41 Dips People Keep Scooping Between Plays
Great dips keep the energy up when everyone settles in for the big game. That’s why 41 crowd-pleasing recipes fill this list, ready for every pause and play. You’ll find ideas for lively groups or simple afternoons with favorite snacks nearby. I’ve found dips always draw people back for a little more, even after the action resumes.

Whipped Feta Dip

Crowds form fast around a bowl of this Whipped Feta Dip before the game even starts. Every bite turns into a little event as people try it for the first time. The creamy, tangy flavor keeps hands moving back for more. Bringing this to a watch party usually means you get asked for the recipe later.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Feta Dip
Pizza Sauce

Nothing draws a group together quite like this Pizza Sauce waiting next to a pile of breadsticks. The rich flavor pairs with almost anything and keeps the party going through every quarter. Slices get dunked so fast it’s hard to keep up. You’ll probably see people inventing new ways to use every drop.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sauce
Pecan Pie Dip

Guests light up when you bring out a bowl of Pecan Pie Dip for snacking. Warm, sweet notes invite everyone to try a taste, but it disappears before you know it. This dreamy treat turns heads and sparks questions about its secret. Dipping in is a little like dessert before dinner, which always gets smiles.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Dip
Goat Cheese Dip

Cozy parties need something special, and this Goat Cheese Dip never lets anyone down. The tangy spread sparks laughter and little moments of silence when friends scoop up another chip. I bring this out when people want something just a little different. No one leaves a drop behind when the game is tight.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Dip
Black Bean Hummus

Every party table gets a boost with a bowl of Black Bean Hummus at the center. Earthy flavors and unexpected smoothness make it a go-to during tense moments. Guests reach for veggies and chips, hoping for the biggest scoops. Bringing hummus is always a safe move when you want empty bowls at the end.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Hummus
Lebanese Baba Ganoush

People crowd closer to the snacks once this Lebanese Baba Ganoush hits the spread. Creamy, smoky flavor makes even picky eaters come back for another dip. Conversations start about what else you could scoop with it. Small talk always drifts toward how good this one is.
Get the Recipe: Lebanese Baba Ganoush
Hot Crab Dip

Sports fans pause between plays just to dig into this Hot Crab Dip. The warm, savory bites create buzz without a word being spoken. I notice that the bowl empties quickly, even when other snacks are around. Bringing out seafood like this always makes the game feel special.
Get the Recipe: Hot Crab Dip
Greek Feta Dip

A bowl of Greek Feta Dip can be a crowd favorite before the second quarter. The briny, herby burst makes every bite interesting enough to keep people coming back. Even simple crackers suddenly taste more exciting. Parties seem to last a bit longer when everyone’s snacking on this.
Get the Recipe: Greek Feta Dip
Fried Dill Pickle Dip

Curiosity gets the best of everyone when you show up with this Fried Dill Pickle Dip. Crispy, creamy, and tangy in one spoonful, the dip draws a mix of reactions that end in a race to finish the bowl. Every bite keeps the conversation moving. Serving this side brings out a lot of surprised smiles.
Get the Recipe: Fried Dill Pickle Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip

Energy in the room jumps with every scoop of this Buffalo Chicken Dip. Spicy, creamy goodness is the classic answer for big games or long nights of trash talk. Chips and veggies become vehicles for getting as much as possible. I always leave with an empty dish after sharing this one.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Queso Dip

Cheers echo around the table when someone brings this Queso Dip into the living room. Gooey and cheesy, it welcomes all kinds of snacks to the party. People find new favorites by dunking just about anything in it. You know a dip is a hit when even seasoned fans sneak seconds.
Get the Recipe: Queso Dip
Million Dollar Dip

Friends lean in for more every time you serve Million Dollar Dip at a big get-together. There’s a little mystery about why it tastes so rich and creamy. It is known for being the first bowl to run out. Often, you’ll notice people scraping the bottom for just one more bite.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Dip
Crack Chicken Dip

