The Best Foods for Game Day (Over 50 Football Recipes)

Whether you’re looking for a main dish, an easy dip, a scrumptious dessert, or a drink, you can find it all with over 50 football recipes.

As the fall season starts, that means one thing in the Lynch household: Football! We watch a lot of football this time of the year. My husband has been a Jacksonville Jaguars fan his whole life. And since we both graduated from The University of Central Florida we watch a lot of UCF football.

If you ask either of the boys, “What do we say during football?” They will both respond with, “U-C-F Let’s Gooooooo Knights!” Yes, hand motions and all. We actually just took them to campus and they got to see the football stadium and field.

While Justin’s team has never made it to the Super Bowl, we also enjoy getting together with friends to watch the big game.

But, when your team isn’t in the game, what do you go for? The snacks! Ok, and the commercials. The commercials are usually pretty fun to watch. The halftime show is hit or miss for me, depending on who’s playing. But really, the most important thing is the football recipes and food!

I compiled a list of my favorite snacks, foods, desserts, and drinks for watching football.

Appetizers and Dips for Game Day

You always need good food to start the evening. My favorite appetizers are dips, but there are a lot of delicious options.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

An easy appetizer or pot luck recipe is Buffalo Chicken Dip. It's spicy, tangy, and cheesy with an addictive flavor served on crackers.

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Hot Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip is a perfect appetizer whether you are attending a potluck or need a snack for game day. The slow cooker makes it an easy recipe.

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5 Layer Bean Dip

A recipe for a 5 Layer Bean Dip is great to have on hand for potlucks and get-togethers. It's easy and tasty and everyone will love it.

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Roasted Green Onion Dip

If you have extra green onions, use them for a delicious cream cheese-based dip. It's perfect for a potluck or appetizer served with crackers.

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Spinach Artichoke Dip

There are two ways to easily make a delicious spinach artichoke dip. Try it either on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. 

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Hot Virginia Dip

Hot Virginia Dip is an amazing, creamy, salty dip that is perfect for an appetizer or a late-night snack that is great with crackers.

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Easy Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip

It only takes 4 simple ingredients to make this cheesy ranch chicken dip that is delicious served warm or cold and is a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

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Taco Dip

Easy taco dip made from only 4 ingredients and sure to be a crowd-pleaser! But be careful, once you start eating it can be hard to stop!

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Slow Cooker Sweet Meatballs

The slow cooker makes dump-and-cook recipes a breeze. With only 4 ingredients, these sweet meatballs are a perfect appetizer.

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Hawaiian Lit’l Smokies

Perfect for an appetizer or dinner, Hawaiian Lit'l Smokies is easy to make and only takes a few hours in the slow cooker.

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Roasted Shrimp with Sriracha Cocktail Sauce

Add some spice to your typical appetizer by mixing up a sriracha cocktail sauce to go with roasted shrimp. It's easy to make for one or many.

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Homemade Queso with Real Cheese

You can easily make homemade queso with real cheese in a cast-iron skillet for a delicious appetizer any time of the day.

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Five Cheese Pull-Apart Bread

For an appetizer that is sure to please, make a five cheese pull-apart bread. It's easy, delicious, and won't last long.

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Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole

Crab casserole is served at Chinese buffet restaurants, and is so easy to make at home. It's a delicious dip that makes a great appetizer.

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Spinach and Artichoke Bites

Spinach and Artichoke Bites are a perfect easy appetizer that combines a favorite dip with crescent rolls for a delicious finger food.

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Cheesy Crab Roll

Cheesy Crab Roll is a perfect, easy to make appetizer to bring to any gathering. In about 30 minutes you have a hot dish ready to go.

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Veggie Pizza

Great as an appetizer, Veggie Pizza is made with a dough crust, ranch 'sauce', and fresh veggies on top. Easily customize to your tastes and enjoy!

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Beef Jerky

Use a dehydrator to dry out seasoned beef to make your own homemade beef jerky. It keeps a long time for a great snack at home or on the road.

