Playoff football is here, and that means one thing in my house: snacks. Lots of them. From wild card weekend all the way to Super Bowl LXI on February 14, my air fryer basically lives on the counter every Sunday.

Here’s why I stopped deep frying for game day. The air fryer gets wings crispy without a pot of hot oil, it heats up in a few minutes, and cleanup is a basket instead of a greasy stovetop. Even better, most of these recipes cook in 30 minutes or less, so you can run a batch at kickoff and another at halftime without missing the big plays.

Below are my 10 favorite air fryer game day appetizers. There are six kinds of wings, a buffalo chicken dip that disappears in minutes, and three pizza bites that the kids (and let’s be honest, the adults) fight over. Each one links to the full recipe with ingredients, step-by-step photos and a printable card.

The Best Air Fryer Wings for Game Day

1. Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Air fryer Domino's copycat hot buffalo wings coated in sauce on a platter
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If you only make one wing recipe this playoff season, make this one. The wings air fry at 400°F until the skin is crackly, then get tossed in a sticky honey BBQ sauce and go back in for 3 more minutes so the glaze caramelizes right onto the skin. Seven simple ingredients and about 30 minutes, start to finish.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

2. Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings

These taste better than takeout, and I’m not just saying that. The wings soak in a savory soy, garlic and ginger marinade, then crisp up in the air fryer. Brush on the optional sweet-spicy hoisin glaze at the end, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings

3. Air Fryer Seasoned Steakhouse Wings

Plate of seasoned steakhouse wings on a plate stacked

All the bold flavor of a steakhouse, on a chicken wing. A simple steakhouse seasoning coats the wings, then they cook for 30 minutes at 400°F, flipped halfway. No sauce needed, which means no sticky fingers on the remote.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Seasoned Steakhouse Wings

4. Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Wings

If you love salt and vinegar chips, these are for you. The wings air fry at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, then get a splash of white vinegar the second they come out of the basket. Crispy, tangy and gone in minutes.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Wings

5. Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Sweet, tangy and kid-friendly. The wings cook at 380°F for 25 minutes, then get tossed in a homemade honey mustard sauce. You can cook these ahead, re-crisp them in the air fryer, and toss them in sauce right before serving.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

6. Air Fryer Lemon Dijon Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Lemon Dijon Chicken Wings

Need a break from buffalo? These wings get tossed in a bright, zesty lemon Dijon sauce and are ready in under 30 minutes. They’re a fresh change of pace on a wing platter that’s heavy on sweet and spicy.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Lemon Dijon Chicken Wings

A Game Day Dip Everyone Fights Over

7. Hooters Buffalo Chicken Dip (Easy Copycat)

All the flavor of buffalo wings, in a creamy, cheesy, scoopable dip. It bakes in the air fryer at 350°F until it’s hot and bubbly. Serve it with tortilla chips, celery sticks or toasted bread. You can also mix it up the day before and cook it right before guests arrive.

Get the recipe: Hooters Buffalo Chicken Dip

Pizza Bites for the Whole Crowd

8. Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls

Melty mozzarella, pepperoni and thick pizza sauce wrapped in an egg roll wrapper that turns shatteringly crisp. They cook for just 7 minutes at 390°F, flipped at the 4-minute mark. Serve with warm pizza sauce or ranch for dipping.

