The end of August has arrived and it makes me so very happy. It is one of my favorite times of year. (No it is not back to school because the kids are gone.) If you follow our blog you know I love football and football season is here! My kids have started playing little league football, our friends on the high school team have started to play, college play starts next week and the NFL is on television. I am surrounded with football and I love it! There are so many different things that my family and I love about football. One of the things my kids love, and it is probably the favorite of at least one of them, is the football snacks that we make on Sunday when we watch football.

They love making fun football snacks and they have quite a few favorites. One of their very favorite football snacks is chex mix. They love chex mix from the store but they love the home made kinds so much more. Do you make your own chex mix? If not, you should try it! It is a perfect football snack. Here are a couple of our family favorite recipes to get you started.

Microwave Original Chex Mix

Ingredients:

3 cups Corn Chex cereal

3 cups Rice Chex cereal

3 cups Wheat Chex cereal

1 cup mixed nuts

1 cup bite-size pretzels

1 cup garlic-flavor bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside.
2. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted.
3. Stir in seasonings. Pour over the cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
4. Microwave uncovered on High for 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes.
5. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.

Parmesan Ranch Chex Mix

Ingredients:

9 cups Corn Chex, Rice Chex or Wheat Chex cereal (or combination)

2 cups bite-size pretzel twists

2 cups bite-size cheese crackers 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing and seasoning mix

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In large microwaveable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted.
2. Stir in cereal, pretzels and crackers until evenly coated.
3. Stir in dressing mix and cheese until evenly coated.
4. Microwave uncovered on High 3 minutes, stirring each minute.
5. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Chex Muddy Buddies

Ingredients:

9 cups Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or Chocolate Chex cereal (or combinbation)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Place cereal into a large bowl, set aside.
2. Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.
3. Stir in vanilla.
4. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
5. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
6. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated.
7. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.