10+ Game Day Recipes to Win Over Your Friends and Family

Game day is a perfect time to gather with friends and family. Tasty food brings everyone together.

Whether you’re watching sports or just having a fun get-together, having the right recipes makes your day better. Game day recipes are easy, delicious dishes perfect for sharing and snacking.

You don’t need to be a chef to make crowd-pleasing meals. Simple ingredients and easy steps help you create snacks, dips, and main dishes everyone will love.

This guide gives you the best ideas for your game day spread.

Ingredients

• Ingredients will vary based on your chosen recipes.

Cooking Instructions

• Follow step-by-step instructions for each recipe to make your game day food easy and fun to prepare.

1) Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip

Buffalo chicken wings are a classic game day favorite. They are spicy, juicy, and perfect for sharing.

Toss the wings in a hot sauce mixed with melted butter for that signature flavor. The blue cheese dip adds a cool, creamy contrast.

Mix blue cheese, mayonnaise, and a bit of sour cream to make the dip. Chill it before serving for the best taste.

Bake the wings in the oven until they’re crispy, then coat them in the buffalo sauce. This method is less messy and healthier than frying.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place wings on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
3. Bake wings for 40-45 minutes, turning halfway.
4. Mix hot sauce and melted butter in a bowl.
5. Toss baked wings in the sauce mixture.
6. Mix blue cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream for the dip.
7. Chill the dip before serving.

2) Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Hot spinach and artichoke dip is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for sharing. Serve it with toasted bread, chips, or veggies.

This dip is easy to make and ready in under an hour. Spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo create a smooth texture and rich flavor.

Baking brings everything together with a golden top. Use thawed, drained frozen spinach and canned artichokes for convenience.

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Stir in spinach, artichokes, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Spread mixture in a baking dish.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
7. Serve hot with chips or bread.

3) Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Loaded smashed potatoes make a great snack for game day. Start with small potatoes, boil them until tender, then gently smash them flat.

This helps create crispy edges when you bake them. Add toppings like melted cheese, crispy bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, and olive oil before baking. Bake them at 425°F (220°C) until golden and crispy.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds baby yellow potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your favorite)
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Sour cream, for serving
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
3. Drain potatoes and place on a baking sheet.
4. Smash each potato gently with a potato masher or flat tool.
5. Drizzle olive oil over potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are crisp.
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
8. Return to oven for 5 minutes to melt cheese.
9. Serve topped with sour cream.

4) Mini Chicken Quesadillas

Mini chicken quesadillas are perfect for game day snacks. They are easy to hold and crispy on the outside.

You can make them with shredded chicken, cheese, and some sauce for flavor. Add your favorite toppings like salsa or sour cream.

Cook them in an air fryer or on a pan for a golden crust. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time.

Mix the chicken with cheese and a mild sauce before filling the tortillas. These are simple to prepare and great for sharing during the game.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 2 tablespoons mild fajita sauce or banana pepper sauce
• 4 small tortillas

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix shredded chicken, cheese, and sauce in a bowl.
2. Place a tortilla on a flat surface and spread the mixture evenly.
3. Top with another tortilla and gently press.
4. Cook in a pan or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

5) Easy Homemade Mini Corn Dogs

Mini corn dogs are a great snack for game day. They are bite-sized and easy to eat while watching the game.

You can make them quickly with simple ingredients. The batter is sweet and made with cornmeal for a nice crunch.

Inside, the mini hot dogs stay juicy and flavorful. Fry the corn dogs until golden brown in just a few minutes.

Serve them with ketchup, mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces. Leftover mini corn dogs freeze well for later.

Ingredients

• 12 mini hot dogs, halved
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
3. Whisk in egg and milk until smooth.
4. Thread mini hot dogs onto skewers or toothpicks.
5. Dip hot dogs into batter, covering completely.
6. Fry in hot oil 3-4 minutes, turning until golden brown.
7. Remove and drain on paper towels.
8. Serve warm with dipping sauces.

6) Korean Cheese Corn

Korean Cheese Corn is a tasty and simple dish. It combines sweet corn with creamy mayonnaise and lots of melted mozzarella cheese.

This mix makes a warm, gooey side that’s perfect for game day snacking. Add a little sugar to balance the flavors or jalapeño for a spicy kick.

It’s quick to make and pairs well with many other snacks. You just need a few ingredients and about 10 minutes to cook.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups corn (fresh or canned)
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (Kewpie works best)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1.5 teaspoons sugar
• Optional: 1 jalapeño, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a pan on medium and cook the corn until warm.
2. Stir in mayonnaise and sugar.
3. Add the cheese and mix until melted, about 3-5 minutes.
4. If using jalapeño, add it now and stir well.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

7) Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Slow cooker barbecue ribs are perfect for game day. You can prepare them ahead and let the slow cooker do the work.

Start by rubbing your ribs with a simple spice mix. Place them in the slow cooker with homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce.

The ribs cook low and slow for 6 to 8 hours. When done, the meat becomes very tender and easy to pull apart.

Add extra sauce and heat them briefly in the oven at 400°F (205°C) for a caramelized finish. Guests will enjoy juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub the seasoning on both sides of ribs.
3. Place ribs in the slow cooker.
4. Pour barbecue sauce over ribs.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
6. (Optional) Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C), place ribs on a baking sheet, brush with extra sauce, and bake for 10-15 minutes.

8) French Dip Sandwiches

French dip sandwiches are a great choice for game day. They feature tender roast beef and melted cheese on a crusty roll.

Dip the sandwich in savory au jus for rich flavor. Add caramelized onions for extra taste.

Some versions include creamy horseradish sauce. These sandwiches are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends.

Try slow cooker French dip sandwiches for a simple dinner. The meat turns very tender and full of spices.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds roast beef, thinly sliced
• 4 crusty French rolls
• 8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
• 1 cup caramelized onions (optional)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Horseradish sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour beef broth into a slow cooker.
2. Add Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.
3. Place roast beef in the slow cooker.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Slice the rolls.
7. Layer beef, cheese, and onions on the rolls.
8. Bake sandwiches for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts.
9. Serve sandwiches with warm broth for dipping.

Learn more about making these at Carlsbad Cravings Best Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich Recipe.

9) Honey Buffalo Meatballs

Honey Buffalo Meatballs are perfect for game day. They mix sweet honey with spicy buffalo sauce for a tasty kick.

You can make them in a slow cooker, so they stay warm and juicy. These meatballs are easy to prep ahead.

Just toss frozen meatballs in the sauce and let them cook. They work great as a snack or part of your main spread.

Ingredients:

• 2 (26 oz) bags frozen meatballs
• 16 oz buffalo wing sauce
• ½ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix buffalo wing sauce, honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
2. Add frozen meatballs to a slow cooker.
3. Pour sauce over the meatballs.
4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
5. Stir before serving and enjoy warm.

10) Jalapeno Popper Dip

Jalapeno popper dip is a spicy, cheesy treat perfect for game day. It combines cream cheese, cheddar, and jalapenos for a creamy dip.

Add bacon or green onions to make it even tastier. Bake it until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Serve the dip with chips, crackers, or veggies. Everyone will enjoy this easy snack.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2-3 fresh jalapenos, diced (or pickled jalapenos)
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and garlic powder.
   Stir until the mixture becomes smooth.

3. Add cheddar cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and green onions.
   Mix everything together.

4. Spoon the mixture into an oven-safe dish.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
   The dip should be hot and bubbly.

6. Serve warm.
   Enjoy with your favorite dippers.

For more details, check out this Easy Jalapeno Popper Dip recipe.