Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

Featured in: Snack Fun

This vibrant football tailgate spread brings together crispy chicken wings seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic, hearty loaded potato skins topped with cheddar and bacon, smoky cocktail sausages glazed in barbecue sauce, and fresh vegetable sticks served alongside creamy dips made with sour cream and ranch dressing. Perfectly arranged for easy sharing, this platter balances savory, smoky, and fresh flavors that satisfy a crowd in about 1.5 hours. Ideal for game day gatherings, it offers a variety of tastes and textures to enjoy.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:03:00 GMT
A generous touchdown football tailgate spread overflows with crispy wings, potato skins, and dips. Save
A generous touchdown football tailgate spread overflows with crispy wings, potato skins, and dips. | grinnosh.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 spread was a huge hit with my family during the last game day we hosted Everyone loved having a little bit of everything and it made for effortless entertaining

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

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F)
Step 2:
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
Step 3:
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
Step 4:
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
Step 5:
Meanwhile, combine smoked sausages with barbecue sauce in a small saucepan Simmer over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally
Step 6:
Arrange celery, carrot, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber on a large serving platter
Step 7:
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
Step 8:
Arrange wings, potato skins, sausages, and veggie sticks on a large platter Serve with dips on the side
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| grinnosh.com

This recipe brings back fond memories of cheering on the game with family and friends while enjoying a delicious and hearty spread

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

Enjoy this vibrant platter of the best touchdown football tailgate spread, including sausage bites and fresh veggies. Save
Enjoy this vibrant platter of the best touchdown football tailgate spread, including sausage bites and fresh veggies. | grinnosh.com

This tailgate spread is guaranteed to impress and satisfy your guests for any game day gathering

Recipe FAQ

How long should chicken wings be baked?

Bake the wings for 40 to 45 minutes at 220°C (425°F), turning halfway to achieve golden and crispy skin.

What is a good substitute for chicken wings?

Turkey wings or cauliflower can be used as lighter or vegetarian alternatives for the wings.

How are the potato skins prepared?

Russet potatoes are baked whole, then hollowed and filled with cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and seasoned before a final bake until cheese melts.

What vegetables are included in the platter?

Celery sticks, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices add fresh crunch and color to the spread.

How is the barbecue sauce used with the sausages?

Smoked cocktail sausages are simmered gently in barbecue sauce for 8 to 10 minutes to infuse smoky and tangy flavors.

What dips are served with this spread?

Two creamy dips are offered: a chive dip made with sour cream and mayonnaise, and a classic ranch dressing.

Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

A festive spread featuring wings, potato skins, sausages, veggie sticks, and creamy dips perfect for game day.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
60 min
Complete duration
90 min
Created by Hannah Lewis

Type Snack Fun

Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Dietary guidelines None specified

Components

Chicken Wings

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

Potato Skins

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

Mini Sausages

01 14 ounces 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 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
04 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 Salt and pepper to taste
06 1 cup ranch dressing

Directions

Stage 01

Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 425°F.

Stage 02

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

Stage 03

Bake Potatoes: Scrub russet potatoes, prick with a fork, and bake directly on the oven rack for 1 hour or until tender. Allow to cool slightly, then slice in half and carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a ½-inch shell intact.

Stage 04

Prepare Potato Skins: Brush potato skins with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then place skin-side down on a baking sheet. Fill each with cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. Finish by sprinkling with sliced green onions.

Stage 05

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

Stage 06

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

Stage 07

Prepare Chive Dip and Set Ranch: In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set ranch dressing in a separate bowl.

Stage 08

Assemble Tailgate Platter: Arrange baked chicken wings, loaded potato skins, sauced mini sausages, and fresh veggie sticks on a large platter. Serve with the prepared dips alongside.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch), eggs (mayonnaise, ranch), gluten (possible in sausages), and pork (bacon, sausages). Verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrient content (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional nutritional advice.
  • Energy: 560
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 32 g