90+ Game Day Recipes

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Whether you are ready for some football or just the football snacks, tailgate food might just be the best part of the game! Get ready to enjoy these game day recipes whether you are tailgating at the stadium or watching the big game on TV with family and friends!

Collage of nachos, pizza, chicken fingers, chili, deviled eggs, and a 7-layer dip.

Best Game Day Recipes – Your Favorite Tailgate Food Ideas

What game day recipes do you enjoy the most? For some, tailgating is all about their favorite football snacks and appetizers, especially if they are at the stadium. Those watching their favorite teams play in the big game on television might prefer hearty comfort food. The options are endless.

Whatever you like, you’ll find nearly 100 delicious game day recipes to give you some new tailgate menu ideas. Check them out…

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Key to finding gluten free recipes:

GF – gluten free recipe
GFO – recipe with gluten free option

Hot Dip Recipes

For some people, tailgate food is all about the dips. Hot and cheesy dips are totally indulgent whether you scoop up that gooey goodness with bread, tortilla chips, or vegetables while watching the game.

Fingers holding a chip in a baking dish of barbecue chicken dip loaded with bacon and tomatoes on top.

BBQ Chicken Dip

This game day recipe is loaded with chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce, then topped with bacon and tomatoes. It’s easy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping tortilla chips, crackers, and even veggies.
GF
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A waffle fry being used to scoop up all of the layers of the hot dip.

Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

Just like the classic seven-layer dip, only instead of Mexican ingredients, it has all of your favorite burger toppings. Get ready to dip everything from burger buns or waffle fries to tortilla chips or bell peppers.
GF
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Hot turkey and cheese dip with bacon in a pale yellow casserole dish being scooped up with a knife

Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

Based on the classic sandwich, you can now enjoy it as a melty snack loaded with turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and, of course, plenty of cheese.
GF
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A spoon dipped in cheese sauce.

Easy Cheese Dip

Creamy and full of cheddar cheese flavor, this quick and easy homemade cheese sauce is made for dipping and pouring over just about everything.
GF
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Jambalaya Dip

Cheesy Hot Jambalaya Dip

The classic New Orleans dish is transformed into a cheesy game day snack or Mardi Gras appetizer. It’s loaded with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and Cajun spice. And let’s not forget all the cheese. It’s the perfect warm dip for snacking.
GF
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A hand dipping a tortilla chip into layered Mexican dip.

Cheesy Mexican Dip

Just layer 4 ingredients and bake until hot and melty. Then rip open that bag of tortilla chips and get ready to scoop up ooey gooey layers of cheese and salsa and more cheese and more salsa.
GF
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A pan of pork roll and cheese dip with a bowl of bagel chips in the background.

Hot Pork Roll and Cheese Dip

The New Jersey Diner classic becomes a fun party appetizer in this cheesy dip recipe. It's really fun to scoop up with bagel chips.
GF
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More Hot Dip Recipes

Cold Dip Recipes

Now maybe you want to go with something cooler and fresher, especially if you are snacking on that veggie platter. Or you’ve just opened a bag of potato chips. These are all easy to stir together and even transport in a cooler.

Bacon Blue Cheese Buffalo Dip on a platter with tortilla chips, carrots, and celery

Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip

Greek yogurt, blue cheese crumbles, and crispy bacon, are combined with just enough hot sauce to spice things up. It’s a perfect cold dip for tortilla chips or veggies as a party appetizer that everyone will love.
GF
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A closeup of a small white bowl of tzatziki sauce.

Tzatziki Dip

Stir together these six ingredients and dig in right away, or make it ahead and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours for the flavors to fully develop. If you need something lighter for your tailgate food spread, this is the perfect option.
GF
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A marble bowl holds creamy easy guacamole and tomatoes.

Easy Guacamole

Super simple to make because you don't have to chop onions and jalapeno peppers that turn off some tastebuds. It has only 6 ingredients, isn’t too spicy (unless you want it to be), and it still tastes super yummy.
GF
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A white bowl of honey mustard dipping sauce.

