Simple Food Ideas for College Football Tailgates
Mini Sandwiches, Meatballs, and Other Easy-to-Make Tailgating Eats
One of the main components of a college football tailgate is the food. Great tailgating food often ensures a fun and successful tailgate. Tailgating food can range from grilled turkey legs to various finger foods, like an assortment of cheese and crackers. The type of tailgating food often correlates to the supplies and tools available to the tailgater, such as the availability of a small grill to cook tailgating meat.
While most college students don’t have access to portable grills and slow cookers, there still are several options for students to make delicious tailgating foods using whatever resources they have available to them. The following sections offer tips and ideas for simple tailgating foods that are both easy to make and satisfying.
Cook Meatballs and Wings or Make Mini Sandwiches
Most grocery stores sell frozen meatballs and chicken wings (both meat and vegetarian versions). Students can purchase boxes of these frozen appetizers and bake them in ovens or toaster ovens before tailgating. Then, students can place them in aluminum containers, which are easy to dispose of before entering the football stadium. Also, many stores now sell small containers of dipping sauce that students can purchase and bring to the tailgate.
An easy tailgate food to prepare is the sandwich. Students can use whatever bread, muffins, or bagels they have in their refrigerators to make mini or bite-sized sandwiches. Students can be creative by using whatever ingredients they have available to them, such as cheese, deli meats, vegetables, and even peanut butter and jelly. The students can cut them into small sizes and wrap them in plastic wrap or napkins.
Make Dips and Bring Chips and Veggies
Chips and dips are popular tailgating foods. Many people like to snack on dips while drinking. Students can make dips in disposable aluminum containers and bring tortilla chips, pita chips, or crackers in small bags to accompany the dips. For a healthy alternative, students can also bring carrot and celery sticks.
Tailgating dips can include taco dip, bean dip, veggie dip, and even hummus. For a really quick dip, students can bring jars of salsa or ready-made guacamole. It’s important to remember, though, that certain foods, such as sour cream and cheese, need refrigeration. So, the outdoor temperature and length of the tailgate should be considered when choosing a dip.
Bake Cookies, Brownies, and Other Desserts
For student tailgaters who have a sweet tooth, quick-bake cookies and brownies can be an item that is both easy to make and easy to transport to tailgates. Students can make desserts in their ovens or toaster ovens and wrap them in paper towels or carry them on paper plates.
Whether its desserts or hot appetizers, students have several options for easy-to-make tailgating foods. Students can bring meatballs and chicken wings, make mini sandwiches, or make dips, as well as make brownies and cookies. These items are not only easy to make but also easy to transport to the tailgate.
Students Eat Tailgate Food Before Football Games
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Education & Career
Latest Articles