Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

Featured in: Seasonal Tradition Picks

This vibrant tailgate spread brings classic game day favorites together, including crispy chicken wings seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic, golden potato skins stuffed with cheddar and bacon, smoky sausages simmered in barbecue sauce, and fresh veggie sticks for balance. Complemented by tangy and creamy dips, it's designed for easy sharing and fun gatherings.

Preparation is straightforward, with baking and simple simmering methods, making it ideal for a crowd. This assortment offers a mix of textures and flavors suitable for a hearty and satisfying snack lineup.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:36:00 GMT
A delicious Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread with crispy wings, loaded potato skins, and fresh vegetables for dipping. Save to Pinterest
A delicious Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread with crispy wings, loaded potato skins, and fresh vegetables for dipping. | recipesforevers.com

A festive and crowd-pleasing platter featuring classic game day favorites—perfect for sharing at your next football tailgate. Includes crispy chicken wings, loaded potato skins, smoky sausages, fresh veggie sticks, and creamy dips.

This platter has become a staple at our family football gatherings, bringing everyone together with its delicious variety.

Ingredients

  • Chicken Wings: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken wings separated at joints tips removed, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
  • Potato Skins: 4 large russet potatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled, 2 green onions sliced
  • Mini Sausages: 400 g (14 oz) smoked cocktail sausages, ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • Veggie Platter: 2 cups celery sticks, 2 cups carrot sticks, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup cucumber slices
  • Dips: 1 cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp lemon juice, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 cup ranch dressing

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
Prepare Wings:
Toss chicken wings with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 40 45 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
Bake Potatoes:
Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork, and bake directly on the oven rack for 1 hour or until tender. Let cool slightly, cut in half, and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving 1 cm (½-inch) shell.
Fill Potato Skins:
Brush potato skins with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place skin-side down on a baking sheet. Fill each with cheddar cheese and bacon. Return to oven for 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Sprinkle with green onions.
Cook Sausages:
Meanwhile, combine smoked sausages with barbecue sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 8 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Arrange Veggies:
Arrange celery, carrot, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber on a large serving platter.
Make Dips:
For the chive dip, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Place ranch dressing in a separate bowl.
Serve:
Arrange wings, potato skins, sausages, and veggie sticks on a large platter. Serve with dips on the side.
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This recipe brings back memories of family football afternoons filled with laughter, bonding, and plenty of delicious food.

Required Tools

Baking sheets, saucepan, mixing bowls, sharp knife, cutting board, serving platter

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch), Eggs (mayonnaise, ranch), Gluten (sausages may contain gluten), Pork (bacon, sausages). Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 560, Total Fat 32 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Protein 32 g

This hearty Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread showcases smoky sausages, cheesy potato skins, and colorful veggie sticks, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
This hearty Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread showcases smoky sausages, cheesy potato skins, and colorful veggie sticks, ready to enjoy. | recipesforevers.com

This tailgate spread is sure to wow your guests and keep everyone coming back for more.

Recipe FAQs

How can I make the wings extra crispy?

Ensure the wings are patted dry before seasoning and bake at a high temperature, turning halfway for even crispness.

What can I use as an alternative to bacon in the potato skins?

Crisped turkey bacon or smoked mushrooms provide a flavorful substitute that complements the cheese and green onions well.

How long should the smoked sausages be simmered with barbecue sauce?

Simmer the sausages for about 8–10 minutes over medium heat to fully heat through and meld flavors.

Can the veggie sticks be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, slice the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them crisp until serving.

What dips pair best with this platter?

The chive dip made from sour cream and mayonnaise along with ranch dressing add creamy and tangy complements to the assortment.

Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

Festive platter featuring wings, potato skins, smoky sausages, fresh veggies, and creamy dips for sharing.

Prep Duration
30 minutes
Time to Cook
60 minutes
Complete Duration
90 minutes


Complexity Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 8 Portions

Dietary Info None specified

What You Need

Chicken Wings

01 3.3 lbs chicken wings, separated at joints, tips removed
02 2 tbsp olive oil
03 1 tsp garlic powder
04 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 1 tsp salt
06 ½ tsp black pepper

Potato Skins

01 4 large russet potatoes
02 2 tbsp olive oil
03 ½ tsp salt
04 ½ tsp black pepper
05 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
07 2 green onions, sliced

Mini Sausages

01 14 oz smoked cocktail sausages
02 ½ cup barbecue sauce

Veggie Platter

01 2 cups celery sticks
02 2 cups carrot sticks
03 1 cup cherry tomatoes
04 1 cup cucumber slices

Dips

01 1 cup sour cream
02 ½ cup mayonnaise
03 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
04 1 tbsp lemon juice
05 Salt and pepper to taste
06 1 cup ranch dressing

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F.

Step 02

Prepare Chicken Wings: Toss chicken wings with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Arrange wings on a baking sheet and bake 40 to 45 minutes, turning halfway until golden and crisp.

Step 03

Bake Potatoes: Scrub potatoes and prick with fork. Bake directly on the oven rack for 1 hour until tender. Cool slightly, halve lengthwise, and scoop out most flesh leaving a ½-inch shell.

Step 04

Fill Potato Skins: Brush potato skins with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, place skin-side down on a baking sheet. Fill each with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake 10 minutes until cheese melts. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Step 05

Simmer Sausages: Combine smoked cocktail sausages and barbecue sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 06

Arrange Vegetables: Place celery sticks, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices on a large serving platter.

Step 07

Prepare Dips: Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour ranch dressing into a separate bowl.

Step 08

Assemble Platter: Arrange baked chicken wings, filled potato skins, sausages, and vegetable sticks on a large platter. Serve dips on the side.

Essential Tools

  • Baking sheets
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Serving platter

Allergy Details

Be sure to check every item for allergens. If uncertain, talk with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch), eggs (mayonnaise, ranch), gluten (sausages may contain gluten), and pork (bacon, sausages). Verify labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition per serving

Nutrition details are for your reference only. Always speak with a professional for medical concerns.
  • Caloric Content: 560
  • Total Fat: 32 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 34 grams
  • Proteins: 32 grams