13 Simple Game Night Snack Ideas

Anytime you have a get-together, there needs to be food. Whether you host a game night, have friends over to watch a movie, or just ask a few people to hang out after work, you should always offer a snack to keep everyone happy. Everyone loves casual snacks and having some yummy food on hand will make you the hosting hero.

Hosting a game night is a great way to relax with your friends and forget about the stresses of everyday life. Whether you play UNO, Monopoly, or start betting on a poker game, serving snacks is necessary. We have rounded up some fantastic game night snack ideas perfect for your next fun night off. With these exciting snacks, you are sure to be the winner of the night. 

What Makes These 13 Snacks Perfect for Game Nights?

It can be tricky to eat while you are trying to play a game. You don’t want any snacks that are too messy or hard to eat or it can hinder how you play. Most of these snacks are designed with that in mind. We choose foods that will keep your hands clean so you can easily move your game piece or put that final puzzle piece into place. Many of them are nice and compact, as well, so your playing area won’t be too cluttered with bulky foods. 

Besides being mess-free, these game-day foods are also incredibly delicious. They are gourmet appetizers that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. So, take a look at every snack, read our servings suggestions, and then pick what you want to serve. You may want to try more than one so you have enough food to last throughout multiple games. 

Quick Grabs

These snacks are great last-minute choices. They are easy to whip up and require almost no prep work. If you decide to host a game night at the very last minute, these snacks will help quickly save the day. 

1. Popcorn

Popcorn is super easy to make and also a fairly inexpensive snack. It's also such a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves popcorn. It is also fairly easy to eat and pretty mess-free so you don’t have to worry about your gaming area getting dirty.

You can cook your popcorn in the microwave, pop kernels on the stovetop or pull out your air popper for a gourmet popcorn experience. No matter how you make your popcorn, it will be ready in less than 5 minutes so you can have it on the game table before your turn comes around. Add some tasty popcorn seasonings to liven up the snack and impress your friends.

2. Bowl of Candy

This snack is as simple as opening a bag of candy and pouring it into a bowl. It may not be fancy, but everyone is going to love this simple game night snack. Who can say no to candy?.

Grab a variety bag of candy at your grocery store. You can choose from the individually wrapped, mini candies or go for full-size bars. We like to unwrap the candy just so it is easy to eat and wrappers don’t end up all over the game table.

3. Snack Mix

Buy a premade mix like Chex Mix or Munchies and pour it into a big bowl. These mixes are full of all different types of salty treats so there is something for everyone. It is the perfect salty finger food.

Try making your own snack mix by combining pretzels, goldfish and even some M&M's. We love creating our own sweet and salty snack mix that is original and delicious. A little pro tip — stay away from Cheetos or really cheesy snacks that can turn your fingers orange. These can be a little too messy if you are playing a game while eating. 

4. Chips and Dip

Chips and dip may sound like such a simple snack but there are actually tons of different combinations you can try. Your guests will never grow tired of eating this snack when you switch up the flavors for every game night.

We like to choose neutral-tasting chips like tortilla chips, pita chips, pretzels or basic potato chips. Then, you can pair the chips with all different kinds of dip. Serve some fresh guacamole, artichoke dip or homemade spinach dip. This is the ultimate, classic finger food for a reason. Everyone will dig right into a plate of chips and dip. 

5. Bite-Sized Desserts

If you have a sweet tooth or if you are planning a late-night game night, a plate of mini desserts may be the way to go. Add cookies, cupcakes, brownies or even cake bites covered in cream cheese frosting to your platter. Get fancy with bakery desserts or keep it simple, grabbing some Little Debbie cakes in the grocery store. Any kind of bite-sized, easy-to-eat desserts will be a success. 

6. Veggie Tray 

A veggies tray is the best way to serve healthy snacks at your next game night. Just because veggies are healthy, doesn’t mean they are boring. In fact, a veggie tray may be everyones favorite snack. You can eat as much as you want with zero guilt.

Add some sliced carrots, celery, tomatoes, peppers or broccoli to a platter. Try adding a small bowl of hummus or ranch dressing to use as a dip. You can even add some cheese and crackers to the platter to make a deluxe snack tray. 

7. Cheese Board

There is something about a classic cheese board that everyone loves. A nice plate of cheese looks quite fancy but is actually so easy to make. You can also customize your cheeseboard to include all your favorite cheeses. 

Try to use different types of cheese, each one with a different flavor. Mozzarella is a good neutral cheese that all your guests will like while a chunk of creamy brie will add interest to the platter. Add some fruit, crackers and even sliced meat to turn your game night cheese board into a true charcuterie board. Now that is fancy.

8. Nachos

Nachos are a quick, hot snack that is on the top of everyone's favorite snack list. There are a few easy ways to make nachos for your next game night. You can spread some tortilla chips on a baking tray, sprinkle some grated cheese on top and bake the nachos until the cheese has melted.

You can also grab a jar of queso dip on Amazon and add that to some tortilla chips. Add toppings like onions, sour cream, black beans, or even beef to make your nachos more deluxe. 

Gourmet Game Night Appetizers

These appetizers are a little fancier and take a little bit longer to make. However, they are well worth the effort. If you have a little extra time before game night, give these snacks a try. 

9. Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Cocktail-size meatballs served with a marinara dipping sauce are super tasty and fancy. It may just be our favorite game night appetizer. It is perfect for an Italian-themed night and a snack that is sure to disappear from the table quickly.

Use toothpicks to skewer the meatballs, making them easy to grab and eat. Give everyone their own small bowl of marinara sauce so they don’t have to reach across the game table to get to the dip. Use homemade meatballs or store-bought, frozen meatballs for an even easier snack. 

10. Flatbread Pizza

Flatbread pizza is a very sharable snack. It is really easy to split between several people, giving everyone a nice, hot pizza slice. Flatbread pizza is lower in carbs than a real pizza so it is a little bit lighter that a big, take-out pie. 

You can make your own flatbread pizza, customizing the toppings to suit your tastebuds. Make a margarita pizza or stick with traditional pepperoni. There are also lots of flatbread pizzas in the freezer section of the grocery store that you may want to check out. 

11. Grilled Cheese

You might think of grilled cheese as a cheap lunch, but it can actually be a gourmet snack. Use high-quality bread like nice French bread or some Italian bread slices. Then, add fancy cheeses like brie, provolone or gruyere. Make sure the cheese you pick melts. A melty grilled cheese is always best.

Serve your gourmet grilled cheese with some warm tomato soup as a dipping sauce. You can also add some deli meats to make a meaty grilled cheese sandwich. Ham, sliced turkey or bacon inside the grilled cheese can be the perfect touch.

12. Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels

This is a lighter snack idea that has a fresh taste. With just a few ingredients, you can make some turkey and spinach pinwheels that are perfect for your next board game night. You can even make these ahead of time and store them in your fridge. When game night begins, just pull them out and enjoy. 

13. Pretzel Bites

Everyone loves pretzel bites and they are a great game night snack. They are not too messy and won’t leave behind any crumbs. You can pop soft pretzel bits right into your mouth and enjoy. 

Get creative with the dipping sauces for pretzel bites. Serve the snack with some nacho cheese, hummus or peanut butter sauce. Some napkins, some sauce and a big plate of pretzel bits will make your game nights complete. 

Get Your Game On With These Snack Ideas

Do these game night snack ideas make you excited to eat and play? Which one will you try first? We suggest just going down the line and trying them all.

Be sure to check back here often for more snacking inspiration. We have lots of educational insights and recipes featuring popcorn on our site and will keep bringing you more. Happy snacking.