Tailgate Treats: 5 Recipes for Game Day

It’s game time! Whether tailgating at the stadium, a friend’s house, or in your own backyard, there must be snacks! Even if you are watching the action on your living room TV, easy transport is a must! But can you come up with recipes that combine on-the-go convenience while still maintaining a winning taste? Keep reading and together we will score with the best of both worlds while punting the stress of a mess that could lead to penalties on your carpet or in your car! So, flip a coin and choose a few, or make them all part of your game plan for the best in tailgate treats!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Sunflower seeds seem to team up with baseball, but pumpkin seeds are a perfect snack for fall time football!

Ingredients

2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds

1 tsp salt divided

1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

-Rinse the seeds and remove any bits of pumpkin pulp. 

-Place clean seeds in a large pot and fill with water and 1 teaspoon of salt.

– Bring to boil over high heat and allow to boil for 15-20 minutes.

– Preheat the oven to 375° F.

-Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

-Drain the pumpkin seeds.

-Toss seeds in oil with remaining 1 teaspoon of salt.

-Stir until well coated.

-Spread the seeds in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

-Place in oven. 

-Bake for 40-50 minutes, stirring the seeds every 15 minutes, until deep golden brown.

-Season with additional salt or seasoning of choice if desired.

-Cool slightly and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings

What’s a game without wings? By cooking these in a slow cooker, they are easily portable…simply cook, grab the dish and go!

Ingredients

2/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce

1/2 cup real butter

1 1/2  tablespoons white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup Agave Nectar

4 pounds chicken wings

Instructions

-Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking until combined and bubbly.

-Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the buffalo sauce over the top.

-Cook wings low for 4-5 hours.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

With individual poppers a bit hard to make, serve and transport, make a quick turnover and sub with a dip! Add a couple of bags of organic tortilla chips and you are game day, dig in, tailgating ready!

Ingredients

4 ounces diced jalapenos well drained OR 4-6 fresh jalapenos, roasted and diced 

8 ounces cream cheese softened

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

3/4 cup parmesan cheese shredded



Topping:

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

-Preheat oven to 375°F.

-Combine cream cheese, garlic powder and sour cream and mix with hand mixer until fluffy.

-Add cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese and diced jalapenos, mixing well.

-Spread into an 8×8 baking dish.

-Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese.

-Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cream cheese mixture.

-Bake 15-20 minutes, or until hot and breadcrumbs are golden brown.

-Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Make Ahead Hotdogs

A must-have ball game attendee is the all-American hot dog. With just a little planning ahead, your fans won’t be disappointed! Though not exactly a recipe, this game day tradition is the food that comforts, no matter what the final game score turns out to be!

Ingredients

Premium hot dogs like Hebrew National or Applegate Natural

Hot dog buns

Condiments

Instructions

-The day before the game, roast the dogs over charcoal or an open fire. Boiling is an option if time is limited.

-Place them in a thermos to keep them warm for the party.

-Place condiments like ketchup and mustard in a six pack drink carton for easy transport and serving.

-When game time begins, it’s to each their own in assembling their hearty, traditional hot dog meal!

Score More with Smores

Fall is all about football, campfires and smores! With this easy dessert, sitting in the sun at the game will make them even better by slightly melting the chocolate and the marshmallows! It’s a win-win!

Ingredients

1 package of graham crackers (About 12-15 full crackers)

1/4 cup sugar

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 box of premium brownie mix, prepared according to box directions

1 – 10 oz. package of miniature marshmallows

1 to 11/2 cups of milk chocolate chips

Instructions

-Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed.

-Add butter and sugar then pulse again until well mixed and slightly moist.

-Press mixture into the bottom of a parchment lined 9×13 baking dish.

-Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.

-Pour brownie mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.

-Bake at 350 Degrees for 22 – 25 minutes, until center is set.

-Remove from oven and immediately top with marshmallows and chocolate chips.

-Place under broiler for about 3 minutes until slightly brown and marshmallows are puffed.

-Cool and cut into desired serving sizes.