Touchdown Football Tailgate Favorites

Featured in: Everyday Favorites

This vibrant tailgate platter brings together crispy chicken wings seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic, loaded potato skins topped with cheddar and bacon, smoky barbecue sausages, and an assortment of fresh celery, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumber sticks. Accompanied by creamy chive and ranch dips, it’s designed for easy sharing and perfect for game day gatherings. Preparation involves baking, simmering, and fresh chopping, resulting in a varied spread that suits casual, flavorful entertaining.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:59:00 GMT
A large Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread overflowing with crispy wings, loaded potato skins, and dipping sauces. Pin
A large Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread overflowing with crispy wings, loaded potato skins, and dipping sauces. | crumbkiss.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 has become a staple at our football gatherings and never fails to impress guests with its variety and flavors.

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

This recipe always brings the family together on game day, sharing laughs and enjoying the delicious 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

Golden-brown chicken wings and smoky sausages fill this impressive Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread platter for game day. Pin
Golden-brown chicken wings and smoky sausages fill this impressive Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread platter for game day. | crumbkiss.com

This touchdown spread guarantees a crowd-pleaser that’s as enjoyable to prepare as it is to eat.

Recipe FAQ

How are the chicken wings seasoned and cooked?

The wings are tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, then baked at 425°F for 40-45 minutes until golden and crisp.

What fillings top the potato skins?

Potato skins are brushed with olive oil, seasoned, then filled with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and finished with sliced green onions.

How is the sausage prepared in the spread?

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

What fresh vegetables are included and how are they served?

Celery sticks, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices are arranged fresh on the platter to add crispness and color.

What dips accompany the platter?

Two creamy dips include a chive dip made with sour cream, mayonnaise, chives, and lemon juice, plus a classic ranch dressing.

Can this platter accommodate dietary preferences?

Yes, chicken wings can be swapped with turkey or cauliflower for lighter or vegetarian options, and additional flavors like guacamole or spicy salsa can be added.

Touchdown Football Tailgate Favorites

A festive platter featuring crispy wings, loaded potato skins, smoky sausages, crisp veggies, and creamy dips.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
60 min
Complete duration
90 min


Complexity 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 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Potato Skins

01 4 large russet potatoes
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 cup mayonnaise
03 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
04 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 Salt and pepper to taste
06 1 cup ranch dressing

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 425°F.

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

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

Phase 05

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

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Prepare Dips: In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for the chive dip. Place ranch dressing in a separate bowl.

Phase 08

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

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch).
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise, ranch).
  • Contains gluten (sausages may contain gluten).
  • Contains pork (bacon, sausages).

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 560
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Protein: 32 g