30 March Madness Snacks for Watching the Game

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Line up these easy snacks for your March Madness party and it will be more than just the game that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Easy bite-sized nibbles you can enjoy whether your team heads to glory or gets knocked out in overtime—because win or lose, great snacks are always a slam dunk.

The photo collage shows a photo of lots of basketballs next to easy recipes for snacks to enjoy while watching the March Madness tournament.

When the Final Four hits, you need snacks that are as bold and exciting as the game itself!

Whether you're hosting a full-blown watch party or just tuning in with family, this ultimate list of March Madness snacks has something for every kind of fan—salty, spicy, cheesy, crunchy, and sweet.

From crowd-pleasing hot appetizers like buffalo chicken dip and easy prep Bisquick sausage balls to cold and easy to serve snacks like my favorite fried pickle dip or this make ahead taco dip, these winning recipes will keep everyone cheering, even during commercial breaks.

Grab your bracket, fire up the oven (or microwave!), and let’s make game day delicious.

Fried Pickle Dip

Tangy fried pickle dip can be served with or without those crispy buttery breadcrumbs on top. Enjoy it with seasoned crackers or raw veggies.

Fried Pickle Dip
Easy fried pickle dip is creamy, tangy, and packed with tons of dill pickle flavor, topped with buttery toasted breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch. Serve it with chips or fresh veggies for a delicious appetizer!
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A big bowl of creamy pickle dip has toasted bread crumbs and chopped fresh chives sprinkled over the top.

Spicy Taco Dip

My easy layered taco dip tastes even better when you prep it in advance so the seasonings can really flavor that creamy dip layer. Top the fresh and crispy veggies on top just before serving.

Spicy Taco Dip with Cream Cheese
This is the best ever spicy taco dip with cream cheese because of Mom's secret tricks! Serve it at your Cinco de Mayo party or for Taco Tuesday. At a party, you'll find the pan practically licked clean by your guests.
5 from 1 vote
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A container of homemade taco dip has a spicy cream cheese filling and is topped with shredded cheese and lettuce. A serving spoon has scooped a portion out.

Cold Spinach Dip

My daughter loves this easy cold spinach dip served with pita chips or bagel chips for added crunch.

Cold Spinach Dip
This easy spinach dip recipe is best served chilled. Simply mix together the spinach and cream cheese base for a delicious dip for bagel chips and crackers.
4.88 from 8 votes
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A bowl of spinach dip is served with bagel chips for dipping.

Chips and Salsa

Chips and salsa are a classic basketball game snack but you can do so much better than the jarred salsa from the store. Mix things up with my easy homemade salsa or go extra crunchy with a bowl of this chunky corn salsa.

Easy Homemade Salsa
Homemade salsa is easy to make using canned tomatoes for convenience and fresh vegetables to add flavor and texture. Leftover salsa can be frozen for later.
5 from 1 vote
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A bowl of homemade salsa has a spoon on the right and a pile of restaurant style tortilla chips on the plate around it.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

Want more flavor and protein to fuel you as you watch the game? Upgrade the salsa to this creamy chicken enchilada dip loaded with tender chicken.

Chicken Enchilada Dip
This cool and creamy chicken enchilada dip is served cold with tortilla chips for dunking. Use a rotisserie chicken for easy prep.
4.91 from 55 votes
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A blue bowl filled with chicken enchilada dip.

Seasoned Pretzels

Grab a bag of your favorite pretzels and take just a few minutes to turn them into homemade seasoned pretzels, my recipe has 16 different flavors to choose from.

Seasoned Pretzels
Mix and match your favorite spices to make easy homemade seasoned pretzels that your family will love. The only pretzel recipe you need for holiday entertaining all season long!
4.90 from 56 votes
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A serving bowl of square pretzels that have been baked and seasoned.

