• Easy Healthy Recipes
  • Paleo
  • Keto
  • Healthy Living
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easy Recipes
  • Favorites
  • Cooking Guides
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easy Recipes
    • Favorites
    • Cooking Guides
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers & Snacks

    20 Game Day Snacks Perfect for a Party or Tailgate

    By Lisa Wells / Updated September 26, 2025 / Leave a Comment

    Buffalo wings, taco bar, guacamole and pulled pork slider game day snacks.

    Looking for ideas for easy game day snacks? From classic wings and sliders to dips, salsas, and sweet bites, these recipes are simple to make, fun to eat, and packed with flavor.

    Buffalo wings, taco bar, and pulled pork slider game day snacks.

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    No matter if you're hosting friends at home or heading to a tailgate, you'll find plenty of ideas here for your game day spread.

    Easy Game Day Snack Recipes

    These easy appetizers have something for everyone whether you're planning a game day party or just want a few quick snacks to keep you going from kick-off to the last play.

    1
    Air fryer chicken wings
    Easy Buffalo Wings
    Crispy air fryer wings meet a classic Buffalo sauce for the win. Toss hot wings with a simple sauce made with just two ingredients for that tangy, spicy kick everyone expects on game day. Serve the Buffalo wings with easy homemade ranch and celery sticks for dipping.
    Check out this recipe
    2
    BBQ chicken drumsticks on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
    These slow cooker drumsticks take almost no effort. Add your favorite spice blend and BBQ sauce, set it, and let the low and slow heat do the work. Then finish on the grill or in the oven to brown. The meat falls off the bone and shines on a platter. Keep extra sauce on the side for dipping.
    Check out this recipe
    3
    Chicken wings platter
    Smoked Chicken Wings
    Smoking wings gives them rich flavor and a crispy finish you can't beat. Use a smoker or your grill, season them up, and let the smoke do the work. Serve with dipping sauce and watch them disappear during the game.
    Check out this recipe
    4
    Smoked shrimp
    Quick Smoked Shrimp
    This smoked shrimp is simple to make and cooks fast. Use a smoker or indirect heat on the grill. Toss with a simple herb garlic sauce, and serve extra on the side for dipping. It's an easy appetizer everyone loves.
    Check out this recipe
    5
    Taco meat in cast iron pan, avocado, salsa
    Easy Taco Bar
    A taco bar is always a crowd-pleaser. Cook a quick batch of taco meat with beef or turkey, then set out toppings like avocado, lime, salsa, and lettuce. Everyone can build their own plate, which makes it perfect for game day snacking.
    Check out this recipe
    6
    Instant Pot pulled pork on keto bun with coleslaw
    Pulled Pork Sliders
    Tender pulled pork made in the Instant Pot is perfect for sliders. Just a few minutes of prep gives you juicy, flavorful meat prefect for sliders or nachos. Top with easy homemade coleslaw for crunch, and you've got a game day snack everyone will grab.
    Check out this recipe
    7
    Crock pot chicken chili with avocado and fresh herbs in a white bowl.
    Crock Pot Chicken Chili
    This chicken chili simmers in the slow cooker until the flavors come together. It's made with chicken thighs, tomatoes, spices, and cauliflower for a hearty dish that's simple to prep. Serve with grain-free tortilla chips or paleo cornbread and let guests help themselves.
    Check out this recipe
    8
    Meatballs baked with sauce
    Easy Baked Meatballs
    These baked meatballs are quick to make and don't need breadcrumbs. Just mix, scoop, bake, and serve with marinara or your favorite dip. They're perfect as finger food served with toothpicks or tucked into sliders if you want something a little more filling on the table.
    Check out this recipe
    9
    BBQ pork ribs
    Easy Instant Pot Ribs
    Instant Pot ribs are tender and full of flavor. Pressure cooking makes them fall off the bone, and a quick brush of barbecue sauce and a few minutes in the oven gives them a caramelized finish. They're always a favorite.
    Check out this recipe
    10
    Grilled shrimp with chimichurri
    Grilled Shrimp Skewers
    Grilled shrimp skewers come together fast and taste great with chimichurri. The shrimp get a smoky char while the fresh herb sauce adds a bright kick. They're easy to prep ahead and add a seafood option to your game day menu.
    Check out this recipe
    11
    Sweet potato fries on white background.
    Sweet Potato Fries
    With just a few ingredients, these air fryer sweet potato fries ready in under 30 minutes. Serve them loaded up with pulled pork and a tangy BBQ sauce for a simple snack that everyone loves.
    Check out this recipe
    12
    Bowl of guacamole on cutting board
    Easy Guacamole
    This simple homemade guacamole is always a hit. Made with ripe avocados, lime juice, salt, onions and jalapeños it comes together in minutes. Serve with tortilla chips or alongside tacos, and you'll want to make a double batch-it disappears quickly.
    Check out this recipe
    13
    Roasted garlic baba ganoush
    Roasted Baba Ganoush
    This baba ganoush blends roasted eggplant and garlic with tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. Serve it with cucumbers, bell pepper sticks, or grain-free crackers for a snack that feels a little different from the usual dips.
    Check out this recipe
    14
    Cauliflower hummus
    Cauliflower Hummus
    This cauliflower hummus has tahini, lemon, and garlic for the same flavors you love in classic hummus. Roasting the cauliflower gives it a touch of sweetness and makes the dip extra tasty. It's easy to make and pairs well with fresh veggies.
    Check out this recipe
    15
    Homemade tomato salsa
    Fresh Tomato Salsa
    Fresh tomato salsa, or pico de gallo, is quick and easy to make and always tastes better than store-bought. Mix ripe tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime juice for a bright, zesty dip. Perfect with tortilla chips or spooned over tacos and nachos.
    Check out this recipe
    16
    Ranch dressing in ceramic bowl with herbs, mayo and garlic in background.
    Homemade Ranch Dip
    This dairy-free ranch dip is creamy, herby, and easy to whip up. Made with mayo, garlic, and fresh herbs, it's great with veggies, chips, or wings. Keep it chilled and set out a big bowl for dipping during the game.
    Check out this recipe
    17
    Chili spiced mixed nuts with pecans, almonds and walnuts in a glass.
    Chili Spiced Mixed Nuts
    These chili spiced mixed nuts are roasted with a blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors. Use your favorite mix of nuts, toss with seasonings, and bake until golden. They're the kind of snack you can set out in a bowl and forget-everyone will keep grabbing handfuls.
    Check out this recipe
    18
    Deviled egg with bacon and chives on cutting board.
    Bacon Deviled Eggs
    Bacon deviled eggs take the classic version up a notch. The eggs get extra flavor from crispy bacon and fresh chives. You can also add roasted red peppers or olives for variety. They're always one of the first appetizers gone.
    Check out this recipe
    19
    Coconut flour brownies
    Fudgy Brownies
    These brownies are rich, fudgy, and simple to make in one bowl. They're made with unsweetened chocolate, coconut flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar for a chocolate treat that feels indulgent. A sweet bite is a nice way to round out your game day table.
    Check out this recipe
    20
    Almond butter chocolate chip cookies
    5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
    These chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate. Made with almond butter, eggs, sugar, baking soda, and chocolate, they come together in no time. Simple and homemade, they're the kind of sweet snack everyone reaches for at the end of the night.
    Check out this recipe

