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Take regular puppy chow to the next level with this football-inspired munch that'll be the hit of any game watching party. This two-toned treat brings together decadent chocolate and bright team colors, crowned with cute football-shaped almonds that make it totally snappable for social media. The mix of crunchy cereal, melty chocolate, and smooth peanut butter makes a munchable snack fans won't be able to put down.
Whenever I bring this to football parties, everybody keeps grabbing more. My little nephew loves helping me make the football almonds, and I cherish our game day ritual of watching him carefully draw the tiny laces.
Must-Have Components
- Chex Cereal: This classic option holds up nicely under toppings and won't get soggy too fast.
- Green Candy Melts: The Wilton ones give you super bright colors that pop in themed snacks.
- Top-Quality Chocolate Chips: Go for dark chocolate to get that rich taste and shiny coating.
- Fresh Peanut Butter: Smooth and runny works best for mixing into an even coating.
- Full Almonds: Look for similar-sized ones to make your footballs look uniform and cute.
- Royal Icing: Using meringue powder helps it harden properly to keep decorations in place.
Game-Winning Production Steps
- Set Up Almond Players:
- Start by organizing almonds in straight lines so you can decorate them quickly and uniformly.
- Mix Up Decoration Magic:
- Beat royal icing until it's just right – not too runny, not too stiff for perfect football details.
- Handle Team Green:
- Warm up candy coating gently, making sure it's lump-free before dumping in cereal pieces.
- Craft Chocolate Squad:
- Mix chocolate with peanut butter using low heat until it's smooth and shiny.
- Winning Assembly:
- Combine both colored batches together, topping with your decorated almond footballs for a crowd-pleasing finish.
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The highlight for my family when making this snack is definitely decorating those football almonds. What began as a simple garnish has grown into a fun competition where we all try to draw the best football laces. The giggles and serious faces around our kitchen counter make prep time almost as fun as eating time.
Crowd-Pleasing Display Ideas
Make your snack mix stand out by using a bowl shaped like a football or setting it on a bright green platter. Put some of your football almonds right on top where everyone can see them. Place small bowls all around your TV area so nobody misses a crucial play reaching for a handful.
Team Color Options
Switch up the candy melts to match your favorite team's colors. You can also make holiday versions with seasonal candy pieces and matching sprinkles. If you're going all-out for team spirit, throw in some color-matching chocolate-covered pretzels or candies that match your team's look.
Keeping Your Snack Fresh
Store your tasty mix in sealed containers at room temp for about five days max. If you've made a big batch, split it between smaller containers to keep everything crunchy. Don't put it in the fridge though – that'll make it get damp and sticky.
Party Amount Planning
Figure on about a cup per person when deciding how much to make. You might want extra football almonds since folks always grab those first. Try dishing out single servings in paper cups matching your team colors – it'll cut down on mess during intense game moments.
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After hosting countless game days, this puppy chow has become our go-to treat. The way the team colors look together, that satisfying crunch, and those cute little football almonds just can't be beat. Whether we're jumping up for a score or groaning after a bad call, this snack brings everybody together and adds something sweet to every football get-together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will this Football Chex mix stay good?
- If you keep it in a sealed container at room temp, it'll stay crunchy and tasty for up to 1 week.
- → Can I prepare this before my party?
- For sure! Make it 2-3 days before your event. Just store it in an airtight container until party time.
- → What if I can't get green candy melts?
- No problem! Use white candy melts with green food coloring mixed in, or just go all chocolate for the whole batch.
- → Is it okay to leave out the almond footballs?
- Absolutely. The mix will still look great and taste amazing without the decorated almonds.
- → Why do you add oil to the chocolate?
- The oil thins out the chocolate so it coats every bit of cereal better and more evenly.