41 Cheer-Worthy Tailgate Appetizer Recipes For The Win

Game day is coming! Don’t forget the most important part: yummy food to share with your friends. Tailgating is all about having fun, cheering on your team, and of course, enjoying delicious snacks. Make your spread legendary with these amazing tailgate appetizer recipes. We’ve got everything from classic crowd-pleasers to exciting new finds, so there’s something for everyone to devour. Get ready to win the tastebud touchdown with these irresistible tailgate bites!

Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Smoked gouda bacon cheddar cheese dip pairs beautifully with pretzels. So if you’re looking for the best pretzel cheese sauce recipe, look no further. This cheese dipping sauce is made with smoked gouda, cheddar and cream cheese, along with other flavourful ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Hot Italian Sliders

Spice up your next gathering with hot Italian sliders – the perfect appetizer for tailgating or backyard picnics! Made with slider rolls, deli meats, and cheeses, these mini sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget the marinara dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor!
Get the Recipe: Hot Italian Sliders

Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Loaded deviled eggs such as these Bloody Mary eggs are always a welcome part of the BBQ, cookout, or picnic table. They’re also a handy snack at any time since you can make these unique gourmet deviled eggs ahead.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites

These homemade mini pizza bagel bites are just as more-ish as they sound! That’s right – one is never enough. Once you know how to make bagel bites, you’ll want to rustle up this bite size pizza snack all the time.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites

Chicken Mozzarella Sticks

These crispy air fryer chicken mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer. Made with ground chicken and mozzarella sticks, this easy recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Mozzarella Sticks

Chipotle Chicken Wings with Buttermilk Firecracker Ranch

Everyone loves this tasty air fryer chicken recipe with a buttermilk firecracker ranch recipe dipping sauce. Put this one the menu and learn how to make air fryer chicken wings tonight!
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Wings with Buttermilk Firecracker Ranch

5 Layer Bean Dip

This Mexican layered dip with ground beef is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Its layers of pinto beans, ground beef, tequila lime sour cream, pico de gallo, and cheese make it a flavorful and satisfying treat.
Get the Recipe: 5 Layer Bean Dip

Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites

These air fryer bacon wrapped cheeseburger bites are a perfect appetizer for any occasion, with a quick and easy preparation. Whether you call them bacon wrapped meatballs or meatloaf balls, you’re sure to love their amazing taste!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites

Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Dip

Although most grocery stores carry sweet pepper dip and other dipping options, this homemade roasted red pepper cream cheese dip is well worth the effort. It’s a Mediterranean inspired dip with bell peppers, basil, garlic, shallot, and more.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Dip

Everything Bagel Beer Dogs

Everything bagel beer dogs are a great game day appy which are easy to make. Cocktail weenies are coated in a tasty coating and then served with an easy horseradish mayo dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Everything Bagel Beer Dogs

Antipasto Skewers

Impress your guests with easy-to-make antipasto skewers, perfect for any occasion! Made with classic Italian flavors, these crowd-pleasing bites are ideal for parties, picnics, and more.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Crab Cake Egg Rolls

Prepare an amazing appetizer with these air fryer crab cake egg rolls that are easy to make and bursting with flavors of Old Bay, lemon, and sriracha. Dip them in the fire sauce for an extra kick and enjoy the perfectly crispy texture achieved by air frying.
Get the Recipe: Crab Cake Egg Rolls

Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip

Whether you want to dip veggie sticks, melba toast, chips, crackers, or something else, this avocado herb green goddess dip is really good. Pair it with a vegetable board or charcuterie platter and enjoy the fresh flavours in every mouthful.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip

Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

These air fryer bacon jalapeño cheese pigs in a blanket are a quick and delicious finger food or appetizer, made with Pillsbury pizza dough, bratwurst, cheese, and jalapeños. They’re perfect for game day or entertaining guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Pigs in a Blanket

Chunky Guacamole

This chunky guacamole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Made with avocados, tomatoes, green onions, chilies, lime juice, and cilantro, it is a perfect addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

Make your own fresh tomatillo red chili salsa with this easy copycat Chipotle recipe that’s perfect as a snack or appetizer with chips or crackers, and goes great with steak, chicken, or any south of the border inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls

These air fryer jalapeño popper rolls are a spicy and cheesy appetizer that can be made with Pillsbury pizza or crescent dough. With hot sauce, jalapeños, and two types of cheese, these quick and easy pull apart rolls are perfect for fans of spicy food.
Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls

Brownie S’mores Dip

The Brownie S’mores Dip Recipe is the perfect indulgent treat for summertime gatherings, combining the delicious flavors of classic s’mores with a rich, chocolatey brownie base. Baking the dip in a cast-iron skillet adds a rustic charm, while the gooey marshmallow layer and melted chocolate chunks are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Brownie S’mores Dip

Warm Rustic Black Bean Dip

This warm rustic black bean dip recipe would make any party a hit. The bean dip has it all, lots of garlic, chilies, chili powders, 4 kinds of cheese, and more make it a memorable feast. Game Day or family get-togethers won’t be the same without it.
Get the Recipe: Warm Rustic Black Bean Dip

Crunchy Southwest Chicken Pinwheels

Crunchy Southwest chicken pinwheels are loaded with creamy chicken, veggies, and cheese, and they get a crunch from crushed tortilla strips, which sends them to another level. They are perfect for a lunchbox, after-school snack, or as an appetizer for game day!!
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Southwest Chicken Pinwheels

