9 Football-Friendly Bites To Fuel Your Game Day
Ah, fall.
With it comes crisp, cool days, golden-hued leaves and, of course, football.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just enjoy the camaraderie, there’s one aspect of football watch parties and tailgates that we can all get behind: the food.
So, to tantalize your taste buds and get you excited for all the touchdowns, offside kicks and touchdown dances, we’ve rounded up 9 of our favorite finger-lickin’, game-day-ready bites.
Check ‘em out below.
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for even more football-friendly finger foods, ideas & inspo.
Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are about as cliché a game-day food as it gets. But for good reason!
The tantalizing combo of heat, creamy cheese and salty bacon make for a winning recipe that’s guaranteed to please.
Ale Spiked Chicken Wings with Homemade Ranch Dip
If jalapeño poppers are cliché, then chicken wings are a classic.
We especially like this recipe for its dash of brown ale, which helps tenderize the meat and imbues it with richer layers of flavor. Plus, this one comes with a homemade ranch dip that’ll make you want to sideline the store-bought stuff for good.
Get the Ale Spiked Chicken Wings with Homemade Ranch Dip recipe!
Picadillo Empanadas
There’s nothing better than finger foods when it comes to game-day eats, and these savory, lightly spiced empanadas are one of our favorites.
Stuffed with beef and seasoned with a mouthwatering combo of cumin, garlic, chile powder, oregano, cinnamon, allspice and red pepper flakes, don’t be surprised if your guests break out in their own celebration dances after a few bites.
Sirloin Sliders with Balsamic Onions, Brie and Bacon
For another bite-size treat that sure to score a few points with your guests, give these sirloin sliders a try!
Sliders are a great option for game-day parties and tailgates—not only do they keep guests full, but you can make enough servings without having to spend the day in the kitchen. For this recipe, you can prep the onions and bacon ahead of time and then assemble and bake to ooey, gooey, cheesy perfection just before your guests arrive.
Get the Sirloin Sliders with Balsamic Onions, Brie and Bacon recipe!
Goat Cheese Buffalo Dip
Is there anything better than hot cheese? Maybe hot cheese that’s laced with lip-smacking hot sauce and blue cheese, then baked until it’s bubbly… yeah, we’re drooling, too.
Chef’s Note: For added convenience, this dip can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored covered or in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply warm it in the oven until it’s hot and bubbly.
Buffalo Fried Cauliflower with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
For any vegetarians (or for a delicious way to sneak in some veggies), we love this Buffalo Fried Cauliflower recipe!
Sure, cauliflower doesn’t scream “game day,” but when it’s battered, fried and tossed in your favorite Buffalo sauce, it’s hard not to love. And don’t be surprised if even your meat-loving, football-watching friends are reaching for seconds.
Get the Buffalo Fried Cauliflower with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing recipe!
Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Queso
Chips and salsa are great, but nothing beats a salty, crispy tortilla chip dipped in hot, chipotle-spiked queso.
Made in an Instant Pot or multicooker, this queso recipe takes just a few minutes, which means it’ll be ready for complete indulgence before kickoff.
Hot Beef and Bean Dip
Serve with chips, atop nachos or on its own. However you choose to enjoy, this hot beef and bean dip recipe is a guaranteed winner.
Loaded with ground beef, protein-rich beans and a touch of heat from the green chiles, this game-day recipe is an excellent hearty option to pair with lighter fare.
Instant Pot Carnitas-Loaded French Fries with Poached Eggs
For those early Sunday games, this brunch-inspired recipe is so good, every bite will make you feel like you scored the game-winning touchdown.
While this one takes a bit of work to execute, the combo of smoky pork, gooey eggs and salty fries is well worth it.
Get the Instant Pot Carnitas-Loaded French Fries with Poached Eggs
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for even more football-friendly finger foods, ideas & inspo.
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