Must-Try Game Day Recipes for the College Bowl Season

Cook Up Some of These College Football Playoffs Recipes and Score Big With Your Guests.

As we approach the end of the year and those family holidays are in our rear-view mirror, it means only one thing: college football. ‘Tis the season for college football bowl games, and when it there’s college football, you know there’s going to be some major game day eats. Whether your team is in the college football playoffs or not, and whether you are tailgating properly outside a stadium somewhere or you’ve got your indoor tailgate going with a fire in the fireplace, you can always count on a great bowl game menu.

The perfect pairing for a great college football game is great food. Whether you’re with a few friends or you’re throwing a college football bash, serving the right food is essential. You’ve got your burgers, brats, and hot dogs that always do the trick, but then there are some other items you might want to consider for your bowl game menu. You can go for an upscale experience with some gourmet wraps, flavorful sandwiches, or a Crockpot classic like chili.

And you can go all out with the snacks and serve chips and dip, guacamole, cowboy caviar, or a rib-sticking sausage dip. And don’t forget the beverages. While beer and soda tend to go hand-in-hand with college football, we’ve got a cocktail recipe that’ll absolutely impress. So without further ado, let’s kick off our guide to must-try gameday recipes for the college bowl season.

Tailgating Cocktail Madras

Why not up the ante with a special cocktail for your college bowl viewing party? This tongue-in-cheek tailgating cocktail is a great way to show off your mixology skills. It’s light, flavorful, and easy enough to make, and it will make your guests feel extra pampered and special for the big game.

Get the Madras tailgating cocktail recipe at Tipsy Bartender.

Ultimate Guacamole

For those that need some quality dip for football watching, this guacamole recipe is the one to make. It’s creamy, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a bowl of guacamole in no time which will keep your guests coming back for more. Start with some ripe avocados, add a little bit of onion, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeno, plus the juice of one lime and you’ve got yourself the ultimate guacamole.

Get the Ultimate Guacamole recipe at Foodie With Family.

Cowboy Caviar

This Cowboy Caviar is a great appetizer option for game day. It’s easy to make and it can be served with both tortilla chips or pita chips. The secret to this cowboy caviar dish is the combination of a few fresh ingredients that you may already have lying around the pantry or are easy to find at your local grocery store. What’s great about cowboy cavier for your college football playoffs menu is that it’s like a dip, but it’s also like having a full meal.

Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe at Culinary Hill.

Grilled Beer Brats with Peppers and Onions

If you’re tempted to stick with the burgers and dogs combo, consider adding a few brats on the grill to up your football food game. Grilled beer brats and peppers and onions are the perfect food to serve at your college bowl watching party. Not only are they easy to make, but they also taste delicious and will provide your guests with a satisfying meal. You’ve got the grill going anyway, so once the burgers and dogs are done, then clear the way for the beer brats, peppers, and onions. Use a little oil on the veggies and make sure they don’t fall through the grill. To be extra cautious, lay down a foil boat.

Get the Grilled Beer Brats with Peppers and Onions recipe at Food Network.

Classic Crockpot Chili

When it comes to bowl game food ideas that can feed a crowd, a Crockpot classic chili is always a winner. It’s easy to make and it can feed an army of fans if necessary. Plus, who doesn’t love a good, hearty bowl of chili? It’s a football eats classic that will never go out of style, and it’s so easy to prepare and even easier to serve. Go the extra mile and create a toppings bar with some freshly chopped onions, grated cheese, sour cream, and anything else you think might be great to throw on a heaping bowl of hot chili.

Get the Classic Crockpot Chili recipe at Spruce Eats.

Southwest Cornbread

If you’re serving up chili as one of your gameday recipes, then think about pairing it with some spicy-sweet southwest cornbread. This cornbread can be served as a side dish or even as an appetizer. It’s full of bold flavors like chiles, cilantro, and jalapeños that will make your game day food selection stand out from the crowd. Plus, it’s easy enough to make in advance so you can just pop it into the oven before kick-off.

Get the Southwest Cornbread recipe at Taste Of Home.

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots

These bacon-wrapped tater tots are sure to be a fan favorite during your college bowl-watching party. Not only are they super tasty, but they’re also easy to make. Plus, they look amazing when served up on a platter. All you need are some frozen tater tots, bacon strips, and your favorite seasonings like garlic powder and paprika. Wrap each tater tot in bacon and bake until crispy. Then add the seasonings of your choice and serve these up at halftime.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots at Allrecipes.

Crispy Buffalo Wings

Nothing does a proper game watch right like a small mountain of crispy Buffalo wings served hot out of the deep fryer. Crispy Buffalo wings are fairly simple to make and they go with just about any college bowl game food selection. Get some chicken wings, dredge them in some flour and your favorite seasonings, and deep fry them until golden brown. Toss with some simple Buffalo sauce (or make your own!) and definitely serve the wings with some carrots and celery and a side of ranch dressing or blue cheese to cut the heat. If you don’t have a deep fryer, there is also the option to grill or bake the wings, so you have no excuse to not serve this as a part of your bowl game party menu.

Get the Deep Fried Crispy Buffalo Wings recipe at Tasty.
Get the Oven Baked Crispy Buffalo Wings recipe at Tastes Better From Scratch.

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Dip

If you’re not up for the challenge of making crispy Buffalo wings, then you can certainly throw together a zesty Buffalo chicken dip recipe. It’s got all of the best parts of the classic Buffalo wing without the bone and with a whole lot of cheese! It’s easy to make and can be customized with your own favorite ingredients. Serve it up with some tortilla chips, crackers, or even some veggies like celery sticks or carrot sticks.

Get the Zesty Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe at Cafe Delites.

Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders

Barbecue pulled pork sliders are a delicious and easy way to feed a large crowd at a college football game watch party. Not only are they tasty and easy to eat, but they can also be prepped ahead of time, making them a great choice for any game day event.

To make them, all you need to do is slow-cook pulled pork, then smother it with your favorite barbecue sauce. Serve them on toasted mini buns and top with your favorite condiments for a touch of extra flavor. Your guests will be thankful for the delicious, easy-to-eat sliders that will make their game day experience even more enjoyable!

Get the Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders recipe at Kitchen Swagger.

Get Cooking with These Bowl Game Eats

Nothing says game day quite like a delicious spread of food. If you’re hosting a bowl game party, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of tasty snacks for your guests to enjoy. From classic snacks like guac and hot wings to new takes on old favorites, there’s something for everyone at your bowl game party.

Try your hand at creating slow cooker chili with all the fixings, make a big batch of cowboy caviar with your favorite ingredients, or whip up a batch of pulled pork sliders. And don’t forget the dip! Whether you’re a fan of classic hummus or something a little more creative like a spinach artichoke dip, you’ll want to make sure you have something for everyone to munch on. With these bowl game eats, your game day party is sure to be a hit!

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