Introduction

Football season is here, so it's time to gather your family and friends for some good old-fashioned tailgating! Tailgates are a quintessential way to gather the whole family together during the fall. Not only will family members enjoy rooting for their favorite team, but food and time together are a large component of what makes a tailgate so special. After all, whether you're at the stadium or in your own backyard, the joy of cheering on your favorite team is best complemented by delicious food. In this blog post, we'll share four mouthwatering, family-friendly tailgate recipes that will score a touchdown with everyone at your gathering. Let's get cooking!

1. Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip will always be a hit at a tailgate! This recipe pairs well with corn chips, tortilla chips, and even vegetables like celery sticks or baby carrots. 

Ingredients:

- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken

- 8 oz cream cheese, softened

- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce

- 1/2 cup ranch dressing

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

- 1/4 cup chopped green onions

- Tortilla chips and celery sticks for dipping

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and half of the cheddar cheese.
3. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled blue cheese on top.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and golden brown.
5. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with tortilla chips and celery sticks.

2. Mini Sliders with Homemade BBQ Sauce

Mini sliders are perfect for young kids! Many kids won’t be able to devour an entire burger, so mini sliders are the perfect addition to your gameday menu.

Ingredients:

- 1 lb ground beef or turkey

- 12 mini slider buns

- 1/2 cup ketchup

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

- 1 tsp smoked paprika

- 1/2 tsp garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Sliced cheese, lettuce, and tomato for toppings

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
2. While the sauce is simmering, shape the ground meat into mini burger patties.
3. Grill or cook the patties on a stovetop until they reach your desired level of doneness.
4. Toast the slider buns on the grill or in the oven.
5. Assemble your mini sliders with a patty, a drizzle of homemade BBQ sauce, sliced cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Serve with extra sauce on the side.

3. Loaded Potato Skins

Loaded potato skins are a great southern recipe that is easy to make and customize. Our recipe lists traditional toppings like cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits, but you can customize your potato skins any way you like! 

Ingredients:

- 6 large russet potatoes

- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

- 1/2 cup sour cream

- 1/4 cup chopped green onions

- 1/4 cup cooked bacon bits

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Scrub and dry the potatoes, then prick them with a fork and bake for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
3. Let the potatoes cool slightly, cut them in half lengthwise, and scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin layer.
4. Brush the potato skins with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until they become crisp.
5. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, and return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Top each potato skin with sour cream, chopped green onions, and bacon bits.

4. Sweet and Savory Popcorn Mix

Who doesn’t love popcorn? While kettle corn is a popular fall snack, try out our sweet and savory popcorn mix! This is a great treat to munch on while nervously watching your favorite football team, and it’s easy to put into individual snack bags for your kids to enjoy! 

Ingredients:

- 10 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped kernels)

- 1/4 cup melted butter

- 2 tbsp maple syrup

- 1 tsp chili powder

- 1/2 tsp garlic powder

- 1/2 cup dried cranberries

- 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, maple syrup, chili powder, and garlic powder.
2. Drizzle the mixture over the popped popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
3. Add the dried cranberries and roasted salted peanuts and toss again to combine.
4. Spread the popcorn mix out on a baking sheet to cool and set.
5. Once cooled, transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy this sweet and savory treat!

Conclusion

Football season is the perfect time to bring your family together and enjoy fantastic food while cheering on your favorite team. These four family-friendly tailgate recipes will please every palate and excite your game-day gatherings. Your little ones will be begging each fall weekend for you to make the amazing sliders or sweet and savory popcorn mix. So, gather your loved ones, fire up the grill, and let the feasting begin!