Touchdown Football Tailgate Platter

Featured in: Homemade Classics

This vibrant tailgate platter brings together crispy seasoned chicken wings, flavorful loaded potato skins topped with cheddar and bacon, and smoky mini sausages coated in rich barbecue sauce. Fresh celery, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers add a crisp, refreshing contrast, served alongside creamy chive and ranch dips. Perfectly designed for sharing, it offers variety, bold flavors, and easy preparation to elevate any game day gathering.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:35:00 GMT
A delicious Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread with crispy chicken wings and cheesy potato skins ready to devour. Save
A delicious Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread with crispy chicken wings and cheesy potato skins ready to devour. | pumpkinhearth.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 at our last tailgate party Everyone loved the variety and flavors brought to the table

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 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Potato Skins: 4 large russet potatoes 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 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 (1/2-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
This savory Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread is a vibrant platter of game day classics, perfectly arranged for sharing. Save
This savory Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread is a vibrant platter of game day classics, perfectly arranged for sharing. | pumpkinhearth.com

Sharing this spread with friends always makes game day special and memorable

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

Imagine the amazing flavors of this Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, a party-ready assortment of meats, veggies, and dips. Save
Imagine the amazing flavors of this Touchdown Football Tailgate Spread, a party-ready assortment of meats, veggies, and dips. | pumpkinhearth.com

This tailgate spread is sure to impress your guests and make game day delicious every time

Recipe Q&A

How do I get the chicken wings crispy?

Toss wings with olive oil and spices, then 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 the potatoes in advance. Assemble and bake with toppings right before serving for best freshness.

What alternatives work for smoked sausages?

Try turkey or vegetarian sausages to suit dietary preferences without losing smoky flavor.

How to make the dips taste more vibrant?

Fresh chives and lemon juice in the sour cream mix brighten the dip; adjust seasoning to enhance flavors.

What sides pair well with this platter?

Light beers, ales, or sparkling water with lemon complement the bold, savory elements of this spread perfectly.

Touchdown Football Tailgate Platter

A tasty spread featuring crispy wings, loaded potato skins, sausages, fresh veggies, and creamy dips for sharing and snacking.

Prep duration
30 min
Time to cook
60 min
Time required
90 min
Created by Sarah Coleman


Skill required Easy

Cuisine origin American

Portions 8 Serves

Dietary info 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 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Potato Skins

01 4 large russet potatoes
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 0.5 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 0.5 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 0.5 cup mayonnaise
03 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
04 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 Salt and black pepper, to taste
06 1 cup ranch dressing

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 02

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

Step 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, cut in half, and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a 0.5-inch thick shell.

Step 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 oven for 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

Make Chive Dip and Prepare Ranch: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped fresh chives, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste. Place ranch dressing in a separate bowl.

Step 08

Arrange and Serve: Arrange chicken wings, loaded potato skins, sausages, and vegetable sticks on a large platter. Serve alongside the prepared dips.

Gear Needed

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

Allergy warning

Read over each ingredient for allergies and check with your doctor when uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing), eggs (mayonnaise, ranch dressing), gluten (sausages may contain gluten), and pork (bacon, sausages).

Nutrition details per portion

This is for reference only. Contact your healthcare provider about any concerns.
  • Calorie count: 560
  • Fat content: 32 g
  • Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Proteins: 32 g