Appetites grow as soon as someone lifts the lid on this Crack Chicken Dip. Bites come with just the right blend of comfort and punch, keeping everyone glued to the snack table between plays. Football crowds get extra quiet around this bowl. Guests appreciate being able to refill throughout the night.
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Dip
Guacamole

Watch parties come alive the second this Guacamole arrives next to a fresh pile of chips. The bright, creamy dip fits in perfectly whether you are a sports fan or just there for the food. Folks dip again and again until the bowl vanishes. I never bring home leftovers when guac is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole
Tangy Chick-fil-A Sauce

People start hovering near the table as soon as they spot this Tangy Chick-fil-A Sauce. The sweet and sharp combo has folks debating what it pairs with best. Every nugget and fry gets at least one dunk before halftime. Replicating this dip often leads to surprised faces and happy guests.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Chick-fil-A Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce

Conversations stay lively as fans keep dipping into this Sweet and Sour Sauce all night. That perfect balance of flavor matches fried snacks, grilled foods, and more. Plates get cleaned faster than the clock runs down. This is one dip that always gets noticed, even among lots of other options.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce
Hummus

Serving up a bowl of Hummus can turn any couch into a prime spot for game day. Creamy, smooth texture works with all kinds of dippers—chips, veggies, or even chicken. Some people start with small bites but quickly go back for more. The bowl always empties, no matter the crowd.
Get the Recipe: Hummus
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Friends pause for a second once they notice the color of this Cranberry Jalapeño Dip. Sweet, tart, and just a hint of kick make each bite exciting. People start sharing stories about dips they remember from other parties. Unusual combos like this keep snack time memorable.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Taco Dip

Cheering gets more energetic whenever this Taco Dip hits the snack table. The hearty flavors layer by layer make it hard to stop after just one chip. I serve this when the group wants bold and familiar all in one bite. Most people sneak back for seconds, especially during timeouts.
Get the Recipe: Taco Dip
Cheesy Rotel Dip

Bowls of Cheesy Rotel Dip top the list of must-haves for every big game. Melty cheese and a pop of heat pack plenty of comfort into each bite. Friends and family circle up, ready with chips in hand. Nothing sets the mood for kickoff quite like a bowl full of this dip.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Rotel Dip
7 Layer Dip

Nothing says watch party quite like 7 Layer Dip with all those colors and textures stacked up. The first scoop always gets everyone talking about their favorite layers. Loading up one chip feels like a mini meal in itself. You can be sure this one goes fast at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Dip
Fresh Basil Pesto

Bringing freshness to the table, this Fresh Basil Pesto feels like a little upgrade next to pizza or breadsticks. Rich green flavor makes a strong impression even with just a taste. Football talk pauses as guests debate what to dip next. You’ll often spot people checking if there’s any left for later.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Basil Pesto
Sriracha Mayo Sauce

Never underestimate what Sriracha Mayo Sauce can do for game night snacks. Each dunk delivers a creamy kick, perfect for spicing things up in the middle of a close game. Chips, fries, or wings—everything gets better with a little dip. You might find fans coming back just for the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Mayo Sauce
Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Fans crowd closer together when this Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe makes its debut. The smoky bite adds a punch to anything you serve, whether it’s chips, chicken, or fries. Plates get stacked higher because nobody wants to miss out. I have to double my batch if I want leftovers for later.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe
Avocado Sauce

Creamy and cool, this Avocado Sauce soothes the burn after spicy foods or hot wings. The bright color looks great on any snack table, drawing in curious scoopers. People trade tips for what else to dip in it. Something about avocado always makes the room just a little more fun.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Sauce
Garlic Aioli

Expect chatter to slow for a second as everyone gets a taste of this Garlic Aioli. Silky smooth with a garlicky punch, it’s useful next to fries or even fresh veggies. I find it nearly impossible to keep enough on hand for bigger crowds. No one wants to miss out on the last scoop.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Aioli
Marinara Sauce

