59 Recipes Perfect For Game Night
Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
Fuel the competitiveness of an adult game night with the perfect selection of fun and tasty game night food ideas.
Hosting a game night and need food that’s just as fun as the games? Whether it’s casino night, board and arcade games night or family game night, these game night food ideas will fit any party theme. So grab your favorite adult party game or outdoor game, some chips and dips and get to winning!
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Cheesy Skillet Pizza Dip
This creamy dip is oozing with cheesy goodness thanks to the combination of cream cheese and mozzarella. We topped ours with pepperoni slices, but you can easily customize this game night food with your favorite pizza toppings. This is just one more delicious way to use your cast-iron pan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings
For game night snacks, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it’s so easy! —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Bacon Pretzel Fury
I tried a bacon pretzel fury the last time I was at Busch Gardens, and afterward I ferociously tried to re-create it at home. I don’t live anywhere close to the amusement park, so this version curbs my hankerings when back in the Midwest. —Alvin Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Cheeseburger Nachos
Cheeseburger nachos are the perfect game night food. Load them up with all the toppings or let everyone claim part of the platter that they can top with their faves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Slow-Cooker Flan in a Jar
Spoil yourself or the people you love with these delightful portable custards. They’re a cute and fun take on the Mexican dessert classic. They’re a great game night food idea. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
This air-fryer sweet potato chips recipe is so quick and easy. Be sure to give the sweet potato slices a quick soak in cold water to help remove some of the excess starch. —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
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Hot Italian Party Sandwiches
It doesn’t get much easier or more delicious than this hot Italian sandwich recipe. The sandwiches are wonderful as an appetizer for gatherings or a family game night food, and are a fantastic party food that is quick to prepare. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Confetti Snack Mix
I’ve made this party mix for many years, and I usually double the recipe. It makes a delightful gift, and everyone always asks how I make it. —Jane Bray, Temple Terrace, Florida
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Old-Fashioned Lemonade
This sweet-tart lemonade is a traditional part of my game night menu. Folks can’t get enough of the fresh-squeezed flavor. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky
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Fried Lemon-Pepper Wings
These lemon-pepper wings are perfect for game day. Try these out if you’ve been stuck in a chicken wing rut. Add grated lemon zest to the butter mixture if you want a more pronounced lemon flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinBefore you move ahead also try these chicken wing sauce recipes that are simply irresistible!
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Pressure-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you like quick and easy recipes that are spicy, you’ll love this Instant-Pot Buffalo chicken dip. It’s super cheesy and easy. and it has that real Buffalo wing taste! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Easy Puppy Chow
This easy puppy chow recipe uses a whole package of cereal, so there’s less messy measuring. And it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina
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Pizza on a Stick
My daughter and her friends had fun turning sausage, pepperoni, veggies and pizza dough into these cute kabobs. Give our version a try or make your own using you favorite light pizza toppings. —Charlene Woods, Norfolk, Virginia
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Fried Jalapenos
Here’s an appetizer that will heat up any gathering. Family and friends often request that I make these jalapenos. —DeLea Lonadier, Montgomery, Louisiana
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Chocolate Chip Blondies
Folks who love the flavor of the classic cookie will enjoy that same great flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois
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Chili Queso Dip
I’ve had this recipe for more than 42 years and have updated it from time to time. This is an easy game night food to whip up and everyone loves the taquito dippers. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Game-Night Nacho Pizza
Some like it hot with jalapenos; others like it cool with a dollop of sour cream. But one thing’s for sure: This is “nacho” ordinary pizza night. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
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Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
This sandwich doubles up on melty cheese, but the star of the show is the sweet and salty date-bacon jam. It makes for a truly grown-up version of grilled cheese. —Kathy Cooper, Tucson, Arizona
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Really Good Snack Mix
I grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin
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Deep-Fried Candy Bars on a Stick
Why wait in line at the state fair for deep-fried candy bars when you can satisfy your curious taste buds in your very own home? Be sure to make a lot—these novelties go fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before—they won’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa
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Pressure-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Ale Dip
My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize at our office party recipe contest. Use whatever beer you like, but steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Pizza
This is probably the most unusual “pizza” you’ll ever see! It’s a great dessert for kids, although adults snap it up, too. Everyone loves the chewy crust and the great flavor. Chocolate and peanut butter are a nice combination. —Bernice Arnett, Marshfield, Missouri
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Barbecued Meatballs
Grape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make these meatballs so fantastic. If I’m serving them as a game night treat, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
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Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza
My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
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Sausage Dip
This warm sausage dip is a family-favorite game night food idea. The meat-lovers in your family will especially love this country-style appetizer. —Susie Wingert, Panama, Iowa
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Ginger Creme Sandwich Cookies
With a lemony filling, these spiced cookies go over big because they have old-fashioned, comfort-food appeal. Your game night guests will snatch them up! – Carol Walston, Granbury, Texas
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Ground Beef and Pepperoni Stromboli
