As the old saying goes “The early bird gets the worm.” If you’re a regular tailgater, you know the perks of showing up early. You get to hang out with your friends, meet other fans, and support your team. However, sometimes getting to the game early means you’re going to have a long day. What’s more important on a long day than fueling up so you have the energy to enjoy the whole game? The best way to do this is with a big, delicious breakfast. Rather than eating and heading out to the lot, we’ve found 12 different tailgating snacks and meal recipes perfect for your next tailgate.
1. Eggs On The Grill
First, we figured we’d share the easiest way to make eggs on the grill.
This is a great option if you are cooking up breakfast or simply want to make protein-rich tailgating snacks. You put the eggs in and any toppings like cheese, spices, or crunchy bacon and throw them right on the grill. They are perfect for breakfast muffins or just as a low carb snack.
2. Breakfast Sliders
Sliders are one of the most popular tailgating snacks. So we figured it would be a great option for breakfast.
Grilled Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 10 Large Eggs
- 4 Scallions, finely chopped
- 12 Pack Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
- 6 Slices American Cheese
- 4 Slices Deli Ham, finely chopped
- Kosher Salt
- Hot Sauce
Notes
There are tons of amazing recipes for breakfast sliders. We love this one from The Food Network because it’s simple, flexible, and was designed for tailgating. These are so good, you may even want to serve them for dinner!
3. Grilled Breakfast Pizza
If there was a Hall of Fame for tailgating snacks, pizza would surely be inducted as one of the greatest tailgating foods of all time. Pizza is incredibly versatile and super delicious.
Grilled Breakfast Pizza
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Lb Refrigerated Pizza Dough, at room temperature
- 8 Oz Bulk Breakfast Sausage
- 2 Bell Peppers (1 red, 1 green), chopped
- 1 Small Onion, chopped
- 2 Cups Frozen Shredded Hash Browns, thawed and squeezed dry
- 3/4 Tsp Kosher Salt
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 6 Large Eggs
- Black Pepper, to taste
- Chopped Fresh Chives, for topping
Notes
When we found this recipe for a grilled breakfast pizza, we knew we had to share. You simply assemble the pizza and slide it right on the grill for cooking. You could probably even make this ahead of time and just throw it on the grill once you’re at the game.
4. Breakfast Burrito
Another Hall of Fame inductee would be a burrito. Burritos are the ultimate tailgating food because they are not only delicious and filling, they are portable.
The Ultimate Breakfast Burrito
Equipment
- large skillet
- medium skillet
- spatula
- slotted spoon
- small bowl
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup hashbrown potatoes – either shredded or cubed works best
- ½ cup cooked chorizo or regular breakfast sausage or 2 slices of cooked bacon
- 8 eggs
- 1/3 cup heavy cream or milk
- pinch of chili powder
- pinch of black pepper
- ½ tsp of salt
- ¼ cup chopped sweet yellow or white onion
- ¼ cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper
- 1 4.5 oz can of diced green chile peppers drained
- 6 10 inch flour tortillas
Notes
The tortilla contains any mess and the shape is perfect for holding in one hand with a beer in the other. It’s easy to make and will give you the energy you need for the day. The steak and eggs breakfast burrito on the grill from Vindulge is also an awesome tailgating breakfast.
5. Grilled Spinach, Gruyere, And Roasted Red Pepper Frittata
Now if you want to go a little healthier, we get it. It’s super easy to get carried away when all the food at the tailgate is so tasty.
Grilled Frittata
Ingredients
- 1 Three Cheese Semolina Cut into 1" slices
- 10 Eggs
- 1 Pinch of Kosher Salt
- 1 Pinch of Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tsp Chopped Oregano
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Gruyere Cheese
- 2 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Large Red Bell Pepper (cored, seeded, sliced 1/4" strips)
- 1 1/2 Firmly Packed Baby Spinach
Notes
We love this frittata as a low carb, high protein, and nutritional breakfast. It’s made right on the grill in your favorite cast iron and is really tasty. If you’re watching your waistline, this recipe is a must.
6. Breakfast Foil Packs
If you’re going to be cooking tailgating snacks all day, it may be a tall order to add breakfast. However, these breakfast foil packs are so simple and filling they take no time at all.
