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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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? ›

We're talking chili, meatball sub bites, queso dip, nachos… the works. Got a grill? Lucky you! Average burgers and dogs are great for summer, but for football season, you're gonna want to really bring the flavor.

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 do people do at tailgating parties? ›

A tailgate party – also known as “tailgating” is a party in which attendees of a big stadium event such as a spectator sports game or a concert arrive early and party in the parking lot. Tailgate parties often involve grilling food and drinking alcoholic beverages.

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

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 can I bring to a tailgate without a grill? ›

Convenient Tailgating at Its Best
  1. 2′ or 3′ Party Subs.
  2. Brioche Slider Trays.
  3. Cheese Platters.
  4. Chicken Nugget Trays.
  5. Chicken Wing Platters.
  6. Fruit and Cheese Nibbler Platter.
  7. Gourmet Tray.
  8. Hoagie Carousel Platter.

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.

What can you bring to tailgate? ›

What to Bring to a Tailgate
  • Coolers with ice.
  • Folding table and folding chairs.
  • Plastic tablecloth.
  • Portable grill, plus propane or charcoal and lighter fluid.
  • Matches or lighter.
  • Grilling utensils.
  • Meat thermometer.
  • Aluminum foil and plastic wrap.
Aug 7, 2023

How can I make my tailgate more fun? ›

Spice up your tailgate party by setting up games to entertain guests of all ages. This can range from classic tailgate games like ladder toss or bocce ball to trivia or a friendly wager on the game's outcome. Make sure to have a variety of options so everyone has something they can enjoy.

What is one thing you should never do if someone is tailgating you? ›

Avoid yelling, gesturing in the direction of the tailgater, and doing anything else that could upset them even more. Let the tailgater pass. If you're on a multi-lane road, move over to the right when it's safe, giving the driver a chance to pass you on the left.

What do people wear to tailgate parties? ›

At a tailgate party, it is more than OK to show your team spirit. You can wear clothes that have your favorite team's logo and colors. You can opt for team jerseys, t-shirts, or even themed accessories. At tailgate parties, diehard fans are creative when it comes to the attire that they wear on game day.

How to prepare for tailgating? ›

First-Time Tailgating Tips and Tricks
  1. 1 Find your spot. Where exactly are you going to spend the time before and after the game? ...
  2. 2 Invest in your setup. ...
  3. 3 Buy the right decor. ...
  4. 4 Start with savory. ...
  5. 5 Build a bar. ...
  6. 6 Stock the snacks. ...
  7. 7 Come through with desserts. ...
  8. 8 Bonus.

How not to tailgate someone? ›

To stop tailgating, avoid cutting off other drivers in traffic. Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to stop if necessary. Remember that the vehicle may not be able to stop as fast as you can stop with your vehicle.

What are the rules of tailgating? ›

tailgating rules
  • Consumption of alcohol or open containers of alcohol is prohibited.
  • No glass containers.
  • Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis in designated parking lots.
  • Holding or saving parking spaces is not permitted.
  • Drive lanes in parking lots must be kept clear at all times.

What is the most popular food truck item? ›

Barbecue is consistently rated as North America's most popular – and most profitable – food truck item. Find out what kind of BBQ your customers want, and you'll be the hottest eatery on the block. With some simple spices, sauces, and seasonings, you can make any kind of BBQ food truck your own.

What is the most popular baseball food item? ›

A hot dog is practically the mascot for baseball stadium food and pairs especially well with a cool beer in the hot summer sun (for the baseball fans of age, of course). Many different stadiums offer creative spins on the classic hot dog, with toppings such as chili, chips, or even a fried egg.

What is the most common camping food? ›

Top 20 Foods to Take on Your Camping Trip
  1. Bread. As the basis of so many easy meals, bread is a must for any camping trip. ...
  2. Tortillas. Just like bread, tortillas are versatile and can be the foundation of handheld meals. ...
  3. Sausage. Sausage is the ultimate campfire meat. ...
  4. Cheese. ...
  5. Nut Butter. ...
  6. Crackers. ...
  7. Lunchmeat. ...
  8. Beef Jerky.

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