The game day food is as important as the match itself.

In the South, game day food is just as important as the game itself.

Fast-food wings and grocery-store veggie trays just won’t cut it.

jalapeno popper dip

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

That’s why we’ve gathered all of our favorite football party food recipes into one go-to game-day collection.

From dips tocasseroles, these game day recipes will gave you ready for kick-off.

Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe extra easy.

Southern Living Chicken Nachos on the pan ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This recipe makes 65 of these bite-sized tacos, more than enough for a hungry crowd.

A honey drizzle is just the finishing touch fried chicken needs.

you could also make them without the alcohol, but it will change the flavor.

Southern Living Tiny Tacos on plates to serve

Credit:Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

The bar serves nearly 5,000 cups of this fruity punch on game days.

Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Throw this bake in the oven for easy, handheld delight.

Hawaiian Rolls and gruyere cheese will tempt tailgaters until the platter’s empty.

Southern Living Florida State Honey Fried Chicken on a plate to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

This step takes the flavor of the chicken to the next level.

Dill pickle chips make great dippers and amplify the pickle flavor.

Plus, it’s simple to make and easy to transport.

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Credit: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Topping with pomegranate seeds gives the dip a colorful finish.

Mini Potato Skins

These potato skins will be a hit at any watch party.

Made with only five ingredients, these handhelds are convenient and delicious with a beer occupying your other hand.

Kentucky Bourbon Balls plated and ready to serve

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

We like them best with honey mustard dipping sauce.

Collard Dip

Spinach dip is great, but this version may be the ultimate winner.

Collard greens give this favorite party dip a Southern spin.

Southern Living Yellowhammer Slammer in glasses to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Serve with hot pickled peppers on top for more zing in every bite.

Pulled Pork Nachos

This hearty crowd-pleaser comes together in just 15 minutes.

With lots of opportunities for ingredient substitutions and variations, it’s impossible to fumble this dish.

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

We think this homemade version beats the fast food variety.

You’ll know these beans are ready to come out of the oven when the edges start to bubble.

Serve with ranch orblue cheesefor the full buffalo wing experience without the sticky fingers.

Southern Living Fancy Pimiento Cheese Tea Sandwiches on a platter to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

You may want to double (or triple) this recipe for hungry tailgaters.

If your tailgate spread needs a Hail Mary, these wrapped and stuffed peppers will do the trick.

No special equipment is required.

Southern Living Cold Buffalo Chicken Dip in a bowl to serve with carrot and celery sticks, chips, crackers, and glasses of beer

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

You make the football shape using tworound cake pans.

Baked BLT Dip

We can never say no to a BLT.

This recipe lets us get all the delicious flavors from the sandwich in one scoop.

Grape Jelly Meatballs

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

This dip is decadent with just enough lager to make it an ideal tailgate snack.

Tiger Tea

This boozy version of an Arnold Palmer is synonymous with game day in Baton Rouge.

Rotel Sausage Dip

It’s not a game day party without this six-ingredient dip.

Southern Living Dill Pickle Dip in a bowl to serve with potato chips

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie cox

Serve this meaty Velveeta dip with scoop chips, and you’re ready to go.

Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

If the wings are good, so is the party.

Cook low and slow for tender wings.

Southern Living Hot Corn Dip

Credit:Jessica Furniss

We used Frank’s Red Hot, but feel free to use your favorite hot sauce.

Classic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a welcome addition to any Southern gathering.

Forget the football teams playing, the real rivalry is the one betweenDuke’s Mayoand Hellmann’s.

Southern Living Classic Guacamole in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips on the side

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Which will you choose for the yolk filling?

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

We suggest at least doubling this two-ingredient recipe for your game day crowd.

It’s impossible to eat just one of these buttery cracker and salty bacon concoctions.

Mini Potato Skins

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Homemade Brownies

Skip the boxed mix and impress your game day crowd with homemade brownies.

Add a little cinnamon or cayenne to set them apart from other brownies.

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

This nostalgic dish will never go out of style.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Finally, a pastry that goes great with beer.

Quesadillas al Pastor

Quesadillas are an easy crowd-pleaser.

Add smoked shredded pork for an upgraded and slightly sophisticated version.

Collard Dip

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Cheese and pepperoni work hard to verify this is unlike any other stuffed pepper you’ve had.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Instead of ordering pizza, serve this bread with your favorite marinara sauce.

Game Day Chili

A cool fall Saturday isn’t complete without a big batch of chili.

Southern Living Ranch Cheese Crackers in a bowl to serve

Credit:Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Sausage Balls

You’re only three ingredients away from the perfect party snack.

Ranch Snacker Crackers

A handful of these makes for a super-flavorful snack during game day.

