A sports celebration could mean convening as a group in front of a TV at home or packing up the whole crew — and all the food — for a tailgate party at the stadium. Whichever way we decide to celebrate the game, there's one thing that remains true: We'll need delicious rations — lots of them! Let's be real, game day snacks are arguably the best part about celebrating football season. Cheesy dips, buffalo wings, and nachos, oh my. And when we're hosting, we want to make sure our guests are cheering for more than just the game.
Celebrating sports games with our friends and family is such an American tradition (let's look at Thanksgiving, shall we?) that the Super Bowl is almost like some kind of national holiday. We get it, though. What builds camaraderie faster than cheering for the home team over some bacon-wrapped appetizers?! The answer is nothing.
More from CafeMom: 14 Crock-Pot Dinners Kids Can Serve Themselves
With so many games to view and so many hungry and excited mouths to feed, we might feel bored with always serving a platter of pigs in a blanket with some chips and guacamole. It's time to switch it up!
There are endless game day snack possibilities, from sweet to savory indulgences. Read on to see some fun, creative, and all-around crowd-pleasing recipes — and we promise, game day will never be the same. These recipes are sure to please anyone, from the avid footballer to the person who doesn't even know what a touchdown is.
1. Baked Mexican Mozzarella Sticks
This healthier, zestier version of mozzarella sticks from Gimme Some Oven packs all of the flavor but none of the fried of some more traditional alternatives.
2. M&M Oreo Cookie Bars
If your baking style aligns with the philosophy "more is more," you have to make Averie Cooks's loaded M&M Oreo cookie bars for a game-day snack.
3. Double-Decker Taco Cupcakes
Wonton wrappers form the basis for these individual-serving double-decker taco cupcakes from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
4. Football-Shaped Truffles
With only four ingredients, you can score a major touchdown with your game-day crowd with these football-shaped truffles from Hoosier Homemade.
More from CafeMom: This Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull-Apart Bread Is Guaranteed to Disappear
5. Taco Popcorn
Gimme Some Oven's taco popcorn makes for a great tailgating snack that's super easy to prepare ahead and travel with.
6. Apple Pie Fries
This apple pie fries recipe from Oh Bite It converts the American classic into a perfect finger food.
7. German Soft Pretzel Sticks
These golden brown and a little sweet German soft pretzel sticks from Gather for Bread are great dipped in mustard.
8. Fruit & Donut Kabobs
You can almost pretend this is a healthy game-day dessert, thanks to the fresh fruit: Celebrations at Home has the fun recipe for fruit and donut kabobs that hold up well and travel easily.
More from CafeMom: This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Is Quite the Crowd Pleaser
9. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
This baked alternative to wings is healthier and easier, with a sweet and garlicky sauce: Recipes for Our Daily Bread has the baked honey garlic chicken wings how-to.
10. Bacon & Brown Sugar Crackers
These three-ingredient bacon and brown sugar crackers from Plain Chicken are as addictive as they are easy to make.
More from CafeMom: 10 Easy Halloween Treats Kids Will Love
11. Cheesy Black Bean & Corn Potato Rounds
Move over, potato skins, these loaded potato slices from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice are here to win the day.
12. Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries
Why reserve the buffalo sauce for just wings? Drizzle some of heaven's nectar on these crispy oven-baked fries, like from this recipe by How Sweet Eats.
More from CafeMom: Mac & Cheese Pizza Recipe Will Have Your Kids Begging for More
13. Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Fries
Avocado fries seem like a healthier alternative to potato fries, right? Well, maybe not quite since they're wrapped in bacon. So these babies might not be healthier, per se, but they are dang delicious. Get the recipe from Kirbie's Cravings.
14. Chicken & Waffle Sliders
Everyone's favorite brunch food is made bite-sized and all set for the big game, thanks to Food, Folks, and Fun.
15. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
A slow cooker makes this buffalo chicken lettuce wrap recipe by The Sweets Life a piece of cake.
16. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
Two words: cheese and bread. Combine the two, and everyone's happy. Brown Eyed Baker came up with a recipe that qualifies strongly for food porn.
More from CafeMom: Super Bowl Sunday Loaded Cheese Fries Recipe
17. Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread
Shrimp cocktail is given a game day twist with this recipe from The Pudge Factor.
18. Jalapeno Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites
These soft pretzel bites by Cook Nourish Bliss sure do pack a lot of flavor. People will be grabbing them by the handful.
19. Creamy Clam Dip
Even non-Patriots fans will enjoy this creamy clam dip by Real Housemoms.
20. Pimento Cheese Spread
This homemade pimento cheese spread by The Pinning Mama is the move for cheese-lovers.