Alabama Fire Crackers

Looking for a fiery snack to match your mood? Snack on these spicy Alabama fire crackers, a southern classic. Or take it one step farther and add a bowl of pimento cheese spread to go with it.

Alabama Fire Crackers
Classic Alabama fire crackers are a popular spicy Southern snack that’s perfect for bringing to potluck parties and filling out your charcuterie boards. Made with simple pantry staples like ranch seasoning, red pepper flakes, and garlic, this easy no-bake recipe is an irresistible crowd-pleaser!
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A white bowl is filled with seasoned saltine crackers.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

My husband could destroy a bowl of this hot buffalo chicken dip all by himself while rooting for his team. I dare you to try and get a bite in.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
This chunky buffalo chicken dip is loaded with meat and over the top with flavor. Spicy buffalo wing sauce heats up a thick and creamy ranch flavored base and is baked to a golden, bubbly perfection. Serve with tortilla chips or pita wedges, and crispy celery.
5 from 7 votes
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A baking dish filled with buffalo chicken dip sits next to a plate of celery and a bowl of tortilla chips.

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

For me, I'd choose this hot spinach and artichoke dip because I like a little more veg with my cheesy dip!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This baked spinach and artichoke dip has caramelized onions and is the perfect make ahead party appetizer for the season. Serve with raw veggies for a low carb, gluten free appetizer or with buttery crackers or chunks of bread for a delicious snack.
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A baking dish filled with warm artichoke dip.

Hot Sausage Cream Cheese Dip

Got a whole crew coming to watch? Load a batch of this sausage cream cheese dip into the Crock Pot to keep it warm the entire party.

Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
This hearty sausage cream cheese dip is the perfect hot appetizer to keep warm in a slowcooker for your party. Just three ingredients plus a bag of tortilla chips and you're ready to go!
5 from 4 votes
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A bowl of sausage dip sits next to a plate of tortilla chips.

Reuben Roll Ups

March Madness falls during the same time as St. Patrick's Day. Kill two birds with one stone and enjoy a batch of puff pastry rueben roll ups dunked in Thousand Island dressing.

Puff Pastry Rueben Roll Ups
Flaky and delicious puff pastry reuben roll ups are made with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese in a bite-sized appetizer that can be prepped ahead. Bake and serve them for a fun St. Patrick's Day appetizer or holiday party nibble.
5 from 2 votes
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A white platter filled with reuben pinwheel bites and a cup of Thousand Island dressing.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

We love a good theme at our house, for a basketball viewing party why not serve basketball-shaped snacks like these sweet and sour meatballs??

Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Crockpot
Classic cocktail meatballs keep warm on your buffet table for hours in the slowcooker. This wildly popular sweet and sour sauce is made from ketchup and grape jam but is elevated by a dash of hot sauce to keep it from being too sweet.
5 from 6 votes
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The white serving bowl is filled with sweet and sour meatballs in a rich glaze.

Bisquick Sausage Balls

Another bite-sized sporty-themed snack are my 3-ingredient Bisquick sausage balls. Dunk them in a bowl of homemade honey mustard dip.

Bisquick Sausage Balls
Classic Southern sausage balls make a cozy, down home appetizer to bring to a potluck party or church gathering. Serve them with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dip for dunking.
5 from 3 votes
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A white platter filled with Bisquick sausage balls made with just three ingredients

Chicken Sliders

I have so many slider recipes for you I don't even know where to start. You can check out my 10 chicken slider recipes here but don't miss these classic ham and cheese sliders or my favorite Cuban sliders.

Crack Chicken Sliders
Creamy crack chicken sliders in Hawaiian buns with melted cheddar cheese are a delicious party sandwich to serve warm from the oven. Prep the chicken filling in advance for an easy dish to bake in minutes.
5 from 1 vote
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A white platter of crack chicken sliders shows the creamy chicken filling on a Hawaiian slider bun.

Baked Taquitos

While they do take just a little more work, these homemade baked turkey taquitos can be prepped ahead and reheated for the game. I love that they have a lighter filling so I can dunk them in sour cream guilt-free.

