Have fun with these 40+ Game Day food ideas to make you feel like you’re right in the stadium, center front row. Easy finger food and great friends make even the least exciting game a blast. But when a good game is on, food makes for an extra thrilling experience!
Game-day food is so colorful, flavorful, and super easy to make. It also comes in many shapes and sizes! So check out my favorite game-day recipes for appetizers, snacks, and drinks. There’s something here for you, guaranteed.
Are you having friends over to watch the game, or will you enjoy the match with your family? Either way, the right game-day food will make it much more satisfying, especially if you make your own snacks and appetizers. Cooking up your own menu offers a whole different way of enjoying the pre-game excitement. Here are my favorite game-day recipes for a crowd-pleasing good time.
Game Day Chicken Snacks
1. Buffalo Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are the classic game-day snack invented in Buffalo, NY. Nibbling on these tender and spicy treats is just so delightfully primitive! And it really gets you in the mood for watching a close game. Oh yeah!!!
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Enjoy these crispy, tender Buffalo chicken wings tossed in a classic spicy sauce with butter, Creole Seasoning, and Frank’s hot sauce. And they’re baked! Makes 20-25 Buffalo Chicken Wings.
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2. Chicken Samosas
Samosas are crispy one-biters with a gorgeous golden color, wonderful crunch, and soul-satisfying filling, in this case, seasoned chicken. Finger food is the perfect game-day snack; who needs a fork anyway? Serve these tasty treats with your favorite dip for a complete experience.
Samosa Recipe
Baked or fried, these crispy chicken samosas are an absolute delight to munch on. The chicken and peas inside the samosas are tasty, but the fact that they’re sauteed in curry and cayenne-coated aromatics makes them out-of-this-world delicious.Makes 16 samosas
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3. Baked Jerk Chicken Wings
Elevate your wing game to the next level with these fantastic wings seasoned with spicy jerk seasonings and baked to tender perfection. These take just a few minutes of prep work, and they’re ready to go into the oven. You can make these finger-licking-good snacks ahead and pop them in the oven when you’re ready to go. You’ll also love my air-fryer chicken wings!
Jerk Chicken Wings
Baked to crispy perfection with all the bold flavors of jerk spice rub, these wings are unbeatable. Three ingredients and 10 minutes of prep are all you need to achieve chicken wing perfection!
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4. Baked Chicken Tenders
Tender is an excellent way of describing these crunchy, juicy, boneless chicken breasts. Forget about frozen tenders; these end up super crunchy and juicy—courtesy of a splash of buttermilk. We’ll also season the flour and breadcrumbs for a flavorful game-day recipe.
Baked Chicken Tenders
Baked Chicken Tenders – incredibly crunchy, tender and flavorful baked chicken tenders coated dipped in a buttermilk mixture and coated with a well-seasoned flour and buttery and herb-y sauteed breadcrumbs. You will never have any other chicken tender recipe other than this!
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5. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Of course, no game-day extravaganza would be complete without a few dips! After all, dipping anything from fries to tortilla chips is an irreplaceable tradition. Well, this buffalo chicken dip has tons of flavor and the most luscious creamy texture. No, there’s no chicken in this recipe, but it’s the perfect dip for Buffalo wings!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This recipe delivers everything you want in a dip. Creamy, cheesy, spicy, and loaded with shredded chicken never tasted so divine. Dive in with a bowl or platter of dippers. Tortilla chips, sliced baguettes, or veggies provide an impressive appetizer for game days, gatherings, or movie nights.Makes 5-6 cups
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6. Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
These rolled chicken wraps are not only delicious, but they’re also pretty healthy! And they’re not your average game-day snack. The cream cheese, spices, and flour tortillas make these pinwheels so attractive. And you can enjoy these hot or cold; they’re fantastic either way.
Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels – great as afternoon snacks, lunch, dinner, appetizer and even for potlucks. These pinwheels will be a party favorite made with delicious shredded chicken, cream cheese mixture, spinach, bacon and more. They’re fantastic both hot or cold!