Healthy Honey Mustard Dip

You only need to stir together three ingredients and you’ll be ready to add it to a veggie platter for snacking. Super easy football food that's also great for pretzels, chicken nuggets, and more.
GF
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A square white bowl is full of colorful mango avocado salsa.

Mango Avocado Salsa

Sweet and tangy, with just a hint of spice, this quick and easy fruit salsa is colorful and flavorful. There isn’t much more to it than chopping, mixing, and squeezing a lime.
GF
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Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip with veggies on a plate on top of a stack of colorful napkins.

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

A simple, healthier version of a favorite that only requires basic ingredients you always have on-hand. Use it for veggies, wings, and so much more.
GF
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jar of avocado crema on a slate counter surrounded by an avocado, limes and a bunch of cilantro

Avocado Lime Crema

A creamy alternative to guac, it’s smooth with the perfect zing of lime. Besides topping tacos and nachos, it’s perfect to set out for dipping chips or as something different than your usual dips for veggies. 
GF
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More Cold Dip Recipes

Finger Foods

If you want to keep your hands free to grab the remote, cheer, or hold on to your favorite beverage, finger foods are the way to go for game day snacks. No fumbling with plates, bowls, forks, and spoons.

Gluten free pretzel bites on a plate next to cheese sauce.

Gluten Free Pretzel Nuggets

Enjoy batches of these fluffy and chewy, buttery soft pretzel nuggets as a perfect game day snack. An easy recipe that’s great for dipping in your favorite sauces, like that cheese sauce above.
GF
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Blue Cheese Bacon Wrapped Dates

Stuffed with blue cheese and rolled in a honey lime sriracha glaze before being baked to crispy, gooey perfection, this might be your new favorite tailgate food. 
GF
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A white serving dish of Italian stuffed mushrooms topped with melted mozzarella cheese on a red and white cloth napkin.

Bolognese Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms might not be one of the traditional game day recipes, but when they are stuffed with a hearty meat sauce and cheese, they deserve a place on the list of the best football snacks.
GF
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Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

Buffalo Deviled Eggs

Give a classic party appetizer a spicy twist and bring these to your next football party or tailgate. This healthy deviled egg recipe is made lighter with Greek yogurt, but it still packs a flavor punch with plenty of hot sauce. 
GF
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Air fryer gluten free pizza rolls on a white plate, garnished with basil leaves.

Air Fryer Gluten Free Pizza Rolls

Enjoy this crispy and cheesy snack made with homemade dough stuffed with mozzarella and marinara, and air-fried to a golden perfection. Customize with your preferred pizza toppings.
GF
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A terra cotta dish of steak bites with lime wedges on a striped cloth napkin.

Chili Lime Steak Bites

This easy recipe packs plenty of spicy and zesty flavor into tender pieces of sirloin steak. With only a handful of ingredients and in less than fifteen minutes, you can have a snack that is a fiesta for your taste buds.
GF
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spinach artichoke cauliflower breadsticks stacked on a plate

Spinach Artichoke Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks

This version of a favorite keto appetizer tastes like your favorite gooey hot spinach artichoke dip. Put a new spin on breadsticks, but don’t forget the marinara sauce for dipping
GF
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Chef Salad on a Stick appetizers on a wooden platter with a bowl of honey mustard.

Chef Salad on a Stick

Since everything is more fun when stuck on a toothpick, just take the meats, cheeses and a few veggies from a classic Chef's Salad and skewer them. Perfect for a party when you pair it with your favorite dressing or dip. 
GF
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Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites piled around a bowl of tomato sauce.

Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites

An easy appetizer with spinach, artichoke hearts, quinoa, and three kinds of cheese. These crispy and tasty little bites are so good, nobody will cake that their football snacks are healthy too.
GF
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Looking down at Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites piled on a blue plate.

Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites

Skip the chicken for come cauliflower "wings". So crispy and covered in an Asian-inspired sweet and spicy bang bang sauce recipe that is lightened up with Greek yogurt.
GF
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Crispy gluten free air fryer onion rings on a rectangular wooden serving tray.

