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35 Game Day Favorites for the Best Season of the Year (Football Season!)

Published: January 19, 2021 by · Leave a Comment · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Football Season (and Fall/Winter) is hands-down, my favorite time of the year. We have so many things to look forward to - cooler weather, college football on Saturday, NFL on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday.

As the weather changes, food starts to get richer and sweaters get cozier. A big bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup hits the spot for me on chilly days.

But that's not what this post is about. This post is about bringing together my favorite game day foods. We like to do it up when we are watching football and we really like to go all out for Superbowl Sunday - a tradition that I inherited from my parents.

A collage of images of game day recipes.
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Finger Foods and Snacks

We always love to start off with:

Addicting Chex Party Mix (Crack Pretzel Snack Mix)

Chex party mix is a twist on a family favorite called "Crack Pretzels" that covers all the bases - salty, crunchy, cheesy - and addicting. Because nothing is more satisfying than a handful of a salty snack mix when hunger hits.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A close-up of a football shaped bowl of party mix with pretzels, chex, and goldfish.

Sweet and Spicy Bourbon Candied Pecans

Candied Bourbon Pecans are salty, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. The taste of bourbon is very subtle but it gives these pecans the perfect amount of something extra to make them so delicious and addicting.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
a spilled jar of candied pecans on a white and yellow napkin.

Pizza Seasoned Toasted (Fried) Ravioli

Toasted Ravioli are a St. Louis staple but this recipe can be made at home in less than 30 minutes. Flavored with pizza seasoning, this homemade version is fried until crispy and is so delicious.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
Toasted ravioli in a baking pan with a bowl of sauce.

Crack Pretzels - The Most Addicting Snack

"Crack" Pretzels are aptly named for their addictive quality. You can't have just one! They have a ton of ranch flavor, but also have a little spice, a little garlic, and a subtly warm cinnamon undertone.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
Seasoned pretzels spread out on a wooden board.

The Very Best Bacon Jam (Balsamic, Onion, and Thyme)

Bacon & Onion jam is one of my favorite appetizers - served with some crackers and cheese, it is such a treat. The balsamic flavor is deep & rich, the caramelized onions give off such a sweet flavor, and of course, the taste of bacon is always amazing.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A zoomed in image of a small skillet filled with bacon onion jam.

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip (With Video) - Pudge Factor

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip is the perfect appetizer for your holiday feast. It’s creamy and cheesy and full of bacon and and jalapeño peppers.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Easy Pigs in a Blanket Recipe | Culinary Hill

These Easy Pigs in a Blanket take just two ingredients and 20 minutes. Makes a great snack for kids or double the batch for your next party!
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Spinach Artichoke Bread Ring Dip - Pudge Factor

Spinach Artichoke Bread Ring Dip combines homemade rolls with an amazing Spinach Artichoke Dip with the food processor doing most of the work.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Chips, Salsa, Guacamole, and Queso are also almost always going to be a hit - you can buy your dips, but it is so much more fun to make them from scratch.

Instant Pot Creamy Queso

Instant Pot Queso is loaded with tomatoes, jalapeño, and a ton of flavor. It is made in just minutes with a pressure cooker for an impressive and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A chip dipped in queso held over a red bowl.

Easy Homemade Salsa - 5 Minutes

Homemade salsa could not be easier to make. Made with fresh, simple ingredients, it is a perfect salsa for any occasion.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A chip with homemade salsa on it above a bowl of salsa and a pile of tortilla chips.

Quick and Easy Guacamole

This quick and easy guacamole recipe is a keeper! Simple. Creamy. Delicious. It’s perfect for tacos, eggs, grilled chicken, or just for dipping. Enjoy!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Or just go all out and make nachos:

Cast-Iron Skillet Macho Nachos – A Quick and Easy Recipe

Whether you are looking for the perfect party starter, a game-day snack, or a quick family-friendly weeknight dinner, these Cast-Iron Skillet Macho Nachos are sure to draw raves from everyone.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A cast iron skillet filled with nachos topped with jalapeños and salsa.

The last but certainly not least of the Finger Foods - we can't forget WINGS:

The Best Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe - Chef Dennis

For the most ah-mazing buffalo chicken wings recipe you’ll ever make, read this post! You can even make your own blue cheese dressing with my recipe!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Wings | Creme De La Crumb

Quick and easy, no-fry baked Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Wings for the ultimate party appetizer or straight-up dinner entree for chicken wing lovers!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Grilled Cajun Chicken Wings Recipe

Cajun-inspired seasoning gives these wings an earthy and spicy coating, while hot sauce adds another layer of flavor to create a complexity that goes beyond the standard Buffalo.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Football Party Main Courses

Then we will serve something a little heartier, like chicken tenders with Raising Cane's Sauce for dipping:

Copycat Raising Cane's Sauce Recipe

Raising Cane's Dipping Sauce is a tangy, creamy, peppery, and addicting dipping sauce that goes with literally everything. We love it with french fries, chicken tenders, and burgers.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A jar of light orange Raising Cane's dipping sauce with a metal spoon on a gray wooden background.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

From Jenn Segal of Once Upon a Chef, these chicken tenders are a fan favorite. They are marinated in seasoned buttermilk and pan-fried to crispy, crunchy perfection.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Or, a little unconventional, but two of my personal favorites to serve are french onion soup and/or chili (blame my mother for the soup.)

