9 Football Sliders for When the Game Falls Flat but the Food Doesn’t

ByAnne Jolly

Your team is down by three touchdowns, the commercials are more entertaining than the plays, and everyone’s checking their phones. That’s when you need sliders that can carry the whole afternoon on their tiny, stacked shoulders. Load them up right, and suddenly nobody cares about the fourth quarter.

A plate of buffalo chicken sliders on seasoned buns, garnished with chopped green onions, is arranged on a white plate.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Italian Sub Sliders

A plate of stacked Italian sub sandwiches filled with deli meats, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers, with a bowl of potato chips in the background.
Italian Sub Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When the scoreboard isn’t cooperating, these baked Italian sub sliders deliver all the deli counter classics your crowd actually wants. Layers of ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone melt together on soft rolls for an easy win that requires minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sub Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sliders

A plate of barbecue chicken sliders with shredded chicken and coleslaw on soft, seasoned buns.
BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These BBQ chicken sliders save the day when your team can’t seem to find the end zone. Using rotisserie chicken and Hawaiian rolls, they come together in 30 minutes flat so you can get back to watching the game instead of missing plays in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Pulled Pork Sliders

A tray of pretzel buns filled with shredded meat and melted cheese, arranged closely together on a red checkered cloth.
Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pulled pork and mac and cheese on pretzel buns might be the only comeback story you see today, but it’s a good one. This mashup gives your guests something to cheer about even when there’s nothing happening on screen worth celebrating.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Three pulled pork sliders with pickles and cheese are stacked on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for these beef and beer sliders while you focus on the game. Tender shredded beef piled high with pickles and onions turns into the kind of bite-sized comfort food that makes a blowout score easier to stomach.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Turkey & Ham Sliders

Cranberry turkey sliders on a plate next to a jar of cranberry sauce.
Turkey & Ham Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These turkey and ham sliders keep things simple when football isn’t giving you much to work with. Just rolls, leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese create a solid game day option that comes together faster than a two-minute drill.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Ham Sliders

Italian Beef Sliders

Instant Pot Italian Beef on a roll with cheese.
Italian Beef Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spicy pepperoncini-spiked beef gets shredded and piled onto rolls for sliders that bring more heat than whatever’s happening in the game. The Instant Pot makes this party-ready meal happen without you missing a single commercial break.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Sliders

Chili Dog Sliders

A metal tray with baked bread rolls stuffed with hot dogs and topped with melted cheese, garnished with chopped green onions, on a red and white checked cloth.
Chili Dog Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

All the messy glory of chili cheese dogs gets contained in neat little baked sliders perfect for disappointed fans. Gooey cheese and hearty chili turn hot dogs into something your guests can eat without taking their eyes off the screen, even if the action there isn’t worth watching.
Get the Recipe: Chili Dog Sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

A close-up of a white dish filled with glazed meatballs garnished with chopped herbs.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Buffalo chicken sliders made with rotisserie chicken hit the table fast when you need to feed people through a rough game. Tangy buffalo sauce and melted cheese on Hawaiian rolls give everyone something to focus on besides the score.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sliders

Close-up of instant pot pulled pork sliders with shredded meat and purple cabbage slaw on toasted buns.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: .

Enjoy tasty sliders topped with easy pulled pork for your next football party. This crowd-pleasing favorite will be a huge hit.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sliders