Football season in Tallahassee means garnet and gold everywhere, packed Saturdays and, of course, plenty of food. Whether you’re setting up a full tailgate before an FSU game or watching the Seminoles from the comfort of your living room, good game-day food is pretty much mandatory.

And let’s be honest — nobody wants to spend the entire game in the kitchen. The best FSU tailgating food is easy to share, easy to eat and preferably something you can make ahead of time.

From bacon-wrapped pig shots and buffalo chicken meatballs to football-shaped brownies and Oreo balls, here are some fun recipes to add to your next Seminole game day.

Football Brownies

Brownies are already one of the easiest desserts to bring to a tailgate, but turning them into little footballs makes them even better for game day. These fudgy football brownies are simple enough that you don’t need professional decorating skills to pull them off.

Make them the night before, pack them up and you’ve got a grab-and-go dessert that doesn’t require plates or forks.

GET THE FOOTBALL BROWNIES RECIPE

Cheese Football

If you’re going to serve a cheese ball at a football party, you might as well make it look like a football.

This one is an easy centerpiece for an appetizer table and can be surrounded with crackers, pretzels and veggies so everyone can grab a bite throughout the game. Even better, it’s something you can make ahead instead of scrambling right before kickoff.

GET THE CHEESE FOOTBALL RECIPE

Football Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is perfect when you’ve got a crowd because everyone can pick at it throughout the game. Load it with cheeses, meats, crackers, nuts and whatever else your crew likes.

This football-themed version gives the usual cheese board a game-day makeover without requiring you to actually cook much of anything. That’s a win in our book.

GET THE FOOTBALL CHARCUTERIE BOARD RECIPE

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Buffalo chicken belongs at a football party, but wings can get messy fast. Buffalo chicken meatballs give you those same spicy flavors in a much easier-to-serve package.

Stick some toothpicks beside the bowl and you’ve got an appetizer people can grab between plays. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery on the side.

GET THE BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS RECIPE

German Mustard Potato Salad

Every tailgate needs a couple of good sides, especially if burgers, ribs or sausage are on the menu.

This German mustard potato salad has a sweet-and-tangy vinegar-based dressing instead of the typical creamy dressing. It can also be made ahead of time, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get out the door on game day.

GET THE GERMAN MUSTARD POTATO SALAD RECIPE

Smoked Pig Shots

Now we’re talking serious tailgate food.

Pig shots start with sausage wrapped in thick-cut bacon and filled with a cream cheese mixture before hitting the grill or smoker. They’re rich, smoky and exactly the sort of appetizer that tends to disappear before everything else.

If you’ve already got the smoker fired up on Saturday morning, put these on the menu.

GET THE PIG SHOTS RECIPE

Easy Pita Football Appetizers

Here’s another easy way to put a football spin on the snack table. These football-shaped pita appetizers are fun for a watch party and don’t require hours of prep.

They’re especially handy if you want something besides the usual chips, dips and wings — although we’re certainly not suggesting you get rid of those.

GET THE PITA FOOTBALL APPETIZER RECIPE

Sweet & Sticky BBQ Ribs

If you’re feeding a hungry football crowd, ribs are hard to beat. These sweet and sticky BBQ ribs use the slow cooker, which means you don’t have to spend the whole day standing over the grill.

They’re a good option for a home watch party or a tailgate where you want something more substantial than appetizers. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of napkins.

GET THE BBQ RIBS RECIPE

Football Oreo Balls

These football-shaped Oreo balls are another easy finger-food dessert that fits right in on a game-day table.

They’re bite-sized, easy to serve and don’t require anyone to stop watching the game long enough to eat dessert with a fork. Make a batch ahead of time and keep them chilled until you’re ready to serve.

GET THE FOOTBALL OREO BALLS RECIPE

Football Cookie Pops

Cookie pops are especially fun if you’ve got kids at the watch party. These are decorated to look like little footballs and can be made ahead so they’re ready when everyone arrives.

You could even work a little garnet and gold into the decorations to give them more of an FSU feel.

GET THE FOOTBALL COOKIE POPS RECIPE

Ready for Game Day?

You don’t need an elaborate menu to put together a good FSU tailgate. Pick a couple of hearty dishes, add some easy finger foods and desserts, fill the cooler and you’re pretty much ready for kickoff.

And if you’re heading out to tailgate in Tallahassee, remember that Florida football season can still mean some seriously hot afternoons. Cold drinks, sunscreen and a little shade can be just as important as what’s on the food table.

Have a favorite Seminole tailgating recipe we should add? Let us know!

Go Noles!