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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.
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.
We always love to start off with finger foods and snacks. I love having a little something to munch on while the main dish is cooking and everyone is arriving.
Addicting Chex Party Mix (Crack Pretzel Snack Mix)
4.89 from 18 votes
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 saltysnack mix when hunger hits.
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.
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.
"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.
The Very Best Bacon Jam (Balsamic, Onion, and Thyme)
4.80 from 5 votes
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.
Chips and dip are 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 Queso Dip
5 from 4 votes
Instant Pot Creamy Queso Dip is loaded with real cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, and SO MUCH flavor. It is made in just minutes with a pressure cooker for an impressive and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
One of my most requested recipes and a party favorite, this easy bean dip is the perfect snack to go along with your afternoon happy hour or a weekend football game.
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!
Or, you can just go all out and make some delicious macho nachos for everyone to enjoy:
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.
The last but certainly not least of the Finger Foods – we can’t forget WINGS:
Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Dip is such a great appetizer recipe to serve at parties, for game day, or to serve with pizza. This creamy dip recipe is so easy to make and will be a hit for sure!
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.
After we get through the finger foods, we will serve something a little heartier, like chicken tenders with Raising Cane’s Sauce for dipping.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders
4.98 from 35 votes
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders are marinated in seasoned buttermilk, breaded in seasoned flour and panko breadcrumbs, and fried in peanut oil until golden brown and crispy. They are absolute perfection.
Being in the South, and with my husband being from Louisiana, you can’t go wrong with Cane’s Sauce!
Raising Cane’s Sauce
4.90 from 301 votes
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.
We also love to make some fried shrimp or fried catfish with homemade tartar sauce!
Deep Fried Shrimp
5 from 1 vote
Perfectly battered and fried to a golden crisp, these succulent shrimp make for a mouth-watering appetizer or main dish. Deep-fried shrimp are crispy and delicious, and pair perfectly with homemade tartar sauce.
This Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe is the perfect sauce to dip your crunchy fried fish fillets or crispy fried shrimp in. The tangy flavor pairs perfectly with so many dishes, and it is so easy to make.
Also, while a little unconventional, two of my personal favorites to serve on game day 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:
Quick and Easy Chili
Our favorite chili recipe is so quick and easy…just like the name. It only uses five ingredients….yes five! Perfect for easy game day prep!
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.
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.
Or, if you like your cornbread without any sugar – my southern cornbread is really popular and is so delicious!
Southern Cornbread
4.89 from 26 votes
Southern Cornbread takes simple yellow cornmeal and brings out the naturally sweet flavor of corn, without adding sugar. Cooked in a cast iron skillet with bacon drippings – it will please even the toughest critics.
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”
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.
Then, of course, you can get cute and make treats shaped like footballs:
Football Brownies (no cookie cutter needed)
Brownies decorated to look like a football using chocolate and vanilla frosting (no cookie cutter needed). Game day or Super Bowl dessert. Recipe VIDEO!
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!
Or, if you didn’t get enough Chex mix with your appetizers, a football-themed puppy chow for dessert! (Making both Chex recipes is a great way to use up a whole box of Chex cereal 😉 )
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!
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!)
This TEQUILA SUNRISE is tailor made for tailgating! This Tequila Sunrise Cake is made with Orange Juice, Grenadine, Tequila, and Beer.
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.
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.
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
I am a newlywed, food blogger, health coach, and mama to a hot mess of a border collie. I love to put a new spin on old family recipes and I try to make as many meals as possible with an Instant Pot.
