Game day food has its own set of rules in my house. It needs to be easy enough that I’m not standing at the stove while everyone else is watching the game, sturdy enough to sit on the snack table for a reasonable amount of time, and tempting enough that people keep wandering back for “just one more scoop.” Dips check every one of those boxes. Put out a big bowl, surround it with chips, crackers, toasted bread, pretzels, or vegetables, and suddenly you have the kind of appetizer that gets everyone gathered around the same table before kickoff even happens.
I also think the best game day spread has more variety than a row of nearly identical cheesy dips. I want something hot and bubbling next to something cool and fresh, a spicy option beside a milder one, and at least one dip substantial enough to satisfy the person who skipped lunch because they knew snacks were coming. These 25 game day dips cover those bases, from Buffalo chicken and baked queso to cool ranch, caramelized onion, pizza dip, guacamole, and a few newer favorites. They are familiar, practical party foods with enough personality to make the snack table feel exciting—and, most importantly, they are exactly the sort of dips people keep circling back to all afternoon.
1. Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo chicken dip is the first thing I think about when someone says game day dip. It takes everything people like about Buffalo wings—the tangy heat, chicken, creamy richness, and cooling cheese—and turns it into something you can scoop straight onto a tortilla chip. I like the version built around shredded chicken, cream cheese, Buffalo-style hot sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and plenty of shredded cheese. Rotisserie chicken makes this especially practical because there is no need to cook chicken just for an appetizer.
What makes this one disappear so quickly is the balance between creamy and spicy. I keep the heat noticeable without making it so aggressive that half the room avoids it. A little blue cheese on top gives it that classic wing-night character, while sliced green onions bring freshness to an otherwise rich dish. Celery and carrot sticks make natural dippers, but sturdy tortilla chips are usually what disappear first at my house. Serve the dip bubbling hot, and expect someone to scrape the browned cheese from the edges of the baking dish.
2. Loaded Beef Queso Dip
When I need one dip that can anchor the entire snack table, I go for loaded beef queso. This is more substantial than plain cheese dip because seasoned ground beef turns every scoop into something closer to loaded nachos. A smooth cheese base, browned beef, tomatoes with green chiles, jalapeños, and a little taco seasoning give it plenty of familiar game day flavor without requiring an elaborate recipe.
The trick is keeping the queso loose enough to scoop even after it has been sitting out for a while. I like serving it from a small slow cooker when I have a crowd because gentle heat keeps the cheese smooth throughout the game. Finish it with tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño slices, or green onions right before serving. Thick tortilla chips are essential here—thin chips tend to surrender under the weight of all that beef and cheese. This is one of those dips that can easily become the unofficial main course.
3. Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
There is a reason spinach artichoke dip keeps appearing on party menus. It feels a little more polished than basic cheese dip but is still pure comfort food. Chopped spinach and tender artichoke hearts break up a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic. Once baked, the top develops those browned cheesy patches that everyone tries to get onto their first scoop.
I especially like serving this dip when the rest of my game day menu is heavy on meat because it gives the table a different flavor direction. Toasted baguette slices are my favorite accompaniment, although pita chips, crackers, carrots, and bell pepper strips all work. Make sure the spinach is squeezed very dry before mixing it in; excess moisture can turn an otherwise wonderfully creamy dip watery. For a party, I assemble it early, refrigerate it, and slide it into the oven shortly before guests arrive.
4. Seven-Layer Taco Dip
Seven-layer dip is practically built for game day because everyone can see exactly what they are about to scoop. I start with a seasoned refried bean layer and follow it with creamy taco-seasoned sour cream, guacamole, cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. The different colors make the dish look festive without requiring decorative football-shaped food or complicated presentation.
The most important detail is choosing a dish that is wide rather than extremely deep. You want guests to reach several layers with one tortilla chip instead of excavating through inches of sour cream before finding the beans. I also drain tomatoes and other watery toppings well so the layers stay clean. This is a particularly useful make-ahead dip, although I add the fresh toppings closer to serving. Put it in the middle of a tray of tortilla chips and it almost always becomes one of the busiest spots on the table.
5. Jalapeño Popper Dip
Jalapeño poppers are fantastic game day food, but stuffing individual peppers for a room full of people is not always how I want to spend my afternoon. Jalapeño popper dip gives me the same creamy, cheesy, peppery experience in one baking dish. Cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, jalapeños, and crisp bacon make a rich base, while a buttery breadcrumb topping gives the dip the crunch that would otherwise come from the popper coating.
I usually adjust the jalapeños according to the crowd rather than automatically making this extremely hot. Fresh peppers provide brighter flavor, while pickled jalapeños bring tang and a more predictable level of heat. A mixture of both can be even better. Ritz-style crackers, toasted baguette pieces, tortilla chips, and mini peppers all hold up well for dipping. I especially like this one fresh from the oven, when the breadcrumb topping is crisp and the cheese underneath is still molten.
6. Hot Pizza Dip
Pizza dip is what I make when I know children and adults will be sharing the same snack table. It uses flavors almost everyone recognizes: creamy cheese, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni. Layering rather than stirring everything together makes it especially satisfying because the top comes out of the oven looking like a tiny bubbling pizza.
I keep the toppings fairly classic when feeding a large group, but this dip is easy to personalize. Cooked sausage, mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, olives, or banana peppers can all be added in small amounts. Garlic bread pieces are my favorite dipper because they reinforce the pizza-night feeling, although sturdy crackers and toasted baguette slices work beautifully too. If you have several dips on the menu, bake this one in a smaller dish—it is rich, and people tend to take repeated little scoops rather than one enormous serving.
7. Sausage and Cheese Hissy Fit Dip
Hissy Fit dip has exactly the sort of name that belongs on a football snack table, and the flavor lives up to it. This Southern-style party dip usually combines browned breakfast sausage with cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. The result is savory, salty, creamy, and substantial enough to compete with wings and sliders for attention.
I like this dip because it is different from taco-seasoned beef queso even though both contain meat and cheese. Breakfast sausage brings a peppery, herby flavor that makes the whole dish taste distinct. I serve it with buttery crackers, toasted bread, pretzel crisps, or thick corn chips. If I know my game day table will already have several spicy dishes, I keep this one relatively mild. It gives guests a deeply savory option without making every appetizer taste like hot sauce.
8. Slow-Cooker Chili Cheese Dip
Chili cheese dip is the kind of old-school football food I never feel the need to reinvent too much. Good chili topped or mixed with smooth melted cheese becomes exactly what people want when the weather cools down and the game is on. Homemade chili works beautifully, but leftover chili is also perfect here, making this one of my favorite ways to turn yesterday’s dinner into something everyone gets excited about.
A small slow cooker is ideal because this dip is best when it stays hot. I usually set out bowls of sliced jalapeños, green onions, and diced tomatoes nearby so people can add toppings if they want them. Corn chips are especially good because their shape catches both chili and cheese, though tortilla chips work too. If you are hosting a long afternoon of football, this is one of the dips that can remain part of the spread well beyond the first quarter without losing its appeal.
9. Caramelized Onion Dip
Homemade onion dip tastes completely different from the tub many of us grew up eating. Slowly caramelizing onions turns them sweet, savory, and deeply flavorful before they are folded into a cool sour cream and cream cheese base. A little Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and chives can round everything out without covering up the onions.
This is one dip I deliberately make ahead because resting in the refrigerator gives the flavors time to settle together. It also makes hosting easier since there is nothing to bake when guests arrive. Ridged potato chips are the obvious pairing, and in this case I think they really are the best one—the salty crunch against the cool onion dip is hard to improve. Set out raw vegetables too, but make more potato chips than you think you need. They tend to vanish.
10. Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Loaded baked potato dip takes the best part of a loaded potato—the toppings—and turns it into a bowl made for sharing. Sour cream and cream cheese create the base, while sharp cheddar, crisp bacon, green onions, and black pepper provide those familiar steakhouse baked-potato flavors. I like leaving a little texture in the mixture rather than blending it completely smooth.
Thick potato chips are the natural choice for dipping, but waffle fries or roasted potato wedges make this feel even more substantial. I sometimes scatter extra cheddar, bacon, and green onions across the top just before serving so everyone immediately understands the flavor. This is also a good option for a crowd that does not love spicy food. There is plenty of bold flavor, but none of it depends on chiles or hot sauce.
