19 winning appetizers to feast on during the playoffs

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It’s playoff season, and as the competition heats up on the field, bring some of that fiery energy to your snack table. These 19 winning appetizers are perfect for your game day cravings

Blooming onion on a plate with sauce in the background.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Garlic Cheese Balls

Pulling apart a garlic cheese ball filled with stringy mozzarella cheese.
Garlic Cheese Balls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who needs a playbook when you’ve got Garlic Cheese Balls? Just pop open some refrigerator biscuits, stuff them with mozzarella, and bake or air fry your way to a cheesy, garlicky touchdown that’ll have fans reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Cheese Balls

Cajun Wings

Chicken wing flat with Cajun spices.
Cajun Wings. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spice things up with these crispy Cajun Wings. Whether you air fry or oven bake, they’re a zesty snack that’ll will fly off the table. They’re so good, even the opposing team will want a bite.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Wings

Sausage Cheese Dip

Sausage cheese dip in a cast iron skillet topped with tomatoes and jalapenos.
Sausage Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sausage Cheese Dip is like the MVP of the snack table, with just 5 ingredients and a creamy, dreamy taste. Mix up some Rotel, Velveeta, and cream cheese, and watch this dip disappear. It’s a game day tradition in the making.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Cheese Dip

Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritter getting dipped into sauce.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn those zucchinis into a game-winning play with Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters. Just grate, mix, and air fry for a comfort food that won’t make you fumble your diet.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

Meatball Crescent Rolls

Meatballs wrapped in dough on a wooden cutting board.
Meatball Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Meatball Crescent Rolls are the perfect play for a hungry crowd, wrapping savory meatballs and melted cheese in buttery dough. They’re so easy to make, you won’t miss a minute of the game.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Crescent Rolls

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs with bacon in a glass deviled egg platter.
Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs take the classic appetizer and kick it up a notch with a ranch twist, topped with crispy bacon. They’re the kind of snack that scores extra points for flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

Closeup of someone dipping a pretzel bite in mustard sauce.
Air Fryer Pretzel Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With Air Fryer Pretzel Bites, you can turn canned biscuits into a stadium-worthy snack. Dip these bad boys in some hot mustard sauce and watch them disappear. Perfect for those nail-biting game moments.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Blooming onion on a plate with sauce in the background.
Air Fryer Blooming Onion. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Impress your guests with an Air Fryer Blooming Onion that’s easier to make than it looks. This restaurant-quality appetizer will have your family and friends cheering.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels

Puff pastry pinwheels on a round wooden cutting board.
Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels are rolling out to be the hot ticket for your game day feast. Packed with bacon and jalapeños, they’re a flaky, creamy spin on a spicy favorite. Bet you can’t have just one.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Pulling apart an air fryer mozzarella stick to show the gooey cheese inside.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks bring the crunch on game day with a crispy outside and a stretchy, cheesy inside. They’re the kind of snack that’ll make you forget there’s a game on. Just remember to share, or you might end up with a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Cheese Dip

Gouda Cheese Sauce in a bowl with a fry being dipped into it.
Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cheese Dip with Gouda is the easy, cheesy hero your fries and pretzels didn’t know they needed. It’s the perfect assist for turning plain snacks into all-stars. Keep an eye on the bowl; it’s known to disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Cheese Dip

Lemon Pepper Wings

Air fryer lemon pepper wings on a cutting board with celery.
Lemon Pepper Wings. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Lemon Pepper Wings in the air fryer are the zesty, crispy snack you didn’t know you needed this playoff season. They’re so easy to make and they’re keto-friendly, so you can snack guilt-free!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

Southwest Egg Rolls

Plate of southwest egg rolls cut open to show the filling of beans, chicken, corn and cheese.
Southwest Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Southwest Egg Rolls are rolling out all the flavors of a Tex-Mex fiesta right in your air fryer. With chicken, corn, beans, and cheese, they’ve got it all. Dunk ’em in sauce, and you might just forget about the game for a minute.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Egg Rolls

Crockpot Little Smokies

Crock pot little smokies on a spoon over the slow cooker.
Crockpot Little Smokies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crockpot Little Smokies are the set-it-and-forget-it champions of game day snacking. With only 3 ingredients, they’re a no-fuss crowd-pleaser that’s been winning over fans for years.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Little Smokies

Boom Boom Sauce

Dipping a chicken nugget in a bowl of boom boom sauce.
Boom Boom Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Boom Boom Sauce is the underdog of dips, coming in hot with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor that’s downright addictive. Homemade and inexpensive, it’s the secret weapon for any playoff party.
Get the Recipe: Boom Boom Sauce

Sweet Chili Wings

Bowl of Thai sweet chili wings on a gray and white napkin.
Sweet Chili Wings. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet Chili Wings are the sticky, sweet, and spicy MVPs that’ll have you licking your fingers clean. They’re the snack you’ll want to high-five after every bite. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand for this deliciously messy play.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Chili Wings

Air Fryer Ravioli

Crispy air fryer ravioli on a plate with one dipping into a sauce.
Air Fryer Ravioli. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Ravioli are the breaded, bite-sized powerhouses for dipping in marinara sauce. They’re so deliciously crispy, your guests will be calling for more. Perfect for keeping the energy up through every quarter.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ravioli

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Buffalo chicken egg rolls on a wooden cutting board with celery and sprinkled with blue cheese.
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls are where East meets West in a spicy, crunchy matchup. With only 6 ingredients, they’re a game day fusion that’ll have fans cheering from the sidelines. Roll these out and watch the crowd go wild.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño Poppers on a platter with a bowl of dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are the spicy, bacon-topped starters that’ll kick off your game day with a bang. They’re the perfect way to heat up the party and get everyone ready for kickoff.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

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