Game day spreads shouldn’t mean choosing between expensive takeout and boring store-bought snacks. These restaurant copycat recipes let you recreate fan-favorite appetizers and wings right at home.
Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
These crispy air fryer shrimp with creamy, spicy bang bang sauce are a game day crowd favorite for good reason. The shrimp get golden and crunchy without deep frying, and that sweet-heat sauce keeps everyone coming back for more. They’re quick enough to throw together before guests arrive and fancy enough to make you look like you really tried.
Get the Recipe: Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
Chipotle Barbacoa
This slow cooker barbacoa captures all those bold Chipotle flavors your game day crew craves, and it couldn’t be easier to pull off. The beef turns out incredibly tender and juicy after simmering all day, making it perfect for a build-your-own taco bar setup. Just set it in the morning and you’ll have restaurant-quality tacos ready by game time.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Barbacoa
Sonic Ocean Water
This bright blue drink adds a fun, refreshing element to your game day beverage station. The coconut and lime combination creates that signature Sonic flavor that’s instantly recognizable and always a hit. It takes about a minute to mix up a pitcher, so you can keep refills coming all afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Sonic Ocean Water
Chick-fil-A Sauce
Every game day table needs a killer dipping sauce, and this Chick-fil-A copycat checks all the boxes. That sweet-tangy flavor works with everything from chicken tenders to fries to veggies. Mix it up with pantry staples in about five minutes and you’ve got the one sauce everyone will be asking about.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Sauce
Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip
This loaded spinach dip with its golden Parmesan crust is the kind of hot, cheesy appetizer that anchors a great game day spread. The crispy top layer gives way to creamy, garlicky spinach and cheese underneath. Serve it straight from the oven with tortilla chips or bread and prepare for the compliments.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
These Mexican pizzas layer seasoned meat, beans, cheese, and toppings between crispy tortillas for a handheld game day favorite. You can bake them in the oven or use an air fryer for extra crunch. They’re easy to make in batches and way cheaper than hitting the drive-thru for your whole crew.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders
Crispy homemade chicken tenders are always a game day win, and this version delivers that Raising Cane’s quality without leaving your kitchen. The coating stays crunchy while the chicken inside is juicy and flavorful. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser that works for kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders
Chilis Southwest Egg Rolls
These air fryer egg rolls pack chicken, corn, beans, peppers, and cheese into a crispy shell that’s pure game day gold. They’re lighter than the deep-fried version but still get that satisfying crunch everyone loves. The spicy ranch or avocado ranch dipping sauce is basically required.
Get the Recipe: Chilis Southwest Egg Rolls
Outback Blooming Onion
This air fryer blooming onion brings the steakhouse classic straight to your game day lineup without the restaurant price tag. The petals get perfectly crispy in the air fryer, and while it looks impressive, the prep is easier than you’d think. Serve it with that signature tangy dipping sauce and watch it disappear before kickoff.
Get the Recipe: Outback Blooming Onion
Dirty Dr Pepper
This easy drink recipe takes regular Dr Pepper and turns it into something your game day guests will actually talk about. Just add lime juice and coconut creamer over ice for a creamy, refreshing twist on soda. It’s ready in 30 seconds and doesn’t require any special equipment or mixology skills.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Dr Pepper
Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
These air fryer mozzarella sticks with fresh mozzarella are the gooey, crispy appetizer your game day spread is missing. They cook up in under 15 minutes and have that perfect cheese pull everyone loves. Serve them with marinara sauce for dipping and watch them vanish.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
Applebees Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Cheeseburger flavors wrapped in a crispy egg roll shell is the kind of creative finger food that makes game day more fun. These come together in 30 minutes in the air fryer and include a simple dipping sauce recipe. They’re familiar enough to please everyone but different enough to stand out on your appetizer table.
Get the Recipe: Applebees Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Marconi Grill Fried Ravioli
These bite-sized breaded ravioli get perfectly crispy in the air fryer and make an easy game day appetizer. Dip them in marinara sauce and you’ve got a handheld Italian snack that feeds a crowd. They’re quick to prepare and always disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Marconi Grill Fried Ravioli
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
This slow cooker version of the classic Arby’s sandwich is perfect for feeding your game day crowd without much effort. The roast beef gets super tender while you’re doing other things, and that creamy cheddar sauce on toasted onion buns seals the deal. It’s budget-friendly comfort food that everyone recognizes and loves.
Get the Recipe: Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
Chipotle Carnitas
These slow cooker carnitas bring Chipotle’s signature pork to your game day taco bar without the price or the line. The meat turns out tender and flavorful with minimal hands-on work from you. Set up a DIY station with tortillas and toppings so guests can build their own during halftime.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Carnitas
Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme
Loaded nacho fries are the ultimate game day snack, and this Taco Bell-inspired version doesn’t disappoint. Crispy seasoned fries get piled high with taco meat, beans, cheese sauce, sour cream, and all your favorite toppings. They’re messy, shareable, and exactly what you want to eat while watching the big game.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
This slow cooker sweet pork is a game day favorite for taco and burrito bars because it’s so easy and so good. Just combine a few ingredients in the morning and let it simmer until the meat is fall-apart tender. Your guests can load it into tortillas with their choice of toppings for a customizable meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork