Game day is all about the excitement, cheering for your favorite team, and, of course, the mouthwatering appetizers and dips that make the experience even better. Whether you're hosting a big watch party or just snuggling up to watch the game with family, having the right lineup of snacks is as crucial as the game itself.
Game Day Appetizers And Dips
Choose dishes that can be mostly prepared ahead of time, so you don’t miss any of the action. With these winning appetizers and dips, your game day is guaranteed to be delicious, no matter the outcome of the match. Enjoy the game and the eating!
From a yummy Football Cheese Ball to Copycat Big Mac Sliders, Honey Chipotle Wings, and a spicy Jalapeño Popper Dip, there's something for everyone to love. Follow these recipes to bring the ultimate deliciousness to your table.
Football Cheese Ball
This Football Cheese Ball is a hit for game day, packed with flavors like bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar. Shaped like a football and topped with pecans and mozzarella for laces, it's not just tasty but looks fun too! Pair with your favorite dippers for a winning party treat.
Ingredients
Cheeseball
- 1 pound bacon, chopped into bits
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 5 green onions, sliced
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning packet
Topping
- 1 pound bacon, chopped into bits
- 12 whole pecans (see note below)
- 6 pecan halves
- 2-3 Tablespoons chopped pecans
- Mozzarella cheese slice, cut into strips for the laces
Things You’ll Need
- Skillet for cooking bacon
- Hand mixer
Copycat Big Mac Sliders
Bite into the classic Big Mac taste with these Copycat Big Mac Sliders! Perfect for any party, they stack juicy beef and cheese, topped with that special sauce, on tiny sesame buns. Simple to whip up, these sliders are all about big burger flavor in a small, fun package.
Ingredients
- 12 Slider buns
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 medium Onion
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 7 slices American Cheese
- 24 slices Pickle
- Ketchup & Mustard, for serving
Secret Sauce
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons Dill pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon White wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
For Topping
- 2 teaspoons Sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon Butter, melted
Honey Chipotle Wings
This easy-to-follow recipe brings together the stickiness of honey with the kick of chipotle, creating wings that are both crispy and tender. Cooking them is a breeze - no grill or stovetop needed, just bake and serve. They're so good, they might even make you forget about restaurant wings.
Ingredients
- 1-2 lbs chicken winglettes
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
Jalapeño Popper Dip
Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s simple to prepare and can even be made ahead, perfect for tailgates, holiday dinners, or casual snacking. This quick recipe blends cream cheese, jalapeños, and crispy bacon into a dip that delivers a delightful kick.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces jarred jalapenos, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 4-5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup green onion
Topping:
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Mini Beef Chili Bread Bowls
Picture cozy, delicious beef chili served in cute, edible bowls shaped like footballs. These little gems are not just tasty but also fun, letting you eat your chili and the bowl too! Perfect for game day, they’re easy to hold and come with a variety of topping choices.
Ingredients
- 2 small onions, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- ⅓ cup chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 jalapeños, stems removed, seeded and minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 20 small dinner rolls, select oval for football shape
Chili Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced red onion
- Diced green onion
- Jalapeños
- Sour cream
Best Healthy Football Charcuterie Board For Game Day
This board piles on fresh veggies, juicy fruit, lean meats, and tasty cheese, all arranged around a show-stopping, football-shaped cheese ball. It's an easy, shareable way to keep snack time light and lively while rooting for your favorite team.
Ingredients
For the Cheese Ball:
- 1 (5.2 ounce) Boursin cheese, garlic and herbs flavor, at room temperature
- 1 (8 ounce) Neufchatel cheese or low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup toasted pecans, very finely chopped
- 1 sandwich slice mozzarella cheese, cut into thin strips
For the Board:
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 6 oz baby carrot sticks
- 6 celery ribs, cut into sticks
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes
- 12 oz red grapes, washed
- 12 oz cherries, washed
- 4 oz green olives, drained and placed in a small dish
- 8 oz summer sausage, sliced into ¼-1/2" thick rounds
- 4 oz Triscuit crackers
- 4 oz Crunchmaster crackers (or other desired crackers)
- 8 oz mini soft pretzel bites
- 8 oz Colby jack cheese cubes
- Small 1 ½" cookie or biscuit cutter
Pretzel Dogs
Whether it's a cozy family meal or a gathering with friends, Pretzel Dogs are sure to please everyone. These treats bring a fun twist to snack time or party spreads. Easy to make and a joy to eat, they pair perfectly with dips and are a hit with both kids and adults! Plus, they freeze well for quick lunches later.
Ingredients
For the Soft Pretzel Dough:
- 2 Tbsp. Yeast (active dry)
- 1 ¾ cups Warm Water
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 4 cups Flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
For Dipping the Pretzel Dogs Before Baking:
- 2 Tbsp. Baking Soda
- 2 cups Hot Water (as hot as your fingers can stand)
Topping:
- Coarse Salt
Zucchini Sliders
With a clever swap of bread for crispy, seasoned zucchini slices, these sliders pack all the juicy, cheesy goodness of traditional burgers without the guilt. With zero net carbs per slider, they're a delicious way to enjoy a burger night on a keto diet.
Ingredients
- 1 large Zucchini, sliced
- Salt, as desired
- Black pepper, as desired
- ⅔ lb Ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- 6 slices Cheddar cheese, about 1-2" wide
- 2 TB Coconut oil, for cooking
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Perfect for dipping, this crowd-pleaser is less messy than wings but doesn't skimp on flavor. It's simple to make, combining shredded chicken with ranch, hot sauce, and plenty of cheese, all melted together in a slow cooker for convenience.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 12 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot), plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup green onion, chopped (plus more for serving)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Homemade Mozarella Cheese Sticks
Wrapped in a golden crust, these cheese sticks are crispy on the outside and perfectly melty inside. Ideal for a quick snack, packed lunches, or busy weeknight dinners, they're a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 10 Mozzarella String Cheese Sticks
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup panko-style bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying
