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Here are a few of the best football tailgating foods (think easy crowd-pleasing recipes) for the next game day or your Super Bowl party. With everything from Buffalo chicken wings (and other Buffalo flavored appetizers, snacks, and finger foods that aren’t wings), to grilled foods, sandwiches and sliders, hot and cold dips, and more!
Being from Buffalo, New York (otherwise known as “Bills Country”), I had no idea that football wasn’t a way of life everywhere. Like most of the insanely loyal Buffalo fanbase, my dad made sure we never missed watching a game. Although he pretty frequently took my sister and I to Sabres games (Buffalo’s hockey team) growing up, he never took us to a Bills game. Once I asked him why; for a few seconds he looked like he was trying to figure out how to put it, and then he said “they can be a little too much”. As a kid, I had no idea what that meant. But when I went to my first game as an adult there was a streaker, and I immediately understood!
The rollercoaster of emotions the Bills put their fans through over the years never dulled my dad’s passion for the sport or his team. When they let us down (again) he’d call it a rebuilding year and talk about how next year would be their year. Year after year, his hope never died.
Now that I’ve lived a few other places outside Buffalo (including the Washington DC area and Tampa Bay area), I can see how extreme Buffalo’s fanbase is in terms of their love for and obsession with their hometown football team. And to this day I can’t think of the Bills or football without smiling and remembering my dad. He loved rooting for the underdog – especially the Bills – and so the Buffalo Bills will forever be my team.
But now for the tailgate food ideas! (Because let’s be real, sometimes for some of us the food is the best part of football! Of course other than during the Super Bowl when the halftime show and commercials are pretty entertaining too.) Here I’m including a few Buffalo foods (because was there even football if there weren’t Buffalo chicken wings?!), but this isn’t just Bills food. No matter who your team is, these tailgating foods are sure to be a hit with your crowd.
And talk about a crowd! I took this photo at the Bills game at Highmark Stadium (aka Rich Stadium or “The Ralph”) on November 12, 2017 (the game I mentioned with the streaker!). I showed the photo to a friend who is also an expat Buffalonian, and she giggled and exclaimed “wow, that’s a lot of blue and red!” Indeed it is.
With the Bills playing the Jags in the NFL Wild Card Round on Sunday, as always, Go Bills! 💙🦬❤️
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Yes, in Buffalo we just call them “wings”. (I’ve actually had people ask me this, lol!)
Okay, so growing up in Buffalo and working at a pizzeria, wings were deep fried at 350F for 10 minutes (12 for extra crispy). You shake the basket halfway through frying, and then toss them in sauce once they’re done. (If you’re curious, real Buffalo wing sauce is just a mix of Frank’s RedHot and butter in varying ratios for mild, medium, hot, and what they called suicidal. Mild sauce had ketchup added for sweetness, and suicidal was hot sauce with powdered cayenne pepper added.) At least at the pizzeria where I worked, we didn’t bake or grill wings (and air fryers weren’t a thing back then).
But if you’re looking to cut fat and calories, you don’t have to deep fry your chicken wings for great results! My personal favorite method at home is the air fryer. They come out so crispy you can’t really tell they weren’t deep-fried. Save the calories for blue cheese sauce for dipping.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
These easy-to-make air fryer chicken wings are crispy outside, juicy inside, and super flavorful tossed in a quick two-ingredient Buffalo wing sauce! They're perfect for game day gatherings or pizza night at home.
These baked Buffalo chicken wings are crispy, oven-baked wings tossed in classic Buffalo sauce made with hot sauce and butter. Baking them at a high temperature delivers golden, crunchy skin without the mess or hassle of frying!
If you’re tailgating and bringing a grill, a bucket of chicken marinated in Chiavetta’s is the perfect food. I’m telling you, you’ll have people flocking to you asking what you’re making because it really does smell that amazing.
Copycat Chiavetta’s Marinade Recipe (The Best Chicken Marinade!)
In Buffalo and the Western New York area, Chiavetta’s chicken is a summertime staple! This foolproof marinade is made from common kitchen ingredients, and it yields tender, moist, and juicy meat every single time. You probably have everything to make it in your kitchen right now!
It's so easy to make grilled peppers! Similar to roasted red peppers, grilled peppers are sweet, smoky, and full of flavor. You can use them a ton of different ways, and freeze them to enjoy all year.
Skip the churrascaria and discover the bold, smoky magic of churrasco steak at home! With this flavor-packed recipe, you'll learn how to make the best marinated grilled skirt steak and transform an affordable cut of beef into a mouthwatering dish.
There are so many Buffalo flavored foods that go beyond wings! Many of them don’t contain chicken, and some of them are even vegan! From dips to pasta salads, meatballs, finger foods, and more, there’s something for everyone who loves appetizers with a spicy kick.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip is a classic (and easy!) appetizer recipe that features Buffalo chicken in the form of a flavor-packed, creamy, cheesy, zippy dip. And if you use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, it takes just 30 minutes to whip up from start-to-finish!
Buffalo chicken pasta salad combines chicken, carrots + celery, and pasta in a creamy, zippy sauce! It's a perfect side dish for a summer picnic or potluck, and it can also be a full meal if you add a big green salad.
Buffalo chicken chili is a delicious take on traditional Buffalo wing flavor. The chili is easy to individually customize for more heat or less, depending on each person’s tolerance, and it's also excellent as a vegetarian chili. This is a fun idea for a football spread because you can set up a toppings bar with it!
Buffalo chicken meatballs are spicy and full of flavor. Paired with a tasty blue cheese sauce, they'll be one of the first things to disappear on game day!
Buffalo baked feta white bean dip combines spicy hot sauce with salty feta. It's similar to hummus, but replaces the tahini with feta. Serve it with carrot and celery sticks or any raw veggies you like for a fun, nutritious game day appetizer.
Buffalo chicken flatbread is an easy oven-baked dish made with shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, gooey melty mozzarella cheese, and crispy flatbread crusts. This recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep and makes a fun weeknight dinner or addition to your game day spread.
These vegan Buffalo cauliflower wings are oil-free and oven-baked until crispy. They're full of bold Buffalo-inspired flavor, and a fun vegan twist on a classic game day snack!
Another hometown favorite, classic roast beef on weck sandwiches are always a hit. My simple recipe includes an easy method for how to turn a kaiser roll into a kimmelweck roll. (Because without that you can’t have a traditional Buffalo beef on weck!)
I’m including other sandwich recipes (one uses the slow cooker!), as well as a few slider ideas. The ultimate finger food, sliders are easy to eat when you’re tailgating. The good thing is that sliders are substantial (depending on how many you eat) but they won’t fill you up completely the way a regular sandwich will, so you can snack on other appetizers. And they’re so cute; who can pass up a mini sammy?!
Buffalo Beef on Weck Recipe
A Buffalo, New York tradition, Beef on Weck sandwiches contain thinly sliced roast beef piled high on Kaiser buns topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds known as Kimmelweck rolls. I'm sharing my best easy method to make these sandwiches at home anywhere in the world when you're craving a taste of Buffalo!
This meatball sliders recipe pairs sweet Hawaiian rolls with Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, plenty of gooey cheese, and a garlic butter sauce on top. It’s the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Crispy chicken cutlets with Romaine lettuce and bold Caesar dressing on ciabatta garlic bread combine for the ultimate sandwich. It's easy to make and great for meal prep!
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches Recipe (Chicago-Style!)
This slow cooker Italian beef sandwich recipe yields melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy, and flavorful meat just like what you’d get in Chicago! It’s the perfect meal for game night, tailgating, potlucks, or parties.
Crisp and spicy with tender meat inside, this Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich serves up delicious fried chicken with coleslaw and pickle chips on toasted brioche buns.
Roast Beef Sliders with horseradish mayo is a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or easy weeknight dinner recipe! Made with Hawaiian rolls and deli meat and cheese, all you have to do is whip up the horseradish mayo and seasoned butter topping, and layer everything on the buns for the ultimate sandwich recipe that's guaranteed to be a hit.
I’m a sucker for a good cheesy dip. A lot of these easy dip recipes are gluten free, low carb, and/or high protein. If you’re trying to eat a little healthier (even on game day!), these will help you do it.
5-Minute High-Protein Cottage Cheese Queso Recipe
If you're looking for a healthy, high protein snack, cottage cheese queso is it! This version of the viral TikTok recipe is made from scratch in just 5 minutes.
