20 Best TailGating Recipes For Football Season

This post shares 20 best tailgating recipes for the football season.

 

Football season is officially here and one of my favorite parts is all the delicious tailgating food! There is nothing like enjoying some delicious food outside the stadium before a big game or at home with friends and family. So, here is my favorite tailgating recipes you and your friends are sure to love.

 

1.  Football Cheeseball

 

 

This cheeseball is filled with ingredients everyone already loves so once you combine them together it is incredibly delicious

 

 

Serve with a variety of different chips and crackers. A veggie tray would also be fantastic with it as well

 

 

The shape of the cheeseball will be sure to impress all of your family and friends!

 

 

2. Slow Cooker Meatball with Grape Jelly & Chili Sauce

 

 

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs– from scratch meatballs in a grape jelly chili sauce that is spicy, sweet, and totally addictive

 

 

 

This is a classic football appetizer and for good reason! It’s a tasty combination of sweet and spicy that goes great with many other appetizers

 

3. Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls

 

 

Each little roll is stuffed with mozzarella cheese, baked until golden and brushed with a garlic herb butter

 

 

 

Then, pull the rolls apart, dunk them in warm marinara sauce and enjoy!

 

 

 

This recipe will definitely wow all your guests with the cute football shape, delicious flavor, and overall just a really fun eating experience

 

 

4. Crispy Fried Jalapeno Popper Bites

 

 

Fried food is mandatory when it comes to tailgating and these cheesy jalapeno poppers are no exception

 

 

 

These Fried Jalapeno Popper Bites are the perfect balance of crunch, spice, and creaminess

 

 

 

Serve them as a side dish, an appetizer, or a late-night snack for an extra kick

 

 

5.  Football Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Dip

 

 

It’s not a party without some dessert and this football shaped cookies & cream dip will hit the spot every single time!

 

 

 

With just a handful of simple ingredients is delicious dip is quick and easy to throw together

 

 

Easily impress your guests with this super bowl themed dessert that’s both tasty and on theme!

 

 

6. Nachos Supreme

 

 

Nachos are an absolute must when it comes to tail gating!

 

 

 

Load up these nachos with seasoned beef, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and refried beans! Tons of cheese of course

 

 

 

Try swapping out the beef for ground chicken, pork, or turkey, or try shredded chicken or beef carnitas

 

 

7.  Air Fryer Chicken Wings

 

 

 

I think we can all agreed chicken wings are a classic appetizer that is served at EVERY sporting event gathering and for very good reason

 

 

They can be cooked from fresh or frozen and have multiple different sauce options

 

8. Loaded Potato Skins

 

 

Filling these potato shells with cheese, bacon, and green onions pumps up the flavor even more. A cool dollop of sour cream rounds them out

 

 

Hot tip: prep them the night before to save yourself some time! We all know you are going to be making plenty of different dishes so every minute counts

 

 

 

9. Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese

 

 

 

These soft pretzels with homemade beer cheese are a salty savory appetizer that you and your guests will fall in love with

 

 

 

The flavor of beer cheese is surprisingly complex, with a sharp tang from added beer and Dijon mustard. Creamy gouda and cheddar cheese balance the tang for the ultimate combination

 

 

 

These pretzel bites are very beginner friendly so anyone can make them!

 

 

10. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders

 

 

Made with juicy pork slow-cooked in Coca-Cola, shredded, tossed in tangy BBQ sauce, and thrown between toasted slider buns, they are sure to satisfy

 

 

 

Pulled pork sandwiches has to be one of my favorite BBQ meals and when you make it in your slow cooker its simple and delicious to make for any event including tailgating

 

 

11. Walking Tacos 

 

 

Walking tacos are the perfect Mexican snack for a crowd. Perfect for enjoying huddled around the TV.

 

 

 

I suggest topping the Walking Tacos with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers and so much more

 

 

 

12. Football Whoopie Pies

 

 

 

These football shaped whoopie pies have to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen!

 

 

 

They’re filled with marshmallow fluff buttercream and are as easy to make as they are adorable! Best of all, they come together in just 30 minutes

 

 

13.  Slow Cooker Texas Style Chili

 

 

 

Chili is a staple when the weather starts to cool off and I think it’s a fantastic addition to your tailgating menu!

 

 

 

I love a recipe you can throw into your slow cooker so you’re able to make several different dishes at the same time

 

 

 

This recipe only has 8 ingredients making it a cheap and quick option for your party

 

 

14.  Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

 

 

Taking pulled pork and mac and cheese and putting them together to create the ultimate comfort food

 

 

With a triple whammy of sharp cheddar, stretchy mozzarella, and smoked gouda, perfectly al dente pasta, sweet n’ tangy barbecue sauce, and tender shreds of slow-cooked pork

 

15.  Spicy Charcuterie Board

 

 

While a charcuterie board wouldn’t be ideal for tailgating at the actual event this is perfect for your at home football party

 

 

 

Include a wide variety of different meats, cheese, crackers, and even some veggies would pair well!

 

 

 

You can get super creative with how your board is presented and you can even make it the centerpiece of the party if you so choose

 

 

 

16. Spinach and Artichoke Dip

 

I’m known for my spinach dip in my social circle and it is my number one requested dish to bring!

 

 

I obviously didn’t create this recipe ( I’m no food blogger) but I’m here to share the amazing blogger that did

 

 

Filled with luscious cream cheese, mozza, garlic, onions, and more this dip is ALWAYS gone by the end of the party I HIGHLY recommend!

 

 

17.  No-Knead Cheesy Garlic Bread Fingers

 

 

For those of you without a kitchen aid mixer ( pleaasse get one!) this is the recipe for you!

 

 

 

With only needing to mix the flour and water together with a 30 minute rise these bread sticks are incredibly easy and delicious

 

 

 

Hot, tender, fluffy bread baked under garlic butter and a blanket of stretchy, gooey mozzarella. These are going to go quick!

 

 

18. Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders

 

Made with easy homemade meatballs, melty cheese, red sauce and brushed with garlic butter

 

 

For the best results, I recommend assembling your sliders right before you eat them! With the marinara sauce, the buns can get pretty soggy if they’re left to sit for a while

 

 

19. 7 Layer Dip Cups

 

 

 

Having your dishes served in individual cups can be incredibly helpful with you have larger parties. Everyone gets an event amount of each dip

 

 

 

These are perfect to make the night before and store in your fridge so they just need to be put out and you’re good to go

 

 

 

I wouldn’t make it any further ahead as your guac can start to turn brown though!

 

 

20. Street Corn Elote Queso

 

 

This elote queso is creamy, cheesy, full of delicious pops of sweet corn,  juicy lime, and a kick of tangy hot sauce

 

 

This spicy cheesy dip is exactly what your football party is looking for! Pair it with some homemade pico de gallo and you’re all set

 

 

Conclusion: Best Tailgating Recipes

 

We hope our list of the best tailgating recipes has inspired you for your next superbowl party or even football themed birthday party! Tail gating is a great way to share amazing food before your favorite team hits the field. Feel free to share you favorite recipes below.