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7. Chicken Tostadas
Tostadas are way underrated. Crispy tortillas are the perfect base for any taste you want! Of course, chicken is the classic tostada topping, especially if you follow it with homemade guacamole, salsa, and cheese. Oh yeah! And the best part? Assembling your chicken tostadas literally takes less than a minute.
Chicken Tostadas
These appetizing crunchy CHICKEN TOSTADAS are all you need to satisfy your Tex-Mex cravings. Mixing the salsa, guacamole, and cheese flavors perfectly complement the toasty tortilla and the tender flavorful shredded chicken. It’s so easy and affordable to make, you can easily make some any time you want!
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8. Sweet Sticky Spicy Chicken
You can never ever have too many chicken wing recipes; they’re perfect game-day snacks and come in so many delectable flavors! These sticky chicken wings come together in the oven, but the secret is the homemade sticky sauce. Let me tell you, these are addictive!
Sweet Sticky Spicy Chicken
Outrageously delicious, sweet, spicy, and finger-licking good, this recipe is everything you want sticky wings to be. Full of flavor, spicy, sweet, and super easy to make, either on a grill or in the oven. The perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy.
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Other Game Day Snacks
9. Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Regular fries are all right, but you can do better. And these Cajun-baked sweet potato fries are the perfect way to do it. These fries are sweet and crunchy, and they’re more colorful, flavorful, and attractive than regular store-bought fries. Should I mention they’re also good for you? And you only need six ingredients.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
This simple and savory side dish is perfect for your next snack or weeknight meal. Sweet potatoes drizzled in butter and olive oil, sprinkled with Cajun seasoning, then oven-roasted for a crispy outside are addictive.
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10. Fried Gizzards
Gizzards may not be as popular as wings, but they are every bit as delicious. These chicken bites are much cheaper than breast, thighs, or even wings, so they give you a bigger bang for your buck! When coated with seasoned flour, they are so mouthwatering.
Fried Chicken Gizzards
Crispy Fried Chicken Gizzards have a deep, rich, meaty flavor, sliced into twisted bits and fried to perfection. It’s cheap yet so tasty and addictive. This will undoubtedly become your new favorite party appetizer or snack!
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11. Remoulade Sauce
Remoulade is a French sauce or dip that goes great with many foods, especially fried finger food. Drooling! This creamy, tangy, and savory classic goes great on the fanciest dinner tables, but it’s also superb for casual get-togethers (aka game day). Instead of buying a bottle of premade dip with who knows what on the ingredient list, make this super easy remoulade — it goes great with fried catfish, shrimp, and smoked chicken wings!
Remoulade Sauce
A creamy, tangy, and spicy Southern condiment that’s a favorite for salad dressing, the perfect dab on baked or fried goodies, and a dipping sauce for party appetizers! This remoulade recipe is super easy and enjoys the simplest ingredients.Makes one cup of remoulade sauce
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12. Jamaican Meat Pies (Beef Patties)
These Caribbean meat pies make a great game-day recipe, and it’s because you don’t need a fork and knife, or even a plate, for that matter. Just grab a meat pie and chow down. But don’t let their simplicity fool you; the filling is anything but ordinary. Garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder, and a few spices give this snack the perfect zing.
Jamaican Beef Patties
Spicy, flavorful beef stuffed in an amazing, easy buttery dough. They come together quickly and fly off the table even faster. Simply delicious comfort food!Makes 10-12 patties
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13. Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak
Who said you can’t have a tender, juicy steak on game day? Skirt steak is perfect for casual get-togethers because it’s inexpensive and exceptionally delicious, especially if marinated and cut against the grain. I marinate these in soy sauce, pineapple juice, a dash of lime juice, and a few spices. Grilling these gorgeous steaks is a ton of fun! They’re so festive!
Marinated Skirt Steak
Marinated Grill Skirt Steak in a citrus-y, slightly spicy, and packs a bunch of Mexican flavors. Beef Lovers Rejoice!