Baked Turkey Taquitos
These baked turkey taquitos are a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Light ground turkey seasoned with taco spices is rolled up with diced tomatoes, peppers, and shredded cheese. Baked to a crisp in minutes, they are perfect for dunking in sour cream and salsa.
5 from 5 votes
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A platter of rolled-up turkey taquitos sits next to a bowl of sour cream and a bowl of salsa.

Crock Pot Little Smokies

My dad would beeline to these Crock Pot Little Smokies in bbq sauce. Be sure to have toothpicks handy!

Crock Pot Little Smokies
Savory bite-sized sausages in a sweet and tangy sauce with just a hint of heat. Keep these cocktail sausages warm in a slowcooker on your party table for hours.
5 from 1 vote
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Saucy little hot dogs are in a slowcooker being stirred by a spoon.

Microwave Nachos

Whether you're having a party for just one or you want to let you friends make individual servings, these microwave nachos would be fun if you added all the toppings to a "Build Your Own Nacho" bar on your kitchen counter!

Microwave Nachos
Make a quick plate of nachos for a snack or easy dinner right in the microwave. This is a great way to use up leftover meat or veggies from the fridge. Set up a "build your own nachos" bar right in the kitchen and let each family member customize their dinner on their own.
5 from 1 vote
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A plate of nachos has sour cream and salsa on the top.

Irish Nachos

Fix up an entire pan of these delicious Irish nachos made from potato chips and deli corned beef. They're another perfect partner for the March season.

Irish Nachos
Better than pub food! These Irish nachos start with kettle cooked potato chips and are topped with melty Swiss cheese and tender corned beef. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and pico de gallo for a delicious appetizer for St. Patrick's Day or a football party.
5 from 1 vote
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A pan of Irish nachos made with potato chips and corned beef.

Hot Pretzels and Mustard

As a bread machine fanatic, for big deal events you can bet I'm baking a batch of these hot soft baked pretzels. I like to serve them with raspberry mustard dip.

Soft Baked Pretzels
This easy soft baked pretzel recipe for kids is a fun weekend baking activity to enjoy together. Dunk the warm pretzels in cheese dip or honey mustard for your next football party or for a fun snack any time of year.
4.67 from 6 votes
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A pie plate holds a pile of baked fluffy pretzels with chunks of kosher salt sprinkled over the top.

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

You can bake up a spicy buffalo chicken flatbread in minutes, no need to wait for the pizza delivery driver to arrive. Guaranteed you'll never go back once you taste how much better the homemade version is.

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
Spicy buffalo chicken flatbread made on a crispy pizza dough crust has ooey gooey cheese topping. Sprinkle fresh green onions and blue cheese over the top and cut it into squares for a delicious appetizer or light dinner.
5 from 2 votes
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A sliced buffalo chicken flatbread has chunks of chicken, green onions, and melted cheese.

Pizza Buns

Or, roll in your favorite pizza toppings to these easy homemade pizza buns! You can serve them as a hearty snack or they're delicious enough for an entire meal.

Homemade Pizza Buns
These easy stuffed pizza buns are made with a homemade pizza dough and then rolled like cinnamon buns and baked in the oven with your favorite pizza toppings. The recipe features an easy dough that can be made in a stand mixer as well as my favorite bread machine pizza dough variation.
4.50 from 2 votes
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A dinner plate with two pizza buns and caesar salad.

Jerk Chicken Quesadillas

I love to cook up quesadillas family style so I can serve them on big platters at dinner or for a party. I recommend thse tasty jerk chicken quesadillas for something a little different. Serve them with pineapple salsa or this easy cilantro lime ranch dip.