Air Fryer Onion Rings

Savor the crunch of this all-time favorite made easy and less oily air fryer recipe. The sweet and tender onions with a crispy gluten free coating will be a hit with family and friends.
GF
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A serving plate of Spinach Feta Appetizer Pinwheels.

Spinach Feta Pinwheels

As pretty as they are packed with delicious flavors, you’ll be sure to impress family and friends with this classic party snack transformed into a keto appetizer with magic mozzarella dough. 
GF
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A miniature bowl with three dates stuffed with cream cheese and three pistachios in each of them.

Pistachio Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates

An easy salty sweet snack with only three ingredients. Whip them up in no time to add to party platters or charcuterie boards.
GF
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Chicken pinwheel sandwiches with veggies on a cutting board.

Mediterranean Chicken Pinwheels

Just a few ingredients and some rotisserie chicken from the grocery store pack a burst of Greek-inspired flavors into this fun and easy finger food. Definitely make a double batch.
GFO if made with gluten free tortillas or wraps.
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Overhead view of gluten-free garlic knots stacked on a plate next to a bowl of marinara sauce.

Gluten Free Garlic Knots

You'll love these delectable bites with a soft, fluffy texture, and a delightful garlicky parmesan butter topping that rivals those from your beloved pizzeria.
GF
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A buffalo chicken summer roll cut in half on a plate with whole rolls piled on a green platter.

Buffalo Chicken Summer Rolls

A spicy twist on traditional rice paper rolls that make a fun appetizer or light dinner recipe. Don't forget the blue cheese dip to dunk them in.
GF
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More Finger Foods

Chili Recipes

Maybe football season means chili season to you. Make a hearty beef chili, a tasty chicken chili, or even a veggies chili then set out your favorite toppings so everyone can serve themselves during the game.

white bowl of beef chili with beans topped with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream

World’s Best Chili

Fully loaded with ground beef, stew meat, bacon, and beans, let it simmer all day on the stovetop then get ready to enjoy a bowl with all of your favorite toppings and fixings. The best part is that it makes enough to feed a crowd of football fans.
GF
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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili topped with shredded cheese and sour cream in a blue bowl, with bowls of toppings in the background.

Pineapple Black Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Hearty comfort food that will satisfy a hungry crowd, and you can make it ahead so it's ready in time for kickoff. The perfect blend of sweet heat will surprise your tastebuds. 
GF
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Low Carb Chili without Beans in a crock with bowls of cheese and sour cream for topping

No-Bean Chili

Whether you are cutting carbs, don't like beans, or want something to spoon over a hot dog, this is the chili recipe for you. And you can make it in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.
GF
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white chicken chili in a blue bowl with cilantro, jalapeno slices, and tortilla chips on top

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Hearty, creamy, and delicious, this cozy comfort food that will warm you up during the coldest games. Made with simple ingredients, your pressure cooker gives you slow-cooked taste with little time and effort.
GF
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Slow cooker Aloha chili in a bowl topped with sour cream.

Slow Cooker Aloha Chili

A delicious combination of sweet heat and meaty bites of beef, beans and tomatoes. Blended together with surprising bursts of juicy, sweet pineapple, this Hawaiian-style crockpot chili is perfect for potlucks.
GF
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More Chili Recipes

Wings, Bites, Tenders, and Drumsticks

Don’t be chicken! Tailgating food often means wings and legs, and maybe even a chicken tender or two. Go classic with buffalo or barbecue, or change it up with new flavors.

Overhead view of gluten-free KFC popcorn chicken in a metal platter next to a ramekin of BBQ sauce.

Gluten Free Popcorn Chicken

For a crowd-pleaser that's both fun and easy, savor these irresistibly juicy, crispy, and golden bites as part of your tailgate party spread.
GF
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A small white dish of buffalo chicken bites with two toothpicks and celery and carrot sticks.

