Sure, Game Day is about, well, the game. But we all know it’s everyone’s favorite snacking holiday, too—the perfect pairing of two American pastimes.
The BBQ fam knows how to do snacks. We know how to fill a grazing table with all the flavors you’re craving the weekend of the big game: savory, spicy, and, of course, saucy.
We’re excited to pass along our list of favorite recipes to cook up (or simply mix up and serve) for that venerated first Sunday in February, overflowing with snacky goodness. Feel free to overwhelm your game-day guests with all the waistline-expanding options. While everyone digs in, don’t forget to grab a pic for the ‘gram. Use the hashtag #headcountrybbq to let us all in on the fun.
Game Day Appetizers
Pull Apart BBQ Chicken Bread
Everyone loves a meal where you can get messy. This Tailgating Pull Apart BBQ Chicken Bread is crazy fun, and not just because there’s no way to dig in and not get a little BBQ sauce and cheese on your fingers. The pull-apart chicken bread is perfect for a pre-game tailgate or to serve coffee-table style for your next game party.
FULL RECIPE: Tailgating BBQ Chicken Pull Apart Bread
BBQ Jalapeño Poppers
Baked or grilled, these spicy, bite-sized snacks disappear in a flash. Each pepper is stuffed with a mix of cheese and our Championship Seasoning, then hugged in a slice of bacon and brushed with your favorite flavor of our Bar-B-Q sauce. Follow our tips and tricks to adjust for your preferred level of spice.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Jalapeño Poppers
Smoked Deviled Eggs
These are the Deviled Eggs that every egg always hopes to be. With the gentle application of smoke and a kick of our Original Championship Seasoning (use our High Plains Heat for some added spice), it’s easy to take this classic snack from per-usual to absolutely extraordinary.
FULL RECIPE: Smoked Deviled Eggs
Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs
When cheeseball met meatball. This love story of a recipe will be your new favorite way to stuff your guests while they enjoy the big game. That they’re a cinch to prepare and a fun way to fire up the grill? Those are some serious perks.
FULL RECIPE: Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs
BBQ Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
It’s not a party until there’s a cheese ball. This classic cheese ball recipe is our favorite, easiest way to big cheese-ball flavor, complete with two kinds of cheese, a crust of bacon and pecans and herbs, that kick from ranch that pleases a crowd, and a boost from our Original Championship Seasoning. Serve with crackers, pita chips, or pretzels. Pro tip: Maybe make two.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Bacon Ranch Cheeseball
Charcuterie Board with Smoked Brisket & BBQ Pulled Pork
Shake up your appetizer game—or plan a cold dinner for a hot night—with this how-to for the perfect charcuterie board featuring smoked brisket and BBQ pulled pork.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Charcuterie Board
Dips and Dunks
Skillet Southwestern BBQ Chicken Dip
This stick-to-your-ribs chicken dip is a sugar-free, cheesy combination packed with beans, corn, and spices. Whether it’s served family-style at the dinner table or guests help themselves at the tailgate party, this dip is a showstopper in a rustic cast-iron skillet. Serve it up with freshly sliced veggies and/or toasted bread slices.
FULL RECIPE: Skillet Southwestern BBQ Chicken Dip
BBQ Chicken Dip
Get ready for an epic cheese pull. This BBQ Chicken Dip bubbles with two kinds of cheese, chicken, and the smoky flavor of BBQ, making the game-day friendliness of this dish a no-brainer. The savory crust that forms on top while the flavors meld in the oven with have your guests vying for the edge pieces. Serve with a side of chips, crackers, or homemade flour tortillas.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Chicken Dip
Smoked Queso Blanco Dip
This queso mingles with fire and smoke on the grill. What results is a creamy, spicy dip packed with flavor. This recipe makes enough to top burgers and nachos, or omelets if it’s breakfast time—and we aren’t afraid to admit that it’s an indulgent supper, paired with a stack of fresh, salty tortilla chips.
FULL RECIPE: Smoked Queso Blanco Dip
Pimento Cheese Dip
You don’t have to be from the South to love this pimento cheese dip recipe. We added our Championship Seasoning to this regional classic to complement the cheesy creaminess of the dip and the subtle zing of the pimentos (you can use diced roasted red peppers, too). Opt for our High Plains Heat for an extra kick.
