Lifestyle

50 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for Tailgating or Game Day

LifestylePublished Jan 26, 2018
By Alesandra Dubin
wingsbeats1/Shutterstock

A sports celebration could mean convening as a group in front of a TV at home or packing up the whole crew -- and all the food -- for a tailgate party at the stadium. Whichever way we decide to celebrate the game, there's one thing that remains true: We'll need delicious rations -- lots of them! Let's be real, game day snacks are arguably the best part about celebrating football season. Cheesy dips, buffalo wings, and nachos, oh my. And when we're hosting, we want to make sure our guests are cheering for more than just the game. 

Celebrating sports games with our friends and family is such an American tradition (let's look at Thanksgiving, shall we?) that the Super Bowl is almost like some kind of national holiday. We get it, though. What builds camaraderie faster than cheering for the home team over some bacon-wrapped appetizers?! The answer is nothing.

More from CafeMom: 14 Crock-Pot Dinners Kids Can Serve Themselves

With so many games to view and so many hungry and excited mouths to feed, we might feel bored with always serving a platter of pigs in a blanket with some chips and guacamole. It's time to switch it up! 

There are endless game day snack possibilities, from sweet to savory indulgences. Read on to see some fun, creative, and all-around crowd-pleasing recipes -- and we promise, game day will never be the same. These recipes are sure to please anyone, from the avid footballer to the person who doesn't even know what a touchdown is.

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1. Baked Mexican Mozzarella Sticks-placeholder
1. Baked Mexican Mozzarella Sticks
gimmesomeoven.com

1. Baked Mexican Mozzarella Sticks

This healthier, zestier version of mozzarella sticks from Gimme Some Oven packs all of the flavor but none of the fried of some more traditional alternatives.

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2. M&M Oreo Cookie Bars-placeholder
2. M&M Oreo Cookie Bars
averiecooks.com

2. M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

If your baking style aligns with the philosophy "more is more," you have to make Averie Cooks's loaded M&M Oreo cookie bars for a game-day snack.

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3. Double-Decker Taco Cupcakes-placeholder
3. Double-Decker Taco Cupcakes
www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

3. Double-Decker Taco Cupcakes

Wonton wrappers form the basis for these individual-serving double-decker taco cupcakes from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

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4. Football-Shaped Truffles-placeholder
4. Football-Shaped Truffles
hoosierhomemade.com

4. Football-Shaped Truffles

With only four ingredients, you can score a major touchdown with your game-day crowd with these football-shaped truffles from Hoosier Homemade.

More from CafeMom: This Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull-Apart Bread Is Guaranteed to Disappear

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5. Taco Popcorn-placeholder
5. Taco Popcorn
gimmesomeoven.com

5. Taco Popcorn

Gimme Some Oven's taco popcorn makes for a great tailgating snack that's super easy to prepare ahead and travel with.

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6. Apple Pie Fries-placeholder
6. Apple Pie Fries
ohbiteit.com

6. Apple Pie Fries

This apple pie fries recipe from Oh Bite It converts the American classic into a perfect finger food.

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7. German Soft Pretzel Sticks-placeholder
7. German Soft Pretzel Sticks
gatherforbread.com

7. German Soft Pretzel Sticks

These golden brown and a little sweet German soft pretzel sticks from Gather for Bread are great dipped in mustard.

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8. Fruit & Donut Kabobs-placeholder
8. Fruit & Donut Kabobs
celebrationsathome.com

8. Fruit & Donut Kabobs

You can almost pretend this is a healthy game-day dessert, thanks to the fresh fruit: Celebrations at Home has the fun recipe for fruit and donut kabobs that hold up well and travel easily.

More from CafeMom: This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Is Quite the Crowd Pleaser

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9. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings-placeholder
9. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
recipesforourdailybread.com

9. Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

This baked alternative to wings is healthier and easier, with a sweet and garlicky sauce: Recipes for Our Daily Bread has the baked honey garlic chicken wings how-to.

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10. Bacon & Brown Sugar Crackers-placeholder
10. Bacon & Brown Sugar Crackers
plainchicken.com

10. Bacon & Brown Sugar Crackers

These three-ingredient bacon and brown sugar crackers from Plain Chicken are as addictive as they are easy to make.

More from CafeMom: 10 Easy Halloween Treats Kids Will Love

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11. Cheesy Black Bean & Corn Potato Rounds-placeholder
11. Cheesy Black Bean & Corn Potato Rounds
hjinhelen/Instagram

11. Cheesy Black Bean & Corn Potato Rounds

Move over, potato skins, these loaded potato slices from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice are here to win the day.

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12. Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries-placeholder
12. Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries
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12. Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries

Why reserve the buffalo sauce for just wings? Drizzle some of heaven's nectar on these crispy oven-baked fries, like from this recipe by How Sweet Eats.

