1/18 Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix #SundayFunday

Welcome to #SundayFunday! Wendy from A Day In The Life on The Farm invited fellow bloggers to kick back, relax, and share something tasty and fun each weekend. "Sunday should be a Family Funday. Please join us in sharing recipes that will help you to enjoy your Sunday." If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join!

Today our #SundayFunday group is hosted by Camilla from "January is National Popcorn Month. Let's celebrate with your favorite recipes for popcorn - sweet or savory - or anything that uses popcorn. Be creative."

I had some popped popcorn mix from Christmas and was debating whether there could be a way to make it a little more fun and interesting to my "holiday snacked out" family. With a quick simple caramel sauce, and some tasty add ins (which are easy to customize to use what you have on hand) you have a delicious, easy snack mix! Perfect for bagging up and gifting at the Holidays or a birthday party, or putting out for movie night or just because. Fun and delicious - I can't ask for much more than that! 

I ended up making 2 batches of this popcorn mix back to back - because it disappeared so fast! We shared some with my dad and their family as well. Everyone really enjoyed this one! The chex cereal with the popcorn is a wonderful base for your favorite additions. Our 2nd batch I used roasted nuts and regular m&ms. 

See all our popcorn recipes for today here!

• Beurre Noisette Popcorn Balls, A Bubbly, and Other Popcorn and Wine Pairings by Culinary Cam
• Bourbon Popcorn Trio by Our Good Life
• Caramel Popcorn by Sneha's Recipe
• Easy Caramel Corn by Palatable Pastime
• Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Parmesan Thyme Popcorn with Browned Butter by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Popcorn-Crusted Chicken Tenders by Food Lust People Love
• Popcorn Granola Bars by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix by Making Miracles

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix

Ingredients
6 cups popped popcorn (I used a mix of butter / cheddar / caramel)
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
1/2 cup small twist pretzels
2 oz roasted peanuts

Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix Ins
1/2 cup peanut butter M&M’s

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with a silpat.
2. Combine popped popcorn (discard any unpopped kernels), corn chex, roasted peanuts, and pretzels in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add in the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Mix constantly and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring ocassionally.
4. Drizzle caramel sauce over the popcorn mixture, gently stirring as you pour. Once fully combined, spread out on the lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes. Stir mixture gently, and bake for another 10 minutes.
5. Allow to cool until you can handle. Break apart mixture gently and stir in the M&Ms (you can add the m&ms during step 2 if you prefer, but the chocolate will partially melt; it will adhere to the clusters of caramel corn / cereal mix). 
6. Serve and enjoy! 

Note - add more pretzels, m&ms, nuts, etc. if you'd like!  

Recipe adapted from Valerie's Kitchen

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