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14. African Pepper Sauce
This homemade African pepper sauce is colorful, aromatic, and spicy. I love making it for meaty snacks, like steak tips and meat pies. If you want a really spicy sauce, use habaneros or Scotch bonnets; jalapeños will give you a slightly milder version. This one’s ready to go in half an hour, and it’s ten times better than store-bought hot sauce.
African Pepper Sauce
Enjoy the flavors of habanero, garlic, onion, basil, and other spices. This versatile sauce makes a great condiment, dip, and appetizer component.Makes about 1-1½ cups
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15. Spicy Sausage Rolls
What I love about these sausage rolls is the buttery puff pastry infused with the rich, meaty filling! Combine sausage meat with breadcrumbs, garlic, and your favorite spices to customize these rolls. Needless to say, these are more than just tasty game-day snacks; they’re super filling too!
Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
Flaky, golden crust hugging savory pork sausage delivers a quick and easy crowd-pleaser. Serve them as a snack, appetizer, or even breakfast. Guaranteed to please!Makes about a dozen
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16. Cuban Sandwich
Forget about your ordinary ham and cheese sandwich; make Cubans for the perfect hero of the stadium. The secret here is the roast pork, cheese, and a few tangy dill pickles. It’s exploding with flavor in every bite for a touchdown!
Cuban Sandwich
Cuban Sandwich – also known as Cubano, is a delectable variation of grilled ham and cheese sandwich with other delicious ingredients like roasted pork all pressed and grilled for a sumptuous picnic sandwich!
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17. Baked Meatballs
Meatballs are not only an easy weeknight dinner idea, but they’re also perfect for game day. Meatballs are juicy and tender, especially when drowned in homemade tomato sauce. Have them ready to pop in the oven, then bring them out steaming hot just in time for kick-off. Oh yeah! There are also many ways to customize them, so you can make your own special game-day recipe!
Baked Meatballs
Baked Meatballs – guilt-free meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices and fresh grated cheese baked until beautifully browned on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Goes well with some pasta and tomato sauce or a family weeknight meal on its own!
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18. Steak Tips
Steak is much more enjoyable when cut into small bites, and when done right, the meaty tips just melt in your mouth! This quick-fix calls for sirloin steak and spices; that’s it. And let me tell you, Worcestershire and soy sauce are my secret ingredients! These steak tips will surely become your new favorite game-day snack!
Steak Tips
Delicious steak bites smothered in a savory, spicy garlic butter sauce, all made in one skillet in under 15 minutes. This quick, easy, mouthwatering steak dish will become everyone’s most requested dinner! Add potatoes and a salad for a restaurant-quality dinner.
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19. Pigs in a Blanket
Let’s go back to the classics! And what’s more classic than pigs in a blanket? Crescent roll dough and a few fatty sausages are all it takes to make these soul-satisfying bites, then choose your favorite dips and sauces to go with them. I serve mine with a quick honey mustard dip!
Pigs in a Blanket
Crowd-pleasing bite-sized treats of sausage rolled in crescent roll dough and brushed with a special sauce. Bake until puffy and golden for a great appetizer or game-day food. Then, serve it with my homemade honey mustard sauce for a whole new level of snacking experience!Makes 24 pigs in a blanket
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20. Pulled Pork Recipe
This one’s reserved for the most memorable playoff games and, of course, the big game at the end of the season. Pulled pork is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration. Think of fork-tender, juicy meat loaded up on a crusty bun and topped with homemade BBQ sauce. Oh yeah! It only takes ten minutes to prep this game day recipe, but you’ll want to have this one slow-roasting in the oven early in the morning!
Pulled Pork Recipe
Pulled Pork from the oven is easy and tender pulled pork with a slightly crusty exterior generously seasoned with a delicious homemade rub that tastes as good as those in your favorite BBQ spot. You can feed a crowd and serve it in so many ways! It’s perfect for game days and BBQs!
