Game days are in full swing. (Yes, basketball game days totally count). And we can all agree that the best part about game day is tailgate food.

As the weather gets cooler, the snacks get warmer. Here are some of the tastiest, Auburn-inspired, warm recipes that you have to make for your next tailgate.

Samford Smokies

Little smokies are a classic, and is it even a tailgate without something soaked in BBQ sauce?

Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 1.5-3 hours
Total Time: 1.5-3 hours
Servings: 12

Ingredients:
3 (10 oz.) packages of little smokies
1 cup of BBQ sauce
¾ cup of grape jelly

Instructions:
1. Place smokies inside crockpot
2. Add grape jelly and BBQ sauce
3. Cook low for 2-3 hours (if in a rush, high for 1.5 hours)
4. Stir periodically
5. Enjoy!

Aubie’s Apple Bar

Ditch the fruit trays and opt for a more creative take on a fruity fall dessert.

Ingredient:
Warm caramel
Apple slices
Lots of toppings

Topping Ideas:
Chocolate chips
Peanuts
Coconut shavings
Graham cracker crumbs
Reese’s Pieces

*Pro tip: Dip apple slices into Sprite (or any sodas with citric acid) to prevent them from browning!

Glory Glory to ole’ Queso

It won’t matter if Auburn wins or loses… if there’s queso everyone will be happy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients:
2 lbs. of Velveeta Queso Blanco
1 cup of milk
2 tbsp. of butter
1 (4 oz.) can of diced green chilies
2 tbsp. of diced pickled jalapeños
½ tbsp. of taco seasoning
¼ tsp. of garlic powder

Instructions:
1. Cut cheese into cubes and place in crockpot
2. Add milk, butter and can of diced chilies
3. Finely chop jalapeños and add to mix
4. Add taco seasoning and garlic powder
5. Gently stir and cover
6. Turn on low for 2 hours (or until the cheese is completely melted) and stir occasionally

Buffalo Cauliflower

Still trying to figure out how cauliflower can taste like buffalo wings…

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, chopped into bite-sized florets with stems removed
¾ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. ground sea salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Add cauliflower florets to a large Ziploc bag
3. Mix hot sauce and seasoning together then pour into bag
3. Shake until sauce covers all pieces of cauliflower
4. Empty cauliflower out onto pan and bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 min.

Kick-Six Cider

Apple cider is the most underrated fall drink, and that has to change. It seriously warms your whole body, and it is SO. EASY.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:
8 cups of apple cider (can substtute for apple juice)
2 tsp. of ground cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg
4 whole cloves
1 orange (cut into slices)
8 cinnamon sticks
1 cup of sweetened whipped cream

Instructions:
1. Heat cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange slices in a 3-quart saucepan
2. Cook over medium heat until mix is hot (usually takes around 5 minutes), stirring occasionally
3. Strain cider into a heatproof pitcher
4. Decorate it with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks
5. Enjoy!

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Abbey C.