21 Game Day Appetizers to Kick the Fun Up a Notch
What do you call the best starters of the football game? Appetizers.
Whether you′re getting ready for a big watch party or a spirit-filled night with just the fam, the appeal of the big game is about more than football, half-time shows, or even iconic commercials. Let′s be honest — half the fun is in the food!
Appetizers make especially great game day foods because they can also double as snacks to nibble on throughout the game. And these particular game day appetizers are sure to score some major points with your whole crew.
5 Super Easy Game Day Appetizers
Just looking for a quick list of simple ideas? Here are five of our favorite easy game day appetizers that you can prep in 10 minutes or less.
1. Halftime Nachos
Yep, these beefy nachos are so perfect for game day, they were named for it. Smucker′s® Sweet Orange Marmalade gives the dip a satisfying, unexpected spin, and jalapeños and chili powder add a little (you guessed it) kick.
2. Orange Sesame Hummus
This hummus recipe is so easy, you literally only need to puree the ingredients, then chill. (We mean chill the hummus, but actually, that leaves you time to chill, too!) Another reason to love it: With no meat ingredients in sight, this recipe is a hit with vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
3. Slow-Cooked Saucy Teeny Weenies
You′ve gotta love the convenience of a good slow-cooker recipe. And this one is so easy, all you need to do is combine the ingredients and let your slow cooker do its thing for a couple of hours. Best of all, you′ll love the results as much as if they were cooked the old-fashioned way.
4. Apricot Blue Cheese Flatbread
Feel like bending the ′′rules′′? Try this unconventional, crave-worthy twist on flatbread pizza. It only takes about half an hour, most of which is cook time. It′s easy to eat with your hands, vegetarian-friendly, and perfect for pleasing a crowd.
5. Berry Hot Wings
Hot wings are a go-to among game day appetizers, but you probably never had any quite like these. Time to fix that! Made with Smucker′s® Red Raspberry Syrup and cayenne pepper sauce, this flavor combo is a spicy, tangy treat.
Finger Foods
Looking for easy-to-serve appetizers? For football party hosts who don′t feel like washing a bunch of utensils at the end of a Sunday night, game day finger foods are the answer. Some of the easy game day appetizers above also fall into this category, but those are just the beginning.
If you′re looking for the most versatile game day finger foods, consider some sandwiches and/or wraps. Make them on the larger side, and you′ve got the main dish of a meal. Make them a little smaller, and boom: game day appetizers/snacks. The recipes below are written for appetizer-sized portions, but feel free to serve more or bigger versions as part of a meal.
Or, skip the bread and the wraps, and opt for apps on a stick. In other words, try kabobs. The wonderful thing about kabobs is, they make finger foods out of foods that would otherwise call for a knife and fork. Plus, they′re just fun!
Oh, and don′t think we′re out of recipes for wings and dippable things! In fact, we have a whole separate section on wings and one on dips, etc. later in this article. Meanwhile, check out these other ideas for game day apps and snacks that you can easily eat with your hands.
6. Slow-Cooked Cherry Cola Pulled Pork Sliders
When it comes to warm, hearty appetizers, these pulled pork sliders are hard to beat yet easy to make. They need to cook on low in your slow cooker for about 8 or 9 hours, but their taste is well worth the wait, and the actual prep only takes a few minutes. After that, they′re plug-and-play.
7. Chile and Cheese Spirals
Cold wraps like these Chile and Cheese Spirals are great make-ahead options, especially if you′re already using your slow cooker for something else. Pro tip: Sneak a little snack for yourself while you make them.
8. Fruity Turkey Burrito
You might not be surprised by some of the ingredients in these Fruity Turkey Burritos, but you won′t regret trying them together. These wraps can also be made with peanut butter if you choose to follow the optional last step. Either way, the sweet and savory flavor combo is oh-so-good.
9. Chipotle Orange Glazed Ham Kabobs
If you′re not a fan of firing up the stove, oven or grill, we see you. And you can still serve hot game day appetizers like a pro. One of the perks of this recipe, other than the taste, is that it′s warmed in the microwave. Winning!
