party food ideas to win on game day
Touchdown! Slam dunk! Home run! It doesn’t matter what game you’re watching — just as long as you’re enjoying it with yummy foods and a bunch of friends. From pregame warmups to the final whistle, these amazing game day party food ideas will win over any crowd.
pregame bites
pregame bites
Game Day Snack Mix
Serves: 15
Get the home team warmed up for a day of epic snacking with this salty and sweet mashup.
Ingredients
2 cups tiny twist pretzels
2 cups cheese cracker snack
1 cup milk chocolate candies
1 cup caramel corn
1 cup honey-roasted peanuts
Directions
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve.
don’t fumble on décor
Nothing pulls a game day party together like decorations in your favorite
team’s colors. From the food table to the viewing area, give your space some
pizzazz so everyone feels pumped for the game!
Pickle Dip
Serves: 8-10
It’s time your basic chip dip took the field. Everyone will be dunking into this party all-star.
Ingredients
8 oz sour cream
1 cup finely chopped dill pickles
¼ cup finely chopped sweet onion
3 tbsp pickle juice
1 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Directions
Mix all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Serve with chips, pretzels or veggies.
the main event
the main event
Hot Italian Sliders
Serves: 12
Hand it to these delicious sliders to pile on the goodness. Stacked with meat, cheese, and spicy banana peppers, they’re a party-time powerhouse.
Ingredients
12-count Hawaiian slider buns
12 slices ham
12 slices salami
12 slices large pepperoni
6 slices of provolone cheese
1/2 cup banana peppers, sliced
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Marinara sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the buns in half and place the bottoms in a baking dish.
Layer ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone on top.
Sprinkle with banana peppers. Top with other half of slider buns.
In a bowl, whisk together butter and Italian seasoning. Brush mixture on top of sandwiches.
Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
create a hydration station
Free up space in your fridge by displaying cold beverages in an ice-filled tub,
wheelbarrow or inflatable kiddie pool.
The Ultimate Hot Dog Bar
Serves: 16
It’s not a tailgate party without this iconic game day classic. Check out this easy and fun way to make hot dogs for a crowd.
Ingredients
16 hot dogs
16 hot dog buns
Optional toppings
Ketchup
Mustard
Sweet relish
Minced onions
Sauerkraut
Hot peppers
Diced tomatoes
Chili
Coleslaw
Shredded cheese
Directions
Cook hot dogs in a slow cooker for two hours on high or four hours on low.
Once cooked through, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting.
Set up buns and toppings on your serving table along with servingware, making it easy for everyone to create their own unique hot dog combinations.
overtime nibbles
overtime nibbles
Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Sticks
Serves: 12
You always score extra points with bacon! This tasty appetizer will go down in history as the ultimate party play.
Ingredients
1 lb bacon
12 mozzarella cheese sticks
Cooking oil
Directions
Unwrap mozzarella sticks from their wrappers.
Wrap one end of a piece of bacon around one end of a cheese stick. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place. Continue wrapping the bacon up toward the other end of the cheese stick. Secure with another toothpick.
Repeat this process with all cheese sticks.
Place all the bacon-wrapped cheese sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
Fill a skillet with 2" of cooking oil and heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F.
Remove cheese sticks from the freezer. Working in batches, add cheese sticks to the heated oil.
Flip after a few minutes, frying bacon to desired crispness.
Use a strainer to remove from oil and place cheese sticks on a plate with a paper towel to absorb extra oil.
Continue frying the remaining cheese sticks in batches.
Remove toothpicks before serving.
host a super fan challenge
Who doesn’t love a little competition? Hold a “super fan” contest and award
prizes to guests who come dressed up with the most team spirit.
Jalapeño Popper Wontons
Serves: 12
Don’t forget to add this winning app to your roster. For a kick of spicy flavor, it’s hard to beat.
Ingredients
24 wonton wrappers
4 jalapeños, seeded and diced
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp green onions, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sliced jalapeños and/or diced bacon for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a mini-muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and press each wonton wrapper into the tin. Bake for seven minutes.
Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl, reserving 1/4 cup of cheese for topping.
Fill each wonton cup with cream cheese mixture. Bake an additional 12-14 minutes.
Top with jalapeño slices and/or diced bacon, let cool and serve!