More from CafeMom: Mac & Cheese Pizza Recipe Will Have Your Kids Begging for More

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13. Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Fries-placeholder
13. Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Fries
heavenlyhealthygourmet/Instagram

13. Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Fries

Avocado fries seem like a healthier alternative to potato fries, right? Well, maybe not quite since they're wrapped in bacon. So these babies might not be healthier, per se, but they are dang delicious. Get the recipe from Kirbie's Cravings.

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14. Chicken & Waffle Sliders-placeholder
14. Chicken & Waffle Sliders
therese58evreux/Instagram

14. Chicken & Waffle Sliders

Everyone's favorite brunch food is made bite-sized and all set for the big game, thanks to Food, Folks, and Fun.

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15. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps-placeholder
15. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
rainbow.eats/Instagram

15. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A slow cooker makes this buffalo chicken lettuce wrap recipe by The Sweets Life a piece of cake.

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16. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread-placeholder
16. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
saintmarthaskitchen/Instagram

16. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread

Two words: cheese and bread. Combine the two, and everyone's happy. Brown Eyed Baker came up with a recipe that qualifies strongly for food porn.

More from CafeMom: Super Bowl Sunday Loaded Cheese Fries Recipe

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17. Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread-placeholder
17. Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread
nobiggie/Instagram

17. Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread

Shrimp cocktail is given a game day twist with this recipe from The Pudge Factor.

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18. Jalapeno Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites-placeholder
18. Jalapeno Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites
crevlm/Instagram

18. Jalapeno Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites

These soft pretzel bites by Cook Nourish Bliss sure do pack a lot of flavor. People will be grabbing them by the handful.

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19. Creamy Clam Dip-placeholder
19. Creamy Clam Dip
thebubblyhostess/Instagram

19. Creamy Clam Dip

Even non-Patriots fans will enjoy this creamy clam dip by Real Housemoms.

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20. Pimento Cheese Spread-placeholder
20. Pimento Cheese Spread
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20. Pimento Cheese Spread

This homemade pimento cheese spread by The Pinning Mama is the move for cheese-lovers.

More from CafeMom: Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe Will Spice Up Your Super Bowl Spread

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21. Sloppy Joe Sliders-placeholder
21. Sloppy Joe Sliders
dromedary_bar/Instagram

21. Sloppy Joe Sliders

These sloppy joe sliders from Valerie's Kitchen are both adorable and delicious! A game day classic.

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22. Fried Pickles-placeholder
22. Fried Pickles
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22. Fried Pickles

Crunchy, salty, and sour describe the beloved fried pickles. They're also so easy and cheap to make! Follow this recipe from Spend With Pennies.

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23. Spicy Feta Dip-placeholder
23. Spicy Feta Dip
bonappetitbabyblog/Instagram

23. Spicy Feta Dip

Making spicy feta dip takes just a few minutes, but it's oh-so delicious! Follow the recipe from Taste Ever After.

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24. Spinach Dip Bites-placeholder
24. Spinach Dip Bites
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24. Spinach Dip Bites

Finally! Spinach dip is put into bite-sized pieces. Check out this delish-looking recipe by Lil' Luna.

More from CafeMom: 10 Super Tacky Super Bowl Products We Love

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25. Fried Mac & Cheese Balls-placeholder
25. Fried Mac & Cheese Balls
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25. Fried Mac & Cheese Balls

We all know mac and cheese is absolutely delicious. So what's better? Fried mac and cheese balls, like this recipe from Damn Delicious.

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26. Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers-placeholder
26. Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers
vm2002/Shutterstock

26. Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

These cheesy stuffed jalapeno peppers from Finding Zest is so easy it should be criminal.

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27. Pizza Dip-placeholder
27. Pizza Dip
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27. Pizza Dip

Deconstruct everyone's favorite food, the pizza, with this gooey pizza dip by Spend With Pennies.

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28. Tex-Mex Spicy Meatballs-placeholder
28. Tex-Mex Spicy Meatballs
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28. Tex-Mex Spicy Meatballs

Poppable meatballs were meant for game day. Check out this Tex-Mex version by Genius Kitchen.

More from CafeMom: Super Bowl Recipes: 5 Finger Foods That Score!

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29. Baked Onion Rings-placeholder
29. Baked Onion Rings
Charitha Dananjaya/Shutterstock

29. Baked Onion Rings

Baked onion rings, like from this recipe by Tastes Lovely, are both easy and delicious! Baking the rings make it a teeny bit healthier but a heck of a lot easier.

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30. Greek Nachos-placeholder
30. Greek Nachos
adileats/Instagram

30. Greek Nachos

Give a plate of nachos a Greek spin by adding olives and tzatziki. Follow the recipe by The Candid Appetite.

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31. Hummus-placeholder
31. Hummus
Linda Linnea Larsson/Shutterstock

31. Hummus

A creamy and light hummus is a game day staple. Why pick it up at the store when there's an easy recipe out there for it, like this one by Once Upon a Chef?

