Game day food should be fun, simple, and easy to grab while you’re watching the action. This list has all the hits—from cheesy nachos and warm dips to handheld sliders, wings, soups, and slow-cooked mains that feed a crowd without much fuss.
Everything here is easy to make and built for sharing.
You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just solid food that keeps people happy from kickoff to the final whistle.
1. Crispy Baked Game Day Chicken Wings
These baked wings turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without needing a deep fryer. They’re seasoned simply and bake up golden brown in the oven. Serve them plain or toss in your favorite sauce right before kickoff.
Make your own batch of crispy baked wings for game day with this recipe.
2. Crockpot Bourbon BBQ Little Smokies
These little smokies simmer in a sweet bourbon BBQ sauce that’s bold and sticky. They’re easy to toss together and stay warm in the crockpot for hours, making them great for grazing throughout the game.
Make a batch of these bourbon BBQ smokies with this recipe.
3. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Nachos
These nachos are layered with shredded chicken, peppers, onions, and lots of melted cheese. Everything bakes on one sheet pan, so it’s easy to serve straight from the oven. Add sour cream or salsa on the side for extra flavor.
Make these chicken fajita nachos on a sheet pan with this recipe.
4. Slow Cooker Queso Dip
Warm, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this queso is made right in the crockpot. It stays smooth and dippable for hours, so it’s perfect for serving throughout the game. Scoop it with tortilla chips or pour it over nachos.
Here’s how to make this easy slow cooker queso step by step.
5. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
These sliders are full of sweet, smoky flavor. The pulled pork is tender and saucy, and it pairs perfectly with soft rolls. They’re easy to stack up and serve in a big batch, and even easier to grab with one hand.
Try this recipe for BBQ pulled pork sliders right here.
6. Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These sliders are packed with shredded buffalo chicken, melty cheese, and soft rolls baked until golden on top. The chicken has just the right amount of heat, balanced with creamy ranch or blue cheese if you like. They’re easy to make in a tray and serve warm right from the oven, making them perfect for a crowd on game day.
Try this recipe for easy buffalo chicken sliders right here
7. Hot Italian Sub Sliders
These sliders are stacked with deli meats, melty cheese, and a buttery glaze on top. They bake together in one dish, so the edges get crisp while the middle stays soft. They’re a great way to bring sandwich shop flavor to the party.
Make your own hot Italian sub sliders using the recipe here.
8. Slow-Cooked Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
These meatballs are sweet, tangy, and perfect for party snacking. The cranberry and BBQ sauce combo gives them a bold flavor that works great with toothpicks or over rice. Let them simmer in the slow cooker and stay warm all day.
Try this cranberry BBQ meatball recipe right here.
9. Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
These nachos are stacked with beef, beans, cheese, and all your favorite toppings. They’re made on one big sheet pan, which makes them great for serving a crowd. Just bake and bring straight to the table—no fuss.
Check out this recipe for fully loaded sheet pan nachos on this page.
10. Oven Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
These wings are coated in a sweet and garlicky sauce that gets sticky in the best way. They bake in the oven until crisp and are easy to make in big batches. Serve with napkins and let people dig in.
You can make these oven baked honey garlic wings with this recipe.
11. Tex-Mex Loaded Beef Nachos
These nachos bring all the classic flavors—seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and plenty of toppings. They’re perfect for piling high on a tray and letting everyone scoop up their favorite bites.
Follow the steps to make Tex-Mex style beef nachos right here.
12. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
These buffalo chicken meatballs are a great way to bring bold flavor in a bite-sized form. They cook low and slow in the crockpot, soaking up that spicy buffalo sauce until they’re tender and full of heat. Serve them with toothpicks for easy snacking or pile them onto slider buns for something more filling.
Make a batch of buffalo chicken meatballs in the crockpot with this recipe
13. Sweet Corn & Pepper Jack White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili is creamy, cozy, and just a little spicy from the pepper jack cheese. Sweet corn adds a nice balance, and the chicken stays tender and flavorful. It’s a simple, filling dish that comes together easily in the slow cooker.
Get the full recipe for this easy white chicken chili here.
14. Taco Bell Copycat Nachos Supreme
These nachos are inspired by the fast food favorite, loaded with seasoned beef, beans, and melty cheese. Add sour cream, tomatoes, and green onions on top for the full effect. They’re easy to throw together for a quick crowd-pleaser.
You can make Nachos Supreme at home with this recipe.
15. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs
These meatballs have a sweet and garlicky sauce that’s great for game day snacking. The slow cooker keeps them warm and ready to serve all day. They’re easy to make and even easier to eat.
Make your own batch of slow-cooked honey garlic meatballs using this recipe.
16. Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
This dish is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for feeding a group. The chicken cooks in a flavorful sauce, and spaghetti is stirred in at the end. It’s warm, filling, and doesn’t need much hands-on time.
Find the recipe for chicken spaghetti in the crockpot on this page.
17. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
These wings come out crispy and full of lemon pepper flavor. The air fryer makes them quick and easy to cook in small batches, and they’re great with ranch or blue cheese on the side.
Try this recipe for air fryer lemon pepper wings right here.
18. Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde
This warm and hearty soup is full of shredded chicken, hominy, and green chile broth. It’s flavorful without being too heavy, and it’s great with fresh toppings like lime, radishes, or cilantro.
Make this pozole verde in the slow cooker by following the recipe here.
19. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This dip is a game day classic. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and packed with shredded chicken and hot sauce. Serve it with chips, celery, or crackers—and let the crockpot keep it warm through the final quarter.
Find the full recipe for buffalo chicken dip in the crockpot right here.
20. Crispiest Air-Fry Buffalo Wings
These buffalo wings come out super crispy without any deep frying. The air fryer gives them a golden crunch on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Tossed in a classic buffalo sauce made with hot sauce and butter, they’re bold, spicy, and perfect for game day.
Make your own batch of crispy air fryer buffalo wings with this recipe.
21. Crockpot Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
These little bites are wrapped in bacon, cooked slowly, and coated with a touch of brown sugar until sweet and savory. They’re always one of the first things gone at a party.
Make your own bacon wrapped smokies in the crockpot with this recipe.
22. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce
This dish is simple, creamy, and easy to set and forget. The chicken simmers in Alfredo sauce until tender, and then it’s ready to serve with pasta—or use it as a filling for easy sliders on party rolls.
Try this creamy chicken Alfredo recipe for the slow cooker right here.
23. Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs
These meatballs are coated in a sticky honey BBQ sauce that’s sweet and smoky. They’re super simple to make—just toss everything in the slow cooker and let them simmer until party time.
Try this honey BBQ meatball recipe for the crockpot right here.
Final Thoughts
Game day food doesn’t need to be over the top—it just needs to be good, easy, and shareable. Whether you go for wings, sliders, dips, or something heartier, these recipes help take the pressure off while keeping everyone fed and happy.
Pick a few favorites, prep ahead if you can, and enjoy the game.
The food will be the easy part.