Venison Chili Cheese Fries

Starchy, salty, cheesy, a bit messy—chili cheese fries are always a crowd pleaser that can easily feed a lot of people. Although you’ll find this classic American food at state fairs, carnivals, and many fast-food joints, but they tend to be overly salty and greasy. Homemade chili cheese fries with venison is the way to go. I’m not crazy about beans, so I only added a partial can—add or subtract to your liking. For extra heat, try sliced jalapeno...

Venison Croquettes

Croquettes originated in France but resemble something you’d buy at the state fair. These deep-fried balls of meat and potatoes are crunchy on the outside and gooey in the middle. My venison version kicks it up a notch by adding breakfast sausage and pimento cheese. Croquettes are crowd-pleasing appetizers that can be prepared in advance. They’re tasty and filling on their own, but I suggest serving them with a dollop of smoky aioli.

Venison Pancake on a Stick

Pancake on a stick: the early-bird relative of the corn dog and classic grade-school breakfast food. It’s created by swapping the frank for a sausage link, the corn batter for pancake batter, and the ketchup for maple syrup. There are a few key differences in pancake batter and pancake on a stick batter, though. A typical pancake is meant to be super tender, usually made with all-purpose flour. Switching to a higher protein flour, like bread...