44 Tailgate Foods Perfect For Cheering On Football Season

Allyson Dickman

Allyson is an editor in Washington, DC. A fan of all things food and travel she's always on the hunt for her next adventure, a good bite to eat and the next best thing to truffles. You can find pics of her delicious travels on Instagram at @allyren.

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Meredith Holser

Affiliate and Food Writer

Meredith Holser is B+C's resident affiliate writer. Meredith enjoys writing about a range of topics, but she's adopted e-commerce writing in all its many facets. Outside of work, you can catch Meredith hiking, trying new recipes, and dreaming about having a yummy little treat.

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Aug 23, 2024

Football season is upon us — and that means it's time for some epic tailgate food! Even if you don't have a team to cheer for, there's one thing all humans can agree on: tailgate recipes are an absolute touchdown in the grub world. Whether you're a fan of the NFL, college ball, or just drinking and eating in parking lots, these tailgate food recipes score big. This tailgate food roundup is loaded with finger foods, sandwiches, and plenty of buffalo chicken. Scroll on for tailgating recipes that will have you rooting for game day.

Brit + Co

Elote

You can't go wrong with this Mexican street food recipe: corn on the cob covered in cotija cheese, garlic, mayo, cilantro, and a big ol' squeeze of lime. (via Brit + Co.)

$Jalape\u00f1o Poppers$

Salt & Lavender

Jalapeño Poppers

Who can resist jalapeños stuffed with bacon, cheddar, *and* cream cheese on game day? (via Salt & Lavender)

Half Baked Harvest

Everything Ranch Cheese Pretzel Snack Mix

Upgrade your Chex mix big time with this easy snack recipe made with pretzels, Cheez-Its (or Goldfish... or both), everything bagel mix, and ranch seasoning. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Chicken and Waffle Skewers tailgate food

The Hopeless Housewife

Chicken + Waffle Skewers

Chicken and waffles can be enjoyed in a stadium parking lot by skewering the two on a stick. Make each bite spicy by using this Korean fried chicken recipe! (via The Hopeless Housewife)

Amanda's Cookout

Turkey + Pepper Jack Roll-Ups

Prep these guys before the game. Use crescent roll dough to wrap turkey and spicy pepper jack cheese into a no-fuss bite. (via Amanda's Cookin')

Serenity in the Storm

Potato Tacos

Here's a recipe for more of a morning tailgate. When the game is early, whip up some breakfast potatoes on the grill, then taco them up in a tortilla and fresh avocado. (via Serenity in the Storm)

$Grilled Cornbread with Jalape\u00f1o Honey Butter$

Whole and Heavenly Oven

Grilled Cornbread with Jalapeño Honey Butter

This cornbread makes for an excellent side dish to tailgate chili or dip! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Cooking for Keeps

Sweet Potato Chips + Blue Cheese Dip

What could get better than this? Sweet potatoes, smokey, crispy bacon and tangy blue cheese combine together to master tailgate perfection! (via Cooking for Keeps)

Betty Crocker

Mini Buffalo Chicken Pies

If there's one food that's a staple of football season, it's buffalo chicken. Stuff it inside sweet pancake batter and bake in a muffin-sized tin for a perfectly balanced bite. (via Betty Crocker)

Culinary Hill

Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes

Potato skins turn bite-sized with this yummy tailgate food recipe that uses baby potatoes, sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and scallions. (via Culinary Hill)

She Knows

Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

The tailgate smorgasbord is robust, so you don't want to get full on just one dish. Cut this chili dog recipe into bite-size pieces so you can eat your dog and keep going with the rest of the fare, too. (via She Knows)

Pink Owl Kitchen

Cheese Cajun Chicken + Sausage Dip

Your tailgate pals won't be able to get enough of this cheesy, spicy, Cajun-inspired dip. Pair with some beer, and you're golden. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Southern Cheese Fries

These fries are *so* good, you'll want to sneak them into the stadium with you. Crinkle-cut fries (the best type of fries) are topped with the south's finest lineup — pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and a homemade pimento cheese sauce. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Running to the Kitchen

Buffalo Chicken Cheddar Broccoli Bites

Told ya buffalo chicken was a tailgate staple! It's even found its way into these healthy broccoli and cheddar white rice puffs. Be sure to serve them with the delicious avocado dipping sauce! (via Running to the Kitchen)

Well Plated

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

This one is an instant crowd-pleaser. Just make a pie or two of the spicy and cheesy combo, and be prepped to feed the whole tailgate team! (via Well Plated)

A Spicy Perspective

Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs get a little something *extra* when pimento cheese is added to the filling. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Erica's Sweet Tooth

Cookie Dough Dip

Even the sweet stuff can get in on the tailgate food fun, especially when you transform this cookie dough dip into a sprinkle-coated football shape. Spread it on apple slices or pretzels to satisfy your sweet tooth before the game! (via Erica's Sweet Tooth)

Pizzazzerie

Football-Themed Pastry Sliders

Give your standard burgers a finger food spin by putting them between football-shaped puff pastry buns. Use cookie cutters to form your burger, cheese, and other toppings to match. (via Pizzazzerie)

A Classic Twist

Buffalo Chicken Dip Bites

Since you're tailgating in a parking lot, you won't have room for bowls of dip. Solve the problem by spooning hot buffalo dip into pastry cups, with a dollop of sour cream and chives on top. (via A Classic Twist)