FULL RECIPE: Pimento Cheese Dip
Nachos
Cast Iron BBQ Chicken Nachos
The slow cooker assists in this recipe to make it a quick-and-easy snack or weeknight wonder. Because the chicken is ready when you walk through the door at the end of the day, a skillet of BBQ nachos takes just 5 minutes from start to finish. Don’t skimp on the cheese, the sour cream, or the BBQ sauce (our personal favorite nacho topping).
FULL RECIPE: Cast Iron BBQ Chicken Nachos
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sheet Pan Nachos
We love when our favorite foods team up. These nachos are layered deep with all the fixings of a classic cheeseburger—ground beef, bacon, plenty of cheese, and an added drizzle of your favorite flavor of our sauce—and topped with fresh green onion and spicy jalapenos. This recipe calls for an oven, but if you’re outside or tailgating, pop these on the grill or smoker and enjoy the melty goodness.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sheet Pan Nachos
Wings
The Best-Ever BBQ Chicken Wings
A big platter stacked with crispy, saucy chicken wings is one of the easiest, most sure-fire ways to bring folks to the table. All any home cook needs to stack ’em good and stack ’em high is a bit of prep, plus some tips and tricks from expert BBQer and Head Country Brand Ambassador Doug Scheiding of Rogue Cookers, and gone are the days of dry meat, soggy skin, and flavorless party food. Try our recipes for Chipotle Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze, BBQ Dry Rub Wings, Smoked Sweet & Sticky Wings, and more.
FULL TUTORIAL: How to make the best-ever classic wings
RECIPE ROUND-UP: Our favorite wings recipes
BBQ Dry Rubbed Wings 3 Ways
These BBQ Dry Rub Chicken Wings are one of the easiest—and tastiest—ways to make wings. This recipe, from Head Country Ambassador Cake ‘n Knife, stars crispy skin, flavorful meat, and a blue-cheese sauce that will do absolutely nothing to slow down how fast the wings disappear. Whether you choose to go with the grill, air fryer, or sheet pan for cooking, these wings are sure to be a hit for your next game-day gathering or tailgating party.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Dry Rubbed Wings 3 Ways
Big Bites
Southern Style Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sliders
Two southern classics join forces in these sliders, which look just as outrageous on a snack board or at the dinner table as they taste. With some added spice and absolutely no corners cut, this recipe is the perfect way to get the family in the kitchen—and well worth the effort.
FULL RECIPE: Southern Style Pimento Cheese Fried Chicken Sliders
Buttermilk Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders
The key to crispy fried chicken that’s rich, flavorful, and tender? It starts with a southern-style buttermilk bath, infused with our Championship Seasoning. After these tenders bubble to a glowing golden-brown in hot shortening, they’re ready for a sprinkle of salt and a dip in our spoon-coating Sweet & Sticky BBQ sauce. Perfect for game day, family night, or a weeknight treat.
FULL RECIPE: Buttermilk Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders
BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Nothing stops the line at the appetizer table like these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. The sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze comes together in just a few ingredients, and our instructions show how to keep shrimp tender while getting the bacon crispy. As far as holiday appetizers go, this one promises to please a crowd (good thing this recipe doubles and triples easily) and is ready in just 30 minutes.
FULL RECIPES: BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Texas Flaming Hot Frito Pie
The original Frito Pie recipe is a Texas comfort food going back to the 1950s. Serving Frito Pie in a bag is credited to Woolworth’s and Five and Dime Stores in Santa Fe, where they also added New Mexico green chilis. Since Doug went to high school in New Mexico and now lives in Texas, this guide on how to make Frito Pie is a combination of the two styles.
FULL RECIPE: Texas Flaming Hot Frito Pie
Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pull-Apart Sliders
This twist on the classic BBQ sandwich is a treat for the kids, who love to watch the cheese stretch when they pull their servings from the baking dish. The garlic-herb butter takes this dish over the top. If you want to count on leftovers, make extra.
FULL RECIPE: Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pull Apart Sliders
BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Pizza
Pizza night is at your fingertips. Grab prepared pizza crust from the grocery or your local pizza place, press it into a sheet pan, and top with our favorite BBQ pizza toppings: chicken, onions, cilantro, and plenty of cheese. It’s all ready in minutes, and with only one pan to wash.
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Pizza