Classic gatherings need a bowl of this Marinara Sauce standing by every platter. That gentle tang and red color invite breadsticks or even mozzarella sticks for a dunk. It’s the go-to for group snacking in between plays. This dip always disappears before the final whistle.
Get the Recipe: Marinara Sauce
Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip

Everybody crowds around for their share once you set out this Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip. The salty, cheesy combo is impossible to resist. Everyone suddenly finds room on their plate for just a little more. This dish never comes home with you at the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip

Warmth spreads fast when there is Spinach Artichoke Dip to pass around. Cheesy, creamy layers have guests begging for the recipe before they’re done scooping. It becomes an instant favorite even when there are lots of options. You’ll never see leftovers when this is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip
Sweet Maple Ketchup

Dip trays see a twist once you add this Sweet Maple Ketchup. Kids and adults both gravitate toward its bright, sweet taste. Burgers and fries just seem more fun with a swipe of this sauce. Friends agree it is something you will want to make again soon.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Maple Ketchup
Garlic Dip

Bright, punchy flavor draws friends in when you offer this Garlic Dip during game time. One spoonful and the whole room cheers for more, dunking everything from crackers to pizza crusts. Silence only lasts as long as it takes for the first bite. The bowl heads back to the kitchen empty every time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Dip
Dipping Sauce for Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries disappear fast with this Dipping Sauce for Sweet Potato Fries on the table. The right sauce takes every bite up a notch and gets plenty of compliments. Even people who skip fries change their minds when this appears. Everyone wants to know what makes it so craveable.
Get the Recipe: Dipping Sauce for Sweet Potato Fries
Greek Tzatziki

Guests cool off fast with a swirl through this Greek Tzatziki. The fresh, creamy dip fits right in next to pita or sliced veggies. You see empty bowls and fresh-cut snack trays all evening long. I bring this out when I want to keep things light and easy.
Get the Recipe: Greek Tzatziki
Pico de Gallo

Crunch and color add a punch to chips with a big scoop of this Pico de Gallo. Salsa fans wake up at the first bite, sharing big grins with every dip. Tables get a lot quieter as people focus on snack time. Everyone leaves happy when the bowl is scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Pico de Gallo
Ranch Dressing

Offering up a cool spot for veggies, chicken, or even chips, this Ranch Dressing works with just about everything. Party plates wind up covered in ranch, and nobody seems to mind. Kids often ask for more before halftime is over. Some classics never go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Dressing
Salsa Verde

Zingy flavors take center stage with a fresh bowl of Salsa Verde. People gather for nachos or tacos but stay and snack their way through the whole game. The bowl vanishes every single time. Adding salsa to your party spread is always a good idea.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

The crowd quickly perks up when theres Sweet Thai Chili Sauce next to the wings or dumplings. Sweet heat brings more fans every year, and leftovers are rare. Folks dunk everything they can find, trying to get the perfect scoop. Even those who say they do not love spicy stuff change their minds.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
French Onion Dip

Nostalgia and comfort show up fast with a bowl of French Onion Dip. Crispy chips dip in and come up loaded, and friends keep coming back for just one more taste. Secrets are traded about what makes it so creamy. No watch party ever regrets serving this classic.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Dip
Caramelized Onion Hummus

Scoop after scoop, the bowl of Caramelized Onion Hummus goes from full to empty in no time. The sweet onions and creamy base make every bite inviting. Even people who do not love hummus end up trying a little. You hear a lot of, “Wow, what’s in this?” before the final play.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion Hummus
Cowboy Queso Dip

Laughter grows around the table as people pass around tubs of Cowboy Queso Dip. Hearty, cheesy goodness pulls folks in for second and third helpings. The dip table does not stay quiet for long while this dish waits to be finished. I make extra so everyone can get a fair scoop.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Queso Dip
Beer Cheese Dip

Watch parties feel extra complete with Beer Cheese Dip as part of the line up. That bold, cheesy taste pairs with pretzels or chips and draws a crowd all its own. People look for it as soon as the snacks come out. Dip like this always gets people excited between plays.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
