Easy Snack Mixes for Football Season

As football season draws closer, fans will be looking for quick snack ideas that will work for parties, tailgates, sideline snacks, or just sitting in front of the television on a Sunday afternoon. Snack mixes are a great idea for football fans, as they're easy to make, easy to transport in a container or bag, and easy to eat between plays on the sidelines or just to grab a handful during commercials. These are a few of my favorite easy snack mix recipes, courtesy of the Taste of Home Tailgate Cookbook 2006.

Cajun Party Mix - cereal, pretzels, and nuts with a kick.

*2-1/2 cups Corn Chex or similar cereal

*2 cups Rice Chex or similar cereal

*2 cups Crispix or similar cereal

*1 cup mini pretzels

*1 cup mixed nuts

*½ cup butter, melted

*1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

*1 teaspoon celery salt

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

*¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Combine cereals, pretzels, and nuts and pour into a 15"x10"x1" baking pan. Mix butter, spices, and sauce and pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat. Bake at 250-degrees for 40 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Store in airtight containers.

Trail mix - a basic treat that's easy to eat.

*2 pounds dry roasted peanuts

*2 pounds cashews

*1 pound raisins

*1 pound M&Ms

*1/2 pound flaked coconut

Combine all in a large bowl; store in airtight container.

Kiddie crunch mix - a sideline treat for your future hall-of-famer.

*1 cup animal crackers

*1 cup teddy bear-shaped chocolate graham crackers

*1 cup mini pretzels

*1 cup salted peanuts

*1 cup M&Ms

*1 cup chocolate- or yogurt-covered raisins

Combine all in a large bowl; store in airtight containers.

Serve these quick snacks in big bowls for parties and individual bags for the sidelines. You can also put them in sno-cone cups for individual kids' party treats.

Source: Taste of Home Tailgate Cookbook 2006