40 Speedy Game Day Snacks

Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

These bacon-wrapped smokies are a delightful blend of savory and sweet and are a breeze to prepare. Perfect for a tailgate or party, they are sure to be a hit and you'll be amazed at how easy they are to make.

Don’t forget to make some of these game-day foods and Super Bowl sliders, too.

Beer Dip

Beer dip combines all the best things for party food: a creamy dip, ranch dressing, lots of cheese and, of course, beer. What else could you possibly need?

White Chocolate Chex Mix

White chocolate Chex mix is the perfect balance of sweet, salty and crunchy, which makes it hard to resist. This party snack takes minutes to make and disappears just as quickly.

Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese

This salmon dip is a delightful hors d’oeuvre that’s excellent for any occasion. The combination of salmon, cream cheese and spices gives it terrific flavor. —Raymonde Hebert Bernier, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec

Pesto Pinwheels

It's not a party without a basket of pesto pinwheels. The delectable hand-held appetizer is filled with basil, Parmesan and a sprinkle of sweet peppers.

Homemade Guacamole

I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

This crowd-pleasing cheesy bacon dip won't last long on your appetizer table. Best served hot with tortilla chips or toasted French bread, this dip is versatile and filling.

Tangy Texas Salsa

I'm a "transplant" from Wisconsin currently living in Texas. Even after 20 years, I can't get enough of our wonderful local citrus. This is one way to work it into a main dish. The combination of tangy fruit, spicy jalapeno and distinctive cilantro is perfect over any meat, poultry or fish. We also dip into it with chips. —Lois Kildahl, McAllen, Texas

Spicy Mixed Nuts

Cumin and chili powder give extra oomph to the classic homemade nut mix. It's a smart solution for holiday snacking and gift giving. —Delores Hill, Helena, Montana

Pastrami Roll-Ups

For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois

Pizza Oyster Crackers

This quick and easy snack is a favorite of my kids. I always include a baggie in their lunch boxes. —Carol S Betz, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Fresh Herb Dip

From Annapolis, Maryland, Mitzi Sentiff writes, “People won’t guess that this delicious dip, which is great for parties, is also low in fat. I love to serve it with a nice assortment of fresh vegetables for dipping.”

Buckeyes

Buckeyes are an Ohio-born treat that need just five ingredients. The hardest part of this recipe will be saving any buckeyes for your loved ones.

Zesty Marinated Shrimp

These easy shrimp look impressive on a buffet table and taste even better! The zesty sauce has a wonderful spicy citrus flavor. I especially like this recipe because I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Jane Guest, Alamosa, Colorado

Chocolate-Hazelnut Fruit Pizza

You can prepare this snackable pizza in just 10 minutes! It's a fun way to sneak in those daily servings of fruit. —Dalynn Dowling, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota

Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Spread

This easy spread is based on several different relishes and spreads I've tasted or made before. I love the sweet and spicy combination of flavors. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Veggie Ranch Tortilla Pinwheels

These terrific bite-size appetizers are always a hit wherever I take them. They're easy to make ahead of time, and are a great addition to other party fare! —Lori Kostecki, Wausau, Wisconsin

Marinated Mozzarella

I always come home with an empty container when I bring this dish to a party. It can be made ahead to free up time later. I serve it with pretty frilled toothpicks for a festive look. —Peggy Cairo, Kenosha, Wisconsin

7-Layer Bean Dip

To make this zesty 7-layer bean dip, you simply layer the ingredients onto a platter. I like to call it a “walking dip,” because you can scoop some on a plate with a few tortilla chips, then take it with you as you walk and talk with guests. —Marieann Johansen, Desert Hot Springs, California

Spiced Nut Mix

One Christmas, my good friend gave me this recipe and a sack of ingredients. I think of her every time I stir up these pumpkin-spiced nuts. —Patti Holland, Parker, Colorado

Nacho Popcorn

My husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota

Almond Cheddar Appetizers

I always try to have a supply of these appetizers on hand in the freezer. If guests drop in, I just pull some out and reheat to serve. They work great as a snack, for brunch or along with a lighter lunch. —Linda Thompson, Southampton, Ontario

Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms

I first tried these bubbly treats at my sister-in-law's house. The tender mushroom caps and creamy filling were so fabulous that I had to get the recipe. It's hard to believe how simple, fast and easy they are. —Angela Coffman, Kansas City, Missouri

Sweet ‘n’ Salty Party Mix

These crunchy munchies are sure to rank high with your family and friends. The combination of flavors gets this sweet and salty chex mix recipe just right. —Candice Lumley, Charles City, Iowa

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Cream-cheese-stuffed cherry tomatoes are a simple yet delicious vegetarian appetizer that's an excellent accompaniment to a party spread of charcuterie and crudités.

Party Shrimp

The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Creamy Caramel Dip

Because I feed three hungry people in my family (my husband, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and our two boys), I love satisfying snacks that are easy to make. We all appreciate this cool, light fruit dip. —Karen Laubman, Spruce Grove, Alberta

Fiesta Pinwheels

Whenever I serve this make-ahead, easy pinwheel recipe, they disappear fast. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew in one bite I'd be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

This crowd-pleasing cheesy bacon dip won't last long on your appetizer table. Best served hot with tortilla chips or toasted French bread, this dip is versatile and filling.

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida

French Quarter Cheese Spread

Topped with toasty pecans, this sweet-and-savory cheese ball makes a festive hostess gift for holiday parties. Says Heidi: “It’s always a hit; there’s never anything left over, and everyone asks for the recipe.” At home, make it ahead of time for convenience, then bring to room temp and serve.
Heidi Blaine Hadburg – Safety Harbor, FL

Brat & Bacon Appetizer Pizza

Chopped bratwurst and maple bacon are a fabulous way to start a pizza. I jazz up this treat even more with apricot preserves and honey mustard. The snack-sized slices win over even the toughest critics. —Colleen Vrooman, Waukesha, Wisconsin

Marinated Cheese with Peppers and Olives

Cheddar cheese, red peppers and pitted ripe olives make a tasty, rustic appetizer when marinated overnight and served with decorative toothpicks. —Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia

Blue Cheese Potato Chips

Game day calls for something bold. I top potato chips with tomatoes, bacon and tangy blue cheese. I make two big pans, and they always disappear. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Apricot-Glazed Bacon Spirals

Here’s a real crowd-pleaser for an appetizer table or brunch buffet. A whole piece of crispy bacon is rolled into each spiral. It's so good with the apricot preserves, which make it a sweet-and-salty treat. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan

Cheesy Quesadillas

We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado

Dill Vegetable Dip

A friend gave me this zesty dip recipe many years ago, and now I serve it at our annual holiday open house. To make it mobile, spoon a serving of the dip in the bottom of a small cup, then garnish with fresh veggies. —Karen Gardiner, Eutaw, Alabama