Snacking Your Way to 2026

Do I need more snack mix recipes? No.

But do I keep adding them anyway? Yes.

Susan raved about this one after a K-State football tailgate and got the recipe from a friend. I made it for the first time for our family appetizer Thanksgiving. 

But I also added it to the mix - so to speak - for the Christmas array of snack mixes. I made a total of eight different snack mixes this year. Lots of it is given away as gifts from the kitchen. But there's always plenty for our own family Christmas celebration, too. And I always provide plenty of plastic bags for much of it to go home with the kids. 

This one would be a good one to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026. There's just a hint of sweetness and a little kick from some cayenne pepper. I was a little worried about the spiciness because Randy and I are wimps when it comes to heat. But it even worked for our wimpy palates. 

It also uses a fun combination of mix-ins.

So, whether you're looking for a last-minute snack mix for a New Year's Eve party or wanting something different for the full array of bowl games and NCAA football playoff games to come, check out this mix. It didn't really have a name. So I've christened it "Tailgate Snack Mix."

 

 Tailgate Snack Mix

1 cup butter, melted

2 packets ranch dressing mix

1/4 cup light brown sugar

3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

5 cups Chex (I used Life cereal for part of this)

3 cups mini pretzels

3 cups mini club crackers

3 cups Cheez-Its

2 cups Ranch Cheez-It Grooves

 

Preheat oven to 225 degrees and line two trays with parchment paper. 

 

Melt butter and mix first five ingredients together. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Pour wet butter and seasoning mixture over dry mix and toss until evenly coated. Spread on the lined trays. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool, then store in airtight containers. 

Mischief Munch Crunch

Are you crunched for time? Your family or gift recipients might enjoy "crunching" this mix. And bonus! It's quick and easy.

I have lots of favorite snack mixes - probably too many, if I'm honest. This year, I asked my family which were "must-haves" for our Christmas gathering. Some of them require baking time or extra things like popping popcorn. 

While none of them mentioned Mischief Munch Crunch, I had written a note to myself last year that the mix was popular both at home and at the extended Moore family Christmas. Since we have a nut allergy at the Moore gathering, it is also a good one when you are avoiding things like peanut butter or nuts.

And it requires no baking at all so it is quick and easy to add to your arsenal of snacks at the last minute. Let's face it: The last minute is about to arrive. On second thought, it's probably already here.

Mischief Munch Crunch

Modified from Facebook

2 cups Golden Grahams cereal

1 cup Cookie Crisp cereal 

2 cups Life cereal

2 cups micro-mini pretzels

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup red and green M&Ms

12 oz. white chocolate/almond bark

2 tbsp. holiday sprinkles

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

 

In a large bowl, combine all cereals, pretzels, mini marshmallows and M&Ms. Melt almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. (I used 50 percent power so I wouldn't burn it.) Once melted, pour over cereal mixture, stirring to coat everything. Transfer mixture to lined baking sheet; top with holiday sprinkles and mini chocolate chips. Allow to set up before breaking into pieces.  

For gift giving, portion into decorated plastic bags or holiday tubs. 

Notes:

• The original recipe called for French Toast Crunch cereal. I can't find that in my area, so I used Golden Grahams.
• I cut back a little on some of the cereal and added the mini pretzels. I found mine at Glenn's Bulk Foods. I have seen the micro-mini size in discount stores, but I couldn't find them this year. I like the little bit of "salty" in a sweet mix. The amounts in the recipe are the amount I used.
  
• My almond bark had 24 ounces in the package, so I doubled the cereal/other ingredients and used the whole package of almond bark. Easy, peasy! And then I did it three times! I give a lot of snack mixes for gifts.