"On any given Saturday from September to November, it’s not uncommon to find me in a parking lot in my college town, trying to toss a ping pong ball into a red plastic cup or digging through an ice-filled cooler for a bottle of water. You might assume that’s because I’m a dedicated alumna or simply a big football fan, but you would be wrong. Sure, football can be entertaining and it’s fun cheering for my alma mater, but truly, I’m there for the food. The various chip-and-dip combos, the Crockpots full of comfort food, the little bite-sized appetizers that you can make a whole meal out of if you eat enough. I am unashamedly a much bigger fan of the tailgate food than I ever will be of football itself.
let's face it: meeting someone in the wild is a lot easier said than done
When it comes to my own contribution to the game-day spread, I have two strict rules for tailgate recipes: 1) It must be easy to throw together (I’m talking 30 minutes or less), and 2) It’s got to be nearly universally appealing, which means no fancy ingredients or unfamiliar flavors. Tailgate food is meant for sharing, so it’s got to be something even my picky, vegetable-averse friends will gladly devour.
With these criteria in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best tailgate recipes the internet has to offer. So get out the slow cooker, pick up some football-shaped paper plates, and whip up one of these crowd-pleasing recipes for the next game.
1. Spinach-Artichoke Dip Wonton Cups
There’s no denying spinach artichoke dip has earned a spot in the appetizer hall of fame, but if you’re looking for a fun twist, try these spinach artichoke wonton cups. They’re delicious, perfectly portioned, and great for avoiding double dipping.
2. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
If you’re skeptical that buffalo cauliflower can ever measure up to buffalo chicken wings, this recipe will turn you into a cauliflower convert. The buffalo sauce strikes the perfect balance of tangy and spicy, while the cauliflower boasts a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior—just the way you want it.
3. Vegetarian Chili
Football season without chili is like mac without cheese or Ken without Barbie—it just doesn’t make sense. This chili recipe will hit the spot every time. Plus, it’s vegetarian, so if any non-meat eaters join your watch party or tailgate, they can enjoy it too.
4. Easy Pinwheels
Finger foods make perfect tailgate recipes because they’re not only incredibly tasty but also require no utensils. Pinwheels are a prime example of a finger food that is easy to whip up and can be customized to your taste. This version features mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, creating an Italian-inspired snack that’s sure to disappear in seconds.
5. Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip
IMO, nothing beats a soft pretzel dipped in hot, rich cheese. This recipe is to die for and rivals the pretzel greats like Auntie Anne’s. For a sweet option, you can also dust the pretzels with cinnamon sugar and serve them with a side of icing for dipping.
6. Pimento Cheese
If you’re looking for a dip that’s cheesy, creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy, pimento cheese is your girl. It’s a bit more unique than basic ranch or hummus but doesn’t require a lot of effort, making it a perfect tailgate recipe.
7. Baked Cheeseburger Sliders
This recipe makes a generous batch of sliders without the hassle of firing up the grill or spending all evening manning it. Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish, pop them in the oven, and add as many toppings as you like—this recipe even suggests peanut butter to make them even better. These sliders also freeze well, so if you’re busy on game day, you can prepare them in advance. Just remember to let them thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
8. Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip
If you think pizza can’t get any better, you clearly haven’t tried pizza dip. This recipe calls for hot pepperoni, three types of cheese, fresh basil, plenty of seasoning, and a drizzle of hot honey for an unmatched flavor. Serve it with toasted bread, pita, crackers, or even veggies for a top-notch appetizer.
9. Baked Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are my go-to appetizer as a hostess, and not to brag, but I always get rave reviews with this recipe. They’re easy to make and feature favorite ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, and potato chips.
10. BLT Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is delicious but sometimes gets a reputation for being bland. This recipe proves it’s anything but. With bacon, lettuce, tomato (of course), and a homemade balsamic dressing, it might even be better than the classic BLT.
11. Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Wings
If you’re not ready to try cauliflower wings just yet, don’t worry—here’s a chicken option, too. This slow cooker recipe is the easiest wing recipe you’ll ever come across. Coated in the tastiest sticky soy sauce, these wings are so tender they’ll melt in your mouth.
12. Classic Cheese Ball
Sometimes you just need a giant ball of cheese to snack on, and this recipe delivers beautifully. Ready in just 15 minutes, it can be customized with a variety of flavor combinations for a fabulous appetizer you’ll want to make again and again.
13. Spicy Game Day Grazing Board
If you don’t want to choose just one appetizer for your game day feast, a charcuterie grazing board offers plenty of options. This spicy spread is a fresh take on the charcuterie board, perfect for snacking while watching the game.
14. Easy Homemade Mini Corn Dogs
If you visit your local fair or carnival every year for the sole purpose of enjoying corn dogs, you’ll love this mini corndog recipe. They’re crispy and browned to perfection every time. Serve them with ketchup and mustard, and you’ll have a group of happy guests in no time.
15. Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars
As great as appetizers are, they’re not the only kind of tailgate recipes. A delicious dessert is a must, too. These copycat Twix bars are healthier than the original but taste just as good.
16. Caramelized Onion Dip
Store-bought refrigerated onion dip is great and all, but homemade caramelized onion dip is a true 10 out of 10. It has all the flavor of onion dip, elevated by the rich, creamy addition of caramelized onions. Once you try it, you’ll be going back for seconds, thirds, and probably fourths, too.
17. Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs
Nothing makes cooking for a tailgate easier than a slow cooker. It lets you be hands-off while you handle the other aspects of game day hosting. Plus, these insanely good meatballs only require four ingredients.
18. Pizza Sausage Rolls
This recipe combines three of my favorite foods: sausage, rolls, and pizza—what’s not to love? It takes Italian chicken sausage and wraps it in bagel dough with marinara and mozzarella, creating a snack that’s impossible to resist. Plus, the recipe uses a Greek yogurt dough, which is much healthier than the store-bought kind you might usually use.
19. Layered Bean Dip
In my book, the more layers a dip has, the better. By that standard, this seven-layer dip is a showstopper. It starts with seasoned refried beans, followed by guacamole, sour cream, cheese, olives, sweet tomatoes, and green onions. Every bite is packed with so much flavor.
20. Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites
If you’re someone who will defend Hawaiian pizza to the end, you’ll love these brown sugar bacon-wrapped pineapple bites. They deliver all the salty-sweet flavor without the actual pizza. With just three ingredients, they’re easy to make and absolutely delicious.
21. Cheesy Chili Dip
Earlier, I said you couldn’t have football season without chili, but I’d like to amend that statement: you can’t have football season without chili or cheesy chili dip. It’s the best appetizer for anyone who loves chili and is ready to enjoy it in dip form.
22. Cheesecake Dip
Not all cheese dips have to be savory appetizers—just try this dessert cheesecake dip. The dip itself is so good you might be tempted to eat it with a spoon, but it’s even better when paired with cookies, marshmallows, or fruit.
23. Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
As someone whose number one favorite comfort food is mac and cheese, I’d like to personally thank the person who invented fried mac and cheese balls. They’re the best way to serve all the cheesy goodness of mac and cheese in a convenient, bite-sized appetizer.
24. Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs
I love deviled eggs, but trust me when I say this street corn version might be even better than the original. The addition of cotija cheese, chili and chipotle powder, and sautéed corn creates an unmatched flavor that’s the perfect accompaniment to a football game.
25. Ultimate Vegan Loaded Nachos
Nachos are a game-day classic, and these loaded nachos are the ultimate tailgate recipe if you follow a plant-based diet. They’re incredibly cheesy with a mouth-watering homemade queso, but surprisingly, there’s no actual cheese involved. The recipe calls for vegan nacho cheese and plant-based taco meat for a fabulous vegan dish.