Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

Featured in: Quick Comfort Meals

This football tailgate spread offers a delicious assortment of crispy chicken wings seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic, paired with cheesy loaded potato skins topped with bacon and green onions. Alongside, smoky cocktail sausages glazed in barbecue sauce bring a hearty touch, complemented by fresh vegetable sticks including celery, carrot, tomatoes, and cucumber. Creamy chive and ranch dips add a cool finish. Perfect for gatherings, this platter balances savory and fresh flavors with easy preparation.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:18:00 GMT
Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, a game-day feast with crispy wings, cheesy skins, and smoky sausages. Save
Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, a game-day feast with crispy wings, cheesy skins, and smoky sausages. | freshyforks.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.

A great recipe that brings everyone together whether watching the game or just enjoying good company and delicious food under the open sky.

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.
A platter overflowing with the Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, promising savory aromas and textures for guests. Save
A platter overflowing with the Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, promising savory aromas and textures for guests. | freshyforks.com

This spread always brings my family together on game day creating fun warm moments shared with laughter and great 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

Calories 560 Total Fat 32 g Carbohydrates 34 g Protein 32 g per serving.

This Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread features perfect football snacks ready to dive into with creamy dips. Save
This Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread features perfect football snacks ready to dive into with creamy dips. | freshyforks.com

Enjoy this easy to make spread that perfectly complements any game day gathering.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How do I get crispy chicken wings?

Toss wings with olive oil and spices, then bake at 220°C (425°F) turning halfway, until golden and crisp for about 40-45 minutes.

What's the best way to prepare the potato skins?

Bake whole russet potatoes until tender, scoop out most flesh leaving a shell, brush with oil, fill with cheddar and bacon, then bake again until cheese melts.

Can I make the barbecue sausage glaze ahead?

Yes, simmer sausages with barbecue sauce about 8–10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld nicely.

What veggies work well for the platter?

Celery sticks, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices provide fresh, crunchy balance to the rich platters.

How can I customize the dips?

Blend sour cream, mayonnaise, chives, and lemon for a fresh chive dip, and keep ranch dressing separate for variety.

Are there lighter options to try?

Swap chicken wings with turkey or cauliflower alternatives, and add guacamole or spicy salsa for extra zest.

Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread

A festive platter featuring wings, potato skins, sausages, veggie sticks, and creamy dips for sharing.

Prep time
30 minutes
Time to cook
60 minutes
Time required
90 minutes
Recipe by Freshyforks Lena Brooks


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American

Portions 8 Number of servings

Diet Details None specified

What You'll Need

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

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 02

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

Step 03

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 a half-inch shell.

Step 04

Prepare 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 crumbled bacon. Return to oven for 10 minutes until cheese melts. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Arrange Veggies: Arrange 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 small bowl to make the chive dip. Place ranch dressing in a separate bowl.

Step 08

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

Tools Needed

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

Allergy info

Review ingredients for allergens. Reach out to medical experts if you're not sure.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch)
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise, ranch)
  • Contains gluten (sausages may contain gluten)
  • Contains pork (bacon, sausages)

Nutritional breakdown (each serving)

This nutritional data guides only—don't treat as medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 560
  • Lipids: 32 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 34 grams
  • Proteins: 32 grams