Food might be the most important detail on game day. You need food with big flavor to keep you and your guests fueled. The only problem? Most game day recipes are loaded with enough conventional dairy, gluten and sugar to make you fall asleep.
These paleo game day food ideas are the perfect solution: With cleaner ingredients, you’ll have enough energy to cheer on your team without sacrificing delicious flavor. Whether you serve appetizers, main dishes, or treats, you’ll want to make this game day food for your crew all season long.
Related: 21 Air Fryer Recipes for All Your Fried Food Cravings
Game day food: Appetizers and small bites
Crispy Paleo Tostones With Guacamole
If you must fry, upgrade your technique with higher-quality fats and clean-burning starches. This tostones recipe is the perfect game day food with satisfying starchy plantains fried in fats like avocado oil or ghee. Dip in rich Bulletproof guacamole for crispy, creamy satisfaction.
Whole30 Bacon Enchilada Jalapeño Poppers
Image via Physical Kitchness
No cream cheese, no problem: These zesty bites get their creamy center from soaked cashews and a spicy enchilada sauce. Some people are more sensitive than others to nightshades like peppers, so avoid them if they make you achy or foggy. To make this game day food Bulletproof, use pasture-raised bacon and avoid eating the onions in your enchilada sauce too often.
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Image via Wholesome Yum
Cauliflower makes the perfect fiber-packed alternative to chicken in this meatless hot wing recipe. Shake up your florets with almond flour and seasonings, then bake and toss in a buttery hot sauce coating for super satisfying and vegetarian game day food. Use grass-fed butter or ghee, skip the garlic and use a hot sauce made with apple cider vinegar to keep it more Bulletproof.
Chocolate-Covered Bacon
This sweet and savory finger food is perfect for game day and requires only a few ingredients. Dip your chewy bacon slices in rich melted dark chocolate, at least 78% cacao or higher, for an unexpectedly elegant appetizer.
Paleo Snack Mix
Image via Miss Information
Every party needs a party mix — and this recipe makes an easy, paleo-friendly game day food. Toss assorted nuts and chocolate chips together, and in just minutes you’re ready to get your snack on. Skip the dried fruit, use raw nuts (and avoid enjoying them too often) and use chocolate with at least 78% cacao to stay Bulletproof.
Spinach Empanadas
This perfectly handheld pies wrap a creamy dairy-free spinach filling in a crisp almond flour dough. Remember to steam spinach, and avoid using alternative cream cheese, onions and garlic too often to stay Bulletproof.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Image via Paleoish Krista
These crisp and salty fries use the low-temperature power of the air fryer to create a perfectly crispy coating. Dredge your zucchini wedges in a seasoned coconut flour blend, and after 15 minutes they transform into a crispy, salty treat. If you want to make this game day food more Bulletproof, just skip the nutritional yeast and use turmeric or herbs in place of garlic and onion powder.
Bacon-Avocado Caesar Deviled Eggs
This make-ahead game day food upgrades your typical deviled eggs with a creamy avocado filling and chunks of crisp bacon. This recipe is easy to scale up for a crowd of hungry fans.
Bacon Wrapped Avocado Fries
Image via Kirbie’s Cravings
The only thing better than avocado is avocado wrapped in bacon. This game day food keeps it simple with a two-ingredient recipe that yields the perfect balance of saltiness and crunch. To keep it more Bulletproof, pre-cook your own pasture-raised bacon for this recipe.
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Toast
Image via The Real Food Dietitians
These toasts make a delicious game day food — you can prep them ahead of time and use more sweet potatoes if you need to feed a large group. Just bake a batch of sweet potato slices in the oven, then pop them in the toaster when you’re ready to serve. Lay out a full spread of toppings for people to build their own toasts. We’re fans of guac on everything, but you can make this appetizer savory or sweet. Try topping with berries and raw almond butter, or Cilantro Lime Dip and radish slices. Yum!
Garlic Dill Sweet Potato Wedges
Image via PaleOMG
Soaking the wedges in water before baking ensures they get crispy on the outside, but stay soft on the inside. They’re tossed in melted duck fat and seasoning, then finished with fragrant and flavorful fresh dill. To keep this finger food more Bulletproof, avoid eating garlic often. If you don’t have melted duck fat, toss your fries in avocado oil, coconut oil or Grass-Fed Ghee.
