16 Backyard Movie Night Recipes That Are Even Better Than the Concession Stand

What are chips without dip? There are endless party dips you can choose from, but classic Rotel dip feels like a spiced-up version of the stuff you got back in the day at the theater.

Get the Rotel Dip recipe.

If being in your backyard makes you think of how fun a campfire might be, you can skip the flames and still get the same flavor as your favorite s’mores. These cookies have gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and even graham crackers.

Get Ree’s S'mores Cookies recipe.

Golden on the outside and chewy in the middle, these little bites will be everyone’s favorite dunkable treat. But they aren’t hard to make! They start with frozen dinner roll dough. You can make them ahead and reheat, too.

Get Ree’s Pretzel Bites recipe.

Peanut butter cups are a classic theater snack option. Why not jazz them up a bit by stuffing them inside store-bought peanut butter or sugar cookie dough? They’re easy to assemble in a mini muffin pan.

Get Ree’s Quick Peanut Butter–Chocolate Cookies recipe.

Instead of buying the frozen kind, you can make chicken fingers that will be fresher, healthier, and more flavorful right in your air fryer. You can make fries to serve alongside them, too!

Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.

Chex mix is one of those snacks that once you start eating, you can’t seem to stop. That’s perfect for a long movie! This version is a little spicy, but also crunchy and salty, just like you want it.

Get the Spicy Chex Mix recipe.

Use a few store-bought shortcuts like refrigerated pizza dough, jarred marinara sauce, and pre-sliced cheese and pepperoni to make life easier. The result is what your childhood sleepover dreams were made of! Save some marinara for dipping.

Get the Pepperoni Pizza Rolls recipe.

If your crowd is more of the sweet-and-salty kind, then this play on popcorn will be a favorite. You can make it in advance and just store it in an airtight container until the movie starts.

Get the Salted Pecan Caramel Popcorn recipe.

Mozzarella sticks are perfect for any party, and you can make them in advance. Fry them up and then lay them on a baking sheet and freeze. When you’re ready, there’s no need to thaw them. Just bake them straight from the freezer.

Get Ree’s Mozzarella Sticks recipe.

Instead of worrying about small plates of nachos, assemble, bake, and serve them right on a sheet pan. You can get as creative as you want with the toppings, too, so they’re endlessly customizable.

Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Nachos recipe.

Another way to cure both those sweet-and-salty cravings at the same time is chocolate covered pretzels. You can make these a few hours or even days in advance so they have time to set up.

Get the Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels recipe.

Also called walking tacos, you assemble these little chili “pies” right in mini bags of Fritos. You get a snack and a meal all in one. Best of all, there are fewer dirty dishes at the end of the night.

Get Ree’s Frito Chili Pie recipe.

Good news: You don’t have to choose between popcorn and Chex mix. You can get them both in this savory, salty snack mix. Doesn’t ranch seasoning make everything better?

Get Ree’s Garlic-Ranch Party Mix recipe.

Use everyone’s favorite movie candies (M&M's, Sno-Caps, Reese’s Pieces, and/or Whoppers) to make these sweet and salty treats. They’re easy for everyone to grab, too, so you don’t have to worry about extra utensils.

Get Ree's Concession Stand Crackers recipe.