The best Super Bowl appetizer is one you can prepare in advance and forget about – and one that remains deliciously warm right through to the end of the game. This is where the secret weapon in your Super Bowl arsenal comes into play: the slow cooker.

Slow cookers offer a brilliant solution to maintain your servings of hot wings and creamy cheese dips at the perfect temperature. If you are entertaining a smaller group, a mini slow cooker is ideal for dishes like a delightful roasted cauliflower spread. Certain slow cookers feature a sauté function, so many of these recipes can be whipped up in one pot. Others may need a brief preparation on your stovetop or broiler before finishing up in your slow cooker, keeping them warm for as long as you need.

Highlighting an amazing queso fundido recipe from 1988 F&W Best New Chef Rick Bayless, sautéing tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and onions in a dash of tequila. After this, a slow addition of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over low heat makes this dish memorable.

Another outstanding game day special comes from former F&W editor Chandra Ram: a savory blend of melted Swiss and cheddar cheese with beer and mustard. For a delicious appetizer with a touch of the exotic, chef and cookbook author Louisa Shafia prepares a red kidney bean dip, combining them with fire-roasted tomatoes, turmeric, coriander, and cumin. To finish, crispy, golden brown onions are sprinkled on top.

Justin Chapple's Philly-inspired queso is perfect for any game day with Provolone and white American cheeses making the foundation of a cheesesteak-inspired dip that is crowned with sautéed peppers, onions, and by strips of thin rib eye steak.

Don't forget slow cooker turkey wings for their winning combination of tenderness and the perfect crispiness. With a cooking time of at least three and a half hours in a sweet and savory braising liquid, these do require an early start.

Cauliflower is first roasted in the oven before being blitzed in a food processor with tahini and lemon juice to make a chunky puree. Keeping it warm in the slow cooker to the end of the game ensures its earthy flavors remain irresistible to the last bite.

And who can resist a sweet and mildly spicy queso fundido, made with frozen sweet corn, Monterey Jack cheese, and a couple of poblano chilies? The sauté function of the slow cooker is used to brown the poblano, onion, corn, and garlic before you melt the cheese over low heat.