Game Day Inspired Recipes You Can Make in 35 Minutes or less

Game day is here — and whether you’re hosting a big crowd or just your family on the couch, the snacks are just as important as the score. But here’s the thing: nobody wants to spend the whole game in the kitchen.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 5 crowd-pleasing appetizers you can whip up in 35 minutes or less — so you can get back to the action (and the commercials).

Touchdown Taco Dip

This three-layer dip is baked up hot, then topped with a colorful array of fresh toppings. 

Ingredients

• 1 can (16 oz/450 g) refried beans
• 8 oz (250 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (250 mL) sour cream
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) taco seasoning mix
• 2   garlic cloves, pressed
• ½ cup (125 mL) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium plum tomato
• 3   green onions with tops
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) snipped fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
• ½ cup (125 mL) sliced pitted ripe olives
•  Additional sour cream and tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) . Spread the beans over the bottom of the deep covered baker or the small oven baking pan using a Classic Scraper. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, and garlic pressed with the Garlic Press in a Classic Batter Bowl; mix well. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the beans. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until hot. Remove the baker from the oven to a Stackable Cooling Rack; top with the cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake an additional 2–3 minutes or until the cheddar cheese is melted.
2. Meanwhile, slice the tomato in half lengthwise using the Santoku Knife; scrape out the seeds using the Core & More. Dice the tomato and thinly slice the onions. Snip the cilantro using the Professional Shears. Sprinkle the olives, tomato, onions, and cilantro over the dip. Garnish with additional sour cream and serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

Yield:

• 16  servings of 1/4 cup dip, excluding optional ingredients

3-Minute Dips

Here’s the formula for a quick, easy dip! Start with a basic dip recipe and transform with different rubs and toppings.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tbsp (15-30 mL) Pampered Chef rub (see chart)
•  Toppings (see chart)
• 4 oz. (125 g) mozzarella cheese, grated (1 cup/250 mL)
• 1 pkg (8 oz./250 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) milk (see Cook’s Tip)
•  Optional: Assorted vegetables or crackers

Rubs	Toppers
Bell Pepper Herb Rub	½ red bell pepper, diced
Greek Rub	¼ cucumber, chopped
Tex-Mex Rub	1 plum tomato, seeded and diced
Three Onion Rub	3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Directions

1. Choose a rub and topping combination.
2. Combine the rub, mozzarella, cream cheese, and milk in a small microwave-safe bowl.
3. Microwave, covered, for 2–3 minutes, or until melted, stirring halfway through cooking. (Be careful not to overheat.)
4. Remove the bowl from the microwave; stir. Sprinkle with the topping and serve with fresh vegetables or crackers.

Yield:

• 16  servings of 2 tbsp (30 mL) 

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Meatballs

Prep 5 min | Ready in 35 min

Ingredients

• 2 tsp (10 mL) canola oil
• 1/2   small onion (optional) or you can season with 1 tsp of Three Onion rub
• 2 cups (500 mL) ketchup
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) orange marmalade
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp (30mL) Smoky Barbecue Rub
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) cider vinegar
• 2 tsp (10 mL) Dijon mustard
• 1 pkg (26 oz or 900 g) frozen fully cooked meatballs (½ oz/10 g each)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat 3-5 minutes or until shimmering. Cut onion into chunks. Using Food Chopper, finely chop onion. 
2. Add onions to the pan. Cook, uncovered, 2 minutes or until onions are softened.  
3. Stir in remaining ingredients, except meatballs. Bring to a boil; add meatballs. Reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, 25-30 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.  
4. Place in crockpot on low or use the insulated serving bowl to keep warm.

Yield:

• 16  servings of 3 meatballs and 2 1/2 tbsp/37 mL sauce 

Hot Ham & Cheese Sliders

Prep 10 min | Ready in 30 min

These pull-apart sliders will be the hit of your next get together.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) brown sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp (10 mL) Rosemary Herb Seasoning Mix
• 12   classic dinner rolls
• 4-5 oz (125-150 g) thinly sliced cooked ham
• 6   slices gouda cheese | Cheddar or cheese of your choice
• 24   dill pickle slices

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Microwave the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl for 30-45 seconds, or until melted. Whisk in the brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Rosemary Herb Seasoning Mix.
3. Brush half of the mixture onto the bottom of the Deep Covered Baker.
4. Use a bread knife to slice the dinner rolls in half. Place the bottom half of the rolls into the baker. (You may need to trim the edges or tuck them in.)
5. Add the ham to the bottom rolls. Then add the cheese and pickles. Top with the top buns.
6. Brush the remaining butter mixture over the top of the buns. over the top of the buns. Cover with the lid.
7. Bake for 12 minutes, remove the lid and bake for 5-7 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and the cheese is melted. Serve warm. Use a spatula to serve warm.

Yield:

• 6  servings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Game Day isn’t complete without some wings!! At least not in our house!! : )

Prep 8 min | Ready in 38 min

These wings have all the zing of the wings at your local sports bar—but without the sticky tables.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. (1 kg) chicken wings
• 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) black pepper
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
•  Oil for spritzing

• ½ cup (125 mL) butter
• ⅓ cup (75 mL) hot sauce

Directions

1. Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Combine the wings, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add the oil and toss to combine.
2. Set the Deluxe Air Fryer & Oven to Heat & Crisp. Adjust the temperature to 375°F (190°C) with high fan and set the time to 30 minutes.
3. Spritz the Air Fryer Rack with oil. Transfer the wings to the rack. When the display says, “Add Food,” place the rack in the oven. Press start. Flip the chicken wings and rotate the rack halfway through cooking.
4. Meanwhile, combine the butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan and slowly melt the butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
5. When the timer is up, remove the wings from the air fryer. Toss the wings in the sauce or serve on the side.

Yield:

• 6  servings

🏈 See All My Fast & Flavor-Packed Game Day Recipes Here