11. Creamy Dill Pickle Dip
Pickle dip has earned a permanent spot on casual party tables because it hits that salty, tangy flavor people crave between richer bites. I make mine with finely chopped dill pickles folded into a creamy base along with fresh dill, a little pickle brine, garlic, and black pepper. The brine is important because it spreads pickle flavor throughout the dip instead of leaving all the work to the chopped pieces.
Potato chips are my first choice here, especially thick kettle-style chips that can handle a generous scoop. Pretzel crisps and cucumber slices are good alternatives. I also keep the dip cold until serving because the refreshing temperature is part of what makes it work beside hot queso, wings, and baked dips. It is bright, crunchy, creamy, and different enough to wake up a snack table that might otherwise become overwhelmingly cheesy.
12. Warm Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Bacon, cheddar, and ranch is one of those combinations that does not need much explanation at a football party. A creamy ranch-seasoned base gets loaded with sharp cheddar and crisp bacon, then baked until the edges bubble and the top begins to brown. Green onions add enough freshness to keep the dip from tasting one-dimensional.
This one is particularly good with pretzels because the salty, chewy crunch works beautifully against the creamy cheese. Potato chips, crackers, and raw broccoli are useful additions to the dipping platter too. I prefer using sharp cheddar rather than mild because the stronger flavor holds its own against bacon and ranch seasoning. It is uncomplicated, familiar food, and sometimes that is exactly why guests return to it again and again.
13. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Dip
When I want something rich without repeating the same bacon-and-cheddar profile, roasted garlic Parmesan dip is my answer. Roasting whole garlic cloves softens their sharpness and brings out a mellow sweetness. Mashed into cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan, the garlic creates a warm, savory dip that tastes much more complex than the ingredient list suggests.
This is especially good with toasted bread, breadsticks, pita chips, and roasted vegetables. I like finishing it with cracked black pepper and a small sprinkle of chopped parsley rather than piling on additional cheese. The flavor should stay centered on the roasted garlic. It also pairs nicely with pizza, meatballs, or Italian-style sliders if those are already on your game day menu, so the whole spread feels connected without being repetitive.
14. Hot Corn and Green Chile Dip
Corn dip brings sweetness and texture to a table dominated by creamy foods. I combine corn with green chiles, cheese, a creamy base, scallions, and enough seasoning to make every bite lively. Charring some of the corn first adds another layer of flavor and gives the dip those browned kernels that look especially good scattered over the top.
This is one of my favorite choices when I want a warm dip that still feels colorful. Lime squeezed over the finished dish keeps all that cheese from becoming too heavy, and cilantro can be added for people who enjoy it. Tortilla chips are the obvious partner. Because corn has plenty of natural texture, this dip remains interesting from the first scoop to the last instead of becoming one uniform bowl of melted cheese.
15. Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salsa Dip
Not every game day dip needs to come bubbling from the oven. A black bean and roasted corn dip gives the snack table a fresh, chunky option built around beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, lime, cilantro, and a little jalapeño. It lands somewhere between salsa and bean salad, which makes it especially good when the rest of the menu is rich.
I make this several hours ahead so the lime and seasonings have time to flavor the beans and vegetables, but I wait to add avocado until close to serving if I am using it. Scoop-shaped tortilla chips work particularly well because they catch all the small pieces instead of leaving the best ingredients at the bottom of the bowl. This is also one of the dips I am happiest to have left over; it is just as good spooned over tacos or grilled chicken the next day.
16. Creamy White Bean and Herb Dip
White bean dip is my choice when I want something creamy without automatically reaching for another block of cream cheese. Cannellini or Great Northern beans blend into a surprisingly smooth base with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs. Rosemary gives it a cozy flavor, while parsley or chives keep the finished dip bright.
I serve this with toasted pita, crackers, cucumbers, carrots, and bell pepper strips. It is lighter in texture than queso but still satisfying, and it gives vegetarian guests something substantial to scoop. A swirl of olive oil over the top makes it look finished with almost no effort. On a crowded game day table, I appreciate having one dip that provides a break from melted cheese without feeling like an obligatory “healthy option.”
