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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Best Appetizers to Keep Your Game Day Exciting

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 13, 2025, updated September 9, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 23 appetizers are perfect for game day and will keep everyone excited and satisfied. From classic favorites to unique bites, there's something for everyone to enjoy while cheering on their team.

    Bacon Wrapped Dates

    Bacon wrapped dates.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Savory snacks are a must for game day gatherings. These easy-to-make treats will keep everyone satisfied while you cheer on your team. Perfect for sharing, they add a fun touch to any watch party. With simple ingredients and quick preparation, you can focus on enjoying the game with friends.

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    Tex Mex Cheese Ball

    tex mex cheese ball.
    Photo credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This spicy cheese ball is perfect for parties or game day gatherings. It's simple to prepare and pairs well with your favorite crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies for dipping. Everyone will enjoy this tasty snack while cheering for their team.

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    Chili Cheese Fries

    Chili cheese fries on a sheet pan.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy waffle fries topped with melted cheese, hearty chili, and your favorite toppings create a delicious snack that everyone will love. This dish is simple to prepare, making it ideal for a relaxed evening or a fun gathering with friends. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a tasty treat that’s sure to impress.

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    Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

    Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls.
    Photo Credit: Aleka's Get-Together.

    Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls are crispy and filled with a spicy, cheesy chicken mixture. They’re a great choice for game day or any gathering, easy to prepare and fun to munch on. Pair them with ranch or blue cheese for dipping, and you’ve got a snack that everyone will enjoy.

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    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

    Smoked mac and cheese.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with bacon is a rich and cheesy dish that brings a nice smoky flavor. It's perfect for game day or any laid-back dinner with friends and family.

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    Pub Cheese

    A bowl of Pub Cheese.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy snack is perfect for game day gatherings. It's easy to whip up and will definitely impress your friends and family. With its rich flavor and satisfying texture, it's a go-to choice for any sports event. Enjoy this treat while cheering on your favorite team!

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    Garlic Crostini With Olive Oil

    Garlic Crostini With Olive Oil.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    Easy Garlic Crostini features crispy bread slices that are infused with garlic and drizzled with rich olive oil. This snack is perfect for serving as an appetizer or as a tasty side dish. It's simple to prepare and adds a touch of gourmet flair to any gathering.

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    Buffalo Shrimp

    Buffalo shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This buffalo shrimp recipe is a quick and easy appetizer that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. It's a healthy option with just a few simple ingredients, and it's full of flavor that will keep you wanting more. Perfect for game day or any gathering, this dish is sure to impress your friends and family.

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    Spinach Dip In A Bread Bowl

    Classic Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe In A Bread Bowl.
    Photo Credit: NeighborFood.

    This creamy spinach dip is a classic favorite that everyone loves. It’s simple to prepare and always a hit at parties. Served in a bread bowl, it’s not just tasty but also looks great on the table. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and will be gone in no time.

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    Pico de Gallo

    Pico de gallo.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pico de Gallo Salsa is a fresh and flavorful mix of tomatoes, cilantro, lime, and a hint of spice. It's a great addition to tacos, fish, or meat, and works perfectly as a dip for tortilla chips or a topping for salads. This salsa is not only tasty but also a healthy choice for any gathering.

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    Marinated Chicken Wings

    Marinated Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    Marinated chicken wings are perfect for any gathering. They're coated in a simple yet tasty homemade sauce and baked in the oven until they turn golden brown and have a nice crisp. These wings are sure to be a hit at your next game day or get-together.

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    Baked Buffalo Drumsticks

    Baked Buffalo Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: Living Lou.

    Buffalo chicken drumsticks are a great alternative to regular chicken wings. These drumsticks are coated in a flavorful sauce made from melted butter and hot pepper sauce, giving them a nice kick. They come out juicy and crispy from the oven, and you can adjust the heat to your liking. Plus, they’re ready in just 50 minutes, making them perfect for game day.

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    Loaded Potato Skins

    Air fryer potato skins.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer potato skins are a quick and easy snack that everyone will love. With just a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time, you can whip these up in no time. They’re seasoned with garlic and Worcestershire sauce, and each bite is packed with delicious, gooey cheese. These potato skins are a great choice for game day or any gathering.

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    BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

    BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders.
    Photo Credit: Seanna's Kitchen.

    These BBQ shredded pork sandwiches are perfect for game day. They feature tender, flavorful pork cooked low and slow, smothered in barbecue sauce and topped with melted cheese. Served on slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, these sandwiches are drizzled with a delicious garlic butter sauce that adds an extra kick. They're sure to be a hit with everyone gathered to watch the game.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza

    Buffalo cauliflower pizza.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo cauliflower is taken to the next level by placing it on a pizza with a simple puff pastry crust. Baked until crispy and topped with cheese, it’s finished off with a generous drizzle of blue cheese sauce. This dish is perfect as a vegetarian dinner, snack, or appetizer, and it’s hard to resist.

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    Feta Stuffed Dates

    Feta stuffed dates.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These savory snacks are sure to be a hit at your game day gathering. They’re easy to prepare and will keep everyone satisfied while they cheer for their favorite team. A double batch is a smart idea since they tend to disappear quickly!

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    Maxwell Street Polish

    Maxwell Street Polish.
    Photo Credit: Carolyn's Cooking.

    A Maxwell Street Polish is a beloved Chicago favorite that features grilled or fried Polish sausages. These sausages are served on a bun and topped with yellow mustard, sweet grilled onions, and spicy sport peppers. It's a delicious option that brings a taste of Chicago right to your game day spread.

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    Bacon-Wrapped Halloumi

    Bacon Wrapped Halloumi Cheese.
    Photo credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Combining two popular snacks is a surefire way to create something delicious. Using an air fryer means you can enjoy them with less oil, making it a healthier option. These savory treats are perfect for game day and will definitely impress your friends.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

    Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.
    Photo Credit: Aleka's Get Together.

    Bacon-wrapped shrimp are a fantastic snack that everyone will love. The shrimp are crispy and juicy, wrapped in savory bacon, and coated with a sweet glaze. They come with a tangy, creamy dipping sauce that adds an extra kick. This dish is great for game day or any festive gathering.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Buffalo cauliflower bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This will be your new favorite snack! Easy to make in under 30 minutes they come out spicy, crispy and totally addictive. A healthy-ish snack or meal that's perfect to serve with blue cheese sauce.

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    Glazed Garlic and Honey Chicken Wings

    Glazed Garlic and Honey Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: Man Meets Oven.

    These honey chicken wings are packed with garlic flavor and a nice kick of heat, making them a perfect snack for any game day gathering or just a tasty meal at home. They're simple to prepare, and once you try them, you'll want to keep this recipe on hand for all your wing cravings.

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    Fried Feta

    Fried feta cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frying feta cheese is simple and once you try it, you'll want to make it every weekend. This savory snack is perfect for game day and will definitely impress your friends. With just a few steps, you can enjoy a delicious treat that everyone will love.

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    Baked Chicken Tenders

    Baked Chicken Tenders.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Oven baked chicken tenders come together in just 25 minutes using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. These tenders are a healthier option compared to frying, as they skip the oil and dairy. Perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce or enjoying straight from the oven, they’re sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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