10. Pancetta Shrimp with Peach Glaze
Who says a football watch party can′t feel a little bit fancy? After all, the big game is a special occasion. So if you spring for some shrimp, you might as well go all out with some pancetta and peach glaze, too. And if you serve these babies on toothpicks, voilà — classy little kabobs.
11. Orange Spiced Mixed Nuts
If an ordinary dish of mixed nuts feels a little like dropping the ball, try this quick recipe to take it to the next level. With about 20 minutes and some pretty basic ingredients, you′ll have a football-friendly snacketizer that packs a tasty punch.
Dips, Salsas & Spreads
Chips, crackers and other dippable/toppable foods may be the ultimate handheld game day appetizers … but it′s what you put on them that makes them! For an occasion like the big game, you want something that feels casual but also exciting. That′s why the recipes below are some of our very favorite game day dips, salsas and spreads. (Oh, and don′t forget about that Orange Sesame Hummus recipe we already shared up top!)
12. Creamy Orange Peanut Butter Dip
Sweet tooth? Get a little nutty with this Creamy Orange Peanut Butter Dip. This recipe pairs well with not only fruit but also pretzels and cookies. So it′s sort of like a game day appetizer/dessert.
13. Caramel Bacon Cheddar Spread
Can you say decadent? Not if your mouth is full of this amazingly decadent dip. Bacon? Check. Caramel? Check. Cream cheese? Check. Basically, everyone is gonna wanna try it.
14. Sweet Tomato Salsa
Sometimes, nothing beats a tortilla chip and a really good salsa. This one′s a simple classic with a sweet, raspberry twist. ′Nough said.
15. Smoky Black Bean-Citrus Salsa
If tomato-based salsa isn′t your thing or you′re just in the mood for more heat, here′s another salsa you might like. This colorful recipe is full of flavor and texture that′ll spice up your watch party even if the game slows down. Plus, on top of pairing it with chips, you can also serve it as a side dish.
Chicken Wings
The Berry Hot Wings recipe we shared earlier is a standout for sure, but it′s not the only winning option. Check out these other recipes for game day wings that are worthy of the fan food hall of fame.
16. Safety Wings with Touchdown Dip
This recipe was made for game day, literally. Even the name is football-inspired! And the flavors do not disappoint. The oven-baked wings are brushed in a sauce made with chili powder, garlic and Smucker′s® Apricot Preserves, and the dip is made with your choice of Smucker′s® Strawberry spread, cream cheese, sour cream and onion soup.
17. Spicy Orange-Ginger Baked Chicken Wings
Here′s another oven-baked wing recipe, this time including the classic flavor combo of ginger and orange. And it′s so easy, the prep time is only about 10 minutes. Talk about an easy win.
18. Chicken Wings with Sweet Red Chili Glaze
If game day makes you feel like busting out the grill, this recipe is for you … although the secret really is the sauce. Smucker′s® Apricot Preserves team up with Thai sweet red chili sauce, and lime juice and cilantro drive it home.
Meatballs
Your game day appetizers may not seem complete without some sort of meatballs. We′re not sure why, honestly, but football and meatballs just seem to go together. Don′t fight it; just roll with it. Try one of these recipes.
19. Homemade Grape Jelly Meatballs Appetizer
These grape jelly meatballs are a hit year-round, but especially as game day meatballs. Think grape jelly sounds like an unusual meatball ingredient? Try this recipe and you′ll wish it was more common.
20. Asian Barbecued Meatballs
Surprise! This recipe also features grape jelly. But because of the other ingredients, the result is a whole different (yet equally delicious) experience.
21. Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
If the last two recipes surprised you, just wait until you see this one — where meatballs meet blueberry sauce. Yes, it′s true. And the result is heavenly. Better yet? It′s incredibly easy! You′ve gotta try it.
Find the Key Ingredients
Now that you′ve found some game day recipes you′re excited to tackle, it′s time to gather the ingredients. Use our store locator to find the Smucker′s® products you need online or in stores near you.