49 Cheer-Worthy Tailgate Appetizers
49 Cheer-Worthy Tailgate Appetizers
Read Time: 22 mins
49 Cheer-Worthy Tailgate Appetizers
Approved Slaw-Topped Beef Sliders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 26 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I’m in need of a fast-to-fix tailgate food idea, I relied on these delicious beef sliders. To speed prep time and avoid extra cleanup, I used bagged coleslaw mix and bottled slaw dressing. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 322 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein. Also, check these mouthwatering crock pot appetizers which is super easy to make and perfect
for a party or a Sunday afternoon get togethers
for a party or a Sunday afternoon get togethers. 3/49 Spicy Honey Sriracha Game Day Dip 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 12 servings (3 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You can easily whip up this creamy, spicy and salty dip. I love dips for tailgates in the slow cooker—just turn the slow cooker to low once it is cooked and let your guests help themselves. No need to worry about the dip getting cold and having to reheat it. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 168 calories, 13g
fat (6g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 243mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein. 4/49 Ham-Cheddar Cheese Ball 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With the classic combo of ham and cheese, this spread is a year-round favorite at our house. For football tailgates, shape the ham and cheese ball into a football and add strips of Swiss for the laces. —Michele Moore, Mooresville, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons (calculated without crackers): 108 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate
(1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein
(1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 5/49 Meatball Sliders 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These meatball sliders are a fun tailgate food idea. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 518 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 845mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein. 6/49 Dill Pickle Dip 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time
10 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
10 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My love for pickles led me to create this Dill Pickle Dip. It’s so easy to whip together. But be warned, it’s addicting! —April Anderson, Forest Lake, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 108 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 7/49 Barbecued Party Starters 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Barbecued Party Starters Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 45 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These sweet and
tangy bites will tide over everyone until they can hit the game concessions
tangy bites will tide over everyone until they can hit the game concessions. Set out some fun toothpicks to make for easy nibbling. —Anastasia Weiss, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1/3 cup: 237 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein. 8/49 Fresh Veggie Pizza 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fresh Veggie Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Don’t sweat it when it comes to tailgate food. Just carry in this colorful veggie pizza that’s topped
with a rainbow of crunchy vegetables!
with a rainbow of crunchy vegetables! —Brooke Wiley, Halifax, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 164 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 9/49 Cheeseburger Dip 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 16 servings. Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This fun dip recipe uses ingredients that I always have in the fridge, so it’s easy to throw together on short notice. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 157 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol,
225mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein
225mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein. 10/49 Garlic Pizza Wedges 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My friend made this tailgate food, and my husband and I just couldn’t stay away from the snack table! —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 119 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 11/49 Dijon-Bacon Dip for Pretzels 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Dijon-Bacon Dip for Pretzels Recipe photo by Taste
of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick tailgate food idea comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoon: 154 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 428mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 12/49 Mozzarella Sticks 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min
Cheese is one of my family’s favorite foods
Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m particularly fond of these tasty mozzarella sticks because they’re baked, not fried. Cheese is one of my family’s favorite foods. —Mary Merchant, Barre, Vermont Nutrition Facts: 2 sticks: 312 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 749mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. 13/49 Loaded Cowboy Queso 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 24 servings (6 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Loaded Cowboy Queso is the ultimate football dip! This easy tailgate
food idea is loaded with cheese, beer, black beans, tomatoes and sausage
food idea is loaded with cheese, beer, black beans, tomatoes and sausage. I often serve it with homemade tortilla chips sprinkled with taco seasoning. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 110 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 461mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 14/49 Bacon Cheeseburger Balls 22 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having
plain meatballs
plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 1 ball: 75 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 137mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. Also, check out some tailgate grilling ideas. 15/49 Taco Meatball Ring 34 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While it looks complicated, this attractive tailgate food idea is really very easy to assemble. My family loves tacos, and we find that the crescent roll dough is a nice change
from the usual tortilla shells or chips
from the usual tortilla shells or chips. There are never any leftovers when I serve this at a meal or as a party appetizer! —Brenda Johnson, Davison, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 203 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 457mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 16/49 Buffalo Chicken Crescent Rolls 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 rolls Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband loves Buffalo wings, but they are so messy! These Buffalo chicken rolls are mess-free and always go fast at tailgates—and
they’re much tastier than regular Buffalo wings, if you ask me
they’re much tastier than regular Buffalo wings, if you ask me. —Tiffinie Cichon, Gulfport, Mississippi Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 175 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 17/49 Dill Dip 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Be prepared—you’ll likely need to make a double batch of this delightful dill dip recipe. One batch is never enough when we have a tailgate. It tastes fantastic with just about any vegetable, so you can use whatever you have
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Ground Beef Taco Dip 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What’s a football tailgate without taco dip?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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