What is it about football that makes us so hungry? If game day at your house means mega munchies, cool cocktails and delicious desserts, you’ve come to the right place.
For some of us, tailgating is as much about the food as it as about the game. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite game day food. Check out our classic tailgate recipes with a twist for even more crowd-pleasing favorites.
Sliders
Fun to eat, sliders are the perfect game day food. Plan on two or three sliders per guest.
Slow cooker buffalo chicken sliders
Buffalo chicken sliders are the ultimate mouthwatering, easy-to-make game day bite.
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Chicken finger sliders
Kids and grown-ups alike will flip for these crispy fried chicken finger sliders.
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Mini meatball sliders
Does it get any cuter than these mini meatball sliders? This simple recipe includes jarred tomato sauce, store-bought turkey meatballs and rolls from the grocery store bakery. Easy peasy.
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Slow cooker pot roast sliders
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Eight hours in the slow cooker makes the filling in these little meat bundles tender and juicy.
Pulled pork sliders
Pulled pork, avocado, caramelized onion and Gouda cheese are the stars of this hearty slider.
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Mac and cheese
You can count on mac and cheese being gobbled up by kids of all ages on game day. Serve snack-size mac and cheese in individual tumblers or mac-and-cheese “cups” as seen below.
Mac-and-cheese cups
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Avocado mac and cheese
Sneak in a little healthy fat by blending avocado into your mac and cheese. Lime juice gives it extra zing.
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Spicy jalapeño mac and cheese
Jalapeño and serrano peppers give this mac-and-cheese recipe some serious heat.
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Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese
Philly cheesesteak collides with macaroni and cheese in this hearty dish that includes red peppers, onions, mushrooms and steak.
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Roasted poblano macaroni and cheese
Creamy cheese sauce, pureed poblano peppers and bacon are the ultimate flavor trifecta in this grown-up version of the classic.
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Drinks
Prepare cocktails ahead of time and let guests help themselves to pre-mixed pitchers of tasty libations.
The classic cosmo
Sex and the City may have made this cocktail famous, but the drink’s refreshing flavor has given it serious staying power.
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Harvest sangria
Apple cider and spiced rum turn a traditional summer sip into a new favorite for fall.
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Sweet and spicy rum punch
Fruit juice brings the sweet while ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and Thai chilies deliver the spice in this holiday punch.
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Skinny margarita
Save your calories for the chips and dip and go lo-cal with one of these skinny margarita recipes.
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Boozy pumpkin pie milkshake
Get all the flavor of pumpkin pie without all the work with this boozy pumpkin pie milkshake. Vanilla ice cream + pumpkin pie vodka = yes, please!
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Desserts
Game day calls for plenty of sweet treats, so indulge with one or more of these decadent desserts.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup stuffed cookies
These mini muffin-shaped peanut butter cookies are stuffed with mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Soft, chewy and delicious!
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Homemade Hostess CupCakes
Treat the family to a homemade version of the old-fashioned classic you loved as a kid.
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Peanut butter cheesecake mousse cups
Fill small jars with this rich peanut butter cheesecake mousse and let guests help themselves.
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Mason jar s’mores
It’s probably safe to assume there won’t be any campfires at your house on game day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the taste of traditional s’mores.
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Mini banana split bites
These cute little desserts on a stick are a healthier and easier alternative to the usual banana split.
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More recipes for fall entertaining
15 Veggies to mix into your queso
Classic tailgate recipes with a twist
17 Fall-inspired drink recipes
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