Healthy Gluten-Free Game Day Recipes
on Sep 16, 2026, Updated Oct 04, 2026
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This round-up is basically all of my favorite football foods in one place and everything is gluten-free and dairy-free!
We’re talking buffalo wings, cashew queso, chili, tacos, drumsticks, dips, and plenty of snacky things… which, let’s be honest, are the best part of football season anyway.
I love a game day spread that has a little bit of everything. Something cheesy to dip into, something crispy, and something saucy.
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Plus, of course, the main food groups of chicken, potatoes and chips, and tacos are all covered here.
Basically, finger food that’s easy to share, easy to snack on, and still so good that no one is thinking about the fact that it happens to be gluten-free and dairy-free.
GLUTEN-FREE FOOTBALL RECIPES FOR GAME DAY
Listed below, you’ll find appetizers and finger food first, then the bigger mains like your classic chili, crispy baked tacos, oven baked ribs, and sandwiches.
Let me know in the comments which ones make it onto your game day spread! Cheers!
CRISPY GLUTEN-FREE BAKED BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS
These wings are baked instead of fried but they still get so crispy on all of the sides. Everything you love about a classic buffalo wing, in baked form.
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CREAMY CASHEW QUESO
This dairy-free queso is made creamy with blended cashews instead of cheese. It's still super smooth and as flavorful as a regular queso.
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DAIRY-FREE BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
Raw cashews, buffalo sauce, lots of spcies, and shredded chicken create this classic buffalo chicken dip in under 30 minutes.
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MY MOTHER IN LAW’S FAMOUS SALSA
This is my mother in law's secret salsa recipe. It's got bell peppers, sweet onion, and two types of jalapeños and comes together in 15 minutes in your food processor.
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FRESH SWEET CORN SALSA
Charred and raw corn are mixed with tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime. It's only 8 ingredients but has tons of flavor and is perfect for an end of summer game day spread.
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TACO CHICKEN TENDERS
Two football-food favorites in one: chicken tenders with taco seasoning baked right in. Dairy-free, grain-free, egg-free, and easy to make ahead before your party.
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CRISPY BAKED POTATO CHIP-CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS
Crushed potato chips make the crunchiest gluten-free coating, olive oil stands in for the egg, and the chicken tenders are baked instead of fried for a fun take on a classic crispy chicken tender.
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GLUTEN-FREE CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS
Gluten-free flour and cornflakes give these chicken tenders such a crispy crunchy crust! They're perfect finger food for a crowd.
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HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
If you want more meat per bite than a wing, drumsticks are the move. A sticky tamari-honey marinade bakes right into the chicken for a little twist on a classic teriyaki chicken wing.
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PEACH BBQ SAUCE CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
A homemade BBQ rub and a sweet, tangy peach barbecue sauce make these drumsticks feel a little more elevated than just a plain ol' chicken drumstick! These are so good to use up those last peaches of the summer.
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CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES WITH LEMONY CHIVE SAUCE
This might just be one of my most viral potato recipes! The potatoes are boiled with lemon and garlic, then smashed and roasted until super crispy. The lemony chive sauce tastes like sour cream and onion, minus the dairy.
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CRISPY BAKED SALT AND VINEGAR POTATOES
These are like a bag of salt and vinegar chips, in roasted potato form. Parboiling is the step that gets them properly crunchy.
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SPICED ROSEMARY ROASTED CASHEWS
Seven ingredients, under 20 minutes, sweet-savory and dangerously snackable. Put a bowl out early and let people graze before the real food lands.
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GLUTEN-FREE SHRIMP TACOS WITH CORN SALSA
One of my first viral recipes because they're just so simple and easy! Cook up the shrimp in under 5 minutes and create a super quick shrimp taco spread for everyone to enjoy.
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SUPER SIMPLE SHRIMP TOSTADAS
Refried beans, guacamole, and seasoned shrimp on an open-faced crispy corn tortilla. Something different than your traditional taco, and if you prefer crunchy tacos…these are for you!
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BLACKENED FISH TACOS WITH MANGO SALSA
These were inspired by poolside tacos in Mexico. We've got blackened cod with a yummy mango salsa. Who doesn't love a fish taco?
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HOMEMADE CHICKEN SPIEDIES (MARINATED CHICKEN SKEWER SANDWICH)
The marinade happens the day before, so game day with these chicken skewer sandwiches are super quick and easy.
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MAPLE BACON-WRAPPED CARROTS
Roasted carrots get wrapped in bacon, then glazed with maple and thyme. Easy to eat standing up and still kinda getting a vegetable in…
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GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD
Take my gluten-free cornbread over the top with a one-ingredient whipped honey topping. Make it with the chili!
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CRISPY BAKED GROUND BEEF TACOS (GRAIN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE)
Part bean burrito, part crunchy taco, and baked instead of fried. These tacos hold their shape on a plate, which makes them excellent couch food.
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CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN TACOS WITH DAIRY-FREE STREET CORN
Taco-seasoned ground chicken and dairy-free street corn are baked into a crispy shell. Another baked taco that holds its shape, ideal for snacking while standing.
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SHORTCUT BEEF BIRRIA TACOS
Chuck roast braises in a chili-spiced simple birria sauce. Prep this at the beginning of your day and this is ready by the time kickoff starts.
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VIRAL CHUCK ROAST TACOS
My most viral recipe ever, turned into taco form. This is the viral chuck roast, shredded and turned into a full taco spread.
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CARNITAS TACOS
Pork shoulder gets cooked low and slow in a Dutch oven until the edges get crispy and it feeds a crowd easily.
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CHUCK ROAST CHILI
This chili is made with chunks of chuck roast instead of ground beef. An elevated take on a classic chili when you just want something that seems a little more elevated.
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STORMY WEATHER CHILI WITH CHOCOLATE
A square or two of dark chocolate gives this ground beef chili a rich, almost mole-like depth. You don’t taste chocolate, you just taste better chili!
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LOADED VEGGIE SALSA VERDE CHICKEN CHILI
My protein-forward take on white chicken chili, loaded with veggies, a jar of salsa verde, and made in one pot. Pretty much a dump and go recipe. So easy for serving a crowd.
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SLOW COOKER TURKEY PUMPKIN CHILI (DF, GF)
Ground turkey, beans, bone broth, and pumpkin puree go into the crockpot to meld together all day before everyone comes over. For the days you’d rather watch the game than cook.
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CREAMY BACON BUTTER BEANS
These butter beans are simmered with crushed tomatoes and coconut cream, then topped with smoky bacon. One pot, under 30 minutes, and very good with a slab of cornbread!
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EASY FALL OFF THE BONE OVEN-BAKED RIBS
No grill required, these oven baked ribs go low and slow in the oven until they’re tender and fall apart.
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SLOW COOKER PULLED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH CABBAGE SLAW
Barbecue chicken from the slow cooker (so easy and hands-off), gluten-free buns, and a crunchy homemade cabbage slaw. Say less. Crowdpleaser. And couldn't be more simple.
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