Savory and ready fast, this spicy queso hummus dip recipe is a creamy and zesty blend of hummus, queso, and spices. It packs a cheesy, crowd-pleasing kick!
With three kinds of cheese and green chilies, this gooey low carb Chile Relleno Dip takes the cheese factor to the extreme and packs a punch of flavor!
I love including a few cold dips in a game day spread to make things easy. You can prepare cold dips ahead of time, and then they’re ready when you are, no reheating needed!
Garlic Hummus Recipe Without Tahini
No tahini? No problem! Learn how to make this smooth, flavorful garlic hummus recipe without tahini in just 5 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
Obatzda is a flavorful easy German cheese dip or spread that combines rich camembert with cream cheese, butter, a few spices, savory onion, and a splash of German beer.
Easy to whip up with minimal ingredients, this creamy, flavorful, and healthy garlic and chive cottage cheese dip recipe is great to keep on hand for snacking.
Red lentil hummus is a unique spin on the classic dip recipe that's typically made with chickpeas. Here we roast sweet carrots and rich garlic, and combine them with red lentils for a delicious dip.
This easy pimento cheese dip recipe combines two types of cheddar in a creamy base, and whips up in just 15 minutes for a crowd-pleasing appetizer! It's naturally low carb and keto friendly with just 2g net carbs per 1/4-cup serving. Serve it with crackers or chips, or keep it low carb with veggies like green bell pepper, celery, and broccoli for dipping.
For dipping sauce for chicken wings, I’m a blue cheese girl through-and-through. But for crudités, ranch is my dip of choice! Here I’m including a few easy homemade condiments that you can pair with any number of game day appetizers as a dipping sauce.
The tartar sauce is a bit of a wild card, but its uses go well beyond just fried fish! It’s essentially a jazzed up mayo. It’s great on onion rings, fried mushrooms, fried zucchini, French fries, or even as a dip for raw veggies.
Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe (Keto)
This keto Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe is rich, creamy, and full of flavor; it’s perfect on everything from salad to chicken wings!
This Low Carb Ranch Dressing Recipe has 0g net carbs per serving and is addictively delicious as a salad dressing or dip! And it whips up in just 5 minutes!
Creamy with the perfect amount of tang and a touch of sweetness, this low carb honey mustard dressing recipe tastes every bit as delicious as the regular stuff, but with just 1g net carbs per serving!
Creamy, tangy, savory, and well-balanced, homemade tartar sauce is easy to make and packs a punch of flavor. It's great on fried fish, but you can use it for so much more!
As far as game day appetizers and tailgating snacks go, crunchy foods are always a hit! Here are a few ideas. Some are quick and easy and others are more of a process, depending on how deep you want to go. If you’re feeling cheffy, try the beer battered fish fry. And while you’re at it with the oil, you might as well make beer battered onion rings too, lol!
Beer Battered Onion Ring Recipe
Make the crispiest onion rings at home with this easy beer battered onion ring recipe! Perfectly golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor, they're ideal for parties, BBQs, or a fun snack.
This air fryer chicken nuggets recipe is quick and easy to make with canned chicken. The result is deliciously crispy nugs with no breading needed! They make a great high protein snack, appetizer, or simple meal paired with a couple sides.
Crispy, flavorful, and packed with texture, chicken wonton tacos deliver restaurant-style flavor at home. They are perfect for game day snacking or sharing with friends.
Beer Batter Fish Fry Recipe (For Pub Style Fish and Chips at Home)
Fish and chips is easier to make at home than you might think! This recipe yields a crunchy, golden beer batter coating and flaky, tender white fish that rivals your favorite restaurant’s fish fry.
These hot honey tenders are a favorite for football fans everywhere. This is an easy appetizer recipe made with simple ingredients that's always a hit.
Just like wings, pizza is quintessential football food. Instead of ordering a party pizza, if you keep sourdough starter on hand, I highly recommend sourdough Detroit-style pizza. Or if you want an easy cold tailgate food option, go with a classic crescent roll veggie pizza. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Sourdough Detroit Style Pizza Recipe
Detroit style pizza features a thick, chewy crust with an open crumb and piles of gooey cheese that get gorgeously crispy on the outer edges. Sourdough creates a lovely balanced flavor profile that lends itself beautifully to this style of pizza. If you keep sourdough starter on hand, this is a great way to use it!
