Football Party Food Ideas

One of my favorite days of the year for get-togethers is the Super Bowl party. I love it because it’s really casual and laid back, and everyone is there to have fun.

But let’s get real; I’m that girl who’s only there for the socializing, the half time show, and the food! So let’s plan some football party appetizers and snacks.

Game Day Food

There are a few factors that make up the perfect game day party menu. Whether it’s an appetizers buffet or more hearty foods, here’s what you need.

• It should be easy to make and easy to watch the game while snacking.
• It should be a little (a lot) indulgent.
• Must have something cheesy, such as dips and spreads.
• Have something with bacon, including bacon wrapped appetizers or crumbled bacon bits.
• Add something crunchy like chips and snack mixes.
• There should be some heavy appetizers like mini sandwiches, or pizza or chili to help soak up the alcohol that will be consumed.

Dips & Spreads

Dips and spreads may just be the backbone of a Super Bowl menu. It would be nearly impossible to be at a party without at least one! Here are some of the best ones we love.

This football cheese ball is so great for the Super Bowl. In fact it would be great as the centerpiece of the table. The flavors are terrific and pleasing to all palates.

Start with chips & salsa because it’s a classic pairing and everyone loves it. In addition to the salsa, add Mexican layer dip and a bowl of guacamole. 

Dips and salsa are always welcome at a football party, and this cowboy salsa is easy to make ahead, and delicious. Put it together and refrigerate overnight so the flavors can marry, for best results.

Pimento cheese spread is rustic and casual for a game day party. It’s made without cream cheese and is full of that classic southern flavor. Serve it with a variety of dippers like veggie sticks and crackers.

This hot corn dip with cream cheese is another recipe that our friends literally BEG for. It’s shown up at more casual parties and buffets than I can count, and the dish always comes home empty.

For the MOST simple dip, make this 3 ingredient Hormel chili cream cheese dip. It doesn’t get easier than this.

My easy baked artichoke dip is rich, creamy, and delicious. Serve it with tortilla chips, Fritos, or pretzel chips.

Football Finger Food

You’ve got to have snacks that are easy to pick up and eat with your hands. These appetizers fit the bill!

I love jalapeno poppers, and these baked jalapeno poppers with crumbled bacon are so easy to make and they will disappear! Prep them ahead and bake when it’s time to party.

I also make these jalapeno poppers with blue cheese and they are a winner! This is a must-have item for bacon and blue cheese lovers.

Delicious bacon wrapped crackers are rustic and easy to make with just 3 ingredients. Make them sweet or savory, or half and half. They’re likely to disappear quickly.

It may sound crazy but when I’m thinking of football party food I try to think in terms of a meal. That means adding some protein and some veggies in addition to the other snacks. Including a football charcuterie board is a good way to get some vegetables and meat into the mix.

• Make honey chicken wings to add to the board, or use the jerk seasoning from these chicken skewers appetizers.
• Making some veggie dip bread cups is also a fun party snack.

These bacon wrapped chicken bites are one of our favorite recipes. The ingredients are perfect for football with chicken, bacon, jalapenos and water chestnuts. They are full of texture and flavor and they’re positively addictive. Prep them ahead and cook just before party time.

Grown ups and kids alike will love these easy homemade baked corn dogs that are cooked in a pan. Cut them into squares for a quick pickup-and-go snack. Make them even quicker with Jiffy mix if you want.

Add some tasty pigs in a blanket, but make them a little more hearty by using smoked sausage links cut to 1-inch long. Wrap them in crescent dough and sprinkle with sesame seeds before baking. Serve with grainy mustard on the side.

Easy Football Party Appetizers

These easy food ideas can be made in bulk to feed a crowd. Some use the slow cooker for even more convenience.

Mini party sandwiches are great to make in bulk. Just keep the individual rolls attached as you build the toppings. These ham and swiss sandwich appetizers are classic favorites, and the ham and cheddar baked mini party sandwiches have a sweet glaze that will have guests begging for the recipe.

Do all the work ahead using the crock pot. Make slow cooker bbq beef sandwiches for a hearty appetizer that goes great with beer. Serve with slaw and let guests build their own.

Easy mini meatball subs are the perfect size for a party buffet where you’ll want to try multiple items but you also want it to serve as dinner.

• Just use frozen meatballs and traditional jarred pasta sauce. Heat them together in a crock pot or in a sauce pan on the stove over low heat until the meatballs are heated through. 
• Add two meatballs with sauce to a mini roll. Top it with some shredded Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese and sautéed onions. 

These protein bites really hit the spot. Make smoked sausage bites in an easy homemade bbq sauce, or make saucy kielbasa appetizers that take just 3 ingredients.

Our bourbon meatballs are a party favorite that you can make in the slow cooker. They serve a crowd but you’ll be hoping for leftovers!

Hearty Food & Buffet Ideas

You can create a heartier food menu that’s perfect for football watch parties. These are some of our tried and true ideas.

A pizza and beer party is ideal for game day, and variety is key. Order a bunch of pizzas from your local restaurant or make them yourself. Everyone loves pizza!

A chili bar is delicious, hearty, and crowd pleasing. Use the crock pot to keep it warm and provide an array of foods to pair it with. You can make chili dogs, walking tacos, chili cheese fries and more.

This southwest chili is another great recipe that you make in the slow cooker. Add toppings like Fritos corn chips, sour cream, shredded cheddar, and avocado slices.

For a party buffet for all ages, set up a hot dog bar with toppings to please every palate.

Party Drinks

When it comes to sports and watch parties, beer is the go-to drink of choice for most adults. Offer a variety of choices on ice, or let guests bring their own.

Bonus points if you set up a beer bar for an interactive drink station. Add stadium style snacks like soft pretzels, peanuts in the shell, and pork rinds.

Big batch cocktails is the way to go when it comes to a football party, and our beer margarita pitcher recipe is PERFECT to serve. It’s so refreshing and delicious and you only need 3 ingredients to make it.

Other good choices for a crowd are red wine sangria, Moscow mules or Kentucky Mules.

Snacks & Mixes

Snacks and snack mixes are usually crunchy and easy to eat by the handful. Here are some yummy snacks from savory to sweet. You can provide small paper trays or cups for guests to load up and carry.

Instead of traditional nachos, serve blue cheese and balsamic kettle chips. These are next level! Especially if you’re a potato chip lover like I am.

If you’re the host, set up a football themed popcorn bar where guests can make their own combinations.

Or you can set out a simple popcorn mix in a bowl on the coffee table.

For a sweet crunchy treat to nibble on try this sweet & salty Chex mix, or sweet Muddy Buddies mix with team colored candies.

If salty and savory is what you’re looking for, easy Italian seasoning savory snack mix is ideal to put near the tv so you don’t miss a play.

Dessert

I look forward to game day dessert almost as much as I look forward to the savory dishes. Make these yummy recipes and fill in with some fun themed cookies that are decorated to look like footballs.

Easy to pick up sweet treats are the way to go. Two tried and true recipes are graham cracker toffee bars and Ritz cracker toffee. They’re so good I could eat the whole pan!

This saltine cracker toffee is another classic version that has that sweet and salty combo.

And if you want something chocolate, I recommend making the BEST fudge brownies a day ahead. There’s enough to feed a crowd and they taste amazing!