There are three things that food for a game day party needs to be: easy, utensil-free and utterly delicious. These football snacks can be whipped up in a snap.
30 Easy Football Snacks
Homemade Guacamole
Ever wondered how to make guacamole? Just whip together this delicious blend of your favorite fresh ingredients.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
You’ll want to add these Super Bowl sliders and game-day foods to your menu.
1/30
2/30
Mozzarella Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm particularly fond of these tasty mozzarella sticks because they're baked, not fried. Cheese is one of my family's favorite foods. Being of Italian descent, I cook often with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. —Mary Merchant, Barre, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
2 sticks: 312 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 749mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
3/30
Mustard Dip for Pretzels
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
With just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick appetizer comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoon: 154 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 428mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
4/30
Taco Pinwheels
Total Time
15 min
Servings
3 dozen pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
These pinwheels come together quickly when you start with leftover taco meat. They make an appealing party appetizer served with salsa, or a fun lunch option with a salad on the side. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 pinwheel: 51 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
5/30
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Hot wings got their start in Buffalo, New York, in a kitchen. Although there was no game on at the time, today spicy wings and cool sauces are traditional game-day fare. Cayenne, red sauce and spices keep these tangy Buffalo chicken wings good and hot, just like the originals. —Nancy Chapman, Center Harbor, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 126 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
Also, don’t worry if you are looking for healthy options, as we have a list of healthy game day snacks.
6/30
Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I had previously made this dish with black beans and corn off the cob in the summer. Wanting to try it with fresh fall ingredients, I replaced the corn with roasted pumpkin—yum! It's also good with butternut squash. —Lesle Harwood, Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 347 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 559mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
7/30
Bacon Quiche Tarts
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Flavored with vegetables, cheese and bacon, these memorable morsels are bound to be winners at any brunch. The tarts are impressive but also quite easy to make. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped green onion.
—Kendra Schertz, Nappanee, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 tart: 258 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
8/30
Beer & Cheddar Fondue
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This great-tasting beer cheese fondue is my mom's favorite, so I make it for her birthday every year. I like to serve this cheddar cheese fondue recipe with apple slices, rye bread cubes, and chunks of carrots, mushrooms, celery, zucchini, squash and broccoli. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 221 calories, 16g fat (12g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein.
9/30
Hearty Rye Melts
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When we moved from the Midwest to Kentucky, we were invited to a neighborhood gathering where this appetizer was served. Hanky panky—as it’s often called around here—is traditionally served at Derby Day parties, but at our home it’s become a year-round favorite. —Melanie Schlaf, Edgewood, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 88 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
10/30
Polpette
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you think of Italian food, spaghetti with meatballs is probably one of the first dishes that comes to mind. Every Italian mother and grandmother has their signature polpette (meatball) recipe, and their children will always boast that their meatballs are the best. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 453 calories, 27g fat (7g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 2352mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein.
11/30
Fried Pickles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You may be surprised when you see how easy it is to make a batch of these fried pickles. They'll get snatched up in a flash! —Eloise Maynor, Scottsboro, AL
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 94 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1237mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
12/30
Fresh Shrimp and Avocado Nachos
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a fan of shrimp, and my family loves nachos. When I combined those favorites and added fresh avocado, the result was a cool yet satisfying snack. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 264 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
13/30
Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini muffin: 74 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
14/30
Honey Buffalo Meatball Sliders
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a hit on game day with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 slider: 261 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
15/30
Buffalo Wing Bites
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen (2 cups dressing)
From the Recipe Creator:
The Buffalo wing fans in my family were happy to do the taste testing as I was experimenting to create these zingy snacks. This version was the winner! —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 165 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
16/30
Beer Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It's perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it's hard to stop eating once you've started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I've taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 93 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 184mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
17/30
No-Bake Cereal Bars
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 10 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With two kinds of cereal and peanut butter, these bars taste almost like candy. —Pauline Christiansen, Columbus, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 95 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
18/30
No-Guilt Beefy Nachos
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
20 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
You can feel good about these nachos! This meaty topping has less fat and sodium than typical nacho beef because you use lean meat and make your own seasoning. The versatile dish is a tasty go-to for a party. —Carol Betz, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup (calculated without chips): 99 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 232mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
19/30
Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a spinoff of a Mexican dip I had once. The original was wicked good, but since I was going through an "I’m-so-over-Mexican-dip" phase, I decided to switch it up. Take it to a party—I'll bet you no one else will bring anything like it! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 200 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
20/30
Bourbon Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kick-start your meatballs with a splash of bourbon and vinegar for punchy sweet-and-sour flavor. These Kentucky Derby bourbon meatballs are perfect to snack on while you watch the race. —Kimla Carsten, Grand Junction, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 95 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 192mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
21/30
Pizza Pinwheels
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
Once you try these mini-sized calzones, you may never go back to the large ones. Not only do these pretty bites take advantage of convenient refrigerator crescent rolls, but they can be made ahead and popped in the oven right before company arrives. No one can eat just one and people love the cheesy, fresh taste! —Lisa Smith, Bryan, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 118 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 383mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
22/30
Cheddar Ham Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When a college classmate and I threw a party for our professor, a friend contributed these savory appetizers. Everyone in the class requested the recipe before the party was done. Try the cups with chicken instead of ham if you'd like.
-Brandi Ladner
Gulfport, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 ham cup: 99 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
23/30
Mushroom Bacon Bites
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the perfect appetizer for most any occasion. The tasty bites are easy to assemble and brush with prepared barbecue sauce. When we have a big cookout, they're always a hit...but they make a nice little "extra" for a family dinner, too. —Gina Roesner, Ashland, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 82 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 209mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
24/30
Artichoke Dip Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Love artichoke dip? This recipe gives you the dip and dippers together in one appetizer. My friends can’t get enough of the yummy baked bread cups and creamy filling. —Nikkole Vanyo, West Fargo, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 122 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
25/30
Pinwheels
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe, and whenever I serve these tortilla roll ups, people ask me for the recipe, too! The cream cheese pinwheels can be made ahead of time and sliced just before serving, leaving you time for other last-minute party preparations. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 pinwheel: 63 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
26/30
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe! Whenever I bring buffalo dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Belinda J. Gibson, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 152 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
27/30
Sausage Wonton Stars
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These fancy-looking appetizers are ideal when entertaining large groups. The cute crunchy cups are stuffed with a cheesy pork sausage filling that kids of all ages enjoy. We keep a few in the freezer so we can easily reheat them for late-night snacking. —Mary Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 69 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
28/30
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Total Time
55 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My next-door neighbor shared this recipe with me and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of flavors makes these sandwiches so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 315 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 555mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
29/30
Party Cheese Bread
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can't go wrong with this recipe. The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful. Plus it looks fantastic, and people just flock to it! It's better than the usual garlic bread too. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 237 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
30/30
Mac and Cheese Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 91 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.