19 easy shareable snacks and sides that make watching football even more exciting

Football is more fun when there’s something warm and snackable on the table, and you’re not stuck in the kitchen missing every big play. Easy shareable snacks and sides keep everyone happily grazing with minimal prep, simple ingredients, and the kind of flavors that disappear fast. Think crowd-pleasers you can bake, dip, or toss together ahead of time, so you get to actually watch the game instead of playing full-time host.

Cheesy Pickle Chips

Pickle lovers are going to lock in on these fast. Tangy pickles bake inside a crisp, salty cheese shell, so every bite hits crunchy, melty, and sharp all at once. Serve them with ranch or spicy mayo and you’ve got a snack that feels a little different from the usual chips and dip.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Pickle Chips

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Warm, melty dip energy is undefeated on game day. The slow cooker keeps it hot and creamy through the whole game, while spinach and artichokes make it feel slightly more legit than straight cheese. Five minutes of prep, then set out chips, bread, and veggies, and let everyone graze.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

One bubbling cob loaf on the table, and suddenly nobody is “not that hungry.” A crusty loaf gets filled with a cheesy, bacon-loaded mix that bakes into a pull-apart situation that people crowd around. Add bread cubes or chips around it, and you’ll watch everyone circle back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Last-minute snack panic disappears the second bacon cheddar dip enters the chat. Ranch seasoning brings the tang, bacon adds salty crunch, and cheddar makes it feel rich and filling. Mix it in minutes and serve it cold or warm, then call it done.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip

Salsa Ranchera

Roasted salsa is the shortcut to big flavor without a lot of work. Tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic get roasted for a deeper, smoky punch that makes chips, tacos, quesadillas, and even eggs taste better. Make a batch and keep it in the fridge so you’ve got instant flavor on standby.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Ranchera

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Cheese-pull bread makes a snack table look instantly more exciting. Garlic butter soaks into the loaf, cheese melts into stretchy strings, and the edges crisp up for that soft-and-crunchy combo everyone goes for. Set it down, and people will tear off pieces like it’s their job.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Fresh, bright bites are the secret weapon when the table is getting heavy. Juicy tomatoes, basil, and seasoning piled onto toasted bread give you a clean, punchy contrast to all the rich dips. It’s quick to throw together, but it still feels like you actually tried.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Chicken Quesadillas

Crispy tortilla edges and gooey cheese are always a win, especially when you need something filling. Salsa chicken brings big flavor without a bunch of extra chopping, so it’s easy to make more if the crowd’s hungry. Slice into wedges, put out sour cream and salsa, and suddenly it’s a full snack moment.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

Copycat Lawson’s Chip Dip

Party dip vibes in five minutes is a very good deal. Cream cheese and sour cream make it thick and scoopable, while Ranch seasoning gives that familiar tang that keeps people dipping. Let it chill if you can, because it gets even better once the flavors settle in.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Lawson’s Chip Dip

Parmesan and Garlic Wings

Buttery garlic wings with a parmesan finish feel like a “real” game-day move. They cook up crispy, then get tossed, so every bite is rich and savory without sticky sauces. Serve with a simple dip or just a pile of napkins; either works.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan and Garlic Wings

3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Three ingredients, one bowl, and it tastes like it belongs next to a giant bag of chips. It’s creamy, salty, and the kind of classic dip that disappears fast because everyone trusts it. Let it sit for a bit if you’ve got time; the flavor gets even better.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Smoked Salmon Spread

Want something that feels a little fancy without doing anything complicated? Smoked salmon stirs into a creamy base with dill, capers, and lemon, so it tastes brunchy but still totally fits game day. Set it out with crackers, cucumber slices, or toasted bread, and it’ll get scraped clean, especially when everyone needs a break from heavier snacks.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Spread

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Sweet-and-salty snack boards get way more fun when pineapple shows up. Creamy cheese, juicy fruit, crisp peppers, and crunchy pecans make every scoop feel a little unexpected in the best way. Roll it, chill it, set it out with crackers, and you’ve got a centerpiece that feeds a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball

Caramelized Onion Dip

Real caramelized onions do all the heavy lifting here, so every scoop has that sweet, savory depth. The creamy base keeps it thick and sturdy, perfect for chips, pretzels, and sturdy veggie sticks. Make it ahead if you can, because it tastes even better after it hangs out in the fridge for a bit.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion Dip

Cheese Curds

Warm, melty cheese curds at home sound like a restaurant order, but they’re honestly easy. Pan-fry or bake for that crisp outside and gooey middle, and you’ve got a tray-ready snack in under 20 minutes. Put out marinara, ranch, or hot sauce and watch people “test” them straight off the pan before they even hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds

French Onion Dip

Homemade French onion dip hits different, especially when the onions get properly caramelized. Sweet, golden onions fold into a rich, creamy base that tastes deeper and more balanced than anything pre-made. Serve it with chips for instant game-day energy, then keep extra for sandwiches or wraps during the week.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Dip

Potato Skins

Crispy potato halves loaded with bacon and cheese are always a good call on game day. A quick brush of garlic butter helps the edges get extra golden, then green onions finish it off with a little bite. Serve them hot with sour cream and watch the tray disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins

Sausage Rolls

Flaky puff pastry and a juicy sausage filling make the kind of snack people hover around. They bake up golden and buttery, and each bite feels hearty without being messy. Slice them smaller for easy grabbing, add mustard or ketchup for dipping, and the snack table basically runs itself.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Feta Dip

Creamy whipped feta brings big flavor with almost no effort, which is exactly what game day needs. Greek yogurt keeps it smooth, while garlic and lemon add that bright, punchy edge. Scoop it with pita chips or veggies, then spread leftovers on sandwiches because it’s too good to waste.
Get the Recipe: Feta Dip