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50 Tailgating Food Ideas That Are Total Winners

Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or simply looking for an excuse to eat good food, we can all agree that tailgating is hard to beat. Here, 50 tailgating food ideas and recipes that’ll make you wish football season would never end. We’ll bring the bacon guac; you bring the buffalo cauliflower.

58 Easy Finger Food Recipes Everyone Will Love


1. Pizza Muffins

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Who says pizza has to be served in a pie shape? (Certainly not us.) These bites start with store-bought pizza dough, so they’re super easy to throw together.

2. Brussels Sprouts Sliders

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: gluten free, low carb, 30 minutes

Think outside the bun with this low-carb appetizer.

3. Bacon Guacamole

  • Time Commitment: 22 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Just when you thought guac couldn’t get any better, this snack appears. It’s not traditional, but it’s bound to be a hit at your tailgate.

4. Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

They’re crispy, spicy and destined to be dipped into blue cheese dressing. Trust us, you won’t even miss the meat.

5. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead

Perfectly portable, perfectly shareable. (Make ’em ahead and stash the batch in the fridge before you head out for the game.)

6. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly

Probably the easiest party recipe of all time. Come on, you don’t even have to slice the bread.

tailgating food ideas salami ricotta artichoke pasta salad recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

Who said pasta salad was just for summer? With salami, artichokes and creamy cheese, this portable dish is decidedly fall-friendly.

8. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead

Fact: You can never have too many of these spicy bites on hand.

tailgating food ideas no bake chocolate peanut butter squares recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

You didn't think we’d skip dessert, did you? You don’t even have to turn on the oven to make these bars, which are salty, sweet, crunchy and smooth in all the right ways.

10. The Ultimate Party Sub

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

The easiest way to feed a hungry crowd. We use some of our favorite toppings here (like salami and provolone), but you can remix it all to suit your tastes.

11. Chocolate Coconut Almond Bars

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Basically a homemade Almond Joy. Like the original, these treats won’t last long.

12. One-Pot Vegetarian Chili

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

It’s just not tailgating without a big pot of chili. Bonus points if you bring along a batch of cornbread.

13. Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories

Make extra—you’ll be surprised at how fast these go.

14. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Psst: No one needs to know you used store-bought rotisserie chicken.

15. Mini Apple Tarts

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy

A fall dessert favorite, but bite-size. We use mason jar lids in place of mini tart pans, so you don’t have to buy any special equipment.

16. Cauliflower ‘Tater’ Tots

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, low sugar

No potatoes, no problem. These are just as crispy and satisfying as the original.

17. BLT Pasta Salad

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead

Macaroni salad with a twist, because a little bit of bacon never hurt anything.

18. Oven-Baked S’mores Bars

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

No fire pit is necessary for these sweet bars. (Oh, and even better, they call for just six ingredients.)

19. Brie-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

Better act fast to get a taste—these cheesy bites are bound to disappear in the blink of an eye.

20. Beef Empanadas

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser

FYI: These guys can be frozen for up to three months.

21. 7-Layer Zip

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes

Let’s get this fiesta started (but don’t forget the chips).

22. Spicy Glazed Popcorn Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Extra napkins are advised for these sticky-sweet poppers. We like serving them with garlic aioli, but you can use any dipping sauce you like.

23. Baby Blooming Onions

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian

This is how you bring the steakhouse to the tailgate.

24. Chicken Parmesan Bites

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

They’re fancy, homemade chicken nuggets. Need we say more? Kids and adults will all go wild.

tailgating food ideas homemade cheese crackers recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. Homemade Cheese Crackers

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, make ahead

Well, aren’t you fancy! These will disappear by the handful.

26. French Onion Cups

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

It may be soup season, but that’s not exactly tailgate food. This is the perfect compromise. If you want to make them vegetarian, we suggest swapping in vegetable broth for the beef.

27. Italian Pinwheels

  • Time Commitment: 23 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

They’re like portable, bite-size charcuterie boards. We’ll never get tired of frozen puff pastry apps.

tailgating food ideas katsu bites recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

28. Katsu Bites with Chipotle-Gochujang Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser

Aside from being highly dippable, these adult chicken nuggets happen to go great with beer.

29. Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Be still our grade-school heart. These are chewy and gooey in all the right ways.

30. Easy Pretzel Buns

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours, 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, vegetarian, make ahead

For turning into sandwiches, obvi. Pack a spread of cold cuts and let everyone make their own.

31. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

This make-ahead chicken salad is proof that forks are optional on game day.

tailgating food ideas rodney scott pimento cheese recipe
Jerrelle Guy/Rodney Scott's World of BBQ

32. Pimento Cheese

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook

This Southern specialty is equally tasty on celery sticks, crackers or even pork rinds.

33. Everything Chicken Wings

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients

Make a batch and give buffalo sauce a run for its money.

34. Spicy Pineapple Prosciutto Tarts

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

They’re like a Hawaiian pizza, but a touch fancier and way more crowd-pleasing.

tailgating food ideas spicy avocado hummus recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

35. Spicy Avocado Hummus

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead

If hummus and guacamole had a (very delicious) baby. Pack pita and tortilla chips to win the tailgate.

36. ‘Swicy’ Caramel Corn

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Just us, or are “swicy” flavors (that’s short for “sweet and spicy”) simply irresistible? That hint of cayenne keeps us coming back for more.

37. Pizza Trail Mix

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

Take a hike? Sure, if if this savory, nutty snack mix is involved.

38. Maple Candied Bacon

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Use it as a garnish for your favorite bloody Mary recipe, crumble pieces of it over a salad or add it to a sandwich. Or do as we do and just enjoy it all on its own.

39. Dill Pickle Snack Mix

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

Since we consider pickle-flavored potato chips among the best, we couldn’t resist putting a dilly spin on another beloved treat. Your tailgaters won’t know what’s coming.

40. Crispy Peanut Butter Cups

  • Time Commitment: 43 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

Imagine if Reese’s peanut butter cups and Krackel chocolate bars got married and had a baby. Delicious, right?

41. French Onion Dip

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

It’s your favorite party snack, just a little more elevated since we swapped the usual soup mix for actual caramelized onions.

42. Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Hot Honey

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

No fryer is required for these wings, which get their crispy skins from a secret ingredient: baking powder.

43. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours, 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser

It wouldn’t be a proper tailgate without this crowd-pleasing dip in attendance. The blue cheese is optional, but the celery, carrot sticks and potato chips are a must (in our humble opinion).

44. S’mores Rice Cereal Treats

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

In our experience, the trick is to not pack the mixture down into the pan—just gently nudge it in, and you’ll wind up with light and fluffy treats.

45. Fall Charcuterie Board with Black Pepper–Honey Brie, Figs and Rosemary

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead

If you’ve never brought a full charcuterie board to a tailgate before, prepare to totally bowl over the crowd.

46. Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

They’re everything you love about the classic, but in an irresistible bite-size package.

47. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater’s Aioli

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

We thought the beloved finger food couldn’t be improved on, until we added everything bagel seasoning. We say make a double batch.

48. Ina Garten’s Chipotle Cheddar Crackers

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Does Ina Garten go to tailgates? The jury’s out on that question, but she can attend in spirit if you make a batch of her crowd-pleasing cheese crackers.

49. 7-Layer Bars

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

With coconut, chocolate, butterscotch and condensed milk, each layer is better than the last. There’s no scooping or portioning dough, and the whole batch comes together in about 35 minutes.

50. Midwestern-Style Beer Boiled Brats

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It:

Snappy pork sausages cooked in beer and topped with mustard. What can we say? Midwesterners know how to throw a party.


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Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...