More from CafeMom: Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe Will Spice Up Your Super Bowl Spread
21. Sloppy Joe Sliders
These sloppy joe sliders from Valerie's Kitchen are both adorable and delicious! A game day classic.
22. Fried Pickles
Crunchy, salty, and sour describe the beloved fried pickles. They're also so easy and cheap to make! Follow this recipe from Spend With Pennies.
23. Spicy Feta Dip
Making spicy feta dip takes just a few minutes, but it's oh-so delicious! Follow the recipe from Taste Ever After.
24. Spinach Dip Bites
Finally! Spinach dip is put into bite-sized pieces. Check out this delish-looking recipe by Lil' Luna.
More from CafeMom: 10 Super Tacky Super Bowl Products We Love
25. Fried Mac & Cheese Balls
We all know mac and cheese is absolutely delicious. So what's better? Fried mac and cheese balls, like this recipe from Damn Delicious.
26. Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers
These cheesy stuffed jalapeno peppers from Finding Zest is so easy it should be criminal.
27. Pizza Dip
Deconstruct everyone's favorite food, the pizza, with this gooey pizza dip by Spend With Pennies.
28. Tex-Mex Spicy Meatballs
Poppable meatballs were meant for game day. Check out this Tex-Mex version by Genius Kitchen.
More from CafeMom: Super Bowl Recipes: 5 Finger Foods That Score!
29. Baked Onion Rings
Baked onion rings, like from this recipe by Tastes Lovely, are both easy and delicious! Baking the rings make it a teeny bit healthier but a heck of a lot easier.
30. Greek Nachos
Give a plate of nachos a Greek spin by adding olives and tzatziki. Follow the recipe by The Candid Appetite.
31. Hummus
A creamy and light hummus is a game day staple. Why pick it up at the store when there's an easy recipe out there for it, like this one by Once Upon a Chef?
32. Sriracha Deviled Eggs
Give deviled eggs a spicy kick with this sriracha element. It's a crowd-pleaser! Check out this recipe by Budget Bytes.
More from CafeMom: 11 Fave DIY Super Bowl Party Decorations From Crafty Bloggers
33. Buffalo-Style Cauliflower Bites
Folks who don't eat meat will love these buffalo-style cauliflower bites! In fact, those who do like meat might like it too.
34. Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut butter cups are a classic dessert, and all they're easier to make than one would think. No oven required!
35. Veggie Fries
Move over, potatoes. New veggie fry possibilities are here — and ready for the dipping.
36. Sweet Potato Skins
Sweet potatoes get dressed up as they deserve to be with this sweet potato skin recipe by Sally's Baking Addiction.
More from CafeMom: Crock-Pot Chicken Wings Recipe Is Your Ticket to a Fabulous Super Bowl Bash
37. Spicy Grilled Shrimp
As an alternative to meat and cheese, throw in these healthier spicy grilled shrimp skewers!
38. Plantain Chips
Serve some plantain chips instead of regular potato chips, and maybe some mini Cubans?!
39. Football-Shaped Cake Pops
Football-shaped cake pops are the most festive dessert for game day.
40. Caramel Popcorn
Make a batch of caramel popcorn for an easy-to-grab-by-the-handful snack. Add some nuts for extra crunch!
More from CafeMom: 15 Things You Can Make With Your Muffin Tin That Aren't Muffins
41. Baked Brie
What's more beautiful than a wheel of melted brie cheese oozing out? Whew, it's getting hot in here!
42. Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Fried? Check. Cheese? Check. Mozzarella sticks were everyone's childhood go-to for a reason.
43. Roasted Chickpeas
These crunchy roasted chickpeas by JoyFoodSunshine are addictive! Make a large batch.
44. Sriracha Chex Mix
We love sweet stuff but this Sriracha Chex Mix has got our heart on lock! It's incredibly easy to whip together.
More from CafeMom: 20 Most Outrageous Super Bowl 'Snackadiums' We've Ever Seen
45. Honey Chipotle Wings
These honey chipotle chicken wings have the best of both worlds!
46. BLT Dip
Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes prove to be a superior combo with this fun and easy BLT dip.
47. Hershey Kiss Cookies
Hershey's Kiss cookies are incredibly easy and make an adorable treat. Ask any child — and adult.
48. Rice Krispie Footballs
These football-shaped Rice Krispie treats are so fun to eat — and for kids to make! Try the recipe over at That's What Che Said.
More from CafeMom: 10 Thermos-Friendly Drink Recipes for Cold-Weather Outings
49. Chorizo Tacos
Chorizo tacos are super easy to make, but so delicious thanks to their spicy and tangy flavor.
50. Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
These little wonton cups are crunchy and super savory, thanks to a buffalo chicken filling. We like this recipe by The Beach House Kitchen.