Here are three great options for chili (served with cornbread of course) and my favorite recipe for french onion soup. Crusty bread and melty cheese anyone?

Starting with a Classic Chili:

The Best Classic Chili - The Wholesome Dish

The Best Classic Chili - This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Paleo and bean-free - this chocolate chili has been a favorite of mine for years. Don't pass it up because of the chocolate - the flavor it adds is amazing:

Chocolate Chili from Well Fed

My favorite chili recipe is this paleo chocolate chili - don't question the chocolate. This chili is spicy but not hot. Reminiscent of mole, the flavors are rich, mellow, and deep.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
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And for the Vegetarians:

Three Bean Sweet Potato Chili

This hearty, Three Bean and Sweet Potato Chili is a great alternative for the vegetarians at your game day party. It is healthy, filling, and delicious.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A bowl of three bean and sweet potato chili with a dollop of sour cream on top.

And of course, the best cornbread:

Simply Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Sweet Skillet Cornbread is light, crumbly, and has a perfect crisp to the edges. It is a little sweet and that's what makes it so delicious.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE
A cast iron skillet with slices of cornbread in it.

Game Day Desserts

We don't always have dessert on game days - we are usually too stuffed from all of the other goodies - but there here are some fun and tasty ways to keep in the spirit of game day.

My first favorite thing to do is just a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Everyone loves them and they can be made ahead of time. This is one of my favorite recipes for chocolate chip cookies:

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies “Kroll’s Kookies” | Kroll’s Korner (VIDEO)

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, fluffy, crispy golden brown on the outside and soft, gooey and chewy on the side. It’s the perfect giant cookie.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Then of course you can get cute and make treats shaped like footballs:

Football Brownies (no cookie cutter needed) - Celebrating Sweets

Brownies decorated to look like a football using chocolate and vanilla frosting (no cookie cutter needed). Game day or Super Bowl dessert. Recipe VIDEO!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

How to Make Football Cookies | Sally’s Baking Addiction

How to make adorably decorated football cookies for the big game! This Super Bowl dessert is easy, festive, and fun.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Game Day Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball

This Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball is perfect for game day snacking! You’ll love how easy it is to make and your guests will love how fun it is to eat!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Football Puppy Chow - game day football snack food!

The ultimate football puppy chow! Cheer on your favorite team with this game day or super bowl snack recipe!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

BEST Peanut Butter Football Dip Recipe

Peanut Butter Football Dip is the ultimate super bowl recipe! It tastes like a peanut butter cup! Shape it like a football for game day!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Game Day Drinks

Last of course is drinks for game day. The easiest option is always just a cooler full of beer, but sometimes a fun cocktail (or mocktail) can spice things up a bit and be more fun:

Tequila Sunrise Drink (Game Day Version!) VIDEO!

This TEQUILA SUNRISE is tailor made for tailgating! This Tequila Sunrise Cake is made with Orange Juice, Grenadine, Tequila, and Beer.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Texas Sangria | 12th Man Game Day Drink Recipe » We’re The Joneses

A traditional red sangria recipe with a Texas twist! This fruity sangria recipe with whiskey is delicious easy game day drink for a crowd.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Yellow Hammer Drink Recipe: Great for game day and tailgating

Inspired by the popular Yellow Hammer drink from a bar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, these fruity drinks are great for game days, tailgating and football parties.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Party Drinks We Love: Game Day Sangria

It’s time to step up your beverage game. Learn how to make it today at Liquor.com.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Bacon Bourbon Maple Old Fashioned

This Bacon Bourbon Old Fashioned is a meaty twist on the classic cocktail & you are going to be surprised how great this drink is! #bourbon #bacon
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

And if you had a little too much the night before watching the college games and need a little "hair of the dog" to get you through the day, a bloody mary can hit the spot:

Classic Bloody Mary Recipe

A Classic Bloody Mary for the ages. This is the best Bloody Mary recipe out there and it is so simple to make.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

Bacon Bloody Mary Recipe Like No Other

A Bacon Bloody Mary that is so tasty, interesting, and full of bacon goodness. This classic cocktail twist is something special and fun. #bacon #bloodymary
CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE

That's all I've got - but I would love to know - what are your family's traditions and favorite recipes?

A collage of images of football Sunday recipes.

About Kari

I am a WordPress Developer, Food Blogger, and Health Coach. I love to cook and experiment with fun new recipes. I hope you enjoy!

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