Welcome to the ultimate collection of game day appetizer recipes! Whether you’re hosting a big get-together or just chilling solo, this list of 85+ appetizer ideas is your ticket to becoming the MVP of game day snacks.
From classic crowd-pleasers like spicy buffalo chicken wings and carne asada nachos to easy breezy dips, there’s something here for everyone.
My beloved San Diego Chargers (yes, I said SD and not LA) aren’t in the big game, so who should I root for?
In no particular order, here are some easy appetizer ideas to whet your appetite!
The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings
This is the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe. With extra crispy skins, juicy meat and flavorful buffalo sauce, these chicken wings rival restaurant quality. Using an Air Fryer omits the unhealthy oil and takes half the time of a traditional oven to bake.
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Rotel Dip (Stovetop or Crockpot)
This iconic Rotel Dip recipe is loaded with creamy Velveeta cheese, hearty ground beef and a can of Rotel tomatoes! It's a very popular queso recipe, along with our Smoked Queso recipe, since it's quick and easy to make.
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Smoked Queso
This creamy smoked queso dip appetizer recipe is perfect for game day, camping or any party. Serve it along side a batch of Chili Cheese Dip. It's as easy to make as our smoked mac and cheese, rotel dip and smoked cream cheese
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Carne Asada Nachos
The BEST Carne Asada Nachos! Crispy tortilla chips loaded up with authentic carne asada, melted cheese, guacamole, pico de Gallo and sour cream.
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Carne Asada Fries
The BEST San Diego Style Carne Asada Fries Recipe!! Exactly how they make it at San Diego Taco Shops!! Hot and crispy French fries are topped with authentic carne asada meat, cheese, guacamole and sour cream!
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Chili Cheese Fries
Loaded Chili Cheese Fries! Crispy French fries are topped with homemade or canned chili, cheese and your favorite french fry toppings.
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Chili Cheese Dip
Quick and creamy Chili Cheese Dip loaded with bold chili, freshly shredded cheese, salsa and cream cheese. Use your favorite homemade chili recipe, like our popular Smoked Chili, or your favorite store bought canned chili.
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Smoked Cream Cheese
Crank up the grill to make this Smoked Cream Cheese recipe, an easy cheese appetizer perfect for your holiday party or summer BBQ! It's as easy to make as our Smoked Queso. Serve this smoked cream cheese dip next to your favorite smoker recipes!
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Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
Nothing beats a plate of crispy Smoked Chicken Wings! This recipe for smoked wings produces juicy and tender chicken with extra crispy skin. Between the smoked chicken wings rub recipe and optional wings sauce, you'll find this is the best smoked wing recipe.
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Air Fried Frozen French Fries (+ Awesome Chipotle Mayo Dip)
Crispy Air Fried French Fries with a golden brown exterior and a pillowy soft interior. Serve them with a side of ketchup or our flavorful Chipotle Mayo Dip.
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Carne Asada Quesadilla
San Diego-style Carne Asada Quesadilla stuffed with juicy carne asada meat, melted cheese and topped with 4 ingredient guacamole and Pico de Gallo. This is exactly how they make quesadilla recipes at San Diego taco shops (taquerias).
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4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
This 4 ingredient guacamole recipe is the easiest guacamole recipe you can make. All you need to make this easy guacamole is ripe avocados, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice and salt.
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Mango Habanero Wings
Mango Habanero Wings are crispy, fiery and full of flavor. They’re a little bit sweet and a little bit of heat rolled into one! Chicken wings are coated in a bold Jamaican Jerk Spice, baked and then tossed in a Mango Habanero Sauce.
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Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs loaded with spice and flavor and are drowning in buffalo sauce. These meatballs are ready in under 30 minutes and can be doubled or tripled for your football party!
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Creamy Refried Bean Dip
This easy refried bean dip is loaded with creamy beans and tons of taco flavor! This healthy Mexican bean dip, can be made with Instant Pot Refried Beans, Slow Cooker Refried Beans or canned refried beans!
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Loaded Pulled Pork Potato Skins
Loaded Pulled Pork Potato Skins. Full of sour cream, barbecue sauce and flavor.
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Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Honey lemon pepper wings are not only crispy, bold and full of flavor, they're sweet, savory with a bit of tang. These hot lemon pepper wings make the perfect BBQ or game day appetizer.
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Spinach and Feta Phyllo Cups
Spinach and Feta Phyllo Cups are the perfect holiday appetizers!
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Smoked Deviled Eggs
Mix it up this holiday by serving Smoked Deviled Eggs vs. the classic. Smoked hard boiled eggs are loaded with a creamy and tangy filling and dusted with smoked paprika.
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The BEST Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
This Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings recipe is bold, rich and flavorful. Our homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning elevates it a notch, but store bought spices will work just as well. Think sweet, mildly spicy and perfect for your game day appetizer. Oven and Air Fryer instructions are included.