    From wings and ribs to dips and desserts, these recipes cover everything you need for a winning game day spread. Whether you're hosting a party, tailgating or just keeping it casual watching at home, these easy snacks are guaranteed to score big with your home team.

    More Appetizers & Snacks

    • Gluten free dairy free appetizers and snacks
      20 Easy Gluten Free Dairy Free Appetizers and Snacks
    • Pecan Chocolate Chip Coconut Granola
      Easy Homemade Coconut Granola With Chocolate Chips & Pecans
    • Roasted garlic baba ganoush
      Easy Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush Recipe
    • Grain free granola with nuts and dried fruit
      Cranberry Walnut Granola
    • Facebook
    • Flipboard
    • Email

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Welcome! I'm Lisa. If you're looking for easy ways to make eating healthy and living well a part of your lifestyle—without giving up all the foods you love or spending hours in the kitchen—you're in the right place.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Bowls of rotisserie chicken soup
      Easy Rotisserie Chicken Soup in a Hurry (Leftover Recipe)
    • 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
    • Whole chicken in slow cooker
      Crockpot Whole Chicken
    • Paleo Pumpkin Pie Recipe - This paleo pumpkin pie is a quick and easy gluten-free pumpkin pie recipe for fall or Thanksgiving. It's gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free.
      Paleo Pumpkin Pie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Explore

    • How to Stock Your Pantry
    • Favorite Recipes
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Breakfast Ideas

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for free weekly recipes and updates

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2012 - 2025 Cook Eat Well® All Rights Reserved