Sweet Potato Skins with Rosemary Ground Beef and Avocado
A classic happy hour appetizer just got a major upgrade. Roasted sweet potato skins are stuffed with grass-fed beef, fragrant rosemary and creamy avocado for a simple, yet satisfying finger food. Note: You’ll want to scale up this recipe to feed a crowd.
Paleo Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips
These zucchini chips are savory, crunchy and infinitely snackable. For the thinnest, crispiest slices, use a mandolin or your sharpest chef’s knife.
Keto Bacon and Zucchini Muffins
Delight your guests with these flavorful muffins that pack grated zucchini into each bite. Go ahead and prep them ahead of time: They keep well in the fridge.
Game day food: Breads
Paleo Flatbread With Artichoke Dip
This restaurant-style flatbread uses a grain-free base and gets topped with a creamy hot artichoke dip, all topped with crispy spiralized sweet potato. With anti-inflammatory seasonings like turmeric mixed in, this take on flatbread won’t make you crash.
Paleo Cornbread Minus the Corn
Image via Our Paleo Life
This paleo and keto-friendly cornbread tastes similar to the real thing, thanks to sweetness from honey and a base of almond and coconut flours. To make this game day food more Bulletproof, use raw honey and full-fat canned coconut milk.
Garlicky Paleo Bread Sticks
Make these crispy bread sticks and pair them with your favorite dips like guacamole, melted butter or a homemade aioli — or eat all on their own for total bready satisfaction.
Paleo Coconut Flour Bread
This simple, yet satisfying grain-free bread is the perfect vessel for toast and charcuterie spreads like this Keto Snack Plate. Use a smaller loaf pan if you want sandwich-sized slices, as this paleo bread won’t rise much.
Game day food: Dips
AIP Cauliflower Dip
Image via Healing Autoimmune
Here’s further proof that cauliflower can do anything. In this recipe, tender roasted florets blend with lemon juice and salt for a creamy dip that goes with all your favorites. Make this one more Bulletproof and roast your cauliflower in ghee instead of olive oil (or steam it), plus avoid eating garlic too often.
No Bake BLT Dip
Image via Healthful Pursuit
This dip gets some sneaky upgrades: It uses soaked cashews to create a creamy consistency, and grass-fed Collagen Protein for an extra boost of protein. Mix it all with crisp bacon crumbles and top with lettuce and tomato for a delicious dip with no oven needed. Make this game day food Bulletproof and use pastured bacon and raw cashews, plus avoid having garlic, onions and pepper too often.
Low Carb Guacamole
Image via Life Made Keto
This iconic dip is the perfect blend of flavor and texture: Creamy avocado blends with salt, cilantro and lime juice for a tart and tangy dip. To keep it Bulletproof, omit the onions (and skip the peppers if you’re sensitive to nightshades).
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Image via Paleo Running Momma
This recipe is oh-so-easy to make, especially with leftover chicken. Tender chunks of meat swim in a creamy sauce made with mayo, coconut cream (no coconut flavor here) and hot sauce. Make it more Bulletproof and use pasture-raised chicken (roasted in grass-fed ghee instead of olive oil), avocado oil mayo and a hot sauce made with apple cider vinegar. Skip the garlic and onions, or avoid eating them too often.
Spinach and Avocado Dip
Image via The Healthy Family and Home
This super-fresh dip uses spinach and avocado, and it couldn’t be easier — simply blend and serve. To make this game day food more Bulletproof, lightly steam your spinach first, and avoid eating garlic and onions too often.
Dairy-Free Sam Elliot Dip
Image via Healthful Pursuit
This creamy, spicy dip is perfect for just about anything — spread on bread, dollop on meats or simply use as a veggie dip. All you’ll need is an avocado oil mayo, hot sauce, a few key seasonings and a few minutes to whip it all together. Skip the garlic and use a hot sauce made with apple cider vinegar to make it all more Bulletproof.
