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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Dips

    48 Game Day Recipes for the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker

    Published: Aug 31, 2021 by Kelsey Smith

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    Score a touchdown with these Instant Pot and slow cooker game day recipes. The best part about game day is the food. Really, any excuse to bust out chicken wings and queso is my kind of event.

    I've rounded up a variety of game-day-winning recipes, from slow cooker corn dip and Hawaiian meatballs to beefy bacon chili and pulled pork sandwiches. You'll find low-carb, keto, vegan, gluten-free options, and more.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Four images in a grid, buffalo chicken dip in a bowl, bbq meatball on a fork, bbq chicken drumsticks, and hard boiled eggs.
    Jump to:
    • What is a slow cooker?
    • What is an Instant Pot?
    • Dips and Spreads
    • Meatballs and Little Smokies
    • Finger Foods
    • Chili
    • Chicken Wings, Ribs, and Drumsticks
    • Shredded Meat Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    What is a slow cooker?

    Slow cookers are cooking appliances that cook food for a long period of time using relatively low temperatures.

    You'll often see recipes labeled "Crock-Pot" rather than slow cooker. Crock-Pot is one specific brand of slow cooker, but all slow cookers have two basic settings: high and low. You can cook any "Crock Pot" recipe in any brand slow cooker.

    Why use a slow cooker?

    Slow cooker recipes are a great option for events and parties because you can make a large quantity of food (I use a 6-quart cook and carry Crock Pot) and keep it warm. Dump-and-go slow cooker recipe will keep you out of the kitchen so you can sit down, relax, and enjoy the game.

    What is an Instant Pot?

    An Instant Pot is a specific brand and type of pressure cooker. As it sounds, pressure cookers cook food under high steam pressure insight a tightly sealed pot.

    There are very basic pressure cookers (the old school large pots with locking lids), and then there are smart, multi-functional, programmable slow cookers like the Instant Pot. Other multi-functional brands of pressure cookers include Comfee and Ninja.

    Why use an Instant Pot?

    The Instant Pot is great because it pressure cooks, sautés, slow cooks, and more. Plus, like a slow cooker, it will keep your food warm. I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo.

    More advanced pressure cookers (e.g., Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot Duo Crisp) now have crisping lids to air fry your food.

    Many recipes can be made both in a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, but the pressure cooker has one obvious advantage: speed. When you're under a time crunch, pressure cooking in the Instant Pot is often the way to go.

    Dips and Spreads

    Wings and dip are my essential game-day dishes. Bring on the cream cheese.

    Try a classic queso or buffalo chicken dip, or go for a more unique dip recipe like slow cooker corn and pepper cheese dip.

    Instant Pot White Queso Dip

    Creamy and cheesy Instant Pot White Queso Sausage Dip made with jalapenos, mild sausage, and White American cheese. This cheese dip is perfect with tortilla chips and pretzels!

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

    The flavor of buffalo wings in an easy, no mess dip. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great game day or party appetizer made with real chicken.

    Easy Slow Cooker Corn Dip

    This mouthwatering corn dip is a creamy and cheesy dip made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Instructions for oven baking provided.

    Slow Cooker Reuben Dip

    Rich and creamy, this appetizer recipe is just loaded with the ever-popular flavors of a Reuben sandwich. It’s so much healthier than typical Reuben dips, but no one can ever taste the difference.

    Slow Cooker Corn and Pepper Cheese Dip

    Sweet, creamy and cheesy with a delicious bite from fres corn and peppers is what you will find in this Slow Cooker Corn & Pepper Cheese dip.

    2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip

    This two ingredient Chili Cheese Dip recipe is made in the slow cooker and is not only easy, but also delicious! After all, don’t you have enough to do when preparing for guests?

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wing Dip

    Easy Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wing Dip appetizer for your next party or game day. Great chicken dip for the non-spicy crowd.

    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

    Creamy and cheesy Instant Pot Buffalo chicken dip made in just half an hour! Perfect for game day, potlucks, movie nights, and any party!

    Instant Pot BBQ Queso Dip

    Instant Pot Queso Dip is delicious but add a little leftover pulled pork and you have heaven! This is perfect for that next potluck or game day party.

    Slow Cooker Queso Blanco Dip

    Queso Blanco Dip is always a hit! With only 4 ingredients, white cheese dip is easy to make. Directions for slow cooker, stove-top, and microwave included.

    Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Spinach and artichoke cheese dip is a popular appetizer easy to make at home. Keto friendly, gluten-free creamy dip can be made in Instant Pot or oven.

    Crock Pot Corn Dip

    Crock Pot Corn Dip is a creamy delicious dip with sweet corn and just the right kick of spices.

    Easy Slow Cooker Bacon Jam

    Slow cooker bacon jam is salty and sweet. It makes a great appetizer and is the perfect condiment. Makes a great gift packed in a jar.

    Meatballs and Little Smokies

    Frozen meatballs and cocktail weenies lend themselves well to dump-and-go recipes. They're pre-cooked, so really the goal here is to warm them through with a tasty sauce. Just fix it and forget it.

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

    3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

    3-ingredient Hawaiian meatballs in a sweet and tangy sauce made with frozen meatballs, sloppy joe sauce, and pineapple chunks in the slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Little Smokies in Honey Garlic BBQ Sauce

    Slow Cooker Little Smokies in Honey Garlic BBQ Sauce are one of the easiest, tastiest party foods ever and perfect for your next Game Day event!

    Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Cocktail Wienies

    Cocktail Wienies with Grape Jelly-Chili Sauce from The Southern Slow Cooker a tasty snack perfect for game day or family gatherings!
    BBQ meatballs in an Instant Pot.

    Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs

    These Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs are easy and fast to make with only three ingredients: frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and honey.
    Hot dogs cut in small bite size pieces covered in BBQ sauce in a slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Hot Dogs

    These Slow Cooker Bourbon Hot Dogs are exactly what you need to enjoy your BBQ without heating up the whole house.

    Finger Foods

    Finger foods are the first to disappear because they're easy to eat. When you're at a party or a potluck and you've gone through multiple plates, finger foods are the MVP.

    Slow Cooker Loaded Sriracha Chicken Kettle Chips

    Slow cooked, pulled Sriracha chicken piled on to crispy kettle chips with bacon, jalapeno, tomato, and tons of cheese. This spectacular party recipe will absolutely WIN any gameday gathering.

    Instant Pot Deviled Eggs

    Instant Pot Deviled Eggs are a quick and reliable way to make this classic appetizer! Use the 5-5-5 method to hard boil the eggs that peel like a dream for the easiest way to make deviled eggs ever.

    Slow Cooker Hot Dog Pull Apart

    This easy crockpot hot dog pull-apart is a fun and deliciously different way to use your slow cooker. The perfect appetizer to share anytime!

    Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos

    An EASY and delicious nacho recipe using pulled pork! Use your slow cooker or crock pot and you can forget about it until right before the big game!

    Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

    Boiled peanuts are a classic Southern snack mostly found at road side stands and local convenient stores where they are boiled in a pot for hours in salty water.

    Instant Pot Southern Deviled Eggs

    These low carb Instant Pot Southern Deviled Eggs make a perfect appetizer and are super easy to make because they start with Instant Pot hard boiled eggs.

    Instant Pot Popcorn

    Instant Pot Popcorn is an easy, affordable, and healthy way to make popcorn at home. And you can flavor it with your favorite seasoning.

    Instant Pot Cassava Fries

    Cassava fries are pure, delectable comfort food! Perfect for Paleo and AIP diets, these savory treats are made in the Instant Pot and on the stove top and need only sea salt as an embellishment.

    Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites

    This 4-ingredient, easy Instant Pot sous vide egg bites recipe is just like Starbucks. See how to make sous vide egg bites in the Instant Pot, including bacon gruyere and other flavors.

    Chili

    There are millions of ways to make chili. You can go big and beefy, big and beany, or bean-free.

    Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili

    Slow Cooker Beefy Bacon Chili is a hearty, meaty chili with a little kick of spice, and lots of flavor! The best crock pot chili recipe. Game Day or anytime

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    White Chicken Chili is a deliciously easy dish. Ready in under 40 minutes! Hatch chilies bring extra heat to this dish.

    Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

    If you want an simple, satisfying meal, try this easy vegan chili. It’s so nice to toss ingredients into the slow cooker and not need to worry about them until you’re ready to eat.