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Rotel Dip

Make Rotel Dip in your slow cooker with Velveeta, ground beef and 2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes. Perfect dip for parties and gameday. – The Magical Slow Cooker

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Cheesy Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip – Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen

This baked hot and cheesy Shrimp Scampi Dip dip goes beyond delicious. It’s got all the classic flavours in one heck of an addictive dip.

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Tailgate Cheese Board (Snack Platter for Football) – Foxes Love Lemons

Keep your football parties delicious with a platter piled high with sweet and salty snacks. Fans of all ages will enjoy this Tailgate Cheese Board!

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Football Recipes: Main Course

While I could make a meal out of appetizers, it’s a good idea to have some main course options.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Dinner made simple! Only 4 ingredients are needed for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. With just 5 minutes of prep, the instant pot does the rest!

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Justin’s Famous BBQ Burgers

A regular hamburger is great, but add some BBQ flavor and you have an amazing burger! This is better than you can get at a restaurant!

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BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Combine BBQ sauce with Italian dressing for a delicious sauce with shredded chicken on a bun with melted cheese for perfect slow cooker sandwiches.

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Steak and Shrimp Kabobs

Steak and shrimp kabobs are perfect for a delicious, customizable meal that you can cook on the grill. Ideal for those summer nights spent outside together.

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Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

Try making ranch chicken drumsticks in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal without all the added oil from regular frying.

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Extra Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings (with Garlic Parmesan Sauce) | Borrowed Bites

Crispy Oven BAKED Chicken Wings with Garlic Parmesan sauce are ultra-crispy and juicy! The secret ingredient is baking powder.

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Cheesy Shredded Chicken Enchiladas | Maple + Mango

These Cheesy Shredded Chicken Enchiladas are easy to make and extra cheesy and delicious thanks to a special ingredient: homemade nacho cheese sauce!

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baked chicken tenders

These helathy crispy chicken fingers are breaded in panko breadcrumbs mixed with seasoning and oil, then baked to make a super crispy coating. Kid approved!

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Vegan Sloppy Joe Tacos

Vegan Sloppy Joe Tacos sound unusual don’t they? They are! Easy, unusual & delicious and it will all take you under 20 minutes. Just hold these not too sloppy tacos over your plate & take a big bite.

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Hot Dog Nachos for Baseball Season – Foxes Love Lemons

Celebrate baseball season with Hot Dog Nachos, a mashup of two ballpark foods! Includes recipe for homemade beer queso sauce. | foxeslovelemons.com

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Touchdown Totchos & Tasty Wings

Totchos are tater tots, topped with ranch dressing, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions. It’s is perfect football food!

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Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls

I love Philly cheese steaks and I love egg rolls. Why not combine the two?

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Honey Butter Baked Lemon Pepper Wings – Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen

Baked Lemon Pepper Wings are crispy chicken wing perfection! Simply bake them in your oven, then glaze with a spicy sweet honey butter sauce.

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Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers with Coconut Quinoa

This is an easy, summer meal that comes together in no time! You can even throw some extra veggies on the grill for a balanced, colorful meal.

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Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Chicken satay with “peanut” sauce is paleo, low carb, keto friendly and gluten free. Cashews make a delicious substitution for the peanuts.

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Easy Oven Baked Ribs

Tender, fall off the bone pork ribs can absolutely be cooked in the oven. Instructions for prepping ribs and how to bake ribs in the oven.

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Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These Buffalo Chicken Sliders make the perfect game day appetizer the entire family will enjoy! You’ll want to make these again and again!

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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

The EASY way to make delicious homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. Ready in under 30 minutes.

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Sticky Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings Recipe – Ottawa Mommy Club

You can do so many yummy things with chicken wings. This Sticky Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings recipe yields one dozen tasty wings!

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Desserts for Game Day

Of course, you have to have some yummy desserts!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin is a classic cookie that is really simple to bake. This recipe yields a few dozen, so great for baking for a crowd.

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S’Mores Cookies

Bring the campsite home with these easy-to-make s'mores cookies, similar to the ones the Girl Scouts sell, with 3 easy ingredients.