Cheddar Pigs In A Blanket

If you’ve never tried pigs in a blanket with cheese before, make this recipe! Sliced cheddar cheese and flaked salt takes this classic game day recipe and turns up the flavor! A fast and easy appetizer for holiday parties, get-togethers, or events!
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Pigs In A Blanket

Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches

Transport your taste buds to Italy with these amazing pressed Italian picnic sandwiches! Perfect for lunch or a summer picnic, these sandwiches are bursting with authentic flavors that will have you coming back for more. These will become one of your favorite appetizer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Spicy Corn and Jalapeño Cheese Dip

Spicy corn and jalapeño cheese dip makes great party food. You can make this jalapeño corn dip in the crockpot and make it as spicy (or not) as you choose. This slow cooker dip recipe is always a BIG hit and this easy street corn dip doesn’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spicy Corn and Jalapeño Cheese Dip

Smoked Cream Cheese

It’s one of the best smoked appetizer ideas you can make with a pellet grill or Traeger smoker. Find out how to smoke cheese and get ready for this brand new jalapeno and cheese flavour experience with this tasty appetizer dip.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese

Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip

Despite its name, this Texan recipe doesn’t actually contain any fish or caviar, but it’s a delicious and colorful appetizer that’s perfect for summer barbecues, and a great option for those looking for a vegan Southwest-style dip or a bean and corn salsa.
Get the Recipe: Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip

BBQ Peach Bourbon Wings

These delicious air fryer BBQ peach bourbon wings can be served as an appetizer or as part of a tasty dinner for any occasion. The combination of peach and bourbon flavors with the chicken wings, cooked to perfection in the air fryer, will leave your guests wanting more!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Peach Bourbon Wings

Crab Cakes with Garlic Lemon Chipotle Aioli

Enjoy a delicious and easy-to-make meal with these air fryer crab cakes served with a flavorful garlic lemon chipotle aioli sauce. These Southwest-inspired crab cakes make a perfect addition to any dinner menu, and the air frying method makes them crispy and delicious in no time!
Get the Recipe: Crab Cakes with Garlic Lemon Chipotle Aioli

Loaded Slow Cooker Taco Dip

If you’re looking for a loaded slow cooker taco dip recipe, this Mexican inspired party dip should tick all your boxes! Once you’ve prepared the ingredients and loaded them in your slow cooker, you can simply forget about.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Slow Cooker Taco Dip

Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

If you’re a seafood lover, you have to give Mexican shrimp ceviche a try. With its fresh ingredients and tangy flavors, it’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. This will become one of your favorite appetizer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

Taco Pinwheels

When you’re tired of the same old taco Tuesday, give these taco pinwheels a try! They are unique, amazing, and perfect for dipping. These will become one of your favorite appetizer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Taco Pinwheels

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Crispy Coconut Shrimp has the most tender, plump shrimp with a crispy, sweet coating. This delicious combination is irresistibly crispy to make these shrimp an absolute favorite quick dinner or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

Nacho Cheese Sauce is ridiculously easy to make, and tastes so much better than store bought. Enjoy it as a dip or on a plate of nachos.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

Pasta Chips

Pasta Chips are a deliciously crunchy viral TikTok recipe that’s perfect for enjoying with warm marinara sauce or any of your favorite dips! Ready for dipping and eating in just under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Chips

Corn Ribs

Corn Ribs slices ears of fresh sweet corn into strips and seasons them before they get charred up to perfectly sweet and slightly chewy corn! Prep this Tiktok side dish in just 15 minutes! These will become one of your favorite appetizer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Corn Ribs

Mini Corn Dogs

These Mini Corn Dogs take half hot dogs, roll them in a sweet, cornmeal batter, and then deep fry to golden brown perfection! Great for a weekend snack, game day appetizer, or a quick lunch your kids will love!
Get the Recipe: Mini Corn Dogs

Texas Twinkies

Texas Twinkies are an easy recipe of jalapenos stuffed with a cheesy brisket filling, wrapped in salty bacon, and brushed with BBQ sauce!
Get the Recipe: Texas Twinkies

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites

Bacon-wrapped chicken bites are simply the best!! They are the perfect bite with smokey bacon on the outside and chicken slathered with cream cheese and jalapenos on the inside. Make up a batch of these for Super Bowl, game day, or any gathering for that matter.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites

Parmesan Truffle Polenta Fries

These crispy polenta fries, flavored with parmesan and truffle, are perfect as a side dish or appetizer and can be paired with a delicious truffle mayo dipping sauce. If you serve them at your next gathering, your guests are sure to ask for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Truffle Polenta Fries

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

This savory, salty, and hearty snack is something anyone can make and you only need raw peanuts, salt, and water to make the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

Grilled Korean BBQ Chicken Wings

Grilled Korean BBQ chicken wings are tender, juicy, and covered in mouthwatering sweet heat sauce after being perfectly grilled with indirect heat! A delicious appetizer that takes only 5 minutes to prep!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Korean BBQ Chicken Wings

Hot Dog Burnt Ends

These hot dog burnt ends, also called poor man’s burnt ends, are crispy and caramelized on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Hot Dog Burnt Ends