handful of these makes for a super-flavorful snack during game day. Get The Recipe 49 of 82 Beer Can Chicken Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Two game day staples come together to create a classic grilled dish. Grab your favorite game day beer and some spice rub to guarantee that your chicken is tender and flavorful. Get The Recipe 50 of 82 Cheddar Cheese Straws Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford These are the perfect party snacks. They're especially easy to make and travel well. You only need six ingredients for this go-to snack, and odds are, you already have them. Get The Recipe 51 of 82 Spinach-Artichoke Dip Caitlin Bensel We love this indulgent dip, and we know your guests will too. Add frozen artichokes to your classic spinach dip recipe and thank us later. Get The Recipe 52 of 82 Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad Abigail Wilt Say hello to a lighter yet still delicious dish you can make the night before the big game. Making this fruit salad overnight is key to letting the flavors marinate to perfection. Get The Recipe 53 of 82 Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites Hector Manuel Sanchez Sausage balls are a favorite Southern finger food. This recipe offers a delicious spin using sweet potatoes to make this appetizer stand out. Get The Recipe 54 of 82 Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Stephen DeVries These bite-size enchiladas are the solution to a mess-free yet delicious appetizer. Not your average labor-intensive enchilada, these miniatures come together in just three steps and 30 minutes. Get The Recipe 55 of 82 Fried Pickle Chips Alison Miksch Crispy pickle chips are always a hit with any crowd. Roundhouse-Kick Sauce with mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar, Sriracha, and Worcestershire, will punt the pickles to the next level. Get The Recipe 56 of 82 Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce Make these egg rolls to satisfy burger cravings during game days. Dipped in our Special Sauce, a delicious combination of multiple go-to condiments, this snack will send your normal burger takeout order scrambling. Get The Recipe 57 of 82 Creamy Crab Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez A fresh take on an old classic, this ultra-creamy dip is heavenly. We know you'll want to eat the whole thing, but let everyone else at the tailgate have some too. Get The Recipe 58 of 82 Mini Muffulettas Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke Cheese, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables fill these mini sandwiches. You can prepare these sliders the day before the party, then watch them fly off the plate come game time. Get The Recipe 59 of 82 Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese Hector Sanchez This cafeteria-style macaroni and cheese recipe is full of comforting flavor. Fit for a crowd, this mac dish comes together in a slow cooker and will taste just like Grandma used to make. Get The Recipe 60 of 82 Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs This mixture has it all to fulfill both salty cravings and a sweet tooth. Stuff this snack mix into waffle cones for a pretty presentation. Get The Recipe 61 of 82 Collard Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Spinach dip is great, but this version may be the ultimate winner. Collard greens give this favorite party dip a Southern spin. Get The Recipe 62 of 82 Cookie Dough Egg Rolls Southern Living Finger food is ideal for any game day function. These Cookie Dough Egg Rolls are easy to make and easy to enjoy before heading to the stadium to cheer on your favorite team. Get The Recipe 63 of 82 Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Every game day line-up needs a sweet treat. These Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes are reminiscent of summer days, and they're oh-so delicious. Get The Recipe 64 of 82 Smoky Snack Mix Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Pack festive baggies of this snack mix for your guests to take with them in the stands. It's the best salty treat to have on hand for half-time. Get The Recipe 65 of 82 Cowboy Pasta Salad VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY Offer this Cowboy Pasta Salad at your tailgate as a refreshing, chilled side that still packs the heat. Taco-inspired ingredients including black beans, jalapeños, and cilantro make for a pasta salad with tang to spare. Get The Recipe 66 of 82 Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Margret Monroe Dickey Pop these ribs in the oven a few hours before game time, and they’ll be ready by kick-off. A smoky, sweet rub and your favorite barbecue sauce bring all the flavor. Get The Recipe 67 of 82 Frito Pie Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Turn your favorite corn chips into a meal by adding chili. A delicious take on a feel-good classic, no game day would be complete without a hearty helping (or two!). Get The Recipe 68 of 82 Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Tender meatballs and tangy sauce are a winning combo that comes together even better in a portable slider. Place these miniatures under the broiler with some cheese to sack any doubts that this is an ordinary sandwich. Get The Recipe 69 of 82 Bacon Bites Molly Bolton / Southern Living Bacon, brown sugar, and breadsticks? Say less. Make these once, and they'll be requested on every Saturday for the rest of football season. Get The Recipe 70 of 82 Deviled Potatoes Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Why choose between deviled eggs and potato salad? When combined, these two Southern classic appetizers are a force to be reckoned with at any game day gathering. Get The Recipe 71 of 82 Stove-Top Bacon Popcorn Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Popcorn is for the cinema, but bacon popcorn is for the stadium. Pop your kernels on the stove, add crispy bacon crumbles, and make this recipe your own with variations like Maple and Glazed Pecans or Smoky Chile-Garlic. Get The Recipe 72 of 82 Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen If your team isn’t doing well on the field, sweeten the mood with rich, chocolatey cake. Texas sheet cake feeds a crowd, but it still may not last long. Pour the icing over the cake while it’s still warm. Get The Recipe 73 of 82 Minty Lemonade Iced Tea Jennifer Davick Whatever your game day spread features, wash it all down with this big-batch tea. Mint and lemonade provide the perfect balance to any spicy party food. Get The Recipe 74 of 82 Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos This black-eyed pea dip may bring good luck to you and your team. This creamy, cheesy dip will be the winner of bowl game watching. Get The Recipe 75 of 82 Homemade Fried Chicken Sandwich Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Who needs delivery when you can whip up a tasty fried chicken sandwich in your own kitchen? Get The Recipe 76 of 82 Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce Southern Living Just a hint of bourbon flavor elevates baby back ribs for a barbecue main that will stand out at any tailgate. With only 30 minutes of hands-on time, these ribs will be fall-off-the-bone tender. Get The Recipe 77 of 82 Fried Mashed Potato Balls Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley What's better than mashed potatoes in a bowl? Mashed potatoes in a golden-fried ball. Get The Recipe 78 of 82 Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Photography, and Food Styling: Karen Rankin Air frying proves to be the quickest way to get a batch of sweet potato fries on the snack spread. Add an aioli for dipping, and you're on your way. Get The Recipe 79 of 82 Fire Crackers Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Another snacky side that couldn't be easier to make, these are a great small bite of crunch anytime, not just during the big game. Get The Recipe 80 of 82 Afterburners Stacy k. Allen, Props: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray You'll crave the burn of these bacon-wrapped peppers. Get The Recipe 81 of 82 Ham-and-Swiss Sliders Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This is yet another hero slider recipe that will tide everyone over until dinnertime. Get The Recipe 82 of 82 Brownie Cookies Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist Shell Royster Can't decide which dessert to make? These brownie cookies are the best of both worlds (and a welcome dose of sweetness on a savory-heavy spread). Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit