27 Easy Ballpark-Inspired Recipes – Baseball Food Ideas

Warm, creamy dips are required on any game day, but if you really want to start the party, put out a pot of beer cheese. Spiked with lager and Dijon mustard, this smooth and glossy cheese dip will be devoured by fans everywhere.

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Chipotle chiles add a smoky heat to a classic pulled pork sandwich. This would be the biggest hit at your game day get-together or a great way to spice up a potluck gathering while still being easy enough to serve for a regular dinner. This pulled pork is saucy and spicy, but the creamy coleslaw helps calm the heat. Pile it high on some hamburger buns or serve it in toasted tortillas for a change. Either way, this will be an instant win.

Get the Chipotle Pulled Pork recipe.

While we love adding fruity twists to this warm-weather drink, this recipe is our go-to when we’re looking for simple, classic, and ridiculously refreshing. If you usually go for picking up a container of Minute Maid, then you may be surprised by just how easy (and delicious) classic lemonade is to make at home. All you need is the perfect ratio of 3 simple, staple ingredients—plus water—to create this sweet-tart summer favorite, exactly how you like it.

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Our take on this Mexican-inspired hot dog is based off of versions made in Arizona where it’s a standard—warm pinto beans, fresh jalapeño salsa, onion, tomato, mustard, and mayo. The split-top bun is essential to the look, but the hot dogs can be prepared on regular buns; you can simply split the tops yourself and load ’em up!

Get the Sonoran Hot Dog recipe.

This homemade version of the classic summer dessert comes together with a no-churn ice cream and a simple two-ingredient chocolate topping. One bite and the thin chocolate layer will shatter in your mouth, revealing the light vanilla ice cream inside. What more could you want on a hot day?

Get the Copycat Klondike Bars recipe.

Forget charcuterie, we’ve found our newest obsession: French fry boards. You can fill them with whatever type of fries you like best. We just recommend a good variety. As for sauces, you can do better than just ketchup. Think: peri peri sauce, mango chutney, spicy mayo, and honey mustard!

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Now you don’t have to wait for the carnival to come back to town! If you’re new to this ballpark fave, kettle corn is popcorn that is cooked or mixed with sugar and salt instead of just salt. The combination makes for an perfectly sweet-salty treat that’s ideal for movie night, an afternoon sugar craving, or on the snack table at your next picnic or barbecue.

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This childhood favorite is peak 7-Eleven nostalgia in the best possible way. Frozen cherries are blended with Coke (both frozen into cubes and straight up) with a splash of lime juice for a surprisingly balanced and totally drinkable frozen drink. The optional addition of a little booze makes for the perfect poolside or patio pounder on a sunny afternoon.

Get the Frozen Cherry Coke Slushies recipe.

Homemade soft pretzels are better than any concession stand pretzel you can find. Soft and pillowy, they are a dream for dipping in mustard or nacho cheese, or skip the pretzel salt and toss them in a little cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat!

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This end-all-be-all recipe is loaded with nachos supreme-inspired toppings—melty cheese, ground beef, two types of beans, and pickled jalapeños to name a few—but we use this as a jumping-off point to add all of our favorites. Switch it up with your favorite cheese and toppings to make this game day snack completely your own.

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Did you know? It takes almost zero cooking skills (you do have to know how to turn the grill on) to get perfectly charred brats topped with flavor-packed caramelized onions and peppers. First, the brats get charred on the grill. Then they finish off in a simmering beer bath alongside the veg. Use whatever beer you like to drink, but not IPAs (India Pale Ales), which are brewed to be hoppy (i.e. bitter).

Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe.

A true legend in the game day appetizer hall of fame, these loaded fries are the simple, classic appetizer that you can turn to again and again. This recipe is not only topped with all of the staples you know and love (crispy bacon, melty cheese, and scallions), but we added a few extra special touches that truly make this app the MVP.

Get the Loaded Fries recipe.

In the heat of summer (or during a sunny baseball game), nothing satisfies quite like a fruit popsicle. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet.

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Chicago is as picky about hot dogs as New York is about pan pizza. The specific toppings are as important as the order in which they get layered. It’s been “dragged through the garden,” as the locals say, and we know you’ll love it so very much.

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There is something so enticing about nacho cheese from concession stands: silky smooth, pleasantly tacky, clings to every chip, fry, and bite. Even if you aren’t hungry, it’s impossible to pass up. Now you can make it at home anytime the craving hits. We even dedicated a nacho casserole to the sauce! Serve this cheese with homemade chips, soft pretzels, or top your favorite nachos with it!

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We don’t often feel like getting a deep fry going. But when you have an easy churro recipe this delicious, it’s absolutely worth it. They only take a few minutes to fry and will actually still taste good at room temp, making them a great party dessert!

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If you’re looking for a kid-approved twist using chicken tenders, enter this cornflake-crusted chicken recipe. Perfectly sliced chicken is coated in a blend of crispy cornflake crumbs, and seasoned just right for the extra pop of flavor. The golden-brown exterior showcases the distinct texture of those crunchy cornflakes. These tenders aren’t just a meal; they’re an adventure on a plate.

Get the Cornflake-Crusted Chicken Tenders recipe.

Veggie burgers might seem like the obligatory vegetarian alternative at a grill-out, but that doesn’t mean they can’t taste glorious in their own right. Whether charred on the grill or cooked to caramelized perfection in a cast-iron pan, these veggie burgers will make even meat lovers decide to go meatless for a meal.

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Making from-scratch caramel corn couldn’t be easier—no need to hit the ballpark for it. You start with popped popcorn and then make a simple caramel sauce by boiling butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup for a few minutes in a small saucepan. Pour that over the popcorn and toss until combined, then bake! Baking at a low temperature for about an hour is key to caramel corn with that irresistible crunch.

Get the Caramel Popcorn recipe.