80 Pickleball Party Food Ideas for Tournaments, Potlucks & Game Day
If you’re in charge of bringing food to a pickleball tournament or party, it’s always handy to have plenty of ideas to choose from. The best recipes are the ones you can make ahead, transport easily and put straight onto the table without any last-minute stress.
I’ve put together a collection of my favorite crowd-pleasing recipes, from sliders and party dips to fresh salads, slow cooker dishes and easy desserts. Pick a few that catch your eye and you’ll have a spread that’s easy to serve and even easier for everyone to tuck into between games.
Sliders
Sliders are always a great choice for a pickleball party or tournament. They’re easy to make ahead, simple to serve, and just the right size for grabbing between games without everyone having to sit down for a full meal.
1. Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
2. Big Mac Sliders
3. BLT Sliders
4. Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders
5. Chicken Parmesan Sliders
6. Crack Chicken Sliders
7. French Onion Beef Dip Sliders
8. Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Turkey Sliders
9. Italian Grinder Sliders
10. Maple Butter Chicken Bacon Sliders
11. Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders
12. Nashville Hot Honey Butter Chicken Sliders
13. Sloppy Joe Sliders
14. Tuna Melt Sliders
15. Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders
Party Dips, Cheese Balls & Spreads
If you’re putting together food for a pickleball party, you can’t go wrong with a few dips and easy appetizers. Most can be made ahead of time, and they’re perfect for people to snack on while they’re chatting, watching the games or waiting for their next match.
16. 2-Ingredient Ranch Dip
17. Bean Dip
18. Blue Cheese Dip
19. Corn Dip
20. Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
21. Cottage Cheese Roasted Red Pepper Dip
22. Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Dip
23. Greek Layered Dip
24. Hissy Fit Dip
25. Homemade Boursin Cheese
26. Million Dollar Dip
27. Mexican Street Corn Dip
28. Simple Queso Dip
29. Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
30. Slow Cooker Beer Cheese Dip
31. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
32. Slow Cooker Crack Corn Dip
33. Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Dip
34. Slow Cooker Pizza Dip
35. Taco Cheese Ball
Pinwheels, Appetizers & Finger Foods
If you’re looking for easy food that everyone can grab as they go, this section has plenty of ideas. From pinwheels to bite-sized appetizers, these recipes are great for sharing and don’t need much fuss.
36. Brie Phyllo Tarts
37. Chicken Alfredo Flatbread
38. Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls
39. Crockpot Birria Nachos
40. Crockpot Chicken Nachos
41. Hummus, Cucumber & Sun-Dried Tomato Pinwheels
42. Jalapeño Pigs in a Blanket
43. Mexican Pinwheels
44. Mini Pretzel Dogs
45. Pepper Jelly Pinwheels
46. Potato Skins
47. Sausage Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Salads & Cold Sides
If you want something you can make ahead and pop in the cooler, these salads and cold sides are just the thing. They’re easy to serve alongside the rest of the party food and are always a welcome addition to the table.
48. Antipasto Salad
49. Big Mac Salad
50. Chicken Avocado Salad
51. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
52. Chicken Fajita Salad
53. Chopped Grinder Salad
54. Marry Me Chicken Salad
55. Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad
56. Potato Feta Salad
57. Shrimp Pasta Salad
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked macaroni
- 1 cup peeled and cooked shrimp, shelled
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped celery
- 2/3 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/3 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sour cream
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
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Add the shrimp to a bowl along with the lemon juice, olive oil, granulated garlic, and cumin. Stir to coat and let marinate for about 10 minutes, if desired.
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Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the shrimp for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
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In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and cumin.
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Stir the dressing until smooth and fully blended.
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Place all of the prepared salad ingredients into a large bowl.
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Pour the dressing over the top.
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Mix until everything is well coated, then refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
58. Sour Cream & Onion Potato Salad
59. Southwest Chicken Salad
60. Taco Chicken Salad
61. Waldorf Salad
Slow Cooker Favorites & Crowd-Pleasing Mains
If you’ve got access to a slow cooker, these recipes make feeding a crowd so much easier. They’re great for keeping warm throughout the day, so everyone can help themselves whenever they’re ready for a bite to eat.
62. Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions:
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Cook the pasta. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, then drain it and set it aside for later.
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Cook the bacon. In a large skillet or pot, cook the chopped bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate so it can drain.
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Warm the chicken. Add the cooked chicken to the bacon drippings in the pan and warm it through for about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove it from the pan and set it aside with the bacon.
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Start the sauce. Add the butter to the same pot and let it melt. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, to make a simple roux.
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Add the milk and cream. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Keep whisking as the sauce heats and thickens, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
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Stir in the cheese and seasonings. Add the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, ranch seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Combine everything. Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and most of the bacon to the sauce. Stir until everything is well coated and warmed through.
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Finish and serve. Sprinkle the remaining bacon and the sliced green onions over the top just before serving.
63. Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake
64. Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs
65. Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Dr. Pepper Little Smokies
66. Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Sloppy Joes
67. Slow Cooker Enchilada Meatballs
68. Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon BBQ Meatballs
69. Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Wings
70. Slow Cooker Kielbasa Bites
71. Slow Cooker Little Smokies with Cherry Cola
72. Slow Cooker Mississippi Baked Beans
73. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Little Smokies
74. White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese
Brownies, Blondies & Sweet Treats
No party spread feels complete without a few sweet treats to finish things off. These brownies, blondies and no-bake desserts are easy to share and a great way to end the day on a sweet note.
75. Biscoff Brownies
76. Chai Blondies
77. Cheesecake Brownies
78. Chocolate Cherry Brownies
79. Lemon Brownies
80. No-Bake Golden Caramel Cookies
There’s no need to make everything on the list. Just pick a few recipes that work for your group, make as much as you can ahead of time, and enjoy the day without spending it all in the kitchen.