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Sushi Bake
Make this easy Sushi Bake recipe, a.k.a sushi casserole, for your next party or meal. No rolling required and it's ready to rock in less than 30 minutes. Use Kani to make it a deconstructed California roll or swap in salmon to make a salmon sushi baked recipe. Make sure to check out: Kani Salad.
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Cowboy Candy (a.k.a. Candied Jalapeños)
Make this sweet and spicy Cowboy Candy recipe, a.k.a. Candied Jalapeños, to make the best cream cheese dip for your holiday gathering. Spicy jalapeño rings are marinated in a sweet simple syrup. Top your sandwiches, burgers and nachos with this flavorful and versatile condiment. It would also mix well with Little Smokies in Grape Jelly
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Chicken Wings
Perfect go-to Oven Baked Chicken Wings recipe for dinner, parties or game days!
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Quesadilla with Steak
Delicious Quesadilla with Steak loaded with melted cheese, onions and bell peppers then topped with 4 Ingredient GuacamoleandPico de Gallo. More similar Quesadilla recipes and Mexican Recipes: Carne Asada Quesadilla,Cheese Quesadilla, Mulitas and Steak Fajitas.
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Little Smokies in Grape Jelly
Little Smokies In Grape Jelly and chili sauce is a delightful appetizer recipe. With only 5 minutes of prep time they're as easy to make as our Instant Pot Little Smokies. This little smokies with grape jelly recipe can be made in a Crockpot or on the stove.
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Instant Pot Little Smokies
Little Smokies cooked in an Instant Pot for quick game day and holiday appetizer.
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Spicy Orange Grilled Chicken Wings
Spicy Orange Grilled Chicken Wings featuring true orange flavor, not from a jar of marmalade, and asian spices.
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Smoked Kielbasa (Smoked Polish Sausage)
Smoked Kielbasa, also known as Smoked Polish Sausage, is a great appetizer or dinner idea. Smoking kielbasa sausage requires only 1 ingredient and as little as 1 hour to make. You do not have to be a Pitmaster to grill up a mean smoked sausage.
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Smoked Sausage (Easy Smoker Recipe)
Smoked sausage is the perfect BBQ dish, game day appetizer or easy dinner recipe. Smoking sausage requires only 1 ingredient and as little as 1 hour to make. You do not have to be a Pitmaster to master the art of smoking sausage!
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Air Fryer Pizza Rolls (Ready In Just 6 Min!)
Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are ready in only 6 minutes. Learn how to make frozen pizza rolls in the air fryer with golden exterior crusts and hot interiors stuffed with hot cheese and other pizza topping favorites.
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Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Tender pork belly is grilled low and slow before slathering in a rich BBQ sauce. Smoked pork belly burnt ends will quickly become one of your favorite smoker recipes.
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Stuffed Ziti Fritta (An Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)
We're adding to our Olive Garden Recipes collection by creating a copycat of their popular Stuffed Ziti Fritta. Serve as an appetizer, with alfredo sauce and/or marinara sauce or as a main meal along side a bowl of warm Zuppa Toscana Soup.
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Boom Boom Shrimp
Make your favorite Boom Boom Shrimp at home with our popular Boom Boom Sauce! This shrimp recipe is the perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, savory and spicy.
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Best Ever Pulled Pork Nachos | Good Life Eats
Pulled Pork Nachos are loaded with two types of cheese, smoked pulled pork, beans, and your favorite toppings! Pork nachos are made on a sheet pan and baked.
Game Day Bacon and Cheese Potato Skins
Looking for the perfect bacon and cheese potato skins for your game day gathering? This easy recipe is sure to please.
Sweet Potato Nachos
Easy loaded nachos with sweet potatoes and black beans are a healthy nacho recipe. These vegetarian nachos are gluten-free. An easy game day snack and the perfect balance for sweet and salty.
Easy Pigs in a Blanket Wreath | Practically Homemade
Elevate your favorite appetizer to an Easy Pigs in a Blanket Wreath with simple steps that anyone can do and is perfect for any occasion.
Shrimp in a Blanket (Goong Hom Pha)
Thai Shrimp in a blanket (shrimp firecrackers) is a delicious appetizer made by wrapping succulent shrimp and deep fried to perfection.
Classic Knorr Spinach Dip (In a Bread Bowl)
Watch guests dive in as you place this classic Knorr spinach dip recipe in a bread bowl on the table. It’s a super popular, old-favorite appetizer that’s creamy with texture!
Spicy Hot Jalapeno Artichoke Dip Recipe
This easy spicy jalapeno artichoke dip is bursting with marinated artichokes, jalapeno peppers, and cheesy pepper jack cheese.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops – Beauty and the Foodie
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops are a simple but delicious keto, paleo appetizer, or light lunch. Buttery scallops wrapped in smoky bacon.
Cheese and Olive Appetizers (Baked, 20 Minutes)
Cheese and olive appetizers are a fabulous, quick and easy “can I have the recipe?” recipe. Just 6 ingredients baked onto English muffins in about 20 minutes. Freezes well.
