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100 Top Tailgating Dips and Appetizers

100 Top Tailgating Dips and Appetizers

Updated September 28, 2016

Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Score big points with your fellow football fans by sharing these crowd-pleasing tailgating recipes on game day. These easy tailgating recipes mix and match easily so that you can create the perfect game day menu. From breakfast sandwiches to hearty dips to one-bite salad wedges, these fun football foods offer something for everyone. While some recipes require a plate and a fork, there are tons of tailgating finger foods, like Touchdown Pinwheels and Baby Ballpark Dogs, to keep it super simple. Pick your favorites and get started!

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Loaded Totchos

Credit: Styling: Rishon Hanners and Audrey Davis, Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Loaded Totchos Recipe

This sensational spud riff on nachos is an hommage to party food lovers everywhere. Loaded with toppings and drizzled with a hot cheese dip, these totchos are ready to rock and roll right onto your plate. This dish has all of the goodness of trashy, delicious bar nachos but are made with potato tots for a warm comfort food addition. Fresh jalapeno slices and cool avocado round out this dish, leaving the end impression and flavor as simply drool-inducing.

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Homemade Chicken Fingers

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Homemade Chicken Fingers Recipe

Sorry, drive-through: This version of the kid favorite is better than yours. Get your kids involved in making this recipe, making sure to use the right measuring cup (the one intended for dry ingredients) and a blunt table or butter knife to level off the ingredients (even for smaller teaspoon and tablespoon-sized amounts).

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Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Loaded Baked Potato Dip Recipe

Take your love of baked potatoes and move it from the side dish spread to the appetizer buffet. Serve with waffle fries baked extra-crispy for dippers.

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Louisiana Hot Crab Dip

Credit: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Emma Crist

Louisiana Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Fresh crab meat is the star of this classic New Orleans appetizer.

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Roll Tide Breakfast Rolls

Credit: Oxmoor House

Roll Tide Breakfast Rolls Recipe

When your tailgate is slated to last from sun-up to sun-down, start the day right with a filling, flavorful breakfast. Time out! Go leaner and make a substitution— 1 1/2 cups egg substitute for eggs and reduced-fat pork sausage for sausage.

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Grilled Pepper Poppers

Credit: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Grilled Pepper Poppers Recipe

If the game isn't going your way, have no fear. These spicy cheese-filled poppers will fire up any Super Bowl bash. And try washing them down with a cool cocktail.

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Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas Recipe

If you're planning to pack these flavor-coated, fiber-filled poppers as a to-go snack, be sure to allow them to cool completely on a flat surface first.

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Muffuletta Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Muffuletta Dip Recipe

This dip version of the classic New Orleans sandwich features olive salad, salami, pepperoncini salad peppers, black olives and diced provolone cheese. Serve with slices of French bread for a hearty tailgate treat.

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Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip Recipe

Score big points at your next tailgate with this ultimate spinach dip featuring the addition of ground sausage, pinto beans, cream cheese, and Parmesan. It's almost hearty enough to be a main dish.

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Maple Chicken Wings

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

Maple Chicken Wings Recipe

Wings are a must-have at any tailgate, and serving them in a bucket is affordable, cute, and definitely low on the mess factor. Just be sure to provide a second bucket for the scraps.

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BLT Wrap

BLT Wrap Recipe

Wrap sandwiches are so versatile. You can fill them with your favorite meats and condiments for an array of options. Individually wrap them in plastic wrap or secure with a toothpick for easy pick-up-and-go treats.

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Light Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Celery

Light Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Celery Recipe

This recipe makes plenty to go around, so stuff some in celery stalks and serve the rest with crackers, apple wedges, or as a sandwich spread. Make pimiento cheese up to a week before game day and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

Credit: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip Recipe

Serve hot from the oven to those gathered 'round the big screen. Top off the savory dip with one of our favorite beer beverages.

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Barbecue Deviled Eggs

Barbecue Deviled Eggs Recipe

When you make deviled eggs, add some chopped smoked pork to the filling for a game-winning twist. Place the serving tray over ice to keep the appetizers cool during the celebration.

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Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix Recipe

Serve this mix in individual paper cups adorned with your football team's colors for a portable snack that tailgaters can easily carry as they make the rounds.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Cheddar Cheese Straws Recipe

Savory and rich with just a bit of a peppery bite, cheese straws are great for game-day snacking. They're especially easy to make and travel well.

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Smoky Ranch Dip

Smoky Ranch Dip Recipe

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give traditional Ranch dressing a smoky kick. Pair this versatile dip with chicken fingers, wings, carrot sticks, or potato chips at your next tailgate.

