25 Game Day Appetizers That Will Make You the Real MVP
We love sports as much as the next person, but when it comes to game day gatherings, it’s really all about the grub. As such, if you’re hosting a hungry group of sports fans in your home this year, we strongly suggest you start planning the menu stat. Consult our roundup of crowd-pleasing game day appetizers that are easy to make and hard to stop eating, and you can’t go wrong (especially if you follow up with one of these desserts).
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1. Avocado Deviled Eggs
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, sugar-free
We’ve never met a deviled egg we didn’t like, but creamy avocado and a dash of hot sauce make these bad boys next-level delicious.
2. Carrot Pigs in a Blanket
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Trust us, this trompe l’oeil isn’t as cruel as it seems. In fact, carrots are a surprisingly tasty and satisfying stand-in for mini hot dogs in this vegetarian twist on the beloved finger food.
3. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Buffalo wings are a game day no-brainer—particularly when the tender wings are left intact (i.e., keeping the flats and drumettes together) for a more substantial appetizer that won’t cause partygoers to fight over their preferred piece of the bird.
4. Mini Nachos
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Because no one wants to be the unlucky nosher with a chip that got the short end of the topping stick.
5. Brie-Stuffed Pretzel Bites
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly
The only thing better than a fluffy, chewy soft pretzel nugget is one that’s stuffed with brie cheese. Ooh-la-la.
6. 7 Layer Dip
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
Seven layers of Mexican-inspired flavor combine to make a dip that’s so decadent and delicious, partygoers won’t hesitate to eat it with a spoon when the chip bowl is empty.
7. Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, sheet pan recipe
Is there anything cauliflower can’t do? (Answer: No.) These tasty bites are just as comforting as the chicken version, but with a good-for-you twist.
8. Sweet Potato Crostini
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, special occasion-worthy, low carb
A sweet potato base takes the place of bread in this offbeat “crostini” recipe and the end result is every bit as elegant and gourmet-tasting as the traditional appetizer…without all the carbs.
9. The Classiest Cheese Balls in the Universe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: make-ahead, special occasion-worthy
Presenting a modern twist on a cheesy (pun intended) favorite. Goat, cheddar and blue cheeses get all dressed up with innovative toppings to create a dairy-forward appetizer that tastes totally fresh and looks downright elegant.
10. Mini Tortillas
ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Blessedly easy to make and destined to be the star of the party spread no matter what you fill ‘em with—these fresh, homemade tortillas are basically the perfect edible canvas.
11. Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: HEATH GOLDMAN
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
If the game day event happens during the cold season (i.e., the Super Bowl), forget about the rainbow heirlooms and stick to vine-ripened or Roma tomatoes instead for a more flavorful bruschetta.
12. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Rotisserie chicken and store-bought buffalo sauce are the secret to making flavor bombs that are just as satisfying as chicken wings, but easier to make and far less messy to eat.
13. Mini Lobster Rolls
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
If you’re feeling fancy, skip the sliders and serve a miniature hot dog bun stuffed with just the right amount of tender lobster meat. Guests will swoon.
14. Italian Pinwheels
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 23 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
It’s like a perfectly curated charcuterie board without all the serving fuss—you know, so no one risks missing a play while making their plate.
15. Spinach Artichoke Squares
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Spinach artichoke dip gets a decidedly sophisticated new look in this modern recipe, which calls for the same rich and gooey goodness served on a tidy, puff pastry vessel.
16. Baby Bloomin Onions
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian
Finally, you can recreate your favorite steakhouse appetizer of sweet and crispy fried onions dipped in cool-but-kicky horseradish sauce at home. (And the crowd goes wild!)
17. Pimento Cheese Stuffed Shishito Peppers
PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Shishito peppers are delicious on their own when lightly seasoned and charred—but fill ‘em with pimento cheese and you’ve got a classy game day appetizer that puts the stuffed jalapeno to shame.
18. Spicy Avocado Hummus
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegan
Guacamole or hummus? Good news: You don’t have to choose, ‘cause the love child of the two beloved dips hits all the right notes.
19. Prosciutto Bites
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients
The pizza dough is pre-made, the preparation is exceedingly simple and the finished product is proof that there’s truly nothing better than a garlic knot wrapped in salty pork.
20. Crispy Baked Cauliflower-Corn Nuggets
Cauliflower
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
These corn and cauliflower croquettes are cheesy, crispy and highly addictive. They’re also oven-baked, not fried, so you don’t have to feel too bad about eating them by the dozen.
21. Roasted Veggie Chips
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly
Parsnips, beets, turnips and radishes are thinly sliced, tossed with olive oil and sent into the oven to make chips that taste just as yummy as the potato variety and look prettier, too.
22. Mozzarella Bites
ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
These are basically just mozzarella sticks you can eat in a single bite. Need we say more?
23. Baked Gorgonzola Bites
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Here, the full flavor of gorgonzola mellows beautifully when baked on a bed of fluffy pizza dough balls. Forget about the carbs and just let the savory magic take you away.
24. Chicken Parmesan Bites
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
Forget about the ketchup—marinara is a superior dipping sauce for crispy, tender morsels of chicken, and this Italian-inspired recipe is proof.
25. Loaded Baked Potato ‘Chips’
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe
A true innovator discovered that you can turn a fully-loaded baked potato into a bite-size party appetizer, and let’s just say it’s a real game changer.
