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It’s that time of year again… college basketball season! Whether you’re hosting a huge watch party, or you’re at home watching the game with family, March Madness party food is essential. With everything from appetizers, warm dips, and finger foods to basketball themed sweet treats, you’re guaranteed a game winner!
I’ve always been more of a football girl myself, but as a North Carolinian I am so proud to see two of our universities make the Sweet Sixteen. My husband on the other hand is a huge basketball fan, so I’m going all out to make sure my March Madness spread is a slam dunk!
Below you will find every kind of game changing recipe you’ll need to plan the perfect March Madness Menu! Since game days are all about the appetizers, dips, and finger foods, that’s where I recommend you start.
I have also added a handful of classic Main Dishes for feeding a crowd; including Walking Tacos, Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken, and irresistible Beef and Cheddar Sliders just to name a couple favorites. To top it off, you’ll find several make-ahead salads and a some adorable basketball-themed dessert recipes that everyone will enjoy!
Appetizers, Dips, and Finger Food
BEST Pigs In A Blanket (Simple And Easy)
Made using just 5 simple ingredients, you can enjoy this recipe as an appetizer, dinner, or an easy-to-make snack, in under 30 minutes!
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March Madness Snack Mix – Oh Sweet Basil
This March Madness Snack Mix is filled with all the salty snack favorites that everyone will love while you watch all the basketball your heart can handle!
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March Madness Basketball Bean Dip – Hungry Happenings
This basketball bean dip appetizer served with homemade basketball tortilla chips will be a slam dunk at your basketball birthday party, March Madness watch party, or a basketball team banquet.
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Slow Cooker Queso Beef Dip – A Southern Soul
This velvety smooth dip with swirls of green chilies, salsa, and jalapeños is a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any party, game-day celebration, or when you’re entertaining.
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Fireball Glazed Meatballs – Plain Chicken
Frozen meatballs, ketchup, red pepper jelly, sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Fireball cinnamon whiskey.
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Homemade Ranch Dip
Whether you’re serving it with a veggie platter or a pile of chips, this tasty dish is sure to have your friends and family begging for the recipe!
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March Madness Baked Nachos – Touring Tastebuds
A quick and delicious snack to make for your March Madness viewing party!
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Cheddar Chicken Bites – Cook. Craft. Love
These cheesy cheddar chicken bites are the perfect appetizer for your Super Bowl party, March Madness, or any party in between!
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Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, rich, classic recipe that is perfect for any gathering at any time of the year!
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Main Dishes To Feed A Crowd
Walking Taco Bar
Fun to make and fun to eat, Walking Tacos are sure to be your favorite party food! These tacos are easy to assemble, customizable, and are the perfect way to feed a crowd.
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March Madness Insanity Sub Sammie – Just A Pinch
In the midst of March Madness, I dreamed up some basketball subs. With a pasta salad, it was a great game day meal.
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Beef Enchilada Crescent Roll-Ups – Southern Bite
These are great all by themselves, but I like to top them with some diced tomatoes, diced avocado, and even a little sour cream.
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5-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken – A Southern Soul
Buffalo Chicken made with just 5 ingredients cooked low and slow in the Crock Pot is a recipe with so many uses! It’s a must-make on game day, for parties, or a weeknight meal.
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Air Fryer Brats Recipe – Kitchn
Making golden and juicy bratwurst doesn't get any easier thanks to the air fryer.
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Easy Beef and Cheddar Sliders
Easy-to-make in 30 minutes, Beef and Cheddar Sliders are hard to resist! They are cheesy and buttery, with a special sauce that’s super simple to make.
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Irresistible Side Dishes
Pesto Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Mozzarella – A Southern Soul
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil all tossed in a “short-cut” pesto sauce make a salad that is seriously delicious!
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Melt In Your Mouth Potatoes – Let’s Dish Recipes
Thick potato slices roasted in butter and herbs, then finished off with chicken broth and garlic!
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Roasted Brown Butter Honey Garlic Carrots – The Recipe Critic
Roasted brown butter honey garlic carrots make an excellent side dish. Roasted to tender perfection in the most incredible sauce these will become a new favorite!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
Spinach, fresh strawberries, candied pecans, and feta cheese crumbles are tossed together with a vibrant and flavorful dressing to create a salad that’s perfect for spring and summer celebrations!
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Simple Sauteed Vegetables – Budget Bytes
These simple sautéed vegetables are exactly that. They’re easy, colorful, delicious, flexible, and go with just about anything you make for dinner.
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Mini Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes – Spoon Fork Bacon
Our Mini Hasselback Potatoes are crispy, cheesy and delicious! They're a versatile side dish that goes with almost everything.
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Basketball Themed Desserts and Sweet Treats
Basketball Cupcakes – Salt & Baker
Basketball Cupcakes are topped with a Swiss meringue buttercream, orange sprinkles, and licorice laces. If you ask me, these cupcakes are a major slam dunk!
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Biscoff Butterscotch Fudge Basketballs – Hungry Happenings
These 2-ingredient homemade candies are quick and easy to make and are perfect for a March Madness party.
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March Madness Basketball Pretzel Bites – That’s What Che Said
These Basketball Treats are the perfect March Madness treat for game watching and bracket making! Basketball Pretzel Bites are so easy and even more delicious!
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Nutter Butter Referees – The Girl Who Ate Everything
Make the right call with this quick treat for March Madness. Nutter Butter Referees cookies are dipped in white chocolate and dressed up as referees.
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Basketball Cake – Hungry Fan
This is an essential March Madness recipe. It oozes basketball about as much as it oozes deliciousness. Make this. Don’t think about it. Make it.
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Basketball Cake Balls Recipe – A Simple Pantry
So for the moment, we are going to take a break from our regularly scheduled holiday affair and take a tour down March Madness with this Basketball Cake Balls recipe.
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