Game day is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to enjoy some good food with your friends and family while cheering for your favorite team. Whether hosting a game day party at home or bringing a dish to a potluck, you’ll want to impress your guests with tasty and easy recipes that everyone will love.
That’s why we’ve rounded up ten good food for game day that are perfect for any occasion. These recipes are simple to make, crowd-pleasing, and full of flavor. You’ll find everything from dips, sliders, wings, and nachos. Plus, they’re all easy to customize with your ingredients and preferences. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and get ready to whip up some amazing game-day food. Here are ten easy and delicious recipes to try.
What is Good Food for Game Day?
Certainly! Good food for game day typically involves delicious, easy-to-eat, and crowd-pleasing options that are perfect for snacking and sharing. These dishes are often characterized by bold flavors and can range from savory and spicy to sweet and indulgent. The key is to have a variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences, with an emphasis on finger foods and dips that are easy to enjoy while watching the game.
Whether you’re hosting a large party or just gathering with a few friends, the right selection of game day foods can make the experience even more enjoyable and memorable. Think of foods that are not just tasty but also fun and informal, adding to the relaxed and exciting atmosphere of game day. Let’s dive into these scrumptious options:
Cheesy Pizza Rolls:
These are easy and delicious appetizers made with pizza dough, pasta sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and sausage.
Roll the dough with the filling, cut it into slices, and bake in a cast-iron skillet or a baking pan until golden and cheesy. For extra flavor, you can serve them with fresh basil and red pepper flakes.
Pull-Apart Buffalo Chicken Sliders:
These are perfect party foods with Hawaiian rolls, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cheese, and bacon. Cut the rolls in half, layer the chicken mixture and cheese on the bottom half, and cover with the top half. You brush the rolls with melted butter and bake until crisp and melty. You can choose from three sauce options: classic Buffalo, spicy Thai, or spicy barbecue.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles:
These are crispy and tangy snacks with pickles, egg, panko, and oil. You pat the pickles dry, dip them in egg and panko, and air fry them until golden and crunchy. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, ranch, blue cheese, or honey mustard.
Texas Taco Dip Platter:
This hearty and colorful dish is made with ground beef, onion, tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, beans, corn chips, rice, cheese, lettuce, and olives. You cook the beef and onion with the spices and beans and layer it on a platter with the other ingredients. You can serve it with picante sauce if desired.
Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings:
These juicy and crispy wings are made with chicken wings, salt, oil, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and spices. You season the wings with salt and refrigerate them for an hour or overnight. You coat them in flour mixture and deep fry them until golden and cooked. Enjoy plain or toss them in your favorite sauce, such as Buffalo, honey garlic, or barbecue.
Maple-Bacon Rice Krispies Treats:
These sweet and smoky treats are made with marshmallows, butter, maple flavoring, bacon, and Rice Krispies cereal. You melt the marshmallows and butter with the maple flavoring and stir in the cereal and half of the bacon. Press the mixture into a baking pan and sprinkle with the remaining bacon. You let them cool completely before cutting them into bars.
Spicy Honey Sriracha Game-Day Dip:
This creamy and spicy dip is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, shredded chicken, Sriracha sauce, honey, and ranch dressing mix. You cook the chicken and cheese mixture slowly until melted and thickened, then serve it with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls:
These are crispy and tangy egg rolls made with shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cheese, and egg roll wrappers. Fill the wrappers with the chicken mixture and cheese, then bake or fry them until golden and crunchy. You can serve them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Touchdown Brat Sliders:
These are hearty and flavorful sliders made with bratwurst, onion, garlic, cream cheese, beer, Dijon mustard, and dinner rolls. You cook the bratwurst and onion in a skillet, then simmer them with the cream cheese, beer, and mustard until thickened. Spoon the mixture onto the rolls, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until melted. For extra crunch, you can top them with crushed cheddar and sour cream potato chips.
Mustard Pretzel Nuggets:
These are easy and fun snacks made with sourdough pretzel nuggets, prepared mustard, honey, cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard. You toss the pretzels with the mustard mixture, then bake them until lightly browned and crisp. You can store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
What foods give you energy for sports?
The best foods to eat before a sports activity are those that provide carbohydrates, the main energy source for your muscles. Carbohydrates can be found in foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, bread, pasta, rice, and cereal. Some examples of carbohydrate-rich foods that are easy to digest and can boost your energy before a sports activity are:
- A banana, an apple, or a handful of grapes
- A slice of whole-wheat bread with peanut butter or jam
- A granola bar, a cereal bar, or a rice cake
- A cup of low-fat yogurt with berries or granola
- A glass of low-fat milk, a smoothie, or a sports drink
You should also include protein in your pre-sports meal, as it can help repair and build your muscles. Protein can be found in lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, beans, and soy. Some examples of protein-rich foods that can complement your carbohydrate intake before a sports activity are:
- A hard-boiled egg, a cheese stick, or a handful of nuts
- A turkey, ham, or chicken sandwich on whole-wheat bread
- A bowl of oatmeal with milk and nuts or seeds
- A cup of cottage cheese with fruit or crackers
- A protein shake or bar
You should avoid foods high in fat, fiber, or sugar before a sports activity, as they can cause stomach discomfort, cramps, or nausea. These foods include fried foods, bacon, sausage, butter, cream, cheese, candy, chocolate, soda, and juice. You should also drink plenty of water before, during, and after a sports activity to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration.
What do NFL players eat on game day?
NFL players have different dietary needs and preferences depending on their position, body type, and performance goals. However, most of them follow a general guideline of eating a balanced meal that contains carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats three to four hours before a game.
This meal helps them fill their muscles with glycogen, the stored energy that fuels their exercise. It also helps them prevent hunger, fatigue, and dehydration during the game. Some examples of meals that NFL players eat before a game are:
- A grilled chicken breast with pasta and red sauce, peas, corn, and water
- A grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and light mayo, fruit, pretzels, and a sports drink
- A sub sandwich with roasted chicken, turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mustard or light mayo, fruit, water, or a sports drink
- A lean pork chop with brown rice or baked potato, light sour cream and cheese, peas, corn, and water
- A scrambled egg white or egg beater omelet with cheese, whole-wheat toast or bagel, fruit, and water or a sports drink
- A smoothie made with fruit, yogurt, protein powder, peanut butter, spinach, and flax or chia seeds
NFL players also snack on foods high in carbohydrates and protein throughout the day to keep their energy levels up and replenish their glycogen stores. These snacks include nuts, jerky, bars, shakes, fruit, yogurt, and sandwiches. They also drink plenty of fluids, especially water and sports drinks, to stay hydrated and replace the electrolytes they lose through sweat.
Final Analysis
You’ve just learned ten easy and delicious good foods for game day that will make your game day food a hit with your guests. Whether you prefer cheesy, spicy, crunchy, or sweet, there’s something for everyone on this list. And the best part is, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to whip up these amazing dishes. All you need are some simple ingredients, a few tools, and a lot of appetite.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and get ready to score big with these game-day foods. Your friends and family will thank you later.
