Football season is back, and around here, that means one thing: bring on the game day snacks.
Whether you’re hosting friends for Saturday college football, watching Sunday’s game from the couch, or packing up a spread for a tailgate, the best football food doesn’t need to be complicated. A few easy appetizers, something warm and savory, and a sweet treat or two are all you need to keep everyone happily snacking from kickoff to the final whistle.
The secret? Choose easy game day snacks that can be made ahead, shared with a crowd, and served without a lot of fuss.
What Are the Best Game Day Snacks?
The best game day snacks are easy to prepare, simple to serve, and made for sharing. Dips, wings, meatballs, sliders, chips and salsa, and handheld desserts are all great choices because guests can grab a bite without missing the game.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to build a game day spread everyone will want to gather around.
Start With an Easy Cream Cheese and Pepper Jam Appetizer
Every good game day spread needs a dip, and this might be one of the easiest appetizers you’ll ever make.
Spoon your favorite Raven’s Nest pepper jam over a block of softened cream cheese and serve it with crackers. That’s it.
The cream cheese balances the sweet-and-spicy flavor of the jam, creating an appetizer that tastes far more complicated than it is.
Try Raspberry Jalapeño, Strawberry Jalapeño, Blackberry Jalapeño, Peach Habanero, or Hot Peach depending on how much heat you want to bring to the party.
Serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, or toasted baguette slices, and you have an easy game day appetizer ready before kickoff.
 |
Raven's Nest Jam CollectionTry Raspberry Jalapeño, Strawberry Jalapeño, Blackberry Jalapeño, Peach Habanero, or Hot Peach depending on how much heat you want to bring to the party. |
Fire Up the Grill With This Blackberry Jalapeño BBQ Burger
Looking for a game-day recipe with a little more wow factor? @grettastable put our Blackberry Jalapeño Jam to work in this smoky, sweet-and-spicy BBQ burger.
The jam is whisked together with your favorite BBQ sauce to create an easy glaze that brings just the right balance of fruit, tang, and jalapeño heat. Add melty Gouda, crispy bacon, charred onions and jalapeños, and peppery arugula, and you’ve got a burger that’s ready for kickoff.
Made on the charcoal grill, this burger brings backyard cookout energy to football season and makes a seriously satisfying addition to your game-day spread.
Game day tip: Make the Blackberry Jalapeño BBQ sauce ahead of time so you can spend less time mixing and more time around the grill.
 |
Blackberry Jalapeño BBQ BurgerSweet, smoky, and ready for kickoff. This game-day burger gets a little extra magic from our Blackberry Jalapeño Jam. |
 |
Raven's Nest Blackberry Jalapeño JamAn irresistible blend of blackberries handpicked at the peak of ripeness with a touch of jalapeño heat. |
How Can You Use Jam for Game Day Appetizers?
Jam isn’t just for biscuits and toast.
Raven’s Nest jams make an easy flavor base for glazes, sauces, marinades, and toppings, which means one jar can give several classic football foods an unexpected twist.
Try using your favorite flavor with:
- Chicken wings
- Cocktail sausages
- Meatballs
- Grilled chicken skewers
- Pulled pork
- Mini sliders
- Pork tenderloin bites
- Baked brie
A sweet-and-spicy glaze is an easy way to turn familiar game day food into something a little more special, without adding a complicated recipe to your menu.
One Jar. Endless Possibilities.
 |
Strawberry Jalapeno Wings with Chili Grande SauceSticky, sweet-and-spicy wings with a cool, zesty dip for dunking. |
Keep the Handheld Game Day Appetizers Coming
When you’re planning football party food, think bite-size.
You don’t need a formal meal or even a seat at the table. The best game day appetizers are foods guests can easily grab between plays.
Mix and match a few favorites such as:
- Mini sliders
- Chicken or turkey pinwheels
- Pretzel bites
- Sausage bites
- Cheese and crackers
- Tortilla chips with salsa
- Fresh vegetables with dip
- Wings
- Charcuterie-style snack boards
For an especially easy option, set out a bowl of Raven’s Nest salsa with tortilla chips. Peach, Mango, Pineapple, and Black Bean Salsa all make simple additions to a football spread with virtually no prep required.
 |
Garden Party DipSet out the veggies, pretzels, and chips. This dip does the rest. |
What Can You Serve for a Game Day Dessert?
The best game day desserts are make-ahead treats that can be picked up and eaten without utensils.
Our favorites include:
Bake them ahead of time, arrange them on a tray, and dessert is done.
They’re easy to serve, easy to share, and just the thing when everyone starts looking for something sweet during the fourth quarter.
How Do You Build an Easy Game Day Food Spread?
You don’t need dozens of dishes to create a great football spread. Start with four simple categories:
- Something to dip: Cream cheese topped with pepper jam, salsa and chips, or vegetables and dip.
- Something warm: Meatballs, wings, cocktail sausages, or sliders.
- Something handheld: Pinwheels, pretzel bites, cheese and crackers, or mini sandwiches.
- Something sweet: Cookies, bars, brownies, or another make-ahead dessert.
Choose foods that can be prepared before your guests arrive, then put everything out buffet-style so people can help themselves throughout the game.
Easy Game Day Food Starts With Big Flavor
Game day food should be fun, flavorful, and most importantly, easy.
With a few crowd-pleasing appetizers, a jar or two of Raven’s Nest jam or salsa, something warm from the slow cooker, and a tray of homemade sweets, you can create a game day spread that keeps everyone coming back for one more bite.
So stock the fridge, set out the snacks, invite your favorite people over, and let the games begin.
Ready to plan your game day menu?
Shop Raven’s Nest jams, salsas, and gourmet favorites, then explore our recipe collection for even more easy ways to turn one jar into something delicious.