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Brownies

Brownies are an easy, quick way to have a delicious chocolate dessert. Top them with powdered sugar for an extra little pop of flavor.

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4-Ingredient White Chocolate Churro Popcorn | Borrowed Bites

White Chocolate Churro Popcorn is soft and chewy, coated in sweet white chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. An addicting movie night snack!

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fudgy greek yogurt trail mix brownies

These Fudgy Greek Yogurt Trail Mix Brownies are next level. They are the perfect uber chocolatey, gooey, crunchy dessert to take to your next potluck,

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Chocolate Coconut Cream Stuffed Strawberries | Maple + Mango

These Chocolate Coconut Cream Stuffed Strawberries are deliciously decadent and easy to make. Perfect for date nights, special occasions or Valentine’s Day!

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Fantasy Football Candy Bark – Drugstore Divas

Looking for a sweet way to root on your favorite team? Try this Fantasy Football Candy Bark. You can make it in any team colors!

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Mini Chocolate Dessert Cups

Delicious mini chocolate dessert cups made with a soft cream filling piped inside homemade cupcake-sized pastry.

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3-Ingredient Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

The classic cookie now gluten-free, vegan, grain-free, keto, & sugar-free! These 3-Ingredient Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies are so easy to make!

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Score Points with This Awesome Football Cookie Pops Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun treat for your next football get together, these football cookie pops are

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Golden Graham s’Mores Recipe

Golden graham s’mores bars are an easy no bake treat to make when you want a s’more but don’t want to turn on the oven or roast a marshmallow.

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Vegan Buckeye Candy

Buckeye Candy is a classic with sweetened peanut butter and chocolate being the winning combination. An easy buckeye recipe that is also a no bake vegan recipe.

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Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies – Holiday Dessert Recipe

These chocolate cherry cookies are rich and chocolatey, and filled with a sweet, juicy cherry. Fabulous Valentine’s Day or holiday dessert!

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Football Recipes: Drinks

No matter what type of food you plan, you have to have something to wash it down. Whether you make adult drinks or keep it kid-friendly, there are a lot of options for the evening.

Classic Mojito

A classic mojito is the perfect drink to cool off during the heat of the summer. Make your own in 10 minutes with this easy recipe.

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Orange Mojitos

Impress your friends by serving a refreshing orange mojito: a classic drink with a summer twist. It looks so pretty, they'll never know it was easy to make!

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Strawberry Mojitos

Strawberry Mojitos are a delicious, refreshing drink made from a few simple ingredients. The strawberries set it apart from a regular mojito.

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Spiked Hot Apple Cider is a hit at any holiday party, and is perfect for a crowd since each cup can be customized by the drinker. 

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Kickoff Cosmo Recipe – Drugstore Divas

#ad Looking for a drink for your tailgate? Check out this Kickoff Cosmo recipe from www.drugstoredivas.net. It’s a perfect drink for game day.

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Alcoholic Drinks – BEST Football Margarita Recipe – Easy and Simple Alcohol Drinks

This will be your new favorite margarita recipe for football season. Check out the best football margarita. This is the perfect cocktail to serve anytime of year but perfect for football season.

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micheladas

Here’s how to make killer micheladas, also known as red beer. It’s a savory beer drink, served with ice, lime, hot sauce and tomato juice.

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Silver Cadillac Margarita

Silver Cadillac Margarita is a special cocktail with a perfect balance of 5 ingredients. Serve on the rocks or sip it with a straw. It will go great with any Mexican style meal or on any holiday.

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4-Ingredient Orange Julius Cocktail (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Give your Orange Julius a grown-up boozy twist! A quick and easy 4-Ingredient Orange Julius Cocktail recipe that’s gluten-free, vegan, and makes for a perfect frozen, creamy, and fruit treat! A sippable Creamsicle for adults only!

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Touchdown Game Day Cocktail and Free Football Printable

Looking for the perfect game day cocktail to serve at your bowl game party? The “Touchdown” is easy

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Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour | Rye Whiskey | Craft Cocktail | EmilyFabulous

This Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour has amaretto, orange liqueur, and fruit juice that will bring you to the sunshine no matter where you are!

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