Sausage Rolls with Puff Pastry
This EXTREMELY easy recipe for Sausage Rolls with Puff Pastry packs HUGE flavor and makes for a perfect game day snack! I like to use a spicy andouille sausage when making these for a great
Jalapeno Cheese Sticks
Discover Jalapeno Cheese Sticks. It’s a blend of creamy cheese and fiery jalapenos. Simple to make crowd-pleasers with a crispy, gooey bite.
Baked Bacon Cheese Dip in a Bread Bowl
This Bacon Cheese Dip is loaded with cheese and bacon then baked in a bread bowl for the perfect warm and creamy dip. Makes the perfect party appetizer for game days and more!
Air Fryer Southwestern Egg Rolls
This recipe for air fryer southwestern egg rolls also gives you the traditional fried method and compares the two. You love this vegetarian version of the traditional Chili’s appetizer!
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Air Fryer
This Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Air Fryer appetizer is easy and simple to make. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is great for holiday entertaining.
Dried Beef Roll Ups
Quick and easy Dried Beef Roll Ups appetizer! This recipe is my go-to for any time I need a party food! With dried beef, cream cheese and horseradish, these are flavorful and delicious!
Hot Caprese Dip with Mozzarella, Parmesan & Cream Cheese
Love Caprese salad? Then you’ve got to try this hot & melty cheese dip with juicy grape tomatoes, fresh whole milk mozzarella, fragrant sliced basil, sweet & tangy balsamic vinegar, shredded Parmesan, and cream cheese.. Serve this at your next party for a quick & easy appetizer that will disappear in minutes. {gluten-free, grain-free, vegetarian & low carb}
Hot Caprese Dip with Mozzarella, Parmesan & Cream Cheese
Love Caprese salad? Then you’ve got to try this hot & melty cheese dip with juicy grape tomatoes, fresh whole milk mozzarella, fragrant sliced basil, sweet & tangy balsamic vinegar, shredded Parmesan, and cream cheese.. Serve this at your next party for a quick & easy appetizer that will disappear in minutes. {gluten-free, grain-free, vegetarian & low carb}
Baked Steak Taco Cups
Steak taco cups are baked mini taco shells filled with seasoned steak, tomatoes, green chiles, onion, and melted cheddar cheese on top.
Soft Pretzel Bites
Soft Pretzel Bites are easy to make at home! Perfect for Game Day, and afternoon snacks, dipped into your favorite dip.
Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Crostini
This Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Toasted Crostini is the perfect appetizer for any occasion. It’s a great option for a fall get together or for a holiday party appetizer idea.
Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
This Cream Cheese Salsa Dip is an easy-to-make appetizer with the perfect amount of heat and flavor to keep you coming back for more.
Mini Bacon Onion Ranch Cheese Balls
Mini Bacon Onion Ranch Cheese Balls are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for all your holiday parties, gameday tailgating & poolside snacking. So good!
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Thiscranberry meatballs recipecombines the sweetness of cranberry with a spicy kick from chili sauce. These meatballs are cooked in a slow cooker and make a great game day appetizer.
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab and cheese are easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. And the best part is, you can make these bite sized air
Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
Flavorful Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls are loaded with steak, onion, and bell peppers, then smothered with cheese and air fried to perfection. #cheesesteakeggrolls #eggrollrecipes #eggrollsinairfryer
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball (Keto)
Indulge in the perfect blend of savory and creamy with our Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball (Keto) recipe! This gluten-free recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
Baked Ravioli Bites With Balsamic Dipping Sauce
Baked Ravioli Bites With Balsamic Dipping Sauce is an easy recipe for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s baked in the oven and served with a homemade Balsamic Dipping Sauce.
Cajun Snack Mix – The Cookin Chicks
Unleash your snacking game with Cajun Snack Mix! This blend incorporates traditional Louisiana spices into a treat you can’t resist.
BAKED BRIE PHYLLO CUPS
These baked brie phyllo cups are the ultimate holiday appetizer! Packed with juicy, sweet dried cranberries and crunchy walnuts, they are sure to be a hit!
Easy Burrata Bruschetta Recipe
This easy burrata bruschetta recipe is the perfect summer recipe. Made with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic, it’s a delicious and simple appetizer.
Honey Sriracha Shrimp
This honey sriracha shrimp features juicy shrimp smothered in a vibrant sauce that combines sriracha and honey and also has a lemony tang.
Air fryer Bacon wrapped pineapple (bites and rings)
Here’s something sweet to wrap bacon around. Air fryer Bacon wrapped pineapple bites are delicious sweet and salty appetizers that’s will havi
Cheese Quesadilla
Delicious cheese quesadilla loaded with melted cheese and topped with4 ingredient guacamoleandPico de Gallo. This Mexican recipe take less than 10 minutes to make. Or, upgrade and make our popular Carne Asada Quesadilla. This is exactly how they make quesadilla recipes at San Diego taco shops (taquerias).
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