Jerk Chicken Quesadillas
These fast and easy jerk chicken quesadillas are perfect for a busy night when you start with prepared jerk chicken filling that can be kept in your freezer or made in advance and kept in the fridge for 5 days. Leftover quesadillas reheat well in the oven!
5 from 1 vote
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A family platter is filled with jerk chicken quesadillas, a bowl of sour cream, and a bowl of salsa.

Taco Bites

Pull on your fancy pants and make these easy taco bites in phyllo cups for bite-sized taco flavor on an appetizer platter!

Easy Taco Bites
This is the easiest taco bites recipe ever because it uses prepared phyllo cups and an easy beef taco filling. Prep it ahead of time and bake just before serving for a mess-free appetizer.
5 from 1 vote
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Bite-sized taco phyllo dough cups with melted cheese on top.

Cold Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza

My youngest daughter would insist that this crescent roll veggie pizza is all that stands between you and a full blown party.

Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
This cold veggie pizza appetizer is a favorite party snack that is easy to make ahead the day before. Buttery crescent roll dough is spread with ranch seasoned cream cheese and topped with your favorite raw veggies.
4.96 from 41 votes
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A veggie pizza has been sliced and served with a small spatula.

Go Team Brownies

Brownies are one of my favorite party snacks because they are so easy to dress up for a theme -- just add sprinkles or colored M&M candies! If you want the richest, fudgiest, stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth chocolatey brownies, you absolutely have to try my sourdough discard brownies.

No sourdough starter on hand? Then go for my daughter's favorite homemade brownies or make team-color brownie pops, just use the right colored candy melt and sprinkles and you're in business!

Easy Brownie Pops
These easy brownie pops are so fun to make as a sweet treat with kids. Color them pink for Valentine's Day or swap the color to match any holiday or party you're celebrating.
5 from 4 votes
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A mason jar filled with pink brownie pops on white sticks with red and white sprinkles.

Cookie bars are another super-easy dessert to dress up for your team by adding the right colored candies or sprinkles.

You can't go wrong with these OREO blondies, the colored candies would show up perfectly if you press them into the top before baking.

OREO Blondies
Rich and chewy cookies and cream blondies are the perfect twist to a cookie bar for your next homemade treat. Kids will love to crush the Oreo cookies for mixing in.
5 from 33 votes
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A tray of cookies and cream bars have OREOS sitting next to them.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Tint that buttercream frosting the right color and grab some sprinkles, the kids will love these soft frosted sugar cookies for a game time treat.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
This copycat Lofthouse cookies recipe is just like your favorite store bought soft sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. They are a perfect choice for sugar cookie bakers who prefer to skip the cookie cutters!
5 from 1 vote
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An aqua cake plate has 5 soft frosted sugar cookies decorated with pink icing and sprinkles. One cookie has a bite taken out of it.

Team Spirit Popcorn Mix

Want a more bite-sized treat? Make a batch of my birthday cake popcorn and use your team colored candies for the mix. You can nibble away all night long.

Birthday Cake Popcorn
This fun and festive birthday cake popcorn snack mix is the perfect birthday party treat for kids who don't like frosting.
Featured in The Ultimate Kids' Baking Book!
4.53 from 38 votes
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A batch of birthday cake popcorn has pastel M&Ms and rainbow sprinkles with a white candy coating.

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix

Can't decide between sweet and salty? Enjoy them both! Hand me a bowl of this sweet and salty Chex mix and I'm set for the night.

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix
Sweet and salty Chex Mix has a unique blend of mix-ins that give this recipe the perfect balance of flavors and textures. A hearty snack mix that you'll love to bring for family road trips or serve as a special holiday snack.
4.50 from 2 votes
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A blue bowl is filled with homemade Chex Mix with cereal, pretzels, M&Ms candies, and chocolate chip teddy grahams.

More Party Recipes

Looking for more delicious snacks to share with your friends? Don't miss my other easy party recipe ideas:

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The photo collage shows a photo of lots of basketballs next to easy recipes for snacks to enjoy while watching the March Madness tournament.

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