Breakfast Foil Packs
Ingredients
- 6 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 1 Lb Refrigerated Hash Browns (thawed if frozen)
- 1 Cup Chopped Ham
- 2 Cup Shredded Cheddar
- Butter, for foil
- Chopped Chives
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Notes
Simply make a packet out of aluminum foil and fill with the ingredients. You can make these the night before and just throw them on the grill in the morning. Best part is there’s no clean up. You simply fold up the foil packs and toss into the recycling bin.
7. Grilled Popover Pancakes
Now if your tailgating grill has a griddle, you can easily whip up a batch of pancakes. However, it’s a little tricky making pancakes on a standard grill plate. That does not mean you can’t make pancakes.
Popover Pancakes
Ingredients
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Dash Nutmeg
- 2 Your Favorite Berries
- Powdered Sugar
Notes
Popover pancakes are made as one big one in a cast iron skillet. They are essentially baked on the grill. You can then cut them up and serve with your favorite toppings.
8. Tailgate French Toast Sticks
Dippable french toast sticks are a perfect tailgating food. They are made on the grill, can be prepared ahead of time, and eaten with your hands.
Tailgate French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf Thick Sliced Bread
- 3 Eggs
- 2 Cups Milk
- 6 Tbsp Cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tsp Salt
- Oil to fry
Notes
Plus, who doesn’t love French toast? These are perfect tailgating snacks or as a side to a more savory dish like a breakfast slider.
9. Banana Foster French Toast On The Grill
Now if you want to take your tailgating French toast game up a notch, we’ve also got you covered.
Banana Foster French Toast
Ingredients
French Toast
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 6 Slices Thick Cut Bread
Bananas Foster Topping
- 2 Bananas, ripe
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Butter, salted
- 3 Tbsp Dark Rum
- 2 Tbsp Banana Liqueur
- 1/4 Cup Pecan Halves, unsalted
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
Notes
Bananas foster complete with the crowd pleasing flambe, can be made right on your grill. This is definitely a recipe for a more skilled grillmaster, but will for sure be a hit with all your guests.
10. Grilled Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are really popular right now.
Epic Grilled Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 24 Crostini or Crackers
- Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- 2 Packages Uncured Bavarian Bratwurst
- 8 Soft Boiled Eggs, halved
- 12 Strips Bacon, cooked
- 3 Large Tomatoes, grilled
- 1 Large Cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2-4 Oz Salami Slices
- 12 Slices Cheese, different varieties
- Mozzarella Cheese Balls, small
- Butter
- Lemon-pear Marmalade
- Peach Bellini Jam
- Raspberry Jam
- 1 Triple Cream Brie
- 1 Pint Raspberries
- 1 Pint Blackberries
Notes
They feed a large crowd, ensure everyone gets what they want, and are easy for the host to put together. So why not make a breakfast charcuterie board? Even better, why not make one on your tailgating grill?
11. Blended Mimosas
Once you’ve designed your breakfast menu, there’s only one thing left. You’ll need to make some delicious breakfast cocktails.
Blended Mimosas
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
- 1 Cup Dry Champagne
- 10 Cubes Ice
Notes
We love a mimosa, but since it’s summertime, we figured why not make it blended? Use your margarita machine, add ice, champagne, and orange juice and voila, the perfect blended mimosa.
12. Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar
If bloody marys are more your breakfast cocktail of course, we’ve got you covered. Rather than just simply whipping up some bloody marys using mix and a stick of celery, make a bloody mary bar.
Bloody Mary Bar
Ingredients
- 1 Pitcher Bloody Mary Mix
- 6 Dill Pickle Spears
- 1/2 Cup Marinated Artichoke Hearts
- 1/2 Cup Olives stuffed with Pimentos, Garlic, or Blue Cheese
- 1/3 Cup Pickled Jalapeños
- 1/3 Cup Pickled Mushrooms
- 1/3 Cup Giardiniera
- 1/3 Cup Roasted Red Peppers
- 2 Oz Beef Jerky
- 6-8 Slices Cooked Bacon or Candied Bacon
- 4 Oz Cheddar and Pepper Jack Cheese, cubed
- 6-8 Cooked Shrimp
- 6-8 Pepperocini Peppers
- 1 Lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 Lime, cut into wedges
- 6 Celery Stalks
- Small Jar of Horseradish
- Toothpicks or Skewers
Notes
A bloody mary bar has all the fun ingredients to tailor your bloody mary to your tastes. They’re fun and they make it easy for the host. They can just set up and get back to the grill.
If your team has an early kickoff, that doesn’t mean you can have a fun tailgate. If you get there early, whip up some breakfast, and make a few morning cocktails, you’ll still have a blast.
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