Get the recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls

9. Air Fryer Homemade Pizza Rolls

Summer is here, and the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove while everyone else is outside soaking up the sunshine. When 5:30 PM hits and the kids are starving, I need dinner on the table fast—without turning my kitchen into a sauna. That's where my air fryer becomes an absolute lifesaver. These are my go-to kid-friendly summer dinners that are quick, fuss-free, and guaranteed to get zero complaints at the table. We're talking crispy homemade pizza rolls, cheesy totchos loaded with all the good stuff, Big Mac smash tacos that make the whole family run to the dinner table, and so much more. Every single recipe is designed to get you out of the kitchen fast and back to enjoying those long, golden summer evenings. Whether you're feeding picky eaters, prepping for a busy weeknight, or just trying to keep your cool (literally), these meals have you covered. Let's get into it! 1. Easy Air Fryer Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Easy Air Fryer Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside—these homemade pepperoni pizza rolls are everything my kids love in one handheld bite. They're ready in just minutes with barely any cleanup, which makes them a summer weeknight staple in our house. Perfect for those evenings when everyone wants pizza but no one wants to wait. View Recipe → 2. Easy Copycat Olive Garden Mac and Cheese Easy Copycat Olive Garden Mac and Cheese Rich, ultra-creamy, and totally restaurant-worthy—this copycat Olive Garden mac and cheese tastes like the real deal, only faster and cheaper to make at home. It comes together right on the stovetop with no oven required, which is exactly what I need on a hot summer night. Picky eaters absolutely love it, and the leftovers make the best next-day lunch. View Recipe → 3. Air Fryer Big Mac Smash Tacos Air Fryer Big Mac Smash Tacos This one is so fun—all the savory flavors of a Big Mac meet the crispy crunch of a taco shell, and the air fryer does all the heavy lifting. Ground beef, melty cheese, pickles, lettuce, and that creamy tangy sauce make every bite absolutely irresistible. It's a delicious twist on two classics that gets my whole family excited for dinner. View Recipe → 4. Air Fryer Margherita Pizza Air Fryer Margherita Pizza Everyone's favorite food—PIZZA—and you don't have to crank up the oven once! The air fryer gives this simple Margherita pizza a perfectly crispy crust in just minutes, making it a fantastic lighter dinner option for summer. It still feels like a special treat, and the kids absolutely love it. View Recipe → 5. Air Fryer Beef Totchos Air Fryer Beef Totchos Crispy tater tots meet cheesy nacho goodness, and honestly, this is the ultimate weeknight dinner hack. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings, it comes together in the air fryer basket with almost no effort. It's quick, totally customizable, and feels like a party on a plate. View Recipe → 6. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Bites Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Bites For those of you always looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fried foods—this one's for you! These crispy chicken bites come together with just a few simple pantry staples and cook up perfectly golden without a drop of deep-frying oil. I always make a double batch because they disappear off the plate instantly. View Recipe → 7. Air Fryer Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Sticks Air Fryer Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Sticks Golden brown and crispy on the outside, salty, savory, and cheesy on the inside—these pizza sticks are just out of this world. They're kid-friendly, incredibly easy to make, and ready in minutes, which makes them perfect for those summer evenings when you're rushing out the door to a baseball game or backyard hangout. Grab-and-go dinner doesn't get better than this! View Recipe → 8. Tyson Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer Let's be real—some summer nights are just too chaotic for cooking from scratch, and that is completely okay! Tossing frozen Tyson nuggets into the air fryer gives them a perfectly crunchy exterior and tender, juicy interior that the microwave could never come close to. Minimal effort, maximum crunch—this is my zero-stress dinner secret. View Recipe →

These from-scratch pizza rolls start with pizza dough and come out golden and crispy at 350°F in 8 to 12 minutes. They taste so much better than the frozen kind, and you control every bit of filling.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Homemade Pizza Rolls

10. Air Fryer Frozen Pizza Rolls

And when you have zero time? Grab a bag of Totino’s. Frozen pizza rolls go straight from the freezer to the basket and come out crispy in 6 to 8 minutes, with a shake halfway through. This is the snack I make during commercial breaks.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Pizza Rolls

My Air Fryer Game Day Plan

Most air fryers hold one batch at a time, so a little planning keeps the food coming all game long. Here’s how I time it:

  1. The night before: Marinate the Chinese wings. Mix the buffalo chicken dip, cover it and refrigerate.
  2. 1 hour before kickoff: Cook the first batch of wings and keep them warm on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven.
  3. 30 minutes before kickoff: Air fry the buffalo chicken dip so it’s bubbling when guests arrive.
  4. Kickoff: Pizza egg rolls or homemade pizza rolls go in. They’re done in under 15 minutes.
  5. Halftime: Second round of wings, sauced fresh.
  6. Fourth quarter: Frozen pizza rolls for the snack-attack crowd.

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Appetizers

  • Pat wings completely dry. Wet skin steams instead of crisping, no matter how hot the air fryer is.
  • Don’t crowd the basket. Cook in a single layer with space between each piece so the hot air can circulate.
  • Preheat for wings and egg rolls. A hot basket gives you a better crust from the start. Dips are fine from a cold start.
  • Sauce at the end. Toss wings in sauce after they’re cooked, then return them for a few minutes to set the glaze.
  • Re-crisp, don’t microwave. Leftover wings and pizza rolls come back to life in the air fryer at 350°F in 3 to 5 minutes.

Air Fryer Game Day Appetizer FAQs

What temperature should I cook wings in the air fryer? 400°F is the sweet spot for most wings. It’s hot enough to crisp the skin and render the fat without drying out the meat. Always check that chicken reaches 165°F inside.

Can I make game day appetizers ahead of time? Yes. Dips can be mixed the day before and air fried right before serving. Wings can be cooked ahead and re-crisped in the air fryer, then tossed in sauce.

How many wings should I plan per person? For a game day spread with other appetizers, plan on about 6 to 8 wing pieces per person. Bump it up if wings are the main event.

Can I use frozen wings? Yes. Several of these recipes, including the salt and vinegar wings, work with frozen wings. Add a few extra minutes and check the internal temperature.

When is the Super Bowl in 2027? Super Bowl LXI is on Sunday, February 14, 2027. It’s the first Super Bowl ever played on Valentine’s Day, so plan your menu for the game and your sweetheart.

Ready for Kickoff

Whether you’re hosting the whole crew for wild card weekend or just watching with the family, these air fryer game day appetizers make it easy to feed a crowd without missing the game. Pick two wings, one dip and one pizza bite, and you’ve got a spread everyone will love.

If you make any of these, leave a comment and a star rating on the recipe, and tag @forktospoon so I can see your game day spread.

Looking for more? Check out my Super Bowl meets Valentine’s Day recipes for February 14.