    Slow Cooker Beef and Bacon Chili (no beans)

    Slow cooker ground beef chili simmers in rich tomatoes and spices. Add crispy bacon plus fun and delicious toppings for the ideal low-carb keto chili.

    Chicken Wings, Ribs, and Drumsticks

    Wings are a game-day classic for a reason. They're easy to make (especially in the Instant Pot), and they're always a crowd favorite. I like to make a classic buffalo wing and then something a little different like a spicy jalapeño sauce.

    Instant Pot Coca Cola Chicken Wings

    Make deliciously sticky Instant Pot Chicken Wings with just 6 ingredients. Instant Pot Coca Cola Wings are a great appetizer or easy dinner.
    Jalapeño BBQ Wings

    Instant Pot Jalapeño Barbecue Chicken Wings

    If you love chicken wings, but think it is too hard to make them at home, you are going to love this Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe.

    Slow Cooker Ribs

    These slow cooker ribs are pork baby back ribs coated in homemade spice blend and barbecue sauce, then cooked in the crock pot until tender.

    Instant Pot Chicken Wings

    This low carb piri piri chicken recipe is FULL of incredible flavor without the heat. This easy chicken wings recipe is naturally gluten free, grain free, soy free, and dairy free. It follows the SCD, paleo, whole30, and keto diets.

    Easy Instant Pot Teriyaki Wings

    This easy Instant Pot teriyaki chicken wings recipe has delicious Asian flavors that will delight your guests and become a favorite.

    Instant Pot Chili Lime Chicken Wings

    Perfectly seasoned and juicy Chili Lime Chicken Wings. Make these Instant Pot Chicken Wings for an easy game day dish or simply enjoy as an appetizer anytime.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

    These slow cooker chicken drumsticks are coated in a spice rub and barbecue sauce, then cooked to tender perfection in the crock pot.

    Shredded Meat Recipes

    If you want a more open-ended option, I recommend shredded chicken, pork, or brisket. They're great for sliders, sandwiches, quesadillas, and more. Plus, these recipes will make for leftovers you'll want to keep around.

    Instant Pot Beef Brisket

    This easy recipe for brisket in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker results in a tender & juicy BBQ beef brisket everyone is sure to love!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Loaded Tater Tots

    Crispy golden tater tots topped with slow cooker BBQ pork, corn, beans, and tons of melty cheese makes the perfect appetizer.

    Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

    Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with tender juicy pulled BBQ chicken that is also great for meal prep, salads, potlucks & lunch boxes.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    The most amazing chicken taco meat you will ever make using flavorful chicken thighs. This easy crockpot chicken tacos recipe is only 6 ingredients!

    Instant Pot Dr Pepper BBQ Pulled Pork

    This Instant Pot Pulled Pork with a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce is sweet and tangy and makes awesome pulled pork sandwiches or tacos for game day or a barbecue.

    Loaded Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas

    These Instant Pot enchiladas are positively loaded with seared corn, pico de gallo, 2 sauces and creamy, melty cheese!

    Slow Cooker Korean Pulled Pork Sliders

    Sweet, salty and slightly spicy Slow Cooker Korean Pulled Pork Sliders with quick pickle vegetables.
    Shredded zesty Italian BBQ chicken.

    Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

    Shredded slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce and zesty Italian dressing, perfect for BBQ chicken sandwiches and sliders.

    Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches

    Shredded pork, thinly sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and dill pickle chips. Layer on loaves of airy ciabatta slathered with Dijon mustard. Crisp up in a panini press. Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Perfect meal to make when you are short on time, but till want to live that healthy lifestyle. Serve on whole wheat buns.

    Did you see your favorite game day recipes? Comment below and share your go-to crowd-pleasing dishes.

    Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Game Day Recipes

    More Appetizers & Dips

    • Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
      Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
      Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • Tofu Spring Rolls.
      Tofu Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
    • Close up of Buffalo chicken dip in a large 11 inch round baking dish. The dip is garnished with a drizzle of hot sauce and sliced green onions.
      Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

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    1. Shelley says

      September 01, 2021 at 8:22 am

      I looooove these types of recipes! Game day nibbles, made easier! Thanks bunches for including my Reuben Dip - and for all the other terrific inspiration!

      Reply
      • Kelsey Smith says

        September 01, 2021 at 12:24 pm

        You’re so welcome. I was done making my list until I saw that one and then I was like no I have to include this. So fun.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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