Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (2024)

No game's complete without some tasty snacks, right? But who wants to spend all the game time in the kitchen? Well ... have your snacks and enjoy the big game, too, with these must-make EASY recipes for game day! With these 18 tasty ideas, there's sure to be a few ... or 18 ... you'll love.

Click on the title of the dish above each photo to get the full recipe. Enjoy!

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (1)

Bacon Crack from Lovefoodies

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (2)
Whip up a big pan of this bacon crack a few days before the big game to all the prep work is done. Then just put out a plate of the deliciousness to nibble on while you try not to yell at the refs.

3-Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bitesfrom The Kitchen is My Playground


These tasty little bites are always a hit, no matter where I bring them. They're one of my go-to party snacks. Whip them up with three simple ingredients and about 15 minutes in the oven. Bonus ... they taste great both hot straight from the oven and at room temperature, so making them a bit before the game is no problem.

Creamy Dill Pickle Potato Chip Dip from Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (4)
You seriously can't go wrong with a simple potato chip dip ... and this dill pickle version from Hot Eats and Cool Reads looks just divine.

{copycat} Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeño Dip from Who Needs A Cape?

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (5)
Hot and spicy deliciousness! Just pair this easy dip with a big bag of chips for some tasty snacking fun.

Pizza Tarts from Life Currents

Jalapeno Pepper Jack Sausage Ballsfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (7)

Spice up those classic sausage balls with Pepper Jack and pickled jalapeno!Jalapeno Pepper Jack Sausage Ballsbring the heat to everyone's favorite little party nibble.

Wings with Angry Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (8)
Wow, that angry sauce looks delicious! Bet it will make your mouth anything but angry to gobble it up.

Homemade Loaded Potato Skins from Blessed Beyond Crazy

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (9)
Prep the potatoes the day before to make loading up these tasty skins super easy on game day.

Hot Crab Dip from Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (10)
Anything that makes a big batch makes game day snacking prep for a crowd just that much easier. This hot crab dip fits the big-batch bill, for sure. Mix it up the night before and bake right before game time for even simpler game day prep.

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs from Savory Experiments

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (11)

Meatballs and bacon in one little bite? Yes, please! Wrap the meatballs the day before, and then just pop them in the oven a little before you're ready to enjoy your snacks.

Cheesy Hot Corn Dipfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (12)

Can you open a can of corn and shred some cheese? Then you can make this super easy, super easy hot corn dip! It can be mixed up the night before if you'd like, too, to make your game day just that much easier.

from The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (13)

You can cook your own shrimp for this ahead of time, or buy them already cooked for even easier prep. Then just pile the shrimp on some cream cheese with co*cktail sauce, and you've got one very tasty shrimp dip.

from The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (14)

Three simple ingredients, make-ahead prep, and yummy flavor make these {cute} little salami bites a big hit with preppers and snackers alike.

Cajun Pretzelsfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (15)

Careful ~ these Cajun Pretzels are addictively delicious! Whip up a big batch several days ahead of the big game and you're good to go.

Dill Pickle Bitesfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (16)

Wrap these little roll ups the day before, and just slice into bites at game time. I must admit, these are one of my absolute favorite game day {or anytime} snacks.

Antipasto Platterfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (17)

The best of just-assemble-it game day snacking! Slice up some crusty bread to go alongside, and you're done.

BLT Dipfrom The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (18)

Don't bother to fry bacon for this creamy BLT dip ... it actually tastes better made with a good old bottle of store-bought bacon bits! So easy.

from The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (19)

Baked in a mini muffin pan, these little puffs take no time at all to whip up. Serve with some jarred pizza or spaghetti sauce for dipping.

from The Kitchen is My Playground

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (20)

Grab some baby dills or pickled okra, deli ham, & flavored cream cheese to whip up a platter of these fun little bites in no time!

Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (21)


Must-Make Easy Recipes for Game Day! (2024)

FAQs

What to eat on gamedays? ›

1 hour Pre Game
  • Be sure to have snack high in carbohydrate.
  • Avoid foods that are high in protein or fat (they take a while to digest and may upset your stomach)
  • Drink another 8-10 oz of water.
  • Ideas for snacks:
  • Peanut butter sandwich.
  • Pretzels or crackers.
  • Fruit.
  • Granola bar.

What food is good for football games? ›

Wings, quesadillas, pizza, brownies, cookies, fried chicken, subs, tacos... You name it, we got it. Football season is snack season, and finger food is the name of the game (unless it's chili, duh). Here's our amped-up versions of the classic football season favorites.

What should I eat for lunch on Gameday? ›

Lunch should be hearty and include foods from as many food groups as possible, such as whole grains, lean sources of protein, fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy.

Should you eat pasta on game day? ›

Carbohydrates are an essential form of energy for players and pasta falls into that category. It is a great way to create energy stores leading up to a big game and a meal like this a day before will help players on the ice. This beefy skillet pasta meal from HelloFresh also comes with a side of salad.

What food is good for game night party? ›

Some of your best bets for game night foods are things that can be eaten just with fingers: mini quiches and tartlets; crostini; cut-up sandwiches; filled pastries like samosas or spanakopita bites; deviled eggs; salmon or lobster salad served on a slice of cucumber; or curried chicken in an endive leaf.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  • Sheet Pan Nachos. ...
  • Cheese Puffs. ...
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread. ...
  • Vegetarian Quesadillas. ...
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. ...
  • Slow-Cooker Jelly Meatballs. ...
  • Loaded Cheese Ball Bites. ...
  • Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts. Treat your guests to a sweet and savory appetizer with bacon-wrapped water chestnuts.
Jan 10, 2024

What is the best dinner to have the night before a game? ›

Dinner ideas the night before a match:
  • Low-fat mashed potato and baked salmon.
  • Baked sweet potato with chicken breast.
  • Chicken breast with pasta and low-fat tomato-based sauce.
  • Low-fat chicken or tofu stir fry with white rice and vegetables.
May 19, 2021

What is the number one football food? ›

1. Wings. Wings are a classic football food and are enjoyed by millions of football fans across the country every year.

What is the most popular food at football games? ›

Chicken wings are the most popular game day food in NFL cities during the season — with a 25% increase in average order volume on Sundays in the season compared to Sundays out of the season.

What are the best snacks for football team? ›

Granola bars, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn are crowd favorites and offer plenty of carbs for energ. Even some sweets, like fig bars, animal crackers, or oatmeal cookies can be good options. Look for lower-sugar snacks made with whole grains to give your child's sports team a nutritious treat.

What fruit is best for football? ›

Examples of Nutritious Carbs for Football Players
  • Whole grains: oatmeal, 100% whole wheat bread, whole wheat or corn tortillas, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and low sugar cereals containing at least 5g of protein per serving.
  • Fruit: fresh whole fruit including apples, pears, bananas, melon, pineapple, cantaloupe.
Feb 2, 2024

What do football players eat for dinner? ›

A typical NFL player's dinner may include some of the following:
  • Brown rice.
  • Salmon.
  • Broccoli.
  • Chicken breast.
  • Potatoes.
  • Pasta.
  • Green beans.
  • Salad.

What do NFL players eat on game day? ›

Pregame Nutrition
Lean ProteinComplex CarbohydratesFat
Grilled/baked chickenSweet potatoGreen beans
Grilled/baked salmonBrown or wild riceVegetable medley
Lean ground beef or porkWhole-wheat pasta or breadSalad
EggsOatmeal or whole-grain cerealFruit cup

Should you workout on Gamedays? ›

The game day lift allows for their athletes to get moving, and begin the pre-game nervous system “ramp up” before competition. While we all think we know how to warm up, research has consistently found that warm-ups need to have periods of high-intensity exercise to enhance performance.

What should I eat the day of tryouts? ›

If there's no time for a full meal before the tryout, opt instead for a carbohydrate-rich snack such as a banana, orange slices, pretzels, toast or bagels. A small amount of protein like a boiled egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter may feel OK as well, depending on the athlete.

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