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21. Pimento Cheese
For a dip or spread with substance, pimento cheese is the one for you. This cheesy, spicy, and colorful spread is lovely on crackers but also with carrot or celery sticks. Creamy and slightly sweet, this is one of the dishes I brought from my trip to South Carolina. Of course, it became an instant classic at my house, especially on game day.
Pimento Cheese
This classic Southern food is addictive with sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and sweet spicy pimento peppers. Creamy, slightly sweet, and flavor-packed, this soul food spread goes perfectly with crackers, veggies, sandwiches, and burgers!Makes 3-4 cups
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22. Cheese Ball
This is another quick and super-easy spread and appetizer. Even your kids can pull this one off, so put those little rascals to work! No, really, all it takes is cream cheese, a bit of mayo, and some more tasty stuff, and you’ll end with a cheeseball with infinite layers of texture and flavor.
Cheese Ball Recipe
An ideal appetizer and a fundamental charcuterie board element. A creamy spread loaded with a delicious blend of cheeses and bacon, then rolled in crunchy nuts!
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23. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Did someone say ultimate comfort food? These simple ham and cheese sliders are the perfect game-day recipe. For starters, they’re super easy to make, and you can really dress them up with Dijon mustard, honey, butter, and hot sauce. It’s worth a visit to your local deli to get the good stuff; sliders are not just for kids anymore!
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Nothing says “comfort food” better than HAM and CHEESE SLIDERS easily prepared for any special occasion. A sweet blend of meaty and chunky ham with generous slices of cheeses sandwiched between perfectly fluffy buns. Best served as an appetizer or a simple snack using your leftover holiday ham!
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24. Beer-Battered Onion Rings
There’s no need to buy frozen onion rings ever again; make your own — they’re crispier, healthier, and much more flavorful. And don’t get me started on that delicious crunch! Indeed, I promise you’ll have a batch of onion rings on the table in half an hour, and we’re making everything from scratch. Amp up the batter’s flavor with paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder — these onion rings are definitely on another level!
Beer Battered Onion Rings
The sweet aroma of perfectly cooked BEER BATTERED ONION RINGS is your sign to lay back and enjoy the weekend. Every crunchy bite will make you feel like you’re in the front row seat of a good game. You will surely love this golden brown finger food for your next game or movie night!
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25. Little Smokies
This 5-ingredient party starter is so easy to put together that you won’t miss a second of the action. You can even throw them together during the halftime show, and you’re all set for a delicious second half. I use homemade BBQ sauce for my smokies, but you can use your favorite brand. Smokies are super tasty on their own; we’re just spicing them up even more!
Little Smokies Recipe
Quick, easy, and inexpensive to make, LITTLE SMOKIES are bite-sized party starters slow-cooked in a homemade BBQ sauce, sweet brown sugar, and zesty mustard. I wouldn’t blame you if your mouth just watered after reading that because mine certainly did. The perfect hors d’oeuvre to feed a crowd!
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26. Easy Guacamole
For many of us, game day just isn’t the same without a big bowl of guac. The healthiest game day snack is also the easiest to make—mash a few avocados with lime juice, diced tomato, and onion, and you’re good to go. Of course, a few spices help! Get your hands on a bag of tortilla chips and dip away — as soon as the whistle blows, it’s guacamole time!
Easy Homemade Guacamole
Make your own avocado dip with fresh ingredients for a fool-proof, irresistible, creamy guac without fillers and added preservatives. This is by far the BEST guacamole recipe I’ve tasted in years!
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27. Pico de Gallo + Homemade Tortilla Chips
And if you like guacamole, you’ll love pico de gallo, an all-natural, refreshing salsa to give life to any snack. In fact, pico de gallo is a terrific snack in its own right, especially if served with homemade tortilla chips. Chunky salsas are indeed the best!
Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo – a wonderfully fresh and healthy chunky salsa loaded with juicy tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeno for a little kick. With just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you can have the best topping for all of your favorite Mexican food!
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28. Easy Deviled Eggs
Sweet pickle relish turns a few hard-boiled eggs into delightful bites that show you don’t need carbs to have a good time. The devilish classic goes back centuries, and it’s still the perfect snack for game day or any other day of the week. These are ready in twenty-five minutes, and you only need a few pantry-staple ingredients.