17. Creamy Guacamole
A game day spread without guacamole always feels like it is missing something. I keep mine fairly traditional because ripe avocado does not need much help: lime, salt, finely chopped onion, cilantro, and jalapeño are enough. Tomato is optional, but if I use it, I remove some of the watery seeds so the guacamole stays thick rather than becoming loose.
The biggest difference between good and forgettable guacamole is the avocado. I wait until they yield gently when pressed, then mash them so some chunks remain. Completely smooth guacamole loses part of the texture I love. Serve it immediately with tortilla chips, or press a protective cover directly against the surface if it needs to wait. When there is queso and salsa on the same table, guests inevitably start combining all three on one chip—which I consider a sign that the snack spread is working.
18. Fresh Pico de Gallo Dip
Pico de gallo may be simple, but it is one of the smartest things to put beside rich game day food. Fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and salt create a crisp dip that tastes refreshing after wings, sliders, or cheesy appetizers. I chop everything small enough that one chip can pick up several ingredients at once.
The key is draining off excessive tomato liquid before the bowl reaches the table. Otherwise, the mixture can become watery as it sits. I also taste it again just before serving because tomatoes often need another pinch of salt or squeeze of lime after resting. Pico is excellent on its own, but it doubles as a topping for nachos, chili, tacos, and queso, which makes it one of the most useful bowls on the entire game day table.
19. Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Dip
For a bean dip with more depth, I blend black beans with smoky chipotle peppers, lime, garlic, cumin, and enough liquid to create a thick, scoopable consistency. The flavor is earthy and spicy rather than simply hot, which helps this dip stand apart from Buffalo sauce and jalapeño-based appetizers.
A little cheese can be melted over the top if I want to serve it warm, but I also like it without cheese. Finish it with chopped tomato, cilantro, or a spoonful of sour cream to contrast with the dark beans. Tortilla chips are ideal, although mini peppers make surprisingly good edible scoops. This is inexpensive, filling, and easy to make in a large batch, three qualities I always appreciate when the guest list suddenly grows.
20. Maryland-Style Hot Crab Dip
Hot crab dip is the dip I choose when I want the game day spread to feel a little special without turning it into a formal party. Sweet crabmeat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, lemon, and seafood seasoning create a rich baked dip with enough savory flavor to stand out among more everyday snacks.
Because crab is the star, I avoid overwhelming it with too many additions. A little lemon and seasoning should sharpen the flavor rather than bury it. Toasted baguette slices, crackers, and celery are all good choices for serving. This one costs more than bean dip or onion dip, so I usually make a smaller dish and place it among several other appetizers. Guests tend to notice it immediately, and a modest pan can disappear surprisingly quickly.
21. Philly Cheesesteak Dip
Philly cheesesteak dip is ideal when I want the appetizer table to include something hearty enough for the hungriest football fans. Chopped beef, sautéed onions, peppers, and melted cheese turn the sandwich flavors into a hot, scoopable dip. Cream cheese can provide structure, but I keep enough beef and vegetables in the mixture that it does not become simply another cream-cheese appetizer.
Toasted baguette slices are the best dippers because they mimic the bread in a cheesesteak and are strong enough to carry a heavy scoop. I cook the onions and peppers until tender before assembling the dip so no one gets a crunchy chunk of undercooked vegetable. This is especially useful for an evening game when people expect the snack table to replace dinner. It is rich, filling, and substantial without requiring everyone to sit down with plates and forks.
22. French Onion and Gruyère Baked Dip
This dip takes the caramelized sweetness of French onion soup and gives it game day treatment. Deeply browned onions are mixed with a creamy base, topped with nutty Gruyère, and baked until the cheese melts into a golden layer. Thyme adds a subtle savory note that makes the dip taste more sophisticated without making it unfamiliar.
I serve this almost exclusively with toasted baguette rounds because they recreate that bread-and-cheese combination from French onion soup. The onions take time, but they can be cooked a day ahead, which makes the final assembly easy. This is a great dip to include when several other dishes use cheddar, pepper jack, or processed melting cheese. Gruyère gives the spread a completely different flavor while still delivering the warm, cheesy comfort everyone expects on game day.
