20 Game Day Snacks for January Football That Aren't Just Wings

This recipe round-up is anything but a fumble 🏈

By
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora's passion for cooking began early on as a young girl, working in the kitchen at her father's Greek diner in Brooklyn, NY. Her recipes have appeared on Delish, Spruce Eats, Today.com, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, Dinnerly, Simply Recipes, and in various cookbooks.
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Published January 16, 2026
Theodora Kaloudis
A serving tray with five sauerkraut topped bratwurst sliders

Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

Everyone will be gathering at your place to watch the game, and while football is the main event, the food is just as important. Looking for a little more variety than just a plate of wings? Luckily for you, we’ve pulled together a collection of scrumptious game day snacks that will have your guests yelling "TOUCHDOWN!" We’re talking Loaded Queso Dip, Pull-Apart Corn Cheese Pigs in a Blanket, Bratwurst Sliders, and The Best Nachos, to name a few. Choose from these appetizers to create a delectable spread, perfect for grazing as you cheer on your team.

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  • Loaded Queso Dip

    Queso dip with toppings of chopped tomatoes green onions and ground meat served with a spoon and tortilla chips on the side

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    “I usually stick to just three toppings for my loaded queso: chorizo, green onions for freshness, and tomato because yum. But you can also try topping your queso with pickled jalapeños, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced black California olives, or even extra chopped chipotle chiles.” —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

  • Buffalo Chicken Dip

    buffalo chicken dip warm out of the oven

    “I love serving this dip with cubes of crusty artisan bread or slices of baguette, but crackers or chips work just as well. Raw veggies like celery or carrot sticks are also a fun option, especially if you need to keep the dip gluten-free.” —Megan Keno, Recipe Developer

  • Bratwurst Sliders

    A serving tray with five sauerkraut topped bratwurst sliders

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    “To keep the patties warm, I set up my slow cooker with a thin puddle of beer and a few onion slices in the bottom—what some Wisconsinites call the ‘brat hot tub.’ The cooked patties soak up the beer and onion flavors and will stay warm in the slow cooker for up to an hour.” —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

  • Corn Dog Muffins

    Pile of Corn Dog Muffins Stacked on a Plate, and in the Background, a Red and White Checkered Kitchen Towel and Small Bowls of Toppings (Relish and Ketchup)

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    “Once they are out of the oven, these muffins are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. They are perfect with mustard, ketchup, relish, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, or honey.” —Annika Panikker, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 20 below

  • The Best Nachos

    Marta Rivera

    “We make this nacho recipe at least once a month for a fun weeknight dinner! We switch up the protein for whatever we have on hand—leftover chicken, ground beef, shredded pork. It’s all good!” —Emma C, Reader

  • Jalapeño Popper Dip

    Closeup of a baking dish with jalapeño popper dip, and a hand holding a tortilla chip scooping some of the dip out

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “The dip can be prepared up to two days in advance without the topping and stored in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve it, add the topping and bake.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer

  • Pepperoni Rolls

    Pepperoni Rolls on a Plate with Bowl of Marinara in Background

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    “Having experimented with both plain and fancy pepperoni, I’ve found that good old Hormel best oozes that all-important orange grease into the roll as it bakes, a characteristic that imbues a good pepperoni roll with a richness akin to world-class brioche.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

  • Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

    Buffalo chicken meatballs on platter with celery and blue cheese

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    “Don’t overmix the chicken. Once you add the chicken to the breadcrumbs, use your hands to gently mix the ingredients just until everything is combined. Aggressive hands will make the meatballs tough.” —Katie Morford, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 20 below

  • Sausage Balls

    Sausage balls in a bowl at a table with glasses of wine and some table napkins

    Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

    “A quick note about cheese: this is the one time I’d recommend using store-bought shredded cheese. The anti-caking agents that coat this cheese will help keep it from immediately melting out of the sausage balls. Plus, it’s a real time saver.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Millionaire Crackers

    Overhead view of a serving board of millionaire crackers appetizer on top of a striped cloth napkin

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    “Any buttery cracker works well for this recipe. I suggest avoiding Saltine-style crackers. I like Club Crackers, which are rectangular and easy to top with bacon, but you could also use round buttery crackers like Ritz.” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Brussels Sprouts in a Blanket

    Closeup of bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts on a large oval serving plate, with a fork stuck into one of the sprouts

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    “Use whatever locally made bacon you like, just make sure it’s the thinner slices and not thick-cut, which can be difficult to wrap around the sprouts.” —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

  • Pickle Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

    Slices of pickle cream cheese rollups with ham

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Alex Huang / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    “For an easy variation, use flavored cream cheese like chive and onion or garlic-herb. The traditional meat in my family has always been ham, but I think turkey, salami, or roast beef would be delicious as well.” —Haley Scarpino, Recipe Developer

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  • Triscuit Thingies

    Triscuit appetizers topped with melted cheese on a serving plate with flower design

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

    “My grandmother made a big bowl of the spread but only broiled a dozen or so crackers at a time so that they could be enjoyed warm. It was the move of a great hostess, but also a great way to prevent wasting ingredients. Any extra spread can be refrigerated and used within a few days.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Sriracha Honey Chex Mix

    Sweet and spicy chex mix in a bowl at a table setting with two glasses of beer and a yellow kitchen towel

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “You can swap out the pretzels, cheese crackers, and/or nuts for other mix-ins, such as bagel chips, peanuts or mixed nuts, oyster crackers, Cheerios, and more. I especially like adding sesame sticks.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Sour Cream and Bacon Deviled Eggs

    Lisa Lin

    “If you prefer your deviled eggs with mayo, feel free to swap half of the sour cream for mayo, or any amount that suits your taste.” —Lisa Lin, Recipe Developer

  • Mom’s Nacho Dip

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    “The quality of the salsa really matters here. Use a good quality refrigerated or jarred salsa—or, better yet, something homemade when you have the time.” —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 17 of 20 below

  • Deviled Potatoes

    Halved potatoes with a creamy filling and garnished with herbs

    Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

    “While you do want to get most of the potato flesh out, be sure to leave a thin layer of potato attached to the skin so it can hold its shape. A one-teaspoon measuring spoon or a melon baller works best here.” —Alexandra Shytsman, Recipe Developer

  • Hawaiian Roll Sliders with Meat Sauce and Parm

    Cheesy Pull with Hawaiian Roll Sliders with Meat Sauce and Parm

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    “Tragically, the microwave is often relegated to frozen meals and leftovers, but it's my secret weapon when cooking. In this case, microwaving the butter, garlic, and spices together softens and mellows the garlic, melts the butter, and gently blooms the spices. Plus, it saves me from having to wash a pot.” —Laura Manzano, Recipe Developer

  • Sausage Rolls

    Sausage Rolls Recipe
    Sheryl Julian

    “Most neighborhood pizza restaurants are happy to sell you freshly made dough, so ask for a ball along with your pizza the next time you're there. You can also look for balls of dough in the refrigerated sections at the grocery store, or if you have time, make your own.” —Sheryl Julian, Recipe Developer

  • Pull-Apart Corn Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

    Pull-Apart Corn Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “Honey mustard is a great dipping sauce, but these pigs in a blanket don’t really need a sauce thanks to the creamy, cheesy filling.” —Alyse Whitney, Recipe Developer

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