The right snack can make any holiday get-together a more festive occasion. Below are five recipes I’ve tested, and tasted, over and over again. They get better every time I pull these recipes out, usually because I add a few more M&M’s, marshmallows, and pretzels.  In my opinion, the best snack combination has both salty and sweet, crunchy and chewy. So grab a handful and give ’em a  try, there’s a mix here for everybody in the family (and they make awesome gifts too).
[ingredients]

Gluten-Free Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Mix

• 2 gluten-free protein bars in flavors of chocolate peanut butter or peanut butter, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups gluten-free corn or rice cereal
• 2 cups gluten-free pretzels
• 2 cups popcorn
• melted arm chocolate for drizzling

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients, except the chocolate, and toss gently to incorporate. Drizzle with melted chocolate and allow to cool and harden.
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[ingredients]

Rosemary Chili Spiced Nuts and Dried Fruit

• 3 cups raw mixed nuts, unsalted
• 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1.5 cups dried cranberries
• 2 egg whites
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cayenne powder
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
• 2 tbsp kosher salt (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the brown sugar, cayenne, salt, and rosemary, and stir.
2. Toss the nuts in the mixture and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes or until nuts brown slightly.
4. Allow to cool fully.
5. Break nuts apart and place in a bowl, along with dried apricots and cranberries.
6. Toss and serve.

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[ingredients]

Reindeer Chow – S’mores Mix

• 16 oz graham crackers, crushed into bite-sized pieces
• 16 oz mini marshmallows
• 8 oz pretzels, crushed
• 8 oz Christmas M&M’s
• 8 oz melted dark chocolate

Directions:

Place the graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels, and M&M’s on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with melted dark chocolate and allow to cool and harden fully.  Toss and serve.
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[ingredients]
Cheesy Parmesan and Ranch Snack Mix

• 2 cups Cheez-It’s
• 2 cups Cheez-It Grooves, Zesty Ranch flavor
• 2 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
• 2 cups pretzels
• 2 cups roasted cashews
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp ranch dip powder
• 1/3 cups grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Microwave the butter, until melted, in a microwave-safe container.
2. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, ranch dip powder, and parmesan cheese.
3. Place the Cheez-Its, Cheez-It Grooves, rice cereal, pretzels, and cashews on a baking sheet.
4. Pour the melted butter mixture over the snack mix and toss to coat.
5. Spread evenly on the baking sheet in one layer and bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned and cereal is crispy.
6. Allow to cool completely before transferring to a bowl.

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[ingredients]

Confetti Popcorn Mix

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 12 oz white chocolate chips
• 2 cups Fruity Pebbles Cereal
• 2 tbsp multicolored sprinkles

Directions:

1. Place white chocolate chips in a double boiler and melt slowly.  I find this is much more effective and foolproof than microwaving but feel free to microwave in a glass pyrex dish for 30 seconds at a time until chips are melted.
2. Place popcorn, in an even layer, on a large baking sheet.
3. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn evenly and toss to coat, working quickly.
4. Sprinkle immediately with Fruity Pebbles and toss again.
5. Lay out on the baking sheet and pour sprinkles on top.
6. Allow to cool and harden, for about an hour, then break apart gently into bite-sized pieces. Perfect for New Year’s Even in!

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