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Boiled Peanuts

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Boiled Peanuts Recipe

Save yourself a trip to the concession stand by preparing this favorite football snack. If you're craving more flavor, try one of the savory variations included with the recipe.

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Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip Recipe

Make this spicy Mexican dip your go-to dip for tailgate parties and casual entertaining. Just layer cream cheese, black bean dip and shredded cheese and top with your choice of onions, olives and tomatoes.

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Creamy Feta-Spinach Dip

Creamy Feta-Spinach Dip Recipe

Make a traditional spinach dip lower in fat by using low-fat mayonnaise, sour cream , and cream cheese instead of the full-fat products and add extra flavor with feta cheese and dill.

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Sausage Balls

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

Sausage Balls Recipe

These savory treats are dangerously popable. Plan to at least double the recipe if you're hosting this week's tailgate.

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BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

BBQ-Ranch Popcorn Recipe

Encourage friends to grab a cone of savory popcorn for their walk to the stadium. Three ingredients quickly transform microwave popcorn into a must-have treat.

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Hot Brown Fondue

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Hot Brown Fondue Recipe

Kentucky fans, get ready to swoon! Your favorite sandwich is now a game-day ready dip. This dish is ideal for late-season games when the temperature starts to drop.

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Yummy Sausage Cups

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

Yummy Sausage Cups Recipe

Grab-and-go appetizers are ideal for tailgates, especially when the treat being served is savory. Now, who wants sausage?

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White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese Recipe

Pimiento cheese pairs perfectly with sliced veggies, crisp chips, or even just a big spoon so that guests can enjoy themselves. The secret is grating the cheese yourself (really!).

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Buckeye Brownie Cups

Credit: Oxmoor House

Buckeye Brownie Cups Recipe

One-bite treats keep your fingers clean and your appetite ready for the next dish. Why make basic brownies when you can make these beauties?

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Fried Chicken Wings

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Fried Chicken Wings Recipe

Skip the mess of saucy wings by serving fried wings instead. Plus, fried chicken is one of the rare dishes that's delicious hot, room temperature, or chilled, so it's easy to serve any time of day.

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Barbecue-Peach Summer Rolls

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Barbecue-Peach Summer Rolls Recipe

Make barbecue easy to enjoy by wrapping it up tight in sushi-inspired rolls. Ole Miss, this one's calling your name!

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Chicken Salad Tomato Cups

Credit: Oxmoor House

Chicken Salad Tomato Cups Recipe

Add bright, bold color to your basic tailgate fare by serving classic chicken salad in tiny tomatoes. Make enough for each guest to have two.

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Greek Spinach Dip

Credit: James Baigrie; Randy Mon

Greek Spinach Dip Recipe

Spinach dip is a tailgate favorite; make a recipe that calls for satisfying Greek yogurt to ensure you last through the fourth quarter.

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Mango Guacamole

Credit: Christopher Testani; Styling: Paige Hicks

Mango Guacamole Recipe

Offering sweet and tangy notes, mangos balance perfectly against rich and creamy avocado. Try this guac as a dip with chips or as a topping for fish or chicken tacos. For a step-by-step guide to mango prep, see How to Cube a Mango, below.

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Pimiento Cheese with Bacon

Pimiento Cheese with Bacon Recipe

This must-have tailgate dip is a bargain at only about $1 per serving. Pair it with hearty crackers or crisp veggies for this weekend's big game.

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Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Think of this as no-mess wings in a bowl. Pair this 5-ingredient Buffalo Chicken Dip with celery and crackers for a quick, spicy dip fit for any tailgate

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Black-eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip

Credit: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Black-eyed Pea-and-Ham Dip Recipe

Looking for a little extra luck? Serve this savory dip to up your odds.

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100 Top Tailgating Dips and Appetizers

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Loaded Totchos

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Homemade Chicken Fingers

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Loaded Baked Potato Dip

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Louisiana Hot Crab Dip

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Roll Tide Breakfast Rolls

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Grilled Pepper Poppers

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Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas

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Muffuletta Dip

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Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip

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Maple Chicken Wings

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BLT Wrap

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Light Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Celery

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Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

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Barbecue Deviled Eggs

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Crisp and Spicy Snack Mix

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

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Smoky Ranch Dip

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Boiled Peanuts

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Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

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Creamy Feta-Spinach Dip

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Sausage Balls

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BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

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Hot Brown Fondue

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Yummy Sausage Cups

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White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese

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Buckeye Brownie Cups

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