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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For a quick football party food hack, jazz up your regular Ice Cream Sandwiches from Celebrations Shoppe.

Tailgate Mini Bagels

Yum!! Tailgate Mini Bagels from Thomas Breads are a cute twist on food for game day.

Kickin’ Queso Dip

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

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

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

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

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

Brownie Footballs on Frugal Coupon Living are so easy and the picture-perfect food for football party.

Bacon Crack

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

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

This Cowboy Caviar from Culinary Hill will be your chip’s best friend on game day.

Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites

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

You’re free to mix and mingle with friends at your football party while staying full with these Walking Tacos from Frugal Coupon Living.

Earlier game times? Try these Early Game Tailgate Recipes for Breakfast. Pin to Pinterest.

Is the game pro bowl game? Check out these Winning Super Bowl Snack Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out these Fabulous Wing Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

We also are inspired by some Football Fashion – take a look at this Southern Football Outfit. Pin to Pinterest.

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.