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32. Sriracha Deviled Eggs-placeholder
32. Sriracha Deviled Eggs
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32. Sriracha Deviled Eggs

Give deviled eggs a spicy kick with this sriracha element. It's a crowd-pleaser! Check out this recipe by Budget Bytes.

More from CafeMom: 11 Fave DIY Super Bowl Party Decorations From Crafty Bloggers

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33. Buffalo-Style Cauliflower Bites-placeholder
33. Buffalo-Style Cauliflower Bites
melanieeats/Instagram

33. Buffalo-Style Cauliflower Bites

Folks who don't eat meat will love these buffalo-style cauliflower bites! In fact, those who do like meat might like it too.

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34. Peanut Butter Cups-placeholder
34. Peanut Butter Cups
mixandbake/Instagram

34. Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut butter cups are a classic dessert, and all they're easier to make than one would think. No oven required!

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35. Veggie Fries-placeholder
35. Veggie Fries
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35. Veggie Fries

Move over, potatoes. New veggie fry possibilities are here -- and ready for the dipping.

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36. Sweet Potato Skins-placeholder
36. Sweet Potato Skins
sophs_table/Instsagram

36. Sweet Potato Skins

Sweet potatoes get dressed up as they deserve to be with this sweet potato skin recipe by Sally's Baking Addiction.

More from CafeMom: Crock-Pot Chicken Wings Recipe Is Your Ticket to a Fabulous Super Bowl Bash

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37. Spicy Grilled Shrimp-placeholder
37. Spicy Grilled Shrimp
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37. Spicy Grilled Shrimp

As an alternative to meat and cheese, throw in these healthier spicy grilled shrimp skewers!

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38. Plantain Chips-placeholder
38. Plantain Chips
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38. Plantain Chips

Serve some plantain chips instead of regular potato chips, and maybe some mini Cubans?!

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39. Football-Shaped Cake Pops-placeholder
39. Football-Shaped Cake Pops
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39. Football-Shaped Cake Pops

Football-shaped cake pops are the most festive dessert for game day.

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40. Caramel Popcorn-placeholder
40. Caramel Popcorn
acallen324/Instagram

40. Caramel Popcorn

Make a batch of caramel popcorn for an easy-to-grab-by-the-handful snack. Add some nuts for extra crunch!

More from CafeMom: 15 Things You Can Make With Your Muffin Tin That Aren't Muffins

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41. Baked Brie-placeholder
41. Baked Brie
frompentotable/Instagram

41. Baked Brie

What's more beautiful than a wheel of melted brie cheese oozing out? Whew, it's getting hot in here!

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42. Fried Mozzarella Sticks-placeholder
42. Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Little Hand Creations/Shutterstock

42. Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Fried? Check. Cheese? Check. Mozzarella sticks were everyone's childhood go-to for a reason.

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43. Roasted Chickpeas-placeholder
43. Roasted Chickpeas
biriyerbiriyapar/Instagram

43. Roasted Chickpeas

These crunchy roasted chickpeas by JoyFoodSunshine are addictive! Make a large batch.

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44. Sriracha Chex Mix-placeholder
44. Sriracha Chex Mix
ali_rose13/Instagram

44. Sriracha Chex Mix

We love sweet stuff but this Sriracha Chex Mix has got our heart on lock! It's incredibly easy to whip together. 

More from CafeMom: 20 Most Outrageous Super Bowl 'Snackadiums' We've Ever Seen

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45. Honey Chipotle Wings-placeholder
45. Honey Chipotle Wings
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45. Honey Chipotle Wings

These honey chipotle chicken wings have the best of both worlds!

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46. BLT Dip-placeholder
46. BLT Dip
myspecialtea/Instagram

46. BLT Dip

Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes prove to be a superior combo with this fun and easy BLT dip.

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47. Hershey Kiss Cookies-placeholder
47. Hershey Kiss Cookies
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47. Hershey Kiss Cookies

Hershey's Kiss cookies are incredibly easy and make an adorable treat. Ask any child -- and adult.

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48. Rice Krispie Footballs-placeholder
48. Rice Krispie Footballs
micapricho_pasteles/Instagram

48. Rice Krispie Footballs

These football-shaped Rice Krispie treats are so fun to eat -- and for kids to make! Try the recipe over at That's What Che Said.

More from CafeMom: 10 Thermos-Friendly Drink Recipes for Cold-Weather Outings

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49. Chorizo Tacos-placeholder
49. Chorizo Tacos
Jelena Macic/Shutterstock

49. Chorizo Tacos

Chorizo tacos are super easy to make, but so delicious thanks to their spicy and tangy flavor.

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50. Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups-placeholder
50. Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
happilyhourafter/Instagram

50. Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups

These little wonton cups are crunchy and super savory, thanks to a buffalo chicken filling. We like this recipe by The Beach House Kitchen.

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