Fall Favorites: Dip Mixes for Orchard Days and Tailgates
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There is a short window every year when the mornings need a flannel, the afternoons are made for the orchard, and every Saturday seems to have a game on. That is our favorite time in the kitchen. Whether it's an apple orchard or a tailgate, we have just the mix, and most of them come together in about five minutes with a couple of ingredients you already have in the fridge. Here are the seven we reach for all season long.
Key Takeaways
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Sweet for the orchard | Caramel Apple, Harvest Pumpkin and Apple Cherry Cobbler turn a bag of fresh apples into dessert. |
| Savory for game day | Bacon & Cheddar, Horseradish & Bacon and Jalapeno Popper travel well in a cooler. |
| One hot option | Baked Buffalo Chicken is the warm, bubbly dip for chilly October afternoons. |
| Make ahead | Cold dips taste best after a night in the fridge, which frees up your morning. |
| Watch the clock | Follow the USDA 2 hour rule for any dip left out at a picnic or tailgate. |
Sweet Dips for Orchard Days
Here in Michigan, apple season runs long. The Michigan Apple Committee's harvest calendar has Ambrosia arriving in early October and Cripps Pink closing things out in November, so there is plenty of time to plan a picnic around a fresh bag of apples.
Our Caramel Apple Dip Mix is the obvious first pick. It tastes like the county fair treat without the sticky fingers, and it is just as good spooned over a fruit salad. If pumpkin pie is more your speed, the Harvest Pumpkin Dip Mix is one of our autumn best sellers for a reason. Try it with gingersnaps or graham crackers around the bonfire.
The newcomer on the table is Apple Cherry Cobbler Dip Mix, made with real apples and cherries. It has a little more tartness than the other two, which makes it a nice match with salty pretzels.
| Sweet Mix | Flavor | Best Dippers | Recipes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Apple | Rich, creamy caramel | Apple slices, cookies, graham crackers | See recipes |
| Harvest Pumpkin | Pumpkin pie spice | Fruit, graham crackers, sweet crackers | See recipes |
| Apple Cherry Cobbler | Tart and sweet, like grandma's cobbler | Graham crackers, pretzels, fresh fruit | Shop sweet mixes |
Pro tip: Tart apples like Granny Smith or Paula Red balance a sweet dip better than a very sweet apple. Toss the slices in a little lemon juice so they stay pretty on the platter.
Savory Dips for the Tailgate
Tailgate food has one job: survive the drive and disappear by kickoff. These three check both boxes.
The Bacon & Cheddar Cheesespread Mix is our most flexible savory mix. Roll it into a cheeseball for the cooler, or turn it into a beer cheese dip if you have a grill going. Horseradish & Bacon Dip Mix brings a little zip that cuts right through a cold afternoon, and it doubles as a sandwich spread for brats or roast beef. For the crowd that likes some heat, Jalapeno Popper Dip Mix packs jalapeno, bacon, onion and garlic into one scoop. It tastes like the restaurant appetizer without the deep fryer.
| Savory Mix | Heat Level | Best Dippers | Also Great As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon & Cheddar | Mild | Pretzels, crackers, chips | Cheeseball or beer cheese dip |
| Horseradish & Bacon | Zippy | Crackers, chips, veggies | Sandwich spread |
| Jalapeno Popper | Medium | Chips, pretzels, veggies | Topping for baked potatoes |
Pro tip: Make savory dips the night before. The seasonings need a few hours in the fridge to fully blend, so your dip will actually taste better at the game than it would if you mixed it that morning.
The Warm One: Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
When the wind picks up in late October, nothing beats a hot dish. The Artisan Kitchen Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Mix gives you that spicy, tangy buffalo flavor without standing over the stove. Add a few simple ingredients, bake, and serve.
Serve it with celery sticks, tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices, and have a second batch ready.
Pro tip: Bake it at home in a dish that fits your slow cooker, then set the slow cooker to warm at the tailgate. It stays creamy for hours and you only have one pan to wash.
Keeping Dips Fresh Outdoors
A little planning keeps everyone feeling good after the party. The USDA says perishable food should not sit out longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour once it is above 90 degrees. Cold dips should stay at 40 degrees or below, and hot dips at 140 degrees or above.
For tailgates, the USDA's own tailgate food safety guide suggests packing food straight from the refrigerator into a well-iced cooler. Our Dip Chillers help too, keeping a cold dip cold right on the table.
| Dip Type | Keep It At | How |
|---|---|---|
| Cold (sweet or savory) | 40°F or below | Cooler, ice packs or a Dip Chiller |
| Hot (Baked Buffalo Chicken) | 140°F or above | Slow cooker on warm or a warming tray |
Pro tip: Put out small bowls and refill them from the cooler instead of setting out one big bowl. The dip stays colder and the last guest gets a scoop that tastes as good as the first.
Stock Up on Your Fall Favorites
October goes by fast. Grab a few sweet mixes for the orchard and a few savory ones for the game. Browse our sweet dip mixes and savory dip mixes, or use our store locator to find Country Home Creations near you. Looking for more ideas? Our appetizer recipes are a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fall dips for an apple orchard picnic?
Caramel Apple, Harvest Pumpkin and Apple Cherry Cobbler are our go-to sweet dips for orchard days. All three pair well with fresh apple slices, graham crackers and cookies.
Which dip mixes work best for tailgating?
Bacon & Cheddar, Horseradish & Bacon and Jalapeno Popper are easy cold dips to make ahead and pack in a cooler. For a warm option, the Artisan Kitchen Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Mix can be baked at home and kept hot.
How long can dip sit out at a tailgate?
The USDA recommends no more than 2 hours out of refrigeration, or 1 hour when it is above 90 degrees. Keep cold dips at 40 degrees or below and hot dips at 140 degrees or above.
Can I make these dips the night before?
Yes. The cold dips usually taste even better after chilling overnight because the seasonings have time to blend. Mix them according to the package directions, cover and refrigerate.
Do the dip mixes contain allergens?
Some do. For example, the Bacon & Cheddar Cheesespread Mix lists celery, soy, sulfites and wheat, and the Baked Buffalo Chicken mix lists celery and milk. Check each product page or package label before serving guests with allergies.