6 Tailgating Foods You Can Eat with Your Hands

Get the coolers packed and put your team colors on display — it’s time to head to the stadium. For your tailgating menu, the food should be convenient, pack enough of a punch to fuel everyone through hours of revelry and, above all, be finger-friendly. Here are a few ways to go utensil-free for your game-day eats.

Pigs in Blankets

While your friends and family are tossing around the old pigskin, break out these ever-satisfying pigs in blankets (pictured above).

Food Network Kitchen's Pigs in a Blanket recipes, as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen's Pigs in a Blanket recipes, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Stephen Johnson, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For a fun twist, try any of Food Network Kitchen’s pigs in other blankets recipes, from breakfast-themed Sausage-and-Biscuit Pigs in Blankets to a French-inspired version with ham and Brie.

Food Network Kitchen’s Big Batch Healthy Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Calzones.

Food Network Kitchen’s Big Batch Healthy Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Calzones.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015

Matt Armendariz, Copyright 2015

Calzones

With calzones, you can have all the great flavor of a pizza without having to worry about your toppings sliding off or getting smashed in transit. These Big-Batch Healthy Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Calzones also let you bring a few vegetables into an otherwise indulgent day of eating.

Crusted pieces of chicken on a gray plate beside a creamy sauce

03_SunnysGuysAndNeelys_128.tif

Crusted pieces of chicken on a gray plate beside a creamy sauce

©Food Stylist: Anne Disrude Prop Stylist: Lynsey Fryers

Food Stylist: Anne Disrude Prop Stylist: Lynsey Fryers

Wings

A game-day menu isn’t complete without wings, and these spicy fried wings have the perfect amount of heat to warm everyone up through the fall chill.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Though you might be used to serving stuffed mushrooms as hors d’oeuvres to impress your dinner guests, you won’t regret breaking them out on game day. The stuffing for this recipe uses chorizo, Manchego cheese, breadcrumbs and onion to give these bites a delicious medley of savory flavors.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Loading Video...

Jalapeno Poppers

A jalapeno popper is probably one of our favorite “food boats,” as the hollowed-out jalapeno seems like it was made to hold a cheesy concoction. Food Network Magazine’s no-frills recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers uses just three ingredients: bacon, jalapeno and cheddar cheese. You can make these ahead of time and reheat as needed.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Fried Pies

Fruit pies are messy things — even when you manage to get a clean slice, the filling inevitably oozes out into a puddle on your plate. When the occasion calls for you let go of such luxuries as a platter, fork and knife, as a tailgate does, Ree Drummond’s portable Fried Pies are the answer. These hand-held pastries have a wonderfully crispy exterior to satisfy any crust lover, and the recipe uses canned pie filling to cut down on cooking time.

Next Up

6 Best Hand Mixers of 2024, Tested by Food Network Kitchen

We whipped cream, beat egg whites and made mass amounts of cookie dough to determine the top mixers on the market.

6 Ways to Eat Pumpkin for Breakfast

Pumpkin is the unofficial mascot of fall. Get your fix at breakfast.

6 Unexpected Ways to Eat Cantaloupe, Beyond Fruit Salad

Discover unexpected and delicious ways to enjoy fresh, in-season cantaloupe beyond a simple fruit salad.

6 Best Food Dehydrators of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We dried fruit leather, jerky and more to find the best dehydrators on the market.

6 Surprising Foods That Can Boost Your Mood

Bring these into your rotation to support brain health.

6 Beefy Comfort Foods You’ll Crave Year-Round

A delicious dish is never far away with these meaty recipes.

What Happens When You Eat Spicy Food

Plus, five fiery new recipes from Food Network Kitchen.

6 Kitchen Tools Worth the Splurge, According to Food Network Staffers

From chef's knives to tea kettles, these products are worth the money.

These 6 “Instant” Foods Are Better for the Environment

Think: powdered nut milk or ketchup that you reconstitute like instant ramen.

Is It Safe to Eat Freezer Burned Food?

Everything you need to know about eating food from the freezer.