I’ve made this delicious Stromboli many times. It is perfect when friends and family get together for game night and always satisfies big appetites. —Shelley Banzhaf, Maywood, Nebraska
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Miniature Corn Dogs
Fun-sized corn dogs add a little “wow” factor to your classic game night foods. Kids and adults equally love them, so expect them to disappear fast. —Deb Perry, Bluffton, Indiana
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Candy Bar Brownies
The two kinds of candy bars baked into these brownies make them an extra-special treat. —Sharon Evans, Clear Lake, Iowa
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Ice Cream Cone Treats
I came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
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Havarti Turkey Hero
This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Pinwheels and Checkerboards
My mom used to make these cookies every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful...and you can get two kinds of cookies from one dough! They're perfect for including in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
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Mini Hot Browns
Here's my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky
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Layered Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Brownies
A friend gave me the recipe for these layered brownies, but I added my own touch–chunky peanut butter. Every time I take these to a game night, I get requests for the recipe. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Judy Sims, Weatherford, Texas
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Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
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Stroganoff Sandwiches
This recipe is perfect for a game day, either at a tailgate party or at home. I often make the meat mixture ahead of time and add the sour cream just before serving. — Susan Graham, Cherokee, IA
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Candy Bar Apple Salad
This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
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Pot of S'mores
Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
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Roasted Tomato Salsa
Our family's all-time favorite salsa, this recipe is the reason we grow a huge garden every summer. We make gallons of it and share with our neighbors. You might find yourself eating it right out of the bowl with a spoon. —Donna Kelly, Orem, Utah
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Smoky Chicken Nachos
What’s game night without can’t-stop-munching nachos? Featuring layers of crunchy tortilla chips, black beans and a creamy, smoky chicken mixture, this appetizer will disappear before the next game. —Whitney Smith, Winterhen, Florida
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Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
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Ghost Shortbread Cookies
Pac-Man was my favorite video game when I was growing up. For a party, I decided to get creative and shape my go-to sugar cookies into the ghosts from the game. —Jamie S, Regina, Saskatchewan
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Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
My buffalo chicken quesadillas are filling enough to serve as a meal and versatile enough to win big points as a snack for game night. Feel free to sub in your favorite flavored tortillas. Or kick up the spice factor with pepper jack cheese instead of the Mexican blend. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
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Refreshing Beer Margaritas
I'm always surprised when people say they didn't know this drink existed. It's a really refreshing cocktail, and it's easy to double or triple the recipe. —Arianne Barnett, Kansas City, Missouri
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Walking Tacos
These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
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Candy Bar Cheesecake Brownies
I came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
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Ground Beef Taco Dip
What’s a game night without taco dip? This version made with spicy ground beef and fresh toppings does not disappoint the die-hards. It is full of classic flavors and is a little extra filling for game night appetites. —Errika Perry, Green Bay, WI
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Cuban Pork Wraps
Hot and juicy pork in tortillas may remind you of a Cuban sandwich with ham and cheese. We always include the pickles, of course. —Aimee Bachmann, Bellevue, WA
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Blue Cheese Potato Chips
Game night 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
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Oven-Fried Pickles
Like deep-fried pickles? You’ll love this unfried version even more. Dill pickle slices are coated with panko bread crumbs and spices, then baked until crispy. Dip them with ranch dressing for an game night food you won’t soon forget.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Slow-Cooker Artichoke-Spinach Dip
Little extras, like crumbled feta and red wine vinegar, take this creamy dip of artichoke hearts, spinach and Parmesan to the next level. Just throw the whole nine yards into a slow cooker and this dip is good to go on game night. —Alyssa Janis, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Mustard Pretzel Nuggets
This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It’s a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and game night gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
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Midwest Mary
In the Midwest, Bloody Marys garnished with meats, cheeses and veggies are works of art. My beverage has skewers of bratwurst, cheese curds and dill pickles. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches
I lived in Florida for a while and loved the pork I ate there, so I started making it for myself. The flavorful meat makes amazing Cuban sandwiches, but you can also use it in traditional pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. —Lacie Griffin, Austin, Texas
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Hot Chipotle Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Lime
I make spinach and artichoke dip for game nights all the time, but I wanted to give it a Mexican twist. I amped up this app with smoky chipotle chiles and tangy lime for an unexpected kick. —Joseph Sciascia, San Mateo, California
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Rubies on Ice
Ginger and pomegranate are made for each other, and the color of this beverage is tantalizing. If you're looking for a nonalcoholic option, you can easily leave out the vodka for a delicious and festive drink! —Tara Deshpande, New York, New York
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Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
One of my favorite game night food ideas is this impressive buffalo chicken egg rolls appetizer. You can wrap the filling in egg roll wrappers and bake, or, for a bite-size version, use smaller wonton wraps. —Tara Odegaard, Omaha, NebraskaOriginally Published: August 20, 2018
