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Check out this line up of easy tailgate snacks, finger foods, meals and sweets!
I have two featured recipes for you plus lots more easy tailgate food ideas. Many no-cook recipes, others can be made ahead and easily transported and enjoyed in your team's parking lot.
It's tailgate season!
The food, the friends, the fun tailgate festivities — this is exactly what makes watching a football game live so great. What I love about football season is that it helps ease us out of summer and into fall with the promise of a little more fun before we have to hunker down for the winter.
College Football or NFL?
Do you have a favorite college team you cheer on? Or do you tailgate at NFL games?
We're lucky to live in a college town. So the football stadium is within walking distance from our house. Typically we drive though because when we tailgate, well, we have a lot of stuff!
We’ve been tailgating for many years now. We set up a big pop-up tent, several folding tables and lots of chairs. The first few games are always sunny and nice. It starts getting chilly later in the season though and we have to bring blankets, warm coats and even a portable heater. (We're in northwestern Pennsylvania so it gets cold quick here!)
Tailgating with Kids
We typically bring something for the kids to do, usually just a football or some pom poms to get them in the spirit and to keep the little ones busy so we don't miss any important plays. Tailgating is one of my favorite fall activities because people of all ages can come together and enjoy a good time and good food.
Delicious Tailgating Food
Those of us who like to cook (I'm guessing you're one of those people!) take this opportunity to try new recipes. I've seen people bring football-themed snacks and desserts, sometimes I see foods and drinks that are trendy or health conscious. There are almost always cookies and depending on the weather, soups... there was even one time we had fresh trout caught earlier that day, grilled and topped with chunks of sea salt and lemon slices!
We've been known to bring a portable grill, slow cookers, a fryer—even a potato slicer for fresh-cut fries. We tend to go all out. And it's awesome.
Since I'm a busy mom, I love a good no-cook recipe and also anything that's kid-friendly.
Here's my round-up of our favorite tailgate foods — hot and cold. Pro tip: Use an insulated crockpot to keep hot dishes warm, great for cooler fall games.
No-Cook Dips
Make these ahead of time and pack them in your cooler to take to the tailgate. Served cold.
- Southwest Corn Dip with chips
- Cold Creamy Spinach Salsa Dip with chips
- Whipped Pumpkin Dip with Nilla wafers
- Cowboy Caviar Bean Dip with chips
- Brownie Batter Dip with cookies
- German Wurst Salad - serve with crackers or bread
- 7-Layer Greek Hummus Dip with pita chips
- Chickpea Edamame Dip with chips
- Garlic-Lemon White Bean Dip with chips
- Mexican 5-Layer Dip with chips
No-Cook Finger Foods
Prep at home, pack to-go.
- Spinach Dip Pinwheels - keep chilled in a cooler
- Tuna Pickle Boats - keep chilled in a cooler
- Kettle Corn with Almond Footballs
- Sweet and Savory Charcuterie Board
Hot Finger Foods Foods
Prep and cook at home then store in an insulated casserole dish to-go.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Pepperoni Balls with Marinara Sauce
- Spinach Feta Pretzel Sliders
- Ham and Cheese Pretzel Sliders
- French Dip Sliders - serve with dip on the side in a small crockpot
- Orange Marmalade Meatballs - serve with toothpicks
Hot Dips
Make ahead and store in an insulated crockpot.
- Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips
- Hot Crab Dip with bread
- Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with chips
- Hot Mexican Bean Dip with chips
- Spinach Artichoke Dip with Toasted Pitas
Crockpot Sandwiches
Heat the meat at home then transport in an insulated crockpot. Bring buns and toppings to make sandwiches at the tailgate.
Crockpot Soups
Make at home then tote your soup in an insulated crockpot. Don't forget to bring bowls and a ladle!
Browse all my easy soup recipes.
Fall Desserts
Everyone loves homemade sweets. Bake and home, and pack in a large food storage container to-go.
Browse all my fall dessert recipes.
More Football Food Ideas
These easy tailgate recipes were featured on Sew It Cook It Craft It!
Easy No-Cook Tailgate Recipes for Football Season
Equipment
Ingredients
FALL FOOTBALL PUNCH
- 10 cups apple cider
- 4 cans Dr Pepper
- 1 green apple
- ½ cup cherries
- ½ lime juiced
KETO KIELBASA PICKLE STACKS
- Kielbasa
- 16 dill pickles sliced
Mighty Mrs. is a #WalmartPartner.
Instructions
- Make the punch. Using a gallon pitcher (or use two smaller pitchers), pour in apple cider. Slice the apples, squeeze the lime and remove stems from the cherries. Add apple slices, cherries and lime juice to the apple cider. When you get to the tailgate, add chilled cans of Dr Pepper (and lime slices if you want) then serve. This will make sure you get some of the bubbly goodness in your punch!
- Make kielbasa bites. You can prepare these in advance, or just pack a knife and cutting board you can prep at the tailgate! The kielbasa is smoked so it's already cooked, however, if you have a grill at your tailgate, then you can grill the whole sausage link first to heat it up and get a nice flavorful char, then let cool. Slice the kielbasa about ¼" thick, at a diagonal to get a fun football-like shape. Then take a pickle slice and secure it to the bottom of the kielbasa with a toothpick. That's it!
- Have fun! Happy tailgate season, all!
Notes
- Add limes so right before you're ready to serve. If you let them soak, the rind will make your punch bitter.
- Chill the Dr Pepper before you add to the punch.
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