75 Game Day Recipes Football Fans Will Cheer For

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.

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.)

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.

Snack recipes come and go but this dip recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your recipe box forever.

White sauce beats ketchup and mustard in this Alabama favorite. We guarantee your game day guests will be instant fans.

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.

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.

Throw this bake in the oven for easy, handheld delight. Hawaiian Rolls and gruyère cheese will tempt tailgaters until the platter’s empty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spinach dip is great, but this version may be the ultimate winner. Collard greens give this favorite party dip a Southern spin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We can never say no to a BLT. This recipe lets us get all the delicious flavors from the sandwich in one scoop.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This cocktail recipe requires just four ingredients and is just the right shade of red for Georgia game days.

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.

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?

It just isn’t a Super Bowl party without a batch of aptly named Party Potatoes.

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.

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.

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.

Quesadillas are an easy crowd-pleaser. Add smoked shredded pork for an upgraded and slightly sophisticated version.

Break out your best cast iron to make this deliciously decadent poblano dip.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A handful of these makes for a super-flavorful snack during game day.

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.

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.

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.

Sausage balls are a favorite Southern finger food. This recipe offers a delicious spin using sweet potatoes to make this appetizer stand out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Every game day line-up needs a sweet treat. These Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes are reminiscent of summer days, and they’re oh-so delicious.

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.

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.

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.

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!).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Who needs delivery when you can whip up a tasty fried chicken sandwich in your own kitchen?

What’s better than mashed potatoes in a bowl? Mashed potatoes in a golden-fried ball.

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.

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.

You’ll crave the burn of these bacon-wrapped peppers.