They’re especially easy to make and travel well.

Southern Living Crispy Fried Chicken on a platter to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

You only need six ingredients for this go-to snack, and odds are, you already have them.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

We love this indulgent dip, and we know your guests will too.

Add frozen artichokes to your classic spinach dip recipe and thank us later.

Pulled Pork Nachos

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Making this fruit salad overnight is key to letting the flavors marinate to perfection.

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Sausage balls are a favorite Southern finger food.

This recipe offers a delicious spin using sweet potatoes to make this appetizer stand out.

Southern Living Double-Fried Gator Bites With Georgia Barbecue Sauce on a platter to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Not your average labor-intensive enchilada, these miniatures come together in just three steps and 30 minutes.

Fried Pickle Chips

Crispy pickle chips are always a hit with any crowd.

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Make these egg rolls to satisfy burger cravings during game days.

Southern Living Smoky-Sweet Baked Beans in a serving dish with grilled corn beside

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Creamy Crab Dip

A fresh take on an old classic, this ultra-creamy dip is heavenly.

Mini Muffulettas

Cheese, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables fill these mini sandwiches.

Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

Thiscafeteria-style macaroni and cheeserecipe is full of comforting flavor.

Southern Living Cook the Enemy Gumbo in a bowl to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix

This mixture has it all to fulfill both salty cravings and a sweet tooth.

Stuff this snack mix into waffle cones for a pretty presentation.

Finger food is ideal for any game day function.

buffalo chicken bites

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Every game day line-up needs a sweet treat.

These Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes are reminiscent of summer days, and they’re oh-so delicious.

It’s the best salty treat to have on hand for half-time.

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls on a plate to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Taco-inspired ingredients including black beans, jalapenos, and cilantro make for a pasta salad with tang to spare.

A smoky, sweet rub and your favorite barbecue sauce bring all the flavor.

Frito Pie

Turn your favorite corn chips into a meal by adding chili.

Southern Living Toomer’s Lemonade Sheet Cake in the pan with a few pieces cut to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey

Place these miniatures under the broiler with some cheese to sack any doubts that this is an ordinary sandwich.

Bacon Bites

Molly Bolton / Southern Living

Bacon, brown sugar, and breadsticks?

Make these once, and they’ll be requested on every Saturday for the rest of football season.

million dollar dip on a tray with crudites and crackers

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Deviled Potatoes

Why choose between deviled eggs and potato salad?

Stove-Top Bacon Popcorn

Popcorn is for the cinema, but bacon popcorn is for the stadium.

Texas sheet cake feeds a crowd, but it still may not last long.

Party Poppers

Credit: Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Pour the icing over the cake while its still warm.

Mint and lemonade provide the perfect balance to any spicy party food.

This creamy, cheesy dip will be the winner of bowl game watching.

football cake

Credit: Photgrapher: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

What’s better than mashed potatoes in a bowl?

Mashed potatoes in a golden-fried ball.

Add an aioli for dipping, and you’re on your way.

Baked BLT Dip

Credit: Skyler Burt

Ham-and-Swiss Sliders

This is yet another hero slider recipe that will tide everyone over until dinnertime.

Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Southern Living Tiger Tea in a glass to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Rotel Dip

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Credit: Jennifer Causey

negroni

Credit:Robbie Caponetto

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Credit: Skyler Burt

Classic Deviled Eggs

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Party Potatoes - Southern Living

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Southern Living Homemade Brownies on a plate to serve with a glass of milk

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad in a red dish with strawberry linen

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

Quesadillas Al Pastor

Credit: Skyler Burt

Southern Living Tex-Mex Skillet Poblano Dip in a skillet to serve with chips and beer

Credit:Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

Pizza Pepper Poppers

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Credit: Alison Miksch

Game Day Chili

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Sausage Balls - Southern Living

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ranch Snacker Crackers in a bowl to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cheese Straws

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Spinach-Artichoke Dips

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

Credit: Abigail Wilt

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Fried Pickle Chips

Credit: Alison Miksch

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Mini Muffulettas

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Cookie Dough Egg Rolls

Credit: Southern Living

Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Smoky Snack Mix

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Cowboy Pasta Salad

Credit:VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY

Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Margret Monroe Dickey

frito pies with toppings

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Bacon Bites

Credit:Molly Bolton / Southern Living

Deviled Potatoes

Credit: Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Stove-Top Bacon Popcorn

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Lemonade Iced Tea

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

fried mashed potato balls

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Credit: Photography, and Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Southern Living Fire Crackers in a bowl to serve

Credit:Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Afterburners

Credit:Stacy k. Allen, Props: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Southern Living Ham and Cheese sliders in the baking dish ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living brownie cookies

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist Shell Royster