24 Crowd-Pleasing Game Day Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Game day isn’t complete without great food, and whether you’re hosting a crowd or just hanging out with family, I’ve got you covered. Think hearty chili, finger-lickin’ wings, and cheesy ham sliders to keep everyone happy between plays. And of course, no game day spread is complete without some indulgent treats—brownies, cookies, and more. No matter who you’re rooting for, these recipes are sure to be a win!

Beer-Braised Bratwurst & Onions (“Beer Brats”)

Juicy bratwurst and caramelized onions piled into rolls with grainy mustard, “beer brats” make a delicious weeknight supper or game-day dish.
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Parboiled, spiced, and roasted in a high-heat oven, these baked chicken wings are crispy and packed with flavor.
Pigs in a Blanket

Made with cocktail sausages and puff pastry, these fancy pigs in a blanket are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Stromboli

Perfect for game day or an easy dinner, stromboli is like a rolled-up version of pizza.
Roasted Garlic Guacamole

In this recipe, roasted garlic takes the place of raw onions, making guacamole that is flavorful yet mellow.
Chicken Nachos

Loaded with spicy pulled rotisserie chicken and ungodly amounts of cheese, these nachos are hearty and satisfying.
Peel-and-Eat Boiled Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

Simmered in beer and Old Bay, these Maryland-style boiled shrimp are easy to make and fun to eat.
The Ultimate Chili Recipe

This chili is melt-in-your-mouth tender, thick, and rich. Serve it over rice or scoop it up with tortilla chips.
Pimento Cheese

A tangy and creamy cheese spread that’s often referred to as the pâté of the South is wonderful on crackers, crudités, sandwiches, or even burgers.
Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ham and cheese sliders doused in a tangy butter, mustard, and poppy seed sauce are perfect for football parties.
Sloppy Joes

These smoky, spicy Sloppy Joes are made completely from scratch — no ketchup or seasoning packets.
Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas

Crisp flour tortillas filled with gooey melted cheddar and chicken in a smoky chipotle sauce — these are the ULTIMATE quesadillas.
The Best Homemade Beef Jerky Recipe

This is the best homemade jerky recipe, and it’s easy to make without any special equipment.
Roasted Tomato Salsa

The vegetables in this salsa recipe are roasted, intensifying the flavor of the tomatoes, mellowing the onions and garlic, and adding a touch of smokiness.
Sriracha Deviled Eggs

These orange-hued beauties are truly devilish and totally pop-in-your-mouth-able.
Candied Bacon

This bacon has all the makings of an irresistible snack: it’s crispy, chewy, smoky, salty, sweet, and spicy.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Grilled cheese with a gourmet twist — the addition of sun-dried tomato pesto makes them taste like hot, crispy pizza paninis.
Cornbread

Tender and a touch sweet, this cornbread is easy to whip up with very few ingredients.
Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip is creamy and spicy and has all the flavor of Buffalo wings, without all the mess. Perfect for game day!
Turkey Chili

This healthy chili has a rich, spicy flavor and thick texture — and it’s loaded with nutrient-rich kidney beans.
Soft Pretzels

Similar to Auntie Anne’s, these pretzels are a touch sweet and deliciously buttery.
Chocolate Chip Cookies

A few tweaks to the classic Nestlé® Toll House® recipe make these the best chocolate chip cookies ever.
The Best Brownie Recipe

Fudgy in the center and cakey-crisp on the surface, these supernatural brownies from pastry chef Nick Malgieri are truly out of this world.
Best Rice Krispie Treats

A few tweaks to the back-of-the-box recipe make these Rice Krispie Treats the best ever.