14 Dippable Twists on Favorite Tailgate Party Snacks

glass bowl filled with Hot Pizza Dip with pepperoni, green peppers, sliced olives, and melted cheese
Photo: Sheila LaLonde

Turn your tailgate parties on their, well, tails by reworking classic football foods like Buffalo wings, tacos, pizza, Philly cheesesteak, and even cheesecake into rich, tempting dips that are easy to make and even easier to serve. Dips make economic sense, too: When mixed with other ingredients in a scoopable, party-friendly format, a little of the main ingredient goes a much longer way. Scroll through to find favorite football snacks turned into irresistible dips.

01 of 15

Buffalo Chicken Wings in a Jar

a small mason jar with Buffalo chicken dip, with crostini on the side for dipping
Chef John

We love this creative take for serving Buffalo chicken dip in a jar. Make that a few jars, because then you can scatter them around the room on side or tray tables and no one has to miss a play. And while the recipe calls for thigh meat, we're happy to make it with whatever's affordable and in the market. Another plus: This dip is served at room-temperature.

02 of 15

Chili Dip

chili dip with fritos on white plate
Tiffany J.

"I've had this recipe for a long time. It's great for parties and football get-togethers. With just three ingredients, it's very easy to prepare. Serve it hot with your favorite corn chips," says recipe creator Judy H.

03 of 15

Seven Layer Taco Dip

Seven Layer Taco Dip
MomTo6

Sure, we're always happy with make-your-own-tacos. That is, when we're the guests! But when we're the hosts and we want easy buy, serve and clean-up options, all those separate little bowls and dishes can really get in the way. That's why this taco dip with layers of flavors all together in one serving dish, is a terrific idea for game day. It's a one-dish dip that's so tasty you won't even have to scrape away the leftovers, because there won't be any.

04 of 15

Outrageous Warm Chicken Nacho Dip

Outrageous Warm Chicken Nacho Dip served in a bowl with chips for dipping
smartt

Our advice: Double this recipe. For one thing, this 5-star nacho dip — which is everything melted together in a pot but the tortilla chips — is that good. For another, it takes 1–2 hours to make in a slow cooker, so if your guests demand a replay, well, you'll have it hand, ready to heat up in a few minutes.

05 of 15

Cheesy White Pizza Dip

bowl of Cheesy White Pizza Dip with crackers on the side
Howard

For those who prefer their pizza with extra richness, this dip adds ricotta and sour cream, along with garlic-and-herb flavors, to the mozzarella, and doesn't cut it with any tomato acidity. Spoon it over buttery crackers or dip fresh, bright broccoli into it for contrast. In fact, this is a hot dip that's great with a variety of vegetables.

06 of 15

Philly Cheese Steak Dip

Philly Cheese Steak Dip in a casserole dish with bread for dipping
Chef John

Diehard Eagles supporter or not, it doesn't matter. You'll become an instant fan of this meaty dip. Not only is it delicious at any temperature — straight out of the oven or on the cooler side — it's simple to make in a large casserole dish so that guests can dig into the beefy, cheesy goodness from either side at the same time.

07 of 15

Slow Cooker Reuben Dip

Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Scot

The best way to eat a Reuben is usually straight from the griddle. That is, of course, if there's just one of you. For a crowd, this dippable version takes all the elements of the sandwich — corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, even Thousand Island dressing — and reinvents it by cooking it down for 45 minutes with a touch of cream cheese to mellow it out. The umami of the corned beef and sauerkraut are addictive, especially when accompanied by chunks of fresh rye bread or crackers.

08 of 15

Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
Soup Loving Nicole

Sometimes — okay, often — there's nothing more satiating for the football lover's palate than a bacon cheeseburger. But that doesn't leave much room in your belly for anything else. Try noshing on this dip instead, which has dill pickle juice stirred into the browned beef to give it that just-right flavor. You'll still have plenty of room to sample a few other dips, too.

09 of 15

Tangy Shrimp Dip

bowl of shrimp dip with shrimp, shrimp cocktail, tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, and minced scallions on a cream cheese base
NancyLou

When hosting or going to a large gathering, it's not always feasible to bring enough shrimp cocktail for everyone. Plus, it's pricey. But with this easy-to-make dip featuring small canned shrimp and cocktail sauce on a bed of creamy mayo, cream cheese, and sour cream, anyone who wants to can grab a satisfying crackerful.

10 of 15

Hot Maryland Crab Dip

slices of toasted baguette topped with Hot Maryland Crab Dip
Peggianne

A zesty crab boil is great fun for a crowd. But it's also messy and all that cracking of shells takes your attention away from the crunching of pads and helmets. Substitute this hot and creamy crap dip instead, seasoned with Old Bay and Worcestershire sauce. Dig a cracker into it and you'll swear you're sitting in a Baltimore Ravens sports bar.

11 of 15

Chef John's Hot Sloppy Joe Dip

Chef John's Hot Sloppy Joe Dip
Chef John

Sloppy Joe's are pretty economical to begin with, but here's how to enjoy your Joe without the trouble of making a load of individual sandwiches.

12 of 15

Jalapeño Popper Dip

casserole dish of homemade Jalapeno Popper Dip
Diane Boggs Colbert

Get all the creamy hot goodness you love in a jalapeño popper without the trouble of stuffing each and every individual pepper. Doesn't mean you're not lazy — you're just busy.

13 of 15

Hot Pizza Dip

glass bowl filled with Hot Pizza Dip with pepperoni, green peppers, sliced olives, and melted cheese
Sheila LaLonde

This dippable version of a hot pizza will surely earn a few double-takes from those who are focused on the downs instead of the tabletops. With pepperoni, black olives, bell pepper, and mozzarella filling the bowl, it really does look like the surface of a pizza. Serve this with the suggested French bread or go for Italian breadsticks. And know that you can turn this vegetarian by opting out of the pepperoni.

14 of 15

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip

bowl of homemade Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip served with apple slices and crackers
Allrecipes

You can keep with the easy-to-serve dippable theme when it comes to tailgate party desserts, too. Recipe creator Angela Naumann says, "This dip is addicting! Imagine a chocolate chip cheesecake batter that is safe to eat. Served with graham crackers, this dip will quickly become a family favorite. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve."

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