Football season comes with its own kind of menu. It’s the season for foods that are cheesy, crispy, loaded, wrapped in bacon, or—ideally—some combination of the four.

Our tailgate lineup takes that spirit and runs with it. Familiar game-day favorites get playful upgrades, transforming classic snacks and sweets into recipes made for celebrating. They’re unfussy, fun to eat, and perfectly suited to a day when plates are optional and reaching across the table for another bite is practically part of the sport.

ShopRite makes it easy to turn those game-day ideas into a full-on feast, with the ingredients and essentials to cover savory snacks, something sweet, and plenty in between. All that’s left is to pick your team, round up your crew, and bring your appetite! 

Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

Difficulty: Easy • 5 servings • Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Bowl & Basket Original Shredded Potatoes Tater Bites
• 1½ cups Bowl & Basket Shredded Sharp Cheddar Natural Cheese
• ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• ¼ cup green onion, sliced
• Bowl & Basket Ranch Dressing, for dipping
• Wooden skewers

Directions:

1. Remove the tater bites from the freezer and let them thaw for about 5 minutes.
2. Carefully thread about 5 tater bites onto each wooden skewer.
3. Arrange the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with Bowl & Basket Shredded Sharp Cheddar.
4. Bake according to the package directions, or until the tater bites are golden and crispy and the cheese is melted.
5. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with bacon bits and sliced green onions.
6. Finish with a drizzle of Bowl & Basket Ranch Dressing and enjoy!

Mini PigSkins 

Difficulty: Easy • 25 servings • Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 package Bowl & Basket All Beef Franks in a Blanket
• Bowl & Basket Yellow Mustard
• Egg, for egg wash

Directions:

1. Remove the Bowl & Basket All Beef Franks in a Blanket from the packaging and arrange them on a baking sheet and add egg wash on each.
2. Bake according to the package directions until golden brown and completely cooked.
3. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
4. Using Bowl & Basket Yellow Mustard, pipe a thin line down the center of each frank, then add a few small lines across it to create football laces.
5. Arrange on a platter and serve for an easy game-day snack that looks like mini footballs.

Poppable Cheesy Pickle Chips

Difficulty: Easy • 1o servings • Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• Bowl & Basket Kosher Hamburger Dill Pickle Chips
• Bowl & Basket Shredded Sharp Cheddar Natural Cheese
• Jalapeño, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the Bowl & Basket pickle chips onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
3. Top each pickle chip with a slice of jalapeño, followed by a generous sprinkle of Bowl & Basket Shredded Sharp Cheddar.
4. Repeat until all of the pickle chips are topped.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and crispy around the edges.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes to allow the cheese to crisp up.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks 

Difficulty: Easy • 6 servings • Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients: 

• Bowl & Basket Applewood Smoked Bacon
• Bowl & Basket Whole Milk Low Moisture Mozzarella String Cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Place the Bowl & Basket Mozzarella String Cheese in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or for best results, overnight.
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Remove the mozzarella sticks from the freezer and wrap a slice of Bowl & Basket Applewood Smoked Bacon around each one, making sure the cheese is completely covered.
4. Place the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and completely cooked.
6. Remove from the oven, top with freshly chopped parsley, and enjoy while warm!

The Easiest Football Cupcakes 

Difficulty: Easy  • 24 servings • Total Time: 4o minutes

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cupcakes

• 2 cups Bowl & Basket Pre-Sifted Unbleached Enriched All Purpose Flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting

• 1/2 cup Bowl & Basket Sweet Cream Salted Butter, softened
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 cups Bowl & Basket Confectioners Sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons milk
  
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the Bowl & Basket All Purpose Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Slowly stir in the boiling water.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
7. To make the chocolate frosting, beat the softened Bowl & Basket Sweet Cream Salted Butter until creamy. Add the cocoa powder and mix until combined.
8. Gradually add the sifted Bowl & Basket Confectioners Sugar, alternating with the milk. Add the vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
9. Pipe or swirl the chocolate frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
10. Reserve a small amount of white vanilla frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a line down the center of each cupcake, then add several short lines across it to create football laces. Serve and enjoy!