No-Cook Tailgating Snacks

This recipe uses one can of tomatoes drained and the other undrained for the perfect scoopable texture. It's easy to adjust to your taste―add more or less garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime as you see fit, and try stirring in diced avocado, radish, or jicama for extra taste.

All you need is a blender to serve this miso aioli dip with your next platter of fresh crudités.

Flavored with lime juice and sprinkled with cilantro, this Mexican-inspired dip is a great go-to appetizer.

Prepare this retro-chic snack up to two days ahead, and serve with crackers, bread, or veggies. Rolled in minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, this cheese ball is festive enough for even the most discerning party guests.

This salsa makes for the perfect party snack that your guests can enjoy without an unpleasant, fiery mouth. The tomatillos provide just enough sweetness and depth of flavor that make this an enjoyable salsa dip for all. Serve it with your favorite tortilla chips.

Apple Pick: Spartan apples

Take a break from classic tomato salsas and opt for a fruitier, seasonal option. This sweet-tart condiment features crisp, slightly acidic Spartan apples, though Fuji, Jonagold, and Liberty apples would also work nicely. This fresh, fruity salsa is the perfect addition to any Fall menu or fun occasion, and it's super easy to make. Eat it straight out of the bowl, snack on it with chips, or serve with pork or roast chicken. Serve it immediately, or let it sit overnight to let the flavors incorporate.

This particular chicken salad recipe uses vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise but doesn’t lose its creamy texture, thanks to avocado. Salsa and fresh cilantro give this chicken salad its south-of-the-border flavors. So, instead of layering over a bed of greens, serve with tortilla chips for scooping and an added crunch.

Because fresh herbs are increasingly available, you can make this tangy, peppery dip year-round. So skip the baked, greasy dips and replace them with a dip that highlights fresh veggies. The best part: you'll never have to turn on your oven.

You'll sometimes see black-eyed pea dips like this one labeled as Texas caviar—a playful name that does point to the dish’s deliciousness. It’s a perfect accompaniment to tortilla chips, a twist on traditional tomato salsa that adds the creamy richness of peas. With fresh chopped tomatoes, red onion, poblano chile, cilantro, and lime juice, the dip absolutely bursts with freshness. It should get gobbled up if you set it out, but if you do find yourself with leftovers, serve them in tacos, on a leafy salad, or as a relish-type topping for grilled fish or chicken.

Combining unsalted mixed nuts with dried fruit, oat cereal, Goldfish crackers, and mini pretzels satisfies a sweet and salty craving while giving you an energy boost throughout the day. A great option for snacking on the go, this trail mix is also a great for entertaining or tailgating. Not only is it kid-friendly, but it also comes together in just minutes, making it the superior option to other time-consuming dishes. Make a large bowl of it and portion it out for the week, or serve it to guests for an easy appetizer or poolside snack.

This super simple recipe stars perfectly ripe avocados—there's no need for tomato or other flavor distractions. You want the avocados' richness to shine next to the tangy zip of lime and cilantro and their flavor to deepen with savory fish sauce. While it may seem like an unlikely ingredient, the fish sauce adds a wonderfully salty and complex flavor profile to the dish. Prevent the avocado from browning and take it to an event by placing it in an airtight container and pressing plastic wrap directly over the top. Serve with whole grain tortilla chips or pita chips.

Pre-chopped veggies and pre-cooked bacon and eggs help you pull this charmingly retro dish together in a flash. Typical layer dips and salads are loaded with cheese, sour cream, and refried beans, making the saturated fat and calorie numbers quite high. However, this salad is packed with protein and nutrient-dense veggies that deliver just as much flavor as your favorite bean dip. You can assemble the salad, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Eat it straight out of the bowl, or scoop it out with chips or lettuce cups.

Bright and tangy non-fat Greek yogurt helps save 100 calories and 3g sat fat in this delicious, creamy dip. Sharp feta cheese adds a punch that complements beautifully with the fresh herbs. Perfect for game day, this appetizer is a surefire crowd pleaser that serves well with vegetables, pita chips, or tortilla chips. It requires almost no preparation, and is ready to serve immediately.

Don't let the peanut butter trip you up; this savory dip still packs all the great flavors of hummus with an unexpected, nutty note that provides thickness, creaminess, and flavor. Hummus is made more kid-friendly with the addition of peanut butter. Top with crushed peanuts for extra crunch. Serve with vegetables or pita chips. To easily measure 7 tablespoons water without losing count, pour 1/2 cup into a measuring cup and remove 1 tablespoon.

Cucumbers are a wonderful alternative to crackers during snack time. Top them off with a little cream cheese, nonfat Greek yogurt, feta cheese, and walnuts for a protein-packed crunch. Cute, portable, and easy, these are great party starters that guests will love snacking on. Tangy feta cheese steals the show and brightens up the vegetable base.

We made a classic Greek sauce of creamy yogurt and cucumber for the base of this tangy salad. Eat it straight out of the bowl, in lettuce cups, or with pita chips. Either way, this easy, protein-packed salad requires no cooking and comes together in minutes. Guests and friends will love this healthy appetizer, and you can use the leftovers in your lunch for the next day.

Canned pumpkin makes it easy to whip up this sweet dip. Make sure to purchase 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. This kid-friendly dip is the perfect treat for a crisp Fall day. Bring it to a potluck or serve it as an appetizer and the guests will swoon over this seasonal creation. Dip in apples, smear it on toast, or top it on whole grain pancakes. If you're into the Fall pumpkin craze, this dip is sure to satisfy that craving.

Combine salsa and a fresh avocado together to make a quick and easy guacamole, or add 1 tablespoon of salsa to 1½ prepared guacamole to give it an extra punch of flavor. If you're short on time and need a quick, healthy alternative, this is your go to party dip. Perfect for the indecisive snacker, this dish marries the two greatest snacking dips, salsa and guacamole, for a game day dish that you simply can't refuse.

A classic hummus dip that all your guests can enjoy is essential to any appetizer dish. This simple hummus comes together in minutes, and it is always a crowd favorite. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor, give it a whirl, and presto! Healthy dippers include baby carrots, radishes, jicama, and sugar snap peas. To make it a little more kid-friendly, go ahead and pack some pita chips or whole grain tortilla chips for added snacking options.

When shopping for ingredients for this zippy snack mix, choose crunchy crackers and cereals made with whole grains. This irresistible snack mix satisfies all the savory cravings, without the added fat and calories of a greasy bag of potato chips. Go ahead and add dried fruits for a sweet, chewy counterpart. This kid-friendly mix makes for a great party appetizer for guests to snack on, or the perfect road trip snack.