12 Appetizers You Can Make on a Charcoal Grill for The Big Game
Updated January 2026
The Big Game is coming up fast (yes, that game — and no, we still can’t legally say its name). Whether you’re hosting a full-blown tailgate party or just here for the commercials and the snacks, one thing’s for sure: game day appetizers taste better on a charcoal grill.
You’re no opening-a-bag-of-chips-and-throwing-them-in-a-bowl kind of host, though. No way. When it comes to game day appetizers, you’re here to impress like Prince playing Purple Rain in the freaking rain in 2007.
Best Game Day Appetizers on the Grill
From crispy wings to smoky dips, charcoal grilling adds flavor you just can’t fake indoors. Better airflow, higher heat, and real smoke make grilled appetizers the MVP of any Big Game spread — especially when you’re cooking for a crowd.
Charcoal Grilled Sweet Sriracha Wings
Photo by Taste of Home
Hot and sweet, these Sweet Sriracha Wings are a big step up from your typical football-game wings and worlds apart from the “same old, same old.” The key to these wings: a Sriracha kick, and just the right amount of Kick Ash grilling.
Grilled Oysters with Chorizo Butter
The best things in life, all in one bite. No shucking required. All your friends will think you’ve kidnapped Gordon Ramsey and forced him to cook your game day appetizers when you whip out these grilled oysters!
Charcoal Grilled Halloumi Cheese
No, we’re not talking about a grilled cheese sandwich here. This is literally grilled cheese. Halloumi cheese is strong enough to hold its shape on the grill, so you’re left with a creamy, cheesy, smoky appetizer that vegetarians and carnivores will fight over.
Grilled Asparagus
Around here, we like our veggies portable. Whether you want to sword fight your friends or use it as a pointer for your PowerPoint presentation about why the other team sucks, grilled asparagus is an easy and delicious way to get your greens without compromising flavor.
Grilled Nectarine and Cheese Crostini
Hey, we already warned you that these grilled appetizer recipes were going to be fancy. Luckily, these Grilled Nectarine and Cheese Crostini look like something out of a 5-star restaurant, but they are surprisingly easy to make.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Photo by Jonny Valiant
These perfectly charred chicken skewers will please adults and kids alike. Consider them grown-up chicken tenders with an exotic twist (and a handle).
Tequila Lime Shrimp
Drunk shrimp just taste better. Give your taste buds a trip to Mexico with this easy shrimp appetizer. Done in 5 minutes, these are for your friends that are hungry right now.
Smoky Four-Pepper Salsa
When I dip, you dip, we dip! Grilling the tomatoes and peppers for this salsa adds a smoky, authentic flavor. This salsa goes great on tortilla chips, tacos, pita chips, or even just by itself.
Grilled Garlic Bread
You think this dish is Italian, don’t you? Wrong! In Italy, they call this “English garlic bread” because that’s where it came from. You can thank the Brits for this people-pleasing, carb-filled comfort food.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Photo by Simply Recipes / Megan Keno
Want to wow your party guests with so much flavor they’ll think they’re walking through the streets of Oaxaca? Mexican street corn - also called Elote - combines fresh corn on the cob with Mexican spices, cotija cheese, Mexican crema, and more to create an explosion of flavor (and we mean explosion literally - so watch your shirt).
Cola-Brined Chicken Wings
Two of your favorite things come together in this grill-tasting game-day pleaser. With your favorite cola (we prefer Coca-Cola, but Pepsi or even Dr. Pepper work well, too) as your marinade, you can put a caffeinated punch of sweetness into your wings so you’ll all have plenty of energy for cheering on your team.
This is how Chad does wings. Primo fired up, applewood smoking, wings on the grill, and yes… a quick dip in tallow, just for fun.
Grilled Donut Ice Cream Sandwiches
Hey, if you’re eating dessert as an appetizer, you’re truly living your best life. If you’ve never tried a grilled donut before, prepare to be instantly hooked. Add in some ice cream and your favorite fresh fruit, and you’ll have the kids and adults at your game day party screaming for more.
The Secret to Stress-Free Game Day Grilling
No matter what you’re grilling on the big day, the key to pulling it off is consistent grill temperature. That’s where airflow comes in. The Kick Ash Basket is designed to improve airflow through your charcoal so your fire burns cleaner, hotter, and more evenly, which means fewer stalls, faster cooks, and less guessing. Whether you’re grilling wings, shrimp, or crowd-pleasing classics, better airflow helps everything cook the way it should.
We make Kick Ash Baskets designed to fit nearly every major grill brand, including Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Weber, Primo, and more. If you’re gearing up for Game Day and want a setup you can rely on, check out all of our high-quality grilling accessories.