Buffalo Chicken Bites

Spice up your game day tailgate with this crowd-pleasing appetizer that pairs perfectly with ranch, carrots, and celery. All the wing flavor you crave in easy and fun little boneless bites.
GF
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Close-up of grilled chicken legs

Tandoori Chicken Legs

A simple marinade made with coconut milk and a blend of savory spices gives these juicy and mouthwatering drumsticks unbelievable Indian-inspired flavor. They will disappear as soon as you set them on the table.
GF
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Six Pieces of Fried Chicken in a Serving Bowl Lined with Parchment Paper

Gluten Free Air Fryer Fried Chicken

This easy recipe is better than ever because the air fryer makes it crispy, flavorful, and cooked to juicy perfection with way less oil and mess.
GF
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Buffalo chicken tenders are served with a bowl of dipping sauce.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Forget wings, you only need four ingredients and and a few short minutes to make this twist on a tailgate recipe. You’ll soon be licking your fingers and your lips with these easy spicy chicken tenders.
GF
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A hand dipping a crispy chicken tender into a small bowl of ketchup, on a plate surrounded by more baked chicken tenders.

Baked Chicken Fingers

These homemade breaded chicken tenders are perfectly crispy and tasty. Just get your favorite sauces, like Bourbon BBQ Sauce or Honey BBQ Sauce, ready for dipping.
GF
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Final cooked dish on a serving platter

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pesto Chicken Tenders

With only three ingredients, you can pop them in the oven or air fryer for a quick snack. Serve them on a platter with a selection of your favorite dipping sauces like Balsamic Ketchup as you share appetizers with friends.
GF
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Juicy citrus marinated chicken drumsticks on a platter with glasses of wine in the background.

Orange Saffron Chicken Legs

Bring something new and exciting to the tailgate. An easy marinade with exotic citrus flavors infuses juicy drumsticks that you can toss on the grill or in your oven.
GF
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More Chicken Recipes

Meatballs, Sandwiches, and Sliders

Another favorite tailgate food is anything meaty you can pick up with your hands or stick a toothpick in, like sandwiches, sliders, or meatballs.

Close up of a gluten-free ham and cheese slider on a green plate.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These little sandwiches are always a game day favorite because you can make a big pan and have enough for everybody to grab one. You'll love the combination of salty ham, zingy mustard, gooey cheese, and buttery goodness.
GFO when made with Gluten Free Hawaiian Rolls
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Baked BBQ Turkey Meatballs

BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Bring something new and exciting to the tailgate. An easy marinade with exotic citrus flavors infuses juicy drumsticks that you can toss on the grill or in your oven.
GFO if made with gluten free breadcrumbs or cornmeal
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A row of Thai Sliders on a wooden platter

Thai-Style Sliders

A few surprising ingredients make these mini burgers juicy and flavorful. You can even make lettuce wraps for a low carb option. But don’t forget to add a little kick by topping them with a simple sriracha lime cream.
GFO if made with gluten free slider rolls.
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General Tso's Chicken Meatballs served over zoodles and steamed broccoli.

General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs

These are a nod to Chinese takeout, and while they are great for dinner, they also make fun game day snacks. These meatballs are made from lean ground chicken breast, then coated in a homemade version of the familiar sticky, sweet and savory sauce with a little hint of heat.
GFO if made with gluten free breadcrumbs or cornmeal
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Buffalo chicken sandwich on a plate with blue cheese.

Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

If you love hot wings, this is a great way to get that spicy flavor you love. Put out all the fixings so people can pile it on rolls or even into lettuce wraps for a low carb option.
GFO if served on gluten free rolls or another option
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Meatballs in sweet potato cups on a platter.

BBQ Meatball Sweet Potato Bites

A fun and easy appetizer or game day snack recipe that will have the crowd cheering. Use frozen meatballs and nestle them into cheesy little cups that are crispy outside and soft inside.
GFO if made with gluten free frozen meatballs
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Crispy Hot Dog Taquitos drizzled with sour cream and lined up on a wooden platter.

