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Are you ready for some football? The Super Bowl is just around the corner, with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs going head to head, and if you are attending or hosting a watch party—you are going to need some great food. Besides family, friends, and football, one of the best parts about watching the big game is the game day eats. From appetizers to snacks to sweet treats, football food is fun and delicious. Whether you are hosting to cheer on your favorite team or attending a couch-gate at a neighbor’s home, you can't be empty-handed for a normal Sunday Football game, let alone the Super Bowl. Here are 15 game-day eats that are sure to be a total touchdown, whether you're there to cheer on your team or just waiting for the Halftime show.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Looking for a game day appetizer that perfectly balances savory and sweet? Go with some bacon-wrapped dates. Guests can enjoy one bite-sized snack or more and can easily grab them with a toothpick, which makes mingling and game day watching simple, not to mention super delicious.
Bite-Sized Brownies
Channel those game-day vibes with a sweet treat like rich brownies. Bake a fresh batch of homemade brownies into the shape of footballs or keep it simple with bite-sized brownie bites with a small serving toothpick. These will be so good guests will likely come back to grab some seconds! No flags on the play here.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are an entertaining must-have that can easily feed the masses. Whether you go boneless or stick to the classic bone-in chicken wings, chicken wings are timeless finger food. Go ahead and leave them plain and let guests pick their own sauces to dress them up any way they like. From heat to sweet, make sure you have a variety of options for guests to choose from (don't forget the buffalo sauce!). Looking for a plant-based option? Try cauliflower buffalo bites that may even get the meat-eaters curious.
Chips and Dip
Chips and dip are a staple at any game-day party. Crunchy, salty tortilla chips served with handcrafted guacamole, homemade salsa, or melted queso are all game-day centerpieces to complete any snack spread. You can even get creative and try different variations of dips like bean dip, chili cheese dip, or a seven-layer dip that includes everyone’s favorite toppings. While you are filling your grocery cart, check out some fun brands like SOMOS, which offer crunchy salsa macha flavors.
Cookies
Cookies are another sweet treat to have on hand at your game-day dessert table. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are a total classic, or you can use this box-baking mix from Cravings if you don't want to make batter. Go ahead and mix it up with other options like peanut butter, snickerdoodle, and sugar. You cannot go wrong with a variety of cookies including crunchy or soft varieties like those from Bell’s Reines, Made Good, or Myna Snacks.
Fruit Tray
Need something sweet? Design a homemade fruit tray with everyone’s favorite fruits. Adorn your tray in apple slices, cover it in cantaloupe wedges, or go crazy with a handful of berries and grapes, even orange slices. Include a fluffy fruit dip for an added touch of fun. If you prefer dried fruit, fill some bowls with dried fruit chips from Chiwis for guests to munch on.
Hummus and Crackers
Almost any type of dip is an entertaining must-have for kickoff, so if you need an easy crowd-pleaser, go with some hummus. Whether you make your own recipe or grab some options at the store, hummus goes great with just about anything you have in your kitchen including pita bread or chips, pretzels, or vegetable sticks. You can even grab a sleeve of crackers, like Milton’s Craft Bakers, Simple Mills almond crackers, or TopSeedz gourmet crackers. Perhaps even some veggie chips from Confetti Snacks.
Meatballs
Looking for a hearty game day appetizer to feed the masses that will not break the bank? Try a tray of meatballs. Serve them straight up with some dipping sauces or toss them into a slow cooker and slather them in a rich and savory game day sauce for guests to enjoy during the game. Need some suggestions? Try sauces from Bachan’s, Kevin’s Naturals, or Noble Made.
Mini Tacos
Bite-sized mini tacos are another fun finger food for game-day guests. Choose from shredded beef, chicken, or pork, maybe even all three. That way you can offer game day guests a variety of options to please their palettes. Make sure you get hard and soft-shelled options too. Why make guests choose one when they can have both?
Pigs in a Blanket
A classic game day treat, pigs in a blanket are a great game day option for a reason. Savory mini hot dogs are served up and wrapped in a light fluffy crescent roll that is super soft and simply irresistible. Serve with classic dipping sauces for game day guests to enjoy.
Pizza or Flatbread
Forget ordering up a stack of pizzas from that local chain. Instead, whip up a few flatbreads or homemade pizzas. Guests can even make their mini versions with a pizza-making station perfect for adults and kids alike.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork sandwiches and sliders are another great game-day option for your weekend menu. Whether you decide to serve up full sandwiches or mini sliders, pulled pork is an easy game-day recipe to toss into the slow cooker with a fan-favorite sauce. Guests can serve themselves throughout the game and if you want to include a time-honored flavor pairing you'll see in every Southern BBQ joint, include some refreshing cups of coleslaw.
Puppy Chow
An all-time fan favorite is a bowl of homemade puppy chow. Crunchy mix meets savory peanut butter and sweet chocolate all covered in a layer of powdered sugar. Guests will enjoy these by the handful, so set out multiple bowls so guests are always close to a sweet treat to nosh on in between plays.
Sliders
Another tasty option for kickoff is sliders since they're another easy finger food that you can customize easily. Choose from chicken patties to mini hamburgers and cheeseburgers, or even little veggie burgers for all of your plant-based guests. Mini sliders are the ultimate football food at any game day watch party.
Sub Sandwiches
Another super simple way to feed the masses is to order up a giant game day sub sandwich or make a DIY version. Choose your toppings and get creative with a game-day culinary masterpiece. Hot, cold, or chilled, anything goes. Choose your protein carefully, whether you want to go more Italian-inspired, or load it with sliced turkey. And don't forget the potato chips!
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