Easy Deviled Eggs Recipe
Easy Deviled Eggs recipe that is simple to make, budget-friendly and so filling with mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish and Creole seasoning for a kick of heat. A classic Easter appetizer that is also great as a quick low-carb lunch, side dish or snacks.
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29. Pizza Rolls
If you don’t feel like cooking on game day, you could always order pizza. However, these pizza rolls are super easy if you want to take your experience to the next level. Pizza and snacks on the same platter. How cool is that? You can make up to thirty rolls in thirty minutes; that’s way faster than most pizza delivery.
Pizza Rolls
Pizza Rolls are a crowd-pleasing pizza that gets a little makeover into these fun party appetizers, snacks, or light meal pizza rolls. They are made with homemade pizza dough and pizza sauce with lots of sausages, pepperoni, and cheese; then, they’re brushed with a flavorful, buttery mixture for a fantastic finish. Surprisingly simple yet super satisfying!Makes 12-16 rolls, depending on how big you make them
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30. Spinach Artichoke Dip
You’ve gotta eat your veggies, right? What better way than with this fantastic dip! So don’t worry; this one’s absolutely delicious. The greens also add incredible flavor to this creamy, cheesy dip. Dip pita bread or tortilla chips in this one and enjoy the game; oh, and add some extra garlic for a burst of flavor!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Skip the store-bought stuff and make your very own warm, melty spinach artichoke dip that’s a million times tastier. Always a fan-favorite, this homemade dip is perfectly creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. It is, in my opinion, the ultimate party dip.
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31. Jalapeno Poppers
These j-poppers are the real deal, and they’re a thousand times better than those sad jalapeños that come frozen in a bag. We’re making these babies from scratch! Cream cheese, Gouda, and breadcrumbs come together to give these spicy snacks the creamiest filling!
Jalapeno Poppers
Fresh and plump jalapenos are sliced in half and filled with a rich, creamy, and cheesy filling. These Jalapeno Poppers are BAKED and can be wrapped with bacon or topped with crispy Panko breadcrumbs. A fantastic party appetizer or game-day food!Makes 10-12 poppers
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Gameday Fish and Seafood Snacks
32. Fish and Chips
Fish and chips are a game-day classic, and the ultimate street food snack is also an easy recipe to make at home. The secret is in the batter, and to guarantee that it sticks, we use both flour and cornstarch — now you know my secret. Making the chips, aka fries, from scratch is easy; russet potatoes give you the best results.
Fish and Chips
Perfectly seasoned tender fish fillet, encased in a light and mellow beer batter served with crispy, real potato fries. Serve these side-by-side for a great appetizer or snacks to share with your favorite game-day buddy!
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33. Shrimp Po’Boy
Southern food is super compatible with game day. Everything is crowd-pleasing and delicious! And my favorite? A freshly made shrimp po’boy. Batter and fry the shrimp until golden without overcooking them, and the rest is easy. Hoagie and French rolls work equally well, and, as for the toppings, let your imagination fly! Oh, and don’t forget the remoulade sauce!
Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich
Crispy, crunchy shrimp piled mile-high on a buttered, toasted French roll. Stuff that with crunchy cabbage, fresh tomatoes, and a lip-smacking homemade remoulade sauce for a crazy delicious lunch!
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34. Crab-Stuffed Shrimp
Crabmeat, Creole seasonings, egg, mayo, and cream cheese come together for a spicy mixture to fill a few fat, juicy shrimp. If you thought shrimp was already delicious, wait until you try them with this creamy filling! Once assembled, bake them for twenty minutes and voilà! Crab-stuffed shrimp are ready to be served. Add a few lemon wedges and enjoy the game!
Crab Stuffed Shrimp
This recipe takes two of my favorite seafood ingredients and marries them into an absolutely mouth-watering duo. There’s just something about stuffed shrimp that feels so fancy even though it’s super easy to make. This recipe will surely delight any seafood lover, and I mean delight – we’re talking compliments for days.