Yummily Yours

Potato Chip Cups

Make these potato chip cups by using a muffin tin to shape strips of thinly sliced fresh potato. After they've baked and cooled, fill them with guac, salsa, or whatever your heart desires! (via Yummily Yours)

Averie Cooks

Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos

These topped nachos are hearty enough to feed a tailgate crowd – bring on the cheese! (via Averie Cooks)

Host the Toast

Pull-Apart Pretzel + Beer Cheese Dip

What's better than homemade soft pretzels? Pretzels that you can make in a skillet while simultaneously making the beer cheese dip to go with them. (via Host the Toast)

Barley & Sage

Brown Butter Turtle Brownies

Brown butter and homemade caramel make these blondies extra rich and delicious. (via Barley & Sage)

Half Baked Harvest

Mac n' Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini

It's cheesy and it's veggie loaded. Mac n' cheese is sandwiched between two slices of zucchini, then breaded and baked to tailgate food perfection. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Just a Taste

Focaccia Pizza

These pizza triangles, made on herby and thick focaccia bread, can be easily made in the oven or grill depending on where you tailgate. (via Just a Taste)

Most Hungry

Crispy Chickpeas

A little sweet, a little spicy, these crispy chickpeas can be eaten by the handful. (via Most Hungry)

Creole Contessa

Bacon Hot Dog Snack for Tailgating

As football season wears on, you'll grow tired of your standard hot dog. Call an audible and switch things up with this bacon and onion-topped dog. (via Creole Contessa)

Chipotle Cheddar and Corn Fritter Burgers

Half Baked Harvest

Chipotle Cheddar + Corn Fritter Burgers

Here's your burger game plan: make a chipotle-spiced patty, smother it in fresh cheddar cheese, and top it with sweet corn fritters and guacamole for game time success. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Lifes Ambrosia

Garlic Parmesan Ranch Pretzels

You'll need all the energy you can get cheering on your team this season. Carb-load with these flavor-bursting pretzel bites! (via Life's Ambrosia)

Jenny Steffens

Football Whoopie Pies

Save room for dessert! You won't want to miss out on these football-shaped chocolate-filled whoopie pies. (via Jenny Steffens)

The Apple Crate

Mozzarella Cheese Balls

Mozzarella sticks morph into one-bite dippers that'll have you going back for seconds and thirds and fourths and… you get the gist. (via The Apple Crate)

The Galley Gourmet

Popcorn Shrimp Tailgate Recipe

We won't blame you if you miss the first quarter to finish off a basket of these lightly fried and super crispy shrimp. (via The Galley Gourmet)

Damn Delicious

Ham + Cheese Sliders

Who said all sliders had to have a burger patty between the bun? Use this soft poppy seed bun to sandwich melted cheese, tomato and ham instead. (via Damn Delicious)

Delicious by Dre

Spicy Macadamia Pretzels

Use store-bought pretzels, macadamia oil, and a homemade spice blend to make this crunchy, nutty, and spicy snack. (via Delicious by Dre)

Life's Ambrosia

Tailgate Fries

Made in a foil pouch, you can heat up these pockets filled with French fries, pulled pork, and coleslaw on your tailgate's grill. (via Life's Ambrosia)

Life Currents

Pizza Puffs Tailgate Appetizers

Make these pizza puffs with any toppings you desire — peppers, onions, mushrooms, or pepperoni. Any ingredient goes great in these mini-muffin sized bites! (via Life Currents)

The Right Recipe

Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites

You won't want to pass the plate once you've dug into these bacon-wrapped spuds. (via The Right Recipe)

Life Currents

Mexican Potato Skins

Unlike standard potato skins, these guys aren't packed with bacon and cheese. Instead, they're loaded with Mexican flavors, like black beans, green chiles and enchilada sauce. (via Life Currents)

The Brewer & The Baker

Beer Caramelized Onion Dip

This onion dip puts all other dips to shame. It's made with sweet caramelized onions, hoppy beer, cream cheese, sour cream and smokey bacon for full flavor impact. (via The Brewer & The Baker)

The Kitchen Whisperer

Candied Sriracha Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings

This one is a three-for-one when it comes to bar food favorites. Crispy onion rings, smokey bacon and a spicy Sriracha glaze combine for one mouthwatering bite. (via The Kitchen Whisperer)

The Baker Mama

Touchdown Brownies

These brownies are everything you could want in a tailgate dessert — gooey chocolate bars loaded with sweet caramel, chocolate chips, salty pretzels and toasted pecans. (via The Baker Mama)

Culinary Hill

Mexican Tortilla Roll-Ups

A quick and easy recipe that serves a crowd, these roll-ups mix green chiles, black olives, and cheddar with sour cream and cream cheese along with plenty of spices. (via Culinary Hill)

Brown Sugar

Walking Taco Burger Sliders

Tacos meet burgers in these easily transportable sliders. You can chow down on the salsa and tortilla topped patties while you make friends with the tailgate next door. (via Brown Sugar)

Whatever You Do

Spicy Grilled Wings

No worries on how to get crispy and juicy wings in a parking lot. This recipe calls for making the smothered and spicy wings right on the grill. (via Or Whatever You Do)

What's your favorite tailgate food recipe? Follow us on Pinterest for more food content, join our newsletter, or check out our new online B+C cooking classes!

This post has been updated.

Header image via Pizzazzerie

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