Cheesy Hot Dog Taquitos

While not exactly a sandwich, these do make fun tailgate food. Wrapped in corn tortillas with cheddar cheese, then baked in the oven or air fryer, these Tex Mex franks are always a favorite dipped in salsa or guacamole.
GF
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More Meatballs, Sandwiches, and Sliders

Loaded Fries and Nachos

We can’t forget nachos and loaded fries. Chips or fries piled with your favorite toppings make for the ultimate game day snack experience.

Sheet pan chicken nachos with bowls of toppings on the side

Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

Start with super simple slow cooker Mexican chicken, then add layers of chips, toppings, and plenty of cheese. Pop it in the oven and serve with your favorite fixings!
GF
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Skillet filled with buffalo chicken fries.

Buffalo Chicken Loaded Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Loaded baked sweet potato fries covered in spicy chicken and blue cheese are the perfect addition to your Big Game menu. With the classic hot and spicy flavor of your favorite wings in an ooey gooey pile of cheesy goodness, they are impossible to resist.
GF
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Barbeque chicken nachos cooked on a baking sheet on top of a striped cloth napkin.

Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos

A saucy way to combine two favorites into one family-friendly easy dinner recipe or a party appetizer to share with friends. And the best part is that they are so fast to make. Start with grocery store rotisserie chicken, pile on the sauce and cheese, then pop them in the oven. 
GF
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french fries on a parchment lined baking sheet sprinkled with parmesan cheese and parsley

Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Fries

Take game day food to the next level with this dish that tastes high-end but is so fun for snacking. Perfectly crispy and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, you won't be able to keep your hands off of them.
GF
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black bean bell pepper nachos with melted cheese on a sheet pan sitting on a cooling rack

Bell Pepper Nachos

You can enjoy a fun party appetizer and still pack in plenty of veggies when you snack on a sheet pan full of these nachos. Load mini bell peppers with seasoned black beans, plenty of cheese, and your favorite toppings and dips
GF
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Pulled Pork Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

BBQ Pulled Pork Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

Baked sweet potato fries are topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and melted cheese, plus a nice scoop of coleslaw. It’s fun and easy to turn your favorite BBQ meal into delicious football food like nothing you’ve ever had before.
GF
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More Loaded Fries and Nachos

Pizza

And it isn’t a football party without pizza. Skip delivery and make your own so you can customize your game day food.

Gluten Free Cheese Pizza

This is the best pizza dough recipe. It makes a nice, sturdy crust that is perfect for just sauce and cheese, or to pile it up with your favorite toppings.
GF
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A sliced supreme pizza on a cutting board.

Supreme Pizza

Forget the chain pizza places and make the ultimate homemade pizza recipe! Topped with your favorite pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, veggies and two types of cheese, this one has it all.
GFO if made with the gluten free pizza dough from the cheese pizza recipe above
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sliced hawaiian pizza with a spatula pulling on slice away

Hawaiian Pizza

The sweet and salty combination of pineapple and ham, of course paired with plenty of mozzarella cheese, is nearly impossible to resist. Give it a sprinkle of smoky bacon to really put those flavors over the top.
GFO if made with the gluten free pizza dough from the cheese pizza recipe above
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hand using a spatula to get a slice of pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza

The easy way to enjoy a restaurant favorite at home. Cover your crust with barbecue sauce, shredded chicken, three kinds of cheese, and more. You won’t be able to stop at one slice.
GFO if made with the gluten free pizza dough from the cheese pizza recipe above
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Top view of a gluten free pepperoni pizza cut into slices on a wooden cutting board.

Gluten Free Pepperoni Pizza

Enjoy loads of melty mozzarella and spicy pepperoni on this classic favorite that's especially yummy on game day.
GFO if made with the gluten free pizza dough from the cheese pizza recipe above
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17 Comments
  8. Kirsten
    Reply

    Spinach Parm White Bean Dip sounds amazing and can’t wait to try. Huge Sunday Funday football ball, Go Bears & Go KitchenAid. Having that gorgeous orange mixer would definitely make Sunday snack making not only easier but a lot more fun as well. Thanks for all the great recipes.

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Welcome to Cupcakes & Kale Chips, where I share gluten free recipes & kid-tested family favorites!

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