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35. Salmon Croquettes
Make good use of those cans of salmon you have in the pantry and make a fresh batch of crispy croquettes. These are easy with simple ingredients, so I’m sure you already have all you need in your pantry. My secret is a pinch of Creole seasoning in the breadcrumb mixture, and it makes all the difference! Yum!
Salmon Croquettes
Southern soul food made quick and easy. Crispy on the outside with a soft and tender center, they’re an amazing appetizer, breakfast, or dinner fix. Even better, budget-friendly has never been tastier. And you can pan-fry them for ease.Makes 11-13 croquettes
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36. Coconut Shrimp
Who would have thought shrimp would pair so heavenly with coconut? This tropical delight is also a great way to give variety to your game-day snacks. I’ll also share my air-fryer coconut shrimp recipe with you; it’s so mouthwateringly crispy! Shrimp make any game-day party better. Serve these with your favorite dip!
Crispy Coconut Shrimp
Crispy Coconut Shrimp – fresh shrimp dipped in coconut batter, then rolled in an aromatic combination of coconut flakes, breadcrumbs and spices. So Decadent, So Exotic, So Tasty!! Can be baked or fried!
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37. Beer-Battered Fish
We can’t forget beer-battered fish for game day. Crispy and deliciously flaky and super fresh — that’s homemade battered fish, and it’s so much better if you serve it with your very own tartar sauce! I like cod for these, but your favorite whitefish will work great. Who’s up for some fish and chips?
Beer Battered Fish
Beer Battered Fish – game day favorite fresh fish cod dusted and dipped in a well-seasoned flour and beer batter then fried until golden perfection. Light and crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. Serve it during game days, parties or as a quick dinner!
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38. Tuna Melt
This summer sandwich is so light and flavorful. You don’t have to work hard at all to put together a game-worthy feast. Good-old tuna salad and a few slices of bread — it doesn’t get any better than that! Mayo, lemon juice, fresh onion, celery, and garlic. And don’t forget the avocado! This is a satisfying seafood melt.
Tuna Melt
Tuna Melt is an incredible summer sandwich made with a ridiculously flavorful tuna salad and cheese on slightly crisp sliced bread, then topped with tomatoes and avocado. An easy picnic must-have or quick lunch fix that can be prepared either in the oven or on the stovetop. This will become your new favorite!
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Game-Day Drinks
39. Mai Tai
Now, for the perfect game day drink, how about a Tiki classic? The Mai Tai is refreshing and colorful but also boozy. It will feel like the Super Bowl on the beach. So bring out the rum, and let’s get the party started! This tried and tested recipe is all you need to celebrate a big win.
Mai Tai
Mai Tai – super refreshing, deliciously tropical, fun boozy and fruity drink that could light up any parties. A classic rum-based tiki-themed cocktail that screams nothing but happiness and celebration!
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40. Lemonade
Anyone can make lemonade, but the perfect lemonade requires a special touch! So here’s my recipe for a three-way lemonade with all-natural ingredients, including a few exotic fruits! This incredibly effortless lemonade is perfect for summer, and it’s as thirst-quenching as it is tasty! This recipe is a lifesaver.
How to Make Lemonade
Skip the store-bought stuff and learn how to make your own lemonade recipe at home. Sweet, tart, and refreshing, beat the heat with thirst-quenching homemade lemonade variations.Makes 5-6 cups
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41. Jungle Juice
The perfect mix for a crowd. Pull out the punch bowl and get the party started with fruit juices, sodas, and the right mix of alcohol.
Jungle Juice
This super-easy cocktail recipe is a great way to take care of drinks at a big party. Not only is it easy, but it’s also a cheap cocktail. Whether it’s for the neighborhood cookout, Labor Day celebration, or a Super Bowl party, this delicious drink with chunks of fruit floating in rum, vodka, triple sec, real fruit juice, and soda is a winner.Makes about 1½ gallons
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