47 Best Tailgate Appetizers to Kick Off Game Day
Sometimes the snacks are even better than the game.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Securing tickets to the big game during football season is enough to worry about: Let this handy guide be your saving grace for putting on the perfect tailgate spread. And while you'll likely be munching for a few hours, you want the kickoff to be a sign of a winning game day ahead. That means tailgate appetizers! This total touchdown of a list is full of hot and cold party dips, cheesy sliders, chicken wings, and even some slow cooker recipes that'll have your game day crowd cheering long before the players take the field.
Fuel up for a morning game with pigs in a blanket and festive rainbow fruit skewers. Or, take your game day food the lunch route with sliders or big sandwiches cut into smaller bites, nachos, ranch oyster crackers, and finger foods galore. You'll find cheesy zucchini pizza bites and crispy chicken taquitos, just to name a few. One bite of these winning tailgate foods and everyone will be doing a victory dance.
Of course, it wouldn't be a tailgate without a few different dips on the menu. Here, you'll find tons to choose from like a hot and bubbly bean dip and easy-to-serve bacon ranch cheddar dip, plus a million dollar dip that'll win any team over. These addictive dips, along with indulgences like Ree Drummond's three-ingredient, bacon-wrapped jalapeño thingies are just as good mid-morning as they are during a night time game.
Easy Queso Dip
Queso is a must on game day! If you're worried about keeping it warm, you can make it and serve it right in your slow cooker so it will stay creamy for hours.
Get the Easy Queso Dip recipe.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Wings and football are just meant to go together. And if your tailgate has a grill, this will certainly be a crowdpleaser. They're crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold, smoky flavor.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos
If you want to make nachos but worry about keeping them warm, throw them on the grill! Use a disposable aluminum baking dish for easier prep and clean up.
Get Ree's Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe.
Guacamole
Guac is always a hit! But if you want to be the MVP, make sure you keep it green. Use enough citrus and press some plastic wrap directly on the surface before placing the lid on your go-to container.
Get the Guacamole recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Buffalo chicken is good any which way. Serve up these spicy, saucy bites with ranch dressing and toothpicks for easy dipping. A side of carrots and celery makes it the perfect combo.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Homemade Potato Chips
Instead of buying a bag of chips, make them yourself! They're even better and will impress everyone with your skills. Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes are both great options.
Get Ree's Homemade Potato Chips recipe.
Restaurant-Style Salsa
Another idea that is okay when store-bought but incredible when homemade is salsa! Ree's version starts with a few cans of tomatoes that get blitzed in a food processor with herbs and spices.
Get Ree's Restaurant-Style Salsa recipe.
Potato Skins
If you're looking to serve something warm that you know will get gobbled up fast so you don't have to worry about keeping them hot all game, then classic bar snacks like potato skins will be the winner.
Get Ree's Potato Skins recipe.
Muffuletta Pinwheels
Pinwheels are a fun way to pack a lot of flavor into one little bite. Roll layers of ham, mortadella, salami, green olive salad, and cream cheese in tortillas, refrigerate, and slice for a perfectly portioned snack.
Get Ree's Muffuletta Pinwheels recipe.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
Why wait for the main course to chow down on burgers? These skewers make the perfect little bites as appetizers, using pickle chips as buns!
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Cheese-Stuffed Baby Peppers
If you like the idea of jalapeño poppers but want to make something a little less spicy and way less work, make these! You only need two ingredients: mini bell peppers and herbed cheese spread.
Get Ree's Cheese-Stuffed Baby Peppers recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
If you like the idea of a big charcuterie board full of meats, cheeses, and veggies, try making them in skewer form instead. They make it so much easier to grab and go.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ree calls this the "dreamiest, creamiest, most flavorful spinach artichoke dip there is." It will stay warm for hours in the slow cooker, too, so you can snack as long as you want.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are always a good idea. You can make them in advance, they transport well, and they will make everyone at your tailgate thrilled to have at least one or two... or three.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Bloody Mary Dip
Got an earlier game day? Let a classic brunch cocktail be your inspiration. It comes together in just 20 minutes with ingredients like cream cheese, tomato paste, and crispy bacon.
Get the Bloody Mary Dip recipe.
Spicy Chex Mix
If you don't feel like fussing over your food once you get to the tailgate, make a big batch of Chex mix ahead of time. It's easy to make, transport, and please everyone.
Get the Spicy Chex Mix recipe.
Pull-Apart Buffalo Chicken Sliders
The great thing about pull-apart sliders is that they all get assembled at the same time. No need to build each individual one! They all get thrown together and cooked on a sheet pan.
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Buffalo Chicken Sliders recipe.
Bean Dip
Bring this cheesy bean dip to a watch party and it'll be gone before kickoff! Baking it and serving it in a cast-iron skillet helps keep the dip warm.
Get Ree's Bean Dip recipe.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Every tailgate party needs a delicious ranch dip. This one just so happens to be loaded with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese, too. Festive mini cups make the perfect easy-serve vessel.
Get Ree's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip recipe.
Ranch Oyster Crackers
Everyone will be reaching for handfuls of these zesty party mix! The great thing about this recipe is that it's easy to make a few days in advance and take on the go.
Get the Ranch Oyster Crackers recipe.
Fuel Game Day with Chicken Parm Sliders
Get the Party Started With Easy Slow Cooker Dips
3-Ingredient Buffalo Dip Will Win Game Day
These No-Cook Tailgate Recipes Are Total MVPs
