The air is electric. The scent of the grill is drifting across the parking lot, team colors are everywhere you look, and the pre-game buzz is the only thing on the menu. Welcome to tailgating season, that glorious stretch where friends, family, and fans come together over great food and even better company.
But as you plan your game day spread, have you ever stopped to think about what is actually in your snacks? So many usual suspects, from pretzels to crackers, are cooked in oils you cannot pronounce. We get it. You want to focus on the fun, not overthink the food table.
That is exactly why we built this lineup. It is packed with real ingredients, bold flavor, and the kind of crunch that keeps everyone coming back for more. Let's build a snack table that scores with every guest, from the tailgate MVPs all the way to the wild cards.
The All-Star Snack Roster
The MVP: Jackson's Sea Salt Kettle Chips
Let's start with the foundation of any great tailgate: the perfect potato chip. Jackson's Sea Salt Kettle Chips are the MVP of the snack table. Real food ingredients, avocado oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt come together for a golden, crunchy chip that is sturdy enough for any dip you can dream up. Being free from the top 9 allergens means you can share this bag with your whole crew.
- Highlights: Non-GMO potatoes, kettle-cooked, that signature golden crunch
- Dietary Specifics: Gluten-free, vegan, kosher, top 9 allergen-free
- Why: A crowd-pleasing classic that fits every dip and every guest at your tailgate
The Rookie Sensation: Jackson's Super Veggie Straws®
Looking for a snack that breaks the mold? Meet Jackson's Super Veggie Straws®, made with a real veggie blend of yellow peas, brown rice, cassava, and sweet potato, cooked in avocado oil for a light, addictive crunch. These are a fantastic choice for kids and adults alike, giving your tailgate spread a savory, craveable new star.
- Highlights: Real veggie blend, cooked in avocado oil, impossibly light crunch
- Dietary Specifics: Gluten-free, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, top 9 allergen-free
- Why: A fresh, veggie-first twist that heroes your everyday tailgate crunch
The Powerhouse Protein: Archer Prime Rib Style Beef Stick
Every tailgate needs a protein-packed option to keep the energy high through all four quarters. The Archer Prime Rib Style Beef Stick brings the rich, savory flavor of prime rib in portable form, made from grass-fed beef. It is Paleo-friendly and gluten-free, a simple, satisfying addition to your spread.
- Highlights: Grass-fed beef, 8 grams of protein, rich prime rib flavor
- Dietary Specifics: Paleo-friendly, gluten-free
- Why: A satisfying, protein-forward pick for fans who want something heartier
The Zesty Game Changer: Cleveland Kitchen Classic Dill Pickle Spears
Cut through all the rich, savory flavors with something bright, zesty, and crunchy. Cleveland Kitchen's Classic Dill Pickle Spears are crisp, packed with classic dill and garlic flavor, and made through fermentation. They are fantastic on their own, alongside a burger, or as a garnish for your game day Bloody Mary.
- Highlights: Crisp texture, bold dill and garlic flavor, fermented
- Dietary Specifics: Vegan-friendly, gluten-free
- Why: A refreshing, palate-cleansing pick your snack table has been missing
The Spicy Special Teams: Daily Crunch Nashville Hot Sprouted Almonds
Ready to bring the heat? Daily Crunch's Nashville Hot Sprouted Almonds are inspired by the iconic flavor of Nashville hot chicken, delivering smoky paprika, cayenne, and a hint of sweetness. The almonds are sprouted, giving them a lighter, crispier texture. This women-owned brand is all about sustainable, vegan, and keto-friendly snacking.
- Highlights: Nashville hot seasoning, sprouted almonds, uniquely crunchy texture
- Dietary Specifics: Vegan, keto-friendly
- Why: Brings the fire for fans who want a spicy kick at kickoff
Looking for more crunchy swaps? Check out our Fritos alternatives roundup for more game day inspiration.
The South-of-the-Border Star: Siete Grain Free Sea Salt Tortilla Chips
You can't have a tailgate without chips and dip, and Siete's Grain Free Sea Salt Tortilla Chips make sure everyone can get in on the action. Made from a blend of cassava and coconut flour, these chips are light, crispy, and completely grain-free, cooked in avocado oil. They are the perfect vehicle for your famous guacamole, salsa, or seven-layer dip.
- Highlights: Cassava and coconut flour base, light and crispy, cooked in avocado oil
- Dietary Specifics: Grain-free, gluten-free
- Why: The ultimate dipping chip for your seven-layer dip or salsa bar
The Sweet Victory: Bobo's Fig Bars
After all those salty and savory snacks, you need a little something sweet to round things out. Bobo's Fig Bars are a soft-baked, halftime-friendly treat featuring a whole-grain oat crust wrapped around a rich fig jam filling. Available in Original or Blueberry, they are individually wrapped for easy grabbing.
- Highlights: Soft-baked, oat crust, fig jam filling, individually wrapped
- Dietary Specifics: Vegan-friendly options available
- Why: A sweet, portable pick to balance out your savory tailgate spread
The Low-Carb Legend: Uncle Ray's Pork Rinds
For the keto and low-carb snack fans in your crew, Uncle Ray's Pork Rinds are a must. These crunchy, airy snacks deliver a savory flavor with zero carbs, made with just two ingredients: pork rinds and salt. They are fantastic for dipping in queso or munching on by the handful.
- Highlights: Airy crunch, zero carbs, two-ingredient simplicity
- Dietary Specifics: Keto-friendly, low-carb
- Why: A no-nonsense, savory pick for low-carb fans at the tailgate
The Wild Card: Moon Cheese Sweet Cosmic Chili
Want to add something totally unexpected to your spread? Moon Cheese is here to launch your tailgate into another galaxy. These crunchy bites are made from real cheese dehydrated into a light, crispy snack. The Sweet Cosmic Chili flavor combines sweet, spicy, and cheesy notes that will have everyone coming back for more.
- Highlights: Made from real cheese, dehydrated for a crispy bite, bold flavor combo
- Dietary Specifics: Gluten-free, high-protein
- Why: A conversation-starting wild card that surprises every guest
Always Check Your Labels!
While every snack on this list is a great pick for a spread made with avocado oil and other real ingredients, recipes and formulations can change over time. It is always smart to give the label a quick read before you buy to make sure it still meets your specific dietary needs. And remember, just because one product from a brand is made with avocado oil does not mean every product from that brand is formulated the same way, so check each package.
When you choose Jackson's, you can always snack with confidence. Every bag of our Chips and Super Veggie Straws® is, and always will be, cooked exclusively in avocado oil. They are always vegan, gluten-free, and free from the top 9 allergens, no exceptions.
As dietitian and mom of two Julianka Bell shared with Business Insider, "My husband and I love crunchy and savory snacks. Jackson's chips are simple and made with lightly salted sweet potatoes with avocado oil."
And customers agree. As Sonya put it: "With 3 kids always on the go between school and sports, these are a great convenient snack that my kids love and I feel giving them without all the extra saturated fat and bad stuff other snacks have!"
Go Forth and Snack Victoriously
This season, do not let a subpar snack table sack your tailgate. By choosing snacks made with avocado oil and other real ingredients, you are choosing to fuel the fun the right way. You can feel good, share with everyone, and keep the good times rolling from pre-game hype all the way to the victory celebration.
Ready to build your winning lineup? Grab a few bags of Jackson's Kettle Chips and Super Veggie Straws® for your next tailgate, and taste the difference for yourself. Happy tailgating.
