Game day is better when the food is easy, tasty, and ready to share with friends and family. These 21 tailgate recipes are simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect for hosting any size crowd. From quick snacks to hearty bites, they take the stress out of feeding everyone and make it easy to keep guests satisfied on game day.
Chicken Taco Wraps. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Serve golden pastry filled with seasoned chicken for a snack that is hearty and easy to eat. These semi-homemade empanadas are a winning tailgate recipe because they travel well and deliver plenty of flavor in every bite. They disappear fast when shared and make feeding a crowd simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
Bring bold flavor to the tailgate with little smokies coated in tangy BBQ sauce with a hint of bourbon. This easy tailgate recipe cooks quickly, is simple to serve, and pleases a hungry crowd. The smoky, rich taste makes them perfect for passing around while everyone watches the game.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Mix shredded chicken with cheese and hot sauce for a creamy dip that works for chips, celery, or nachos. This tailgate recipe is easy to prep and always a crowd favorite. It adds rich, spicy flavor to the snack table and keeps guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Fill crispy masa cups with slow-cooked Mexican beef for a flavorful, easy-to-serve snack. This tailgate recipe is simple to prepare ahead of time and perfect for sharing while the game is on. Each bite is packed with bold flavor that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Upgrade game day snacks with fries topped with tender pulled pork and melted cheese. This tailgate recipe is filling, full of flavor, and easy for everyone to grab a plate. The combination of textures makes it a satisfying option for sharing at the table.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Chicken Taco Wraps
Use rotisserie chicken to make quick, no-cook taco wraps that are portable and tasty. This easy tailgate recipe is perfect for prepping in advance and letting guests enjoy while watching the game. The wraps are packed with flavor and convenient for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Football Cookie Balls
Transform classic cookies into football-shaped treats that bring a playful touch to any game day spread. This tailgate recipe is easy to make, simple to share, and adds a sweet balance to the savory snacks on the table. Each cookie is fun, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with guests of all ages, keeping everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Football Cookie Balls
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Combine sweet dates and crispy bacon for a sticky, flavorful snack that disappears fast. This tailgate recipe is simple to make, easy to pass around, and full of contrast between sweet and salty. They add a fun twist to the lineup and are always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Snickers Popcorn
Mix caramel popcorn with chunks of candy bars for a sweet and salty treat everyone can grab by the handful. This tailgate recipe is simple to prepare, fun to share, and a hit with a crowd. It adds variety and keeps the snack table exciting during the game.
Get the Recipe: Snickers Popcorn
Lasagna Pizzas
Combine cheesy lasagna flavors with a pizza base to create a savory, handheld snack that’s full of rich flavor. This tailgate recipe is filling, easy to serve, and packed with layers of taste that everyone will enjoy. It adds a fun and unique option to the snack table and stands out on any game day spread while keeping guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Pizzas
Pretzel Bites
Serve soft pretzel bites that are golden on the outside and tender inside for an easy handheld snack. This tailgate recipe is simple to share and perfect for dipping in cheese or mustard. They add crunch and flavor to the table, keeping everyone satisfied between plays.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Bites
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Stack layers of beans, cheese, salsa, and other tasty ingredients for a dip that brings a lot of flavor in every scoop. This tailgate recipe can be made ahead, which makes feeding a crowd easier. Each layer offers something different, keeping guests coming back for seconds and thirds.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Hot Bacon Cheddar Dip
Combine crispy bacon with melted cheddar in a creamy, flavorful dip that goes perfectly with crackers or veggies. This tailgate recipe is quick to prepare and always draws a crowd. Its bold, savory taste makes it one of the standout snacks on the table.
Get the Recipe: Hot Bacon Cheddar Dip
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Make a tangy, sweet, and sour sauce that works for wings, spring rolls, or any fried snack that needs a little extra flavor. This tailgate recipe is fast to prepare, easy to serve, and pairs well with many classic game day dishes. The zesty taste keeps everyone reaching for more and adds variety to the spread.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Roast tomatillos to make a salsa that is bright, fresh, and full of zesty flavor for chips, tacos, or other snacks. This tailgate recipe is simple to make and easy to share with the crowd. It brings a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes and keeps the snack table interesting.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Pulled Pork
Serve pulled pork that is tender, juicy, and perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or tacos. This tailgate recipe feeds a crowd with minimal effort and delivers bold, satisfying flavor in every bite. It disappears quickly at the table because everyone wants a plate full.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
Mix rotisserie chicken with gooey cheese and zesty enchilada sauce for a hearty, flavorful dip. This tailgate recipe is simple to make and works well with tortilla chips or as a topping for nachos. It brings warmth and richness to the snack table, keeping guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
Corn Fritters
Pan-fry corn fritters that are lightly crisp outside and soft inside for a snack everyone will want to grab. This tailgate recipe comes together quickly and offers a slightly sweet, satisfying bite. They are easy to eat while cheering and add a different flavor to the spread.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters
Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
Combine creamy cheese with tangy artichokes and bold sundried tomatoes for a dip that stands out on any table. This tailgate recipe is easy to serve with bread or veggies and adds a rich, flavorful variety to the lineup. Guests will keep reaching for it because each bite delivers a perfect balance of taste.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Dip
Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Make a creamy, cheesy dip with spinach and artichokes that bakes to perfection right before game time. This tailgate recipe can be prepared ahead and still feels fresh and homemade. It keeps everyone dipping and sharing, making it a reliable favorite at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Chicken Tenders
Make crispy chicken tenders coated in cornflakes for extra crunch and flavor that everyone will enjoy. This tailgate recipe is quick to prepare, kid-friendly, and perfect for passing around at the table. Juicy on the inside and golden outside, they are a go-to snack for cheering, snacking, and sharing.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders