Best Ballpark Recipe Ideas for a Party

Score a home run with a summery, flavor-packed party filled with the best ballpark food and a menu designed just for you and your guests. Stock up on your peanuts and Cracker Jack, set the table and get ready for some fun. Pottery Barn's recipe ideas will get your ballpark-inspired party started in no time!

Stadium Dogs 

No list of great American ballpark food is complete without mentioning the ballpark classic: hot dogs. You can grill up some franks and serve them as is, but why not set a side table or buffet with all the fixings for a hot dog bar fit for your favorite team? Fun pairing ideas include:
• Piling on pulled pork, Southern-style coleslaw and pickles for a nod to the flash-fried dogs served at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves
• Spreading on the sautéed onions, peppers, diced tomatoes, pickle spears, bright green relish and a sprinkle of celery salt in a poppy seed bun in honor of the hot dogs served all over Chicago
• Swapping the dogs for brats and topping them with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard like they do at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers 

Brilliant Burgers

Like hot dogs, burgers are a delicious addition to any ballpark food menu. And, as a bonus, these classic sandwiches are easy to eat without any silverware, which is perfect for party mingling. Consider keeping things classic with an all-beef patty topped with lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Or, try your hand at recreating stadium specialties like a "burgerizza," a burger topped with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and balsamic mayo. 

Stadium-Style Nachos

Adding a bowl of tortilla chips and salsa to your spread is always a great snack option, but why not take things up a notch? Make your own classic stadium nachos by mixing equal parts melted butter and all-purpose flour in a pot set over medium heat. Stir in milk and your favorite shredded cheese, and whisk the mixture together until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Drizzle the nacho cheese sauce over tortilla chips, add sliced jalapenos or your favorite toppings and serve while the sauce is warm. Or, kick your ballpark nachos into high gear by topping the chips with barbecue classics like pulled pork or barbecued chicken, queso fresco and pickled jalapenos for a flavorful twist on ballpark food.

Soft Pretzels

Ballpark food feels complete with warm, salty bites like soft pretzels, which are perfect for nibbling while you sink back into comfortable outdoor lounge seating (or sit on the edge of your seat while you watch the big game). Make your own by combining 1 tablespoon dry yeast with 1 1/3 cup warm water in a small bowl. Let the yeast stand for five minutes and then mix it into a large bowl filled with 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Knead the mixture until it's smooth, divide it into 12 pieces and roll them into ropes. Brush egg wash over the top of each pretzel, sprinkle them with salt and bake them for 15 minutes in a 425-degree oven. Batter up!