23. Cool Ranch Veggie Dip
Every game day table benefits from one dip that is cold, crunchy, and uncomplicated. Homemade ranch veggie dip fills that role perfectly. Sour cream or Greek yogurt combined with dill, parsley, chives, garlic, onion, and black pepper creates a fresh ranch flavor that is more interesting than simply pouring bottled dressing into a bowl.
I surround it with carrots, celery, cucumbers, mini peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and a pile of ridged potato chips because I know the chips will end up in it too. Keeping this dip cold gives guests a welcome contrast to baked appetizers. It is also easy to make the night before, and the flavor actually improves after the herbs and seasonings have had time to mingle. Sometimes the simplest bowl on the table ends up being one of the first that needs a refill.
24. Muffuletta Olive Dip
For something salty and bold, I like turning the flavors of a muffuletta sandwich into a chunky dip. Chopped green and black olives, roasted peppers, giardiniera, salami, cheese, and a creamy base create something that feels halfway between an antipasto platter and a party dip. Every bite has a slightly different combination, which is part of the fun.
This is not a dip that needs to be served in an enormous bowl because its flavors are concentrated. Crackers, crostini, and toasted baguette slices are the best partners. I chop the olives and meats finely enough to scoop easily but leave enough texture that guests can recognize what they are eating. If your game day spread already has plenty of Mexican-inspired and Buffalo-style flavors, this gives the table a welcome Italian-American direction.
25. S’mores Dessert Dip
After an afternoon of salty chips and spicy appetizers, I like surprising everyone with one sweet dip. S’mores dip is particularly good for game day because it is warm, casual, and meant to be shared. Melted chocolate topped with toasted marshmallows creates the familiar campfire combination without requiring anyone to stand outside holding a roasting stick.
Graham crackers are essential, but strawberries, pretzels, apple slices, and plain cookies are fun additions to the platter. The salty pretzels with chocolate and marshmallow are usually my favorite combination. I bring this out later rather than placing it beside the savory dips at kickoff. By the time everyone thinks they cannot possibly eat anything else, a skillet of bubbling chocolate and toasted marshmallows has a funny way of proving them wrong.
FAQs About Game Day Dips
How many dips should I serve for a game day party?
For a smaller gathering, I usually think two or three dips are plenty, especially if you are also serving wings, sliders, pizza, or other substantial appetizers. For a larger party, four or five dips give guests more variety. Instead of making five creamy cheese dips, I would choose different styles—for example, Buffalo chicken, guacamole, caramelized onion, black bean and corn salsa, and a hot queso.
The variety matters more than the number. Think about temperature, texture, spice level, and what each dip is served with. A hot meat-and-cheese dip, a cold creamy dip, and a fresh salsa-style dip can make a small spread feel much more complete than three similar baked dips.
What are the best dips to make ahead?
Cold dips are generally the easiest to prepare ahead. Caramelized onion dip, ranch dip, pickle dip, white bean dip, and many layered dips can be prepared several hours or a day before serving. In fact, onion- and herb-based dips often taste better after resting because the flavors have time to develop.
Many hot dips can also be assembled ahead and baked shortly before kickoff. Spinach artichoke, Buffalo chicken, jalapeño popper, pizza, and French onion dips are good examples. I usually add crunchy toppings shortly before baking so they do not absorb moisture while sitting in the refrigerator.
What dip is best for a large football crowd?
For a big crowd, I lean toward Buffalo chicken dip, beef queso, chili cheese dip, seven-layer dip, or spinach artichoke dip. They use familiar flavors and can easily be increased to fill a larger baking dish or slow cooker.
I also like pairing one substantial hot dip with a less expensive option such as black bean dip, pico de gallo, or ranch dip. That way, I am not trying to make an enormous quantity of meat-and-cheese dip to feed everyone. Multiple choices spread the crowd around the table and give people different things to snack on throughout the game.
How do I keep hot dips warm during the game?
A small slow cooker is one of my favorite game day tools. Queso, chili cheese dip, Buffalo chicken dip, and other creamy hot dips can usually be kept warm on an appropriate low or warm setting rather than reheated repeatedly. For baked dips, I prefer putting out a reasonable portion and replenishing it rather than leaving a huge pan sitting at room temperature for the entire game.