Avocado Vegetable Dip
Image via Paleo Leap
Combine the delicious taste of avocado with satisfying ingredients like homemade mayo, coconut milk and seasonings. Blend all the ingredients in a blender, season to taste and you’ll have a show-stopping dip in a flash. Keep it Bulletproof with full-fat coconut milk and avocado oil mayo. Avoid eating garlic too often, and skip the hot pepper sauce if you’re sensitive to nightshades.
Game day food: Main dishes and proteins
Creamy Pumpkin Chili
Image via The Castaway Kitchen
No game day food spread is complete without chili. This meaty recipe gets a natural creamy boost from real pumpkin puree and coconut cream, plus an abundance of warm seasonings. Skip the onion and garlic, use fresh high-quality pepper, get pasture-raised ground beef and bone broth and use an avocado oil mayo to keep every bite Bulletproof.
Easy Oven Baked Paleo Meatballs
Image via Jay’s Baking Me Crazy
This simple game day food is easy to meal prep, freeze and reheat if you’re short on time: Simply roll up your meat with seasonings, almond flour and coconut aminos, then bake away for a fast and tasty protein. For more Bulletproof meatballs, use pasture-raised beef and turkey.
Smashed Plantain Pulled Pork Sliders
Image via Real Simple Good
These sweet and savory sliders use smashed plantains for buns, and tender pulled pork in the center — easy, tasty and packed with flavor. To make this game day food Bulletproof-friendly, use pasture-raised pork, and avoid eating garlic and onions too often.
Air Fried Paleo Buffalo Wings
Image via Paleo Grubs
Stick with a classic in this easy game day recipe: Using the air fryer, these wings crisp up at a lower temperature before getting tossed in a spicy sauce. To make it more Bulletproof, get a hot sauce made with apple cider vinegar, skip the garlic powder and get fresh, high-quality spices.
Lamb Keto Tacos With Cauliflower Tortillas
Tender, pliable cauliflower tortillas get stuffed with tender pulled lamb meat —who said game day food couldn’t be good for you? With only 30 minutes of active cooking time, this recipe comes together quickly, too.
4-Step Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
Image via Predominantly Paleo
These spiced, coconutty meatballs are packed with umami flavors. Just mix ingredients and bake for a super simple game day main. For Bulletproof-approved meatballs, use pastured turkey meat, swap the maple syrup with birch xylitol and skip the garlic.
Plantain Tostone Sliders
Image via Unbound Wellness
With ultra thin and crispy tostones as the “bun,” these little bites get loaded with a mini burger patty, creamy avocado and greens. To make it more Bulletproof, use pasture-raised ground beef, and just use arugula and avocado to top.
Chicken Taquitos
Image via Meatified
No grain-filled tortillas here. Instead, these little taquitos use a shell made from plantain and mashed yucca. Then, they’re stuffed with spiced chicken. To make this recipe more Bulletproof, enjoy this recipe as written — just avoid eating garlic and onions too often.
Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers
Image via Unbound Wellness
Take chicken nuggets to a whole new level with this easy recipe. With grated sweet potato, ground chicken and spices, you just need to mix and bake for savory, poppable game day food. Make it more Bulletproof and use pasture-raised chicken, and only enjoy garlic and onions once in a while.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Image via Paleo Scaleo
This simple, yet delicious casserole makes the most of an iconic flavor trio: chicken, bacon and ranch. Conventional ranch dressings can be loaded with hydrogenated oils and added sugar. Try this homemade ranch dressing instead, or look for a store-bought dressing made with minimal ingredients. Stay Bulletproof by using pasture-raised chicken and bacon, and avoid eating onion too often.
Bacon Wrapped Roasted Turkey Breast
This centerpiece-worthy meal is made to feed a crowd. Wrapping the turkey in bacon keeps it tender and moist, and because you’re only cooking the breast, you’ll get to enjoy your turkey without having to cook the whole bird.
Low-Carb Bacon Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Sweet, salty and oh-so-tasty, these skewers will go fast on game day. Too cold to grill? Take it inside and follow the oven steps in this recipe. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray, then place the skewers on a baking sheet. Roast until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Keto Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
This recipe is the perfect way to feed a crowd. Serve tender, shredded Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef as part of a build-your-own taco bar with lettuce wraps, guac, white rice and any other toppings your heart desires.
