By Megan O’Connell, Alumna of University of Wisconsin-Platteville

‘Tis the season for football and tailgating! It’s time to bust out your college logo sweatshirts and get some knitted boot warmers in your school colors because football season has arrived, ladies.

When tailgating, you need to remember that it’s important to eat! Afternoon football games tend to lead to early drinking and skipped meals, which is a recipe for disaster.

Check out these five delicious tailgating recipes below. Not only will you feel better with food in your stomach, but you will be the talk of the tailgate party if you show up with one or more of these tasty recipes in hand. From savory to sweet and everything in between, there is a tailgating recipe here for everyone!

Italian Sandwich Bake

Perfect to make ahead, throw it in the oven about an hour before you are ready to leave, then take it with you!

Ingredients:

• 2- 8 oz. containers of crescent rolls
• 12 slices deli cut ham
• 12 slices deli cut pepperoni
• 12 slices deli cut salami
• 8 slices mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Roll out one container of crescent rolls onto a 9×13 baking dish. Seal the perforations in the crescent roll dough.
2. Layer your ham, pepperoni, salami and cheese on top of the dough.
3. Pour half of the beaten eggs over the top of your meats and cheese.
4. Roll out your second container of crescent rolls and place on top of the meats and cheese.
5. Pour the remainder of the beat eggs over the top.
6. Cover with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove tinfoil and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Recipe derived from: Navy Wife Cook

Oreo Crumb Crispies

These delicious desserts are perfect for you to make the night before if you’re looking for low-maintenance prep on game day. These Oreo Crumb Crispies are are sure to be a hit among your friends!

Ingredients:

• 1- 8oz. container of crescent rolls
• ¼ cup cold butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 6 Oreos
• ½ cup flour

Glaze:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbsp. milk

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Crush your Oreos. I put mine in a Ziploc bag and smash them with my fist!
3. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed Oreos, brown sugar, white sugar and flour.
4. Cut cold butter into this mixture and combine to form a crumb.
5. Roll out your crescent rolls individually on a baking sheet. Sprinkle your crumbs on top.
6. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes.
7. Once these have cooled, cut them into smaller pieces.
8. Prepare your glaze by combining all the glaze ingredients together. Drizzle your glaze over top of the cooked Oreo Crumb Crispies!

Recipe derived from: Chef in Training

Spicy Cauliflower Bites

Perfect for your vegetarian friends! These take about 45 minutes total and our best when served hot. This dish is perfect if you have some time to spare before you head out the door.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 6 ½ cups cauliflower florets (I just used however much one ‘head’ of cauliflower made!)
• ¾ cup Frank’s Buffalo Sauce
• 1 tbsp. melted unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking oil.
2. Combine water, flour and garlic powder until well combined.
3. Coat your cauliflower florets in your flour mixture and place on baking sheet.
4. Cook for 20 minutes. Combine buffalo sauce and butter in small bowl.
5. After 20 minutes, remove the cauliflower from the oven and pour the buffalo sauce mixture over top of the cauliflower.
6. Bake for another five minutes.
7. Serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing!

Recipe derived from: Skinny Taste

Taco Dip

Still living in the dorms? You can still make awesome tailgating food! You can never go wrong with taco dip, and this version is always a hit! Prepare in the morning and store in the fridge until you’re ready to leave.

Ingredients:

• 2 8oz. blocks cream cheese
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1 cup taco sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• ½ cup diced green peppers
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 2 large bags of tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Combine your cream cheese and taco seasoning. If you don’t have a mixer, just use a spatula.
2. Spread your cream cheese concoction out on a large baking pan.
3. Spread your taco sauce over top of the cream cheese.
4. Top with your cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, diced green peppers and shredded lettuce.
5. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

Rolo Pretzels

This recipe is VERY easy! All you need is 10 minutes in the morning to prepare these. Plus, they are so delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 bag regular or square pretzels
• 1 large bag of Rolos
• 1 bag of M&M’s

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Lay your pretzels out individually on a large baking sheet.
2. Top each pretzel with one unwrapped rolo.
3. Place in oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. Keep an eye on them so the Rolos don’t totally melt!
4. Remove from oven and immediately top with an M&M and press down a little. I saw someone do them in their school colors, which was so cute!