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.)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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This post has been updated.
Header image via Pizzazzerie