If you like cheesy appetizers, pizza bites are the perfect game day snack. Go with the classic pepperoni or customize them with your favorite toppings. They're easy to make in just 30 mintues!
This crescent roll veggie pizza recipe has a flaky base topped with an easy homemade ranch dip made with fresh herbs and garlic. A variety of vegetables add color, flavor, and bump up the nutrition. And this crowd-pleasing appetizer takes just 30 minutes to make from start-to-finish!
If you’re an ex-Buffalonian or a Bills fan living outside of Buffalo, may I suggest making a batch of homemade Mighty Taco seasoned beef? You can serve it as part of a taco bar and everyone can make their own. (And if there are people having it for the first time, you might make Mighty fans out of them!)
Homemade Mighty Taco Beef Copycat Recipe
Learn how easy it is to make saucy, perfectly seasoned ground beef (aka taco meat) with this copycat recipe inspired by popular taco joint Mighty Taco in Buffalo, New York!
Learn how to make this authentic Pico de Gallo recipe (also called Mexican Salsa Fresca) that takes just 10 minutes to make and transforms a few ordinary ingredients into a bright-flavored fresh salsa that you can pair with everything from tacos to tortilla chips, or eat on its own as a salad.
This Mexican-inspired elote dip with corn and poblano peppers is creamy, savory, and crunchy! Made with simple ingredients, it's a deliciously flavorful corn dip perfect for gatherings.
This creamy chipotle shredded (pulled) chicken tacos recipe takes just 10 minutes to make with leftover chicken! It’s a great way to keep Taco Tuesdays (or any quick weeknight dinner) exciting, and it’s also the perfect game night food.
This Blender Restaurant Style Salsa recipe combines fire-roasted canned tomatoes with fresh onion, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, and cilantro for a salsa that’s as easy to make as it is flavorful! It uses minimal ingredients, and takes less than 10 minutes to whip up in a blender or food processor!
This is a colorful, flavor-packed dip made with canned corn, black beans, bell peppers, feta, and lime. It's quick, easy, and perfect with corn chips, ideal for parties, potlucks, or healthy snacking during the big game!
I really like keeping tailgate desserts easy! Think along the lines of no-fuss treats: cookies, blondies or bar cookies, and brownies. And if you want to customize your cookies to match your team’s colors, you can add sprinkles or decorate the top with sprinkles.
Nutella Brownies Recipe
This easy Nutella brownies recipe makes decadent brownies that are gooey, chewy, and perfectly fudgy to satisfy your most intense chocolate cravings. You know the brownies with the shiny crackly crinkled tops? Yup, you found them.
If you've always been a fan of chocolate chip cookie dough sans chocolate, this chocolate chipless cookies recipe is for you! These cookies have rich, buttery brown sugar vanilla flavor, and are crispy outside and chewy inside with pretty crackled tops.
This funfetti blondies recipe features deliciously chewy brown sugar and vanilla-laced cake batter-flavored cookie bars. Fun, festive rainbow sprinkles and a creamy vanilla frosting take it over the top!
If you like soft, chewy cookies and the thought of a pb&j sandwich gives you fond memories of childhood lunches, you're going to love these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies!
Burgers, hot dogs, sausages – If you don’t want to cook ahead of time but you don’t mind grilling, these are classics!
Cold cut sandwich stuff – Deli meats and cheeses with rolls and condiments so people can custom-make their own sammy.
Raw vegetable platter with dip – Bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, or any veggies you like. Serve it with hummus and vegetable cream cheese dip.
Cheese and crackers tray – Make it the day before and include a cheese ball if you want!
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
What a great post! There are so many ideas and of course, you don’t have to be tailgating to enjoy them, right? Football isn’t my thing but my husband is a Bears fan – sorry. Anyway, he would absolutely love most of these recipes, especially the Buffalo chicken ones. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into this post…
Faith spent a significant amount of time living in Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait where she immersed herself in Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. Her first cookbook is a celebration of authentic Middle Eastern recipes made approachable for home cooks.
What a great post! There are so many ideas and of course, you don’t have to be tailgating to enjoy them, right? Football isn’t my thing but my husband is a Bears fan – sorry. Anyway, he would absolutely love most of these recipes, especially the Buffalo chicken ones. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into this post…
Chris, Thank you so much for your sweet comment and kind words. You made my day!