Looking for game day dips that go beyond a bowl of salsa? Think melted cheese, chunky guacamole and a bread bowl filled right to the top.
There are even a couple of sweet ideas here if you want something to bring out after the savory snacks.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Pick a few favorites, then give each one its own chips, bread or apple slices.
These pictures offer plenty of inspiration for what to serve and how to set it out.
Dip Ideas Worth Saving for Game Day
golden cheese and green onions
We’re starting off strong with this cheesy dish. I love the browned spots across the orange-and-white topping, plus those bright green onion rings.
For your own snack spread, try serving a dip like this in a baking dish with a separate bowl of chips beside it.
Read also: 20 Game Day Charcuterie Ideas With Football Boards and Fun Snacks
skillet dip with a cheese pull
How good does that cheese pull look?! The melted white cheese has reddish crumbles, chopped green peppers and herbs scattered over the top.
I’d keep tortilla chips close by for this one. A little serving spoon would be a useful addition for getting those toppings onto your plate.
colorful layers and black olives
This layered dip may just be one of my favorites here. I love how you can see the brown, white and red layers through the side of the dish.
The shredded cheese and black olive rings cover the top.
Choose a clear serving dish if you want to show off your own layers like this.
creamy greens in a bread bowl
Who doesn’t love a bread bowl? This round loaf holds a thick white dip with leafy greens and pale chunks throughout. The cut-off top sits right beside it.
Read also: 20 Super Bowl Dips and Fun Serving Ideas for Game Day
Try serving extra bread slices on the side so you have something to scoop with before breaking into the bowl itself.
jalapeños and a golden crumb topping
I am obsessed with that golden crumb topping. The cracker lifts up a scoop of creamy dip with melted cheese underneath, while jalapeño slices sit on top of the dish.
Save this idea if you like a dip with more than just a smooth surface. Those little toasted crumbs are worth keeping.
pickle pieces and dill
Calling all pickle fans! This pale dip has chopped pickles scattered across the middle with fine dill sprigs and dark seasoning flecks around them.
The ridged chips beside the bowl are a lovely place to start. I’d add cucumber slices too if you want another dipping option.
a heaped bowl with ridged chips
Don’t want to go all out with the serving setup? No problem!
This little bowl of thick dip sits on a large plate with ridged chips tucked around it. Orange shreds and green flecks run through each scoop.
Try the same bowl-on-a-plate arrangement for a smaller snack spread.
chunky guacamole and seasoned triangles
This guacamole looks so good with those browned, seasoned triangles. I especially love that you can still see the avocado chunks, tomato pieces and purple onion.
Keep the bowl slightly to one side of your platter like this. That leaves plenty of room to pile up the dippers.
red salsa in a little handled pot
If you’re looking for a simple serving idea, this one is for you. The chunky red salsa fills a little dark handled pot, with tortilla chips all around it.
Green herb flecks show throughout the salsa.
You don’t need lots of garnish here. I’d let that red color do the work.
black beans and colorful corn
There’s so much color in this scoop! Black beans, yellow corn, tomato, purple onion and chopped peppers fill the dish.
Read also: 20 BBQ Side Dishes to Inspire Your Next Cookout
This is a pretty option to save alongside the cheesier game day dips. Try putting a serving spoon beside it so you can gather a little of everything without chasing the beans around with a chip.
hot honey whipped feta
This hot honey whipped feta dip is such a pretty change from the usual chip bowl. I love the glossy drizzle over the pale base, especially with the chopped pistachios and little herb sprigs.
Follow the serving idea with toasted pita pieces on the side. The oval dish leaves lots of space to spread out those toppings.
orange swirls and pine nuts
How gorgeous is that orange color? This smooth dip has a swirl across the top with pine nuts, chopped herbs and red seasoning scattered over it.
Try making a shallow spiral in your own dip with the back of a spoon before adding your garnish. Keep the bread triangles nearby like they are here.
browned onions and chives
I love this creamy dip with the tangle of browned onions in the middle. The chopped chives add little green dots across the pale surface.
No elaborate platter needed here. A bowl with potato chips around it keeps the focus on that lovely onion topping.
golden skillet dip and toast
If you love a browned cheese topping, this one is worth saving. The dip fills a dark skillet, with green onion rings scattered across the top.
The toast slices and square crackers give you two serving ideas in one picture. I’d keep both rather than choosing just one.
pepperoni pizza-style dip
Pizza fans, this one’s for you. Pepperoni rounds sit over melted cheese with dark olive pieces and a scattering of herbs.
The orange-red edges make it look even more like a pizza in dip form.
Read also: Best 25+ Game Day Sliders You'll Be Obsessed With
Try bread slices on the side, just like the row behind the dish.
beer cheese and pretzel twists
Don’t want a dip piled high with toppings? This beer cheese idea keeps things simple.
The smooth orange dip has dark seasoning flecks across the surface, with little pretzel twists ready for dipping.
I love the mix of pretzels and flat crackers around the bowl. You could offer both on one large tray.
corn with crumbled cheese
This corn dip is another favorite. The browned patches, white cheese crumbles and chopped green herbs look so good together.
You can see whole corn kernels in the scoop on the tortilla chip.
Keep some of your toppings visible across the surface if you want to follow this look rather than stirring everything in.
a loaded spread with bagels
Want something a little different from chips? This spread comes with seeded bagels around the plate.
Orange salmon pieces, chopped purple onion, capers and a generous pile of green herbs cover the white base.
I love the wide, shallow presentation. Try a serving plate instead of a deep bowl when you want to spread your toppings across the whole dip.
cookie dough dip
Who says the dip has to be savory? This cookie dough dip is dotted with little chocolate chips, with graham crackers lined up around the bowl.
I’d put this on its own small board for the sweet part of your spread. Keep a spoon nearby for spreading it onto the crackers.
caramel-colored topping and apple slices
Last but definitely not least, we have this sweet-looking layered dip. I love the glossy caramel-colored topping over the thick white base.
Chopped candy pieces cover the surface, with a green apple slice lifting up a scoop.
Try arranging your apple slices on a separate plate beside the dip so that topping stays on full display.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia