Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (2024)

Did someone say football? Get game-day ready this weekend with these Touchdown Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas.

Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas

Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (1)

Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (2)

Are you ready for some football?!?! My family definitely is! From the exciting cheers from the stands, to the rush of a touchdown, and absolutely to the amazing taste of tailgate dishes, we love it all. This post was screaming to be written, especially with the big game on the horizon. If you’re searching for food for a football party, look no further! Take a look below at some of our favorite tailgate food ideas. I’m obsessed with how so many different foods can be turned into a creative football food for game day and how many delicious football party dips are begging for a side of chips! Happy game day!

What should you eat during a football party?

For your next football party, focus on delicious and festive foods that are sure to please everyone in the audience. Think savory dips, meaty bites, and creative takes on classic game day food like burgers, wings, and soft pretzels. Plus, they should all be bite-sized so you can snack easily while keeping your eye on the big game. I promise that these recipes stay true to the classic favorites while adding something new to keep everyone happy!

Tailgating Essentials

As you scroll through these tailgate food ideas, make sure to take a look at some of our Tailgate Essentials. We created a wish list for everything you might need and our biggest must haves for your next tailgating party!

Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

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These Loaded Tater Tot Skewers from Made with Happy are an indulgent twist on a classic food for game day.

Tailgating Checklist: Grilling? I don’t know of a single guy who wouldn’t love this Football BBQ Grill Set. Comes with brush and spatula, as well as cute corn ear holders.

Salted Beer Soft Pretzels

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If you’re looking for football appetizers, Salted Beer Soft Pretzel Footballs from Hungry Happenings will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, they go great with your favorite game day brew!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate “Pigskin Pies”

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Peanut Butter & Chocolate “Pigskin” Pies from krusteaz and Hostess with the Mostess are a sweet take on football party food!

Football Bites with Sausage, Cheddar & Ranch

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How cute! Football Bites (With Summer Sausage, Cheddar & Ranch) from Gimme Some Oven are a festive take on football snacks.

Tailgating Checklist: Instant Shade Canopy. Keyword, shade. If you are in the south, and most collegiate teams are, invest in a canopy for game day. Plus you can tell your friends, look for the “green” tent! (Add a flag!)

Pepperoni Pizza Cheeseball

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The crowds in the stands won’t be the only ones jumping for joy during the big game. Serve this Pepperoni Pizza Cheeseball from Mom in Timeout for a football food that’ll have your guests on cloud nine!

Copycat White Castle Sliders

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Copycat White Castle Sliders from Frugal Coupon Living are the perfect food for a football party, and much more impressive than the frozen version.

Chicken & Waffle Sliders

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These Chicken and Waffles Sliders from Food Folks and Fun will be a sweet and salty crowd pleaser at your next football party!

Tailgating Checklist: This Football Beer Bottle Sleeve (Koozie). Perfect for celebrations, these are the same material as wet suits. They keep your bottle cold and can even be tossed in the wash.

Peanut Butter Football Dip

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This Peanut Butter Football Dip from Crazy for Crust is the perfect sweet addition to the snack table to balance out the salty football snacks.

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

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Who else is a buffalo chicken fanatic? Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs from Closet Cooking are a cool new take on a classic football party food.

Football Seven Layer Dip Crepe Cake

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Yes, a crepe cake can be a tailgating food! This Football Seven Layer Dip Crepe Cake from Cupcake Project is an innovative way to serve up your football snacks.

Tailgating Checklist: Please don’t show up with your kids crappy ball. Invest in a quality leather ball like this Wilson NFL Super Grip Football. We actually keep ours in the car so we can always play whenever we have free outdoor time. (Don’t worry, the crappy balls come out too!)

Easy Football Ice Cream Sandwiches

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For a quick football party food hack, jazz up your regular Ice Cream Sandwiches from Celebrations Shoppe.

Tailgate Mini Bagels

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Yum!! Tailgate Mini Bagels from Thomas Breads are a cute twist on food for game day.

Kickin’ Queso Dip

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I love a good queso! This Kickin’ Queso Dip on Frugal Coupon Living will be a hit at your football party.

Tailgating Checklist: You will be where the party is at if you have a Cornhole Set. This neutral set allows you to paint it to your teams colors! Does anyone recall tailgating without one of these?

Salami Cream Cheese Bites

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These Salami Cream Cheese Bites from The Kitchen is My Playground are so simple and the perfect one-bite tailgating food.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pie Footballs

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I seriously can’t get enough of football-shaped treats for a tailgating party — I don’t care if they’re corny! Get these Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pie Footballs from Shugary Sweets.

Bacon Brown Sugar Smokies

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If meat’s your thing at a tailgating party, look no further than these Bacon Brown Sugar Smokies from Spend with Pennies.

Tailgating Checklist: This Portable Bluetooth Speaker is water-proof and durable. Perfect for bringing entertainment to your tailgate.

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

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Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs from An Affair from the Heart are the cutest football party food that put a one-bite spin on a classic cheeseburger.

Brownie Footballs

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Brownie Footballs on Frugal Coupon Living are so easy and the picture-perfect food for football party.

Bacon Crack

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Talk about a sweet and salty flavor bomb! Bacon Crack from Love Foodies is so simple to make for your tailgating party.

Tailgating Checklist: A white folding table is perfect for your Tailgate Buffet. Cover with a football tablecloth or remove all the foot and play Beer Pong.

BBQ Chicken Dip

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I think we’ve all had buffalo chicken dip on game day, but this BBQ Chicken Dip from Mandy’s Recipe Box is a welcome alternative to the classic tailgating food.

Cowboy Caviar

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This Cowboy Caviar from Culinary Hill will be your chip’s best friend on game day.

Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites

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The kids are going to go crazy over these Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites from Sally’s Baking Addiction!

Tailgating Checklist: The temperatures of football season are extreme. Keep drinks cool or hot with a cooler. You can go frugal like this very affordable CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag or be the coolest kid on the field with the coveted YETI Roadie Cooler. Both come in multiple colors.

Walking Tacos

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You’re free to mix and mingle with friends at your football party while staying full with these Walking Tacos from Frugal Coupon Living.

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Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (27)

Earlier game times? Try these Early Game Tailgate Recipes for Breakfast. Pin to Pinterest.

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Is the game pro bowl game? Check out theseWinning Super Bowl Snack Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

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Also checkout these Fabulous Wing Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

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We also are inspired by some Football Fashion – take a look at this Southern Football Outfit. Pin to Pinterest.

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Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (32)
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Tailgating Recipes and Football Party Food Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular tailgate food? ›

Classic tailgating recipes like deviled eggs and pimiento cheese team up with new players like Bacon-Wrapped Party Poppers and Buffalo Chicken Dip to give your tailgating spread the crowd appeal needed to satisfy a hungry group from one Saturday to the next.

What is the tailgate food menu? ›

The most popular tailgate foods are things like burgers, hot dogs, and side salads. It's also common to see various types of appetizers like sliders, wings, and dips.

What food is good for tailgating in cold weather? ›

Here's a countdown of our five must-have foods for tackling tailgating in the frozen tundra:
  1. Chicken Soup.
  2. Frito Pie. ...
  3. Breakfast Tacos. ...
  4. Chili Queso Dip. ...
  5. Tuna Salad Sandwiches. ...
May 24, 2024

What is the best tailgate food that doesn t require cooking? ›

More like this
  • 21 Easy Tailgate Food For Football. ...
  • Stuffed Mushrooms ~ Finger Food for GameDay - Appetizer Finger Food. ...
  • 22 Easy Movie Night Snacks for Hungry Teens - Raising Teens Today.
  • Easy Cream Cheese RITZ Cracker Appetizers. ...
  • Football Cheese Ball.
  • Beer Cheese Dip with Pigs in Blankets.

What should I take for a cold tailgate? ›

From salsa and dips to pasta and potato salads, these dishes can be made ahead and served cold, so they're perfect for prepping the night before. Recipes like our Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Pasta Salad and Fresh Tomato Salsa are guaranteed to be crowd pleasers at your next tailgate.

What to do at NFL tailgate? ›

Tailgates are also an awesome excuse for more old-fashioned fun. Bring a frisbee or a football for a quick toss back and forth. Or, get more people involved with something like cornhole if you have the space. When in doubt, a deck of cards is a great multi-purpose game to keep on hand.

How do you throw a tailgating party? ›

22 Tips for Hosting the Ultimate Tailgate Party
  1. Choose Your Tailgating Vehicle. Photo via @kingdomwagon. ...
  2. Secure Your Parking Spot. Photo via @teresa_ ...
  3. Get a Head Count. Photo via @gerrysplacenj. ...
  4. Prepare for Weather Changes. Photo via @904happyhour. ...
  5. Put Up a Tent. ...
  6. Give Guests Somewhere to Sit. ...
  7. Set Up Tables. ...
  8. Hook Up a TV.
Oct 11, 2023

How to keep tailgate food warm? ›

Here are a few tips.
  1. Use Thermoses or Insulated Coolers. One way to keep food warm is to place it in an insulated container like a thermos or cooler. ...
  2. Wrap It Up. Another way to keep food warm is to wrap it in foil or towels. ...
  3. Use Slow Cookers or Chafing Dishes. ...
  4. Booze Dogs | Alcoholic Hot Dogs.
Sep 1, 2022

What tailgate food does not need to be refrigerated? ›

Fried Chicken or a Chick-fil-A Nugget Tray: Georgia

Fried chicken is a quintessential tailgate food because it's not fussy. It's delicious hot and fresh out of the fryer, but it tastes just as good at room temperature and even cold the next morning.

What food keeps in a cooler? ›

Here are our top eight favorite foods to stash in your cooler before hitting the sand.
  • Sliced Fruit. The most common snack people turn to on a hot day is a bowl of sliced fruit. ...
  • Sliced Veggies and Dip. ...
  • Individual Ice Creams. ...
  • Electrolytes. ...
  • Pasta Salad. ...
  • Deli Meat Wraps. ...
  • Fresh Salad. ...
  • Parfaits.

How to stay warm at tailgate? ›

Tips for staying warm at a tailgate party

Here are a few key points to remember: Protect exposed skin: Any skin that is exposed will get cold more quickly. Wear gloves, a hat, a scarf and even a facemask, if needed. Trap the heat: Heat doesn't stay — it leaves the body and dissipates into the cold air.

What are three foods that can be eaten without cooking? ›

What can I eat?
  • raw fruits and raw vegetables.
  • dried fruits and vegetables.
  • freshly made fruit and vegetable juices.
  • soaked and sprouted beans, other legumes, and grains.
  • raw nuts and seeds.
  • raw nut butters, such as peanut butter and almond butter.
  • nut milks, including almond milk.
  • coconut milk.

What foods do not require cooking? ›

Ways to Eat Healthy Without Having to Cook
  • Precooked Whole Grains. 1/13. ...
  • Frozen Veggies. 2/13. ...
  • Precooked Chicken Strips. 3/13. ...
  • That's a Wrap. 4/13. ...
  • Deli Chicken. 5/13. ...
  • Lower-Sodium Soups. 6/13. ...
  • Canned Salmon. 7/13. ...
  • Ready-to-Eat Boiled Eggs. 8/13.
Aug 28, 2023

What food can I bring to a cookout? ›

Our Top Picks:
  • Crock Pot Grape Jelly BBQ co*cktail Sausage.
  • Glazed Chicken Sausage Pineapple Bites.
  • Homemade Chicken Sausage Corn Dogs.
  • Zweigle's Mouth Watering Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms.
  • Zweigle's Slow Cooker Cheesy Barbecue Hot Dogs.
  • 4 Ingredient Corn Dog Muffins.
May 14, 2019

What is the most common form of tailgating? ›

The most common kind of tailgating attack involves sneaking into a prohibited place behind a person who is authorized to enter. This is often accomplished by closely following them as they enter a building.

Who has the number 1 NFL tailgate? ›

1. Kansas City Chiefs. Congratulations Chiefs Kingdom, you're officially the top tailgaters in the NFL. Yes, according to our research, the asphalt around Arrowhead Park is home to the league's best parking lot parties, a feast of football that's awash with red shirts, beer, and some of the best BBQ on the planet.

What to bring to a rainy tailgate? ›

Bring Weather Resistant Clothing

While you will hopefully be staying out of the rain as much as possible, you're bound to get wet at some point. A rain jacket can with a hood can often be all you need. If it is raining hard though, you probably want to bring a poncho or umbrella.

What to bring to concert tailgate? ›

Tailgating Entertainment Gear
Portable SpeakerBoard GamesCards
HorseshoesCornholeJenga
Beer PongDeckPlastic Cups
FootballPing Pong BallProjector
1 more row
Sep 27, 2023

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