Pin 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
I always make this touchdown football tailgate spread for our family gatherings it brings everyone together and is always a hit
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
- 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
- Final Platter:
- Arrange wings, potato skins, sausages, and veggie sticks on a large platter Serve with dips on the side
Pin This spread always brings back warm family memories of watching football games together and sharing good 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
Pin This touchdown football tailgate spread is sure to impress your guests and make game day gatherings extra special
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I ensure the chicken wings are crispy?
Toss wings with oil and spices, arrange spaced on a baking sheet, and bake at 220°C (425°F) turning halfway until golden and crisp, about 40–45 minutes.
- → Can I prepare the potato skins ahead of time?
Yes, bake and scoop potato skins in advance, refrigerate, then fill with cheese and bacon and bake again just before serving for melted topping.
- → What alternatives can I use for wings for a lighter option?
Substitute turkey wings or cauliflower florets to create a lighter version while maintaining texture and flavor balance.
- → How should smoked sausages be cooked for best flavor?
Simmer sausages gently in barbecue sauce for 8–10 minutes over medium heat to infuse smoky and tangy notes.
- → What dips pair well with this spread?
A creamy chive dip made with sour cream and mayonnaise and a tangy ranch dressing complement the savory components perfectly.