Whatever method you choose, follow normal food-safety guidance for perishable foods and the directions for your appliance. If the party will last for hours, do not assume a creamy or meat-based dip can simply stay on the coffee table from kickoff through the final whistle.
What should I serve with game day dips?
I like offering at least two kinds of dippers whenever possible. Tortilla chips work with queso, Buffalo chicken dip, guacamole, taco dip, corn dip, and bean dip. Ridged potato chips are excellent with onion, pickle, ranch, and loaded potato dips. Crackers and pretzel crisps work particularly well with thick cheese-based dips.
Bread gives you another category entirely. Crostini and toasted baguette slices are ideal for spinach artichoke, crab, cheesesteak, French onion, pizza, and white bean dips. Carrots, celery, cucumbers, mini peppers, broccoli, and snap peas add crunch and help balance the heavier choices.
How can I stop tortilla chips from breaking in thick dips?
Choose thick restaurant-style tortilla chips or scoop-shaped chips for heavy dips. Thin chips are fine for salsa and guacamole, but they struggle with dense Buffalo chicken, beef queso, seven-layer, or cheesesteak dips.
It also helps to pay attention to the consistency of the dip itself. Queso should remain fluid enough to scoop, while refrigerated cream-cheese dips may need a little time to soften before serving. Nobody wants to lose half a chip in the bowl and spend the next thirty seconds trying to rescue it.
Can I make a game day dip spread without making everything spicy?
Absolutely. Game day food does not have to mean adding jalapeños and hot sauce to everything. Caramelized onion, loaded baked potato, ranch, roasted garlic Parmesan, spinach artichoke, French onion Gruyère, and white bean herb dip all deliver plenty of flavor without relying on heat.
When I have a mixed crowd, I usually make one clearly spicy dip and keep the rest mild to medium. Hot sauce and sliced jalapeños can always be placed on the side. That gives heat lovers a way to customize their plates without making the entire menu difficult for children or spice-sensitive guests.
Which dips work best in a slow cooker?
Queso, chili cheese dip, Buffalo chicken dip, sausage cheese dip, and some spinach artichoke dips are especially well suited to a small slow cooker. The gentle heat helps keep melted cheese soft and makes it easier to serve a dip over several hours.
I still stir occasionally and follow the recipe and appliance instructions rather than assuming every dip should stay on high heat indefinitely. For dips with crisp breadcrumb toppings or browned cheese crusts, I prefer the oven because those textures are difficult to reproduce in a slow cooker.
How much dip should I make per person?
It depends on how many other foods you are serving. If dips are only one part of a large spread with wings, sliders, nachos, and other appetizers, guests will naturally eat less of each individual dip. If dips are the main attraction, plan more generously.
I would rather make several moderately sized dips than one enormous pan of a single flavor. Game day snacking lasts a long time, and people enjoy changing what they are eating as the afternoon goes on. Smaller bowls also make it easier to replenish cold dips and keep the table looking fresh.
How do I build a balanced game day dip table?
I start with one big hot crowd-pleaser such as Buffalo chicken dip or queso. Then I add a cold creamy choice such as onion, ranch, or pickle dip and something fresh like guacamole, pico de gallo, or black bean corn salsa. If the party is large, I add another substantial hot dip and possibly a sweet option later.
I use the same thinking with the dippers. Chips are essential, but adding pretzels, crackers, bread, and vegetables prevents every plate from looking exactly the same. It also means one forgotten bag of tortilla chips does not bring the whole snack table to a halt.
Final Thoughts
The best game day dips are not necessarily the fanciest ones. They are the bowls people recognize from across the room, taste once, and somehow find themselves standing beside again ten minutes later. Buffalo chicken dip, queso, spinach artichoke, onion dip, seven-layer dip, and guacamole have lasted because they fit the way people actually eat during a game: casually, repeatedly, and usually while talking to someone instead of sitting formally at a table.
If I were putting together a spread from this list, I would resist the urge to make every dip. I would choose three or four that contrast with one another—maybe hot Buffalo chicken, cool caramelized onion, fresh guacamole, and loaded beef queso—then surround them with really good dippers. Add plenty of napkins, keep backup chips hidden in the pantry, and you have the kind of game day snack table people will remember long after everyone has forgotten what you originally planned to serve for dinner.