Game day food: Side dishes
Avocado Pineapple Paleo Coleslaw
This light, summery salad gets a kick from coriander and turmeric, all combined with juicy chunks of pineapple and creamy diced avocado. Best of all, it takes just 20 minutes from start to finish.
Paleo Whole30 Classic Egg Salad
Image via Jay’s Baking Me Crazy
Using the power of the Instant Pot, this game day food creates a classic creamy egg salad with just minutes of cook time. To keep it more Bulletproof, skip the pepper and eat your egg yolks runny most of the time.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Image via Wholesome Yum
Tender cauliflower makes the perfect mock potato in this simple potato salad recipe. With traditional ingredients like mayonnaise, spices and celery, your guests will enjoy this recipe, too. To make it a little more Bulletproof, steam your cauliflower instead of microwaving, use an avocado oil mayo, swap the onion for extra celery and use fresh, high-quality spices.
Gluten-Free Tabbouleh
Light, fresh and vibrant, this tabbouleh is the perfect way to brighten up a heavy game day spread. The recipe calls for serving this dish with jicama, but it’s just as great on its own.
Low-Carb Thyme and Zucchini Fritters
Savory zucchini fritters are an easy way to sneak more vegetables into your diet. For maximum crispiness, make sure you’ve removed as much liquid from the zucchini as possible. Enjoy them on their own or topped with fresh avocado.
Game day food: Desserts
Cinnamon Pecan Sweet Potatoes
These sweet and nutty spuds combine the natural flavor of sweet potato with delicious upgrades like Grass-Fed Ghee, cinnamon and a low-glycemic sweetener. You can even make them ahead and enjoy cold — they’re that good!
Paleo Pizookie (Homemade Skillet Cookie)
Perfect game day food for a crowd. Bake up this skillet cookie and slice into pieces for a sweet treat that even non-paleo friends will love. And since it’s loaded with energizing ingredients like Brain Octane MCT oil, you’ll avoid the carb coma that comes with most cookies.
Paleo Homemade Twix Bars
Image via Golden Barrel
Just like the original candy, these rich little bars have layers of cookie, caramel and chocolate — but no refined sugar or flour! To make this game day dessert more Bulletproof, use raw almond butter and only enjoy maple syrup on special occasions.
Keto Texas Sheet Cake With Chocolate Avocado Frosting
This light, fluffy and ultra-chocolatey cake makes a sinful-tasting way to feed a large group — all with no gluten, grains or sugar. Instead, this cake batter uses coffee, cacao and grain-free flours, then tops each rich slice with a creamy avocado frosting.
Chocolate Chip Coconut Bars
Image via Living Well Mom
Like a sweet snack ball, but in cookie bar form — this easy paleo dessert uses an almond butter and shredded coconut base, then studs each bite with chocolate chips. To make it more Bulletproof, use raw almond butter, raw honey and chocolate with at least 78% cacao.
Sweet Potato Paleo Brownies With Chocolate Coconut Frosting
Thanks to the natural creaminess in sweet potatoes, these brownies bake up into perfectly fudgy and nutrient-dense bars. With added chocolatey flavor from creamy cacao butter, these sweet brownies are also brimming with quality fats.
Keto Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies get an extra punch of protein from a secret ingredient: Collagen Protein! With rich chocolate chunks in each bite, you’ll want to make these for game day food (and … everyday food).
Easy Paleo Chocolate Fudge
Image via Whole Kitchen Sink
Fudge is the perfect game day dessert for a crowd, and this one only uses two ingredients! To make it Bulletproof, use raw almond butter and chocolate with at least 78% cacao, then melt gently on the stove instead of the microwave.
Chocolate Cinnamon Keto Donuts
Prepare to wow your guests with paleo donuts that also happen to be sugar-free. They’re also incredibly easy to make, no sifting required. Just combine all ingredients in a bowl, pour into a donut pan and bake until set. For the best texture, serve these donuts the same day you make them.
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