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    Home » Snacks

    Turtle Tailgate Mix

    Published: Sep 24, 2012 · Modified: Oct 23, 2022 by Kim Beaulieu · This post may contain affiliate links

    1.0K shares
    • 184
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Turtle Tailgate Mix cooling on a pan then served in a bowl

    This Turtle Tailgate Mix is a a great party snack mix that will remind you of turtles candy.

    Turtle Tailgate Party Mix on parchment paper

    Hi folks.

    Okay it's confession time...

    this cannot be keep secret any longer...

    it needs to be shared...

    before it drives me insane...er!

    I hate football!

    There, it's out there. I've finally set the truth free. Some of you may recall me sounding off about it during Super Bowl time. I may have gone off the deep end. This time I'm in control and keeping calm.

    But I really hate football.

    So why am I calling this Turtle Tailgate Mix? Well doh, I like football food. Just because I dislike the game does not mean I have to suffer and not have the food. I mean seriously people, have some compassion.

    Okay I've got another one for you.

    I've never been to a tailgate party...

    *waits for the screaming to die down*

    No really, I've never been to a tailgate party. I'm not a football fan. I can't drink cuz of my stupid IBS. And quite honestly I'm usually at the barn when football is on. So it's just never come up.

    Are you ready for one more confession?

    I used to pretend I liked football to get out of doing dishes. True story. Worked for eons. No one ever knew. Evil genius right!

    Still want more confessions?

    Once in high school we had a touch football game after school. Guys and gals. In order to not "hurt us girls" the guys wanted the game to be touch only. Well while I dislike football greatly if I'm going to play I'm going to play hard. I mean that competitive spirit just kicks in. Not sure if it's the smell of the pigskin or the sweat playing tricks on my brain. Well, we started to play and my bestie gf had the ball. So I tackled her to the ground like my life depended on it. I know right. Let's just say everyone gave me a wide berth for the rest of the game.

    Want one more?

    Hubs used to play football with a bunch of dudes on weekends. Same guys who all went to high school together. Lots of history and bonding. You know guys, smacking each other's rears and all that jazz. So hubs got a little over-exuberant and broke some dudes leg. Yup. I think that's right around the time he stopped playing. Can't imagine why.

    So as you can tell we have a wacky relationship with football. But I won't hold that wackiness against it when it comes to football grub. When I hear the word "tailgate" I start to sweat, then my mind starts rattling around with the endless food possibilities.  So I'm here to prove even the most die hard football disser can still make a fabulous dish for a tailgate party.

    You're welcome!

    Caramel Recipe is adapted from Fine Cooking.

    Turtle Tailgate Party Mix in a white bowl

    More Popcorn Recipes:

    • Turtle Popcorn
    • Parmesan Popcorn
    • Rootbeer Popcorn
    • Turtle Popcorn Gone Wild
    • Pink Popcorn
    • S'mores Popcorn
    • Chocolate Cake Popcorn
    • Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

    Turtle Tailgate Party Mix close up image

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    turtle tailgate party mix coated with chocolate and caramel and cooling on a parchment lined cookie sheet
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Turtle Tailgate Mix

    This Turtle Tailgate Mix is a a great party snack mix that will remind you of turtles candy. It's a chocolate and caramel lovers dream!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Keyword chocolate party mix, turtle tailgate mix
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 24
    Calories 536kcal
    Author Kim Beaulieu

    Equipment

    • 2-Quart Saucepan
    • Rectangular Roaster with Rack
    • Cookie Sheet

    Ingredients

    For the Caramel Sauce ( make in advance):

    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 ½ cups sugar
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1 pinch salt

    For the Tailgate Mix:

    • 2 cups mini pretzels
    • 2 cups chex cereal
    • 2 cups crunch and munch caramel popcorn
    • 2 cups pecan halves
    • 2 cups cheerios
    • 1 ½ cups butter
    • 2 ½ cups brown sugar
    • 1 cup corn syrup
    • 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate

    Optional: 2 cups m & m candies (do not mix in until after mix has cooled)

      US Customary - Metric

      Instructions

      For the Caramel Sauce (make in advance):

      • Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
      • Do NOT stir and bring to a boil, let it cook until it goes a nice amber colour. You can lightly swish or swirl the pan but do NOT stir at this point.
      • Once the liquid is amber in colour remove from heat and add butter. Swish it around until it melts.
      • Add the cream and remember it's going to bubble up as caramel does, so make sure you are careful and your pan is big enough to handle it.
      • Whisk until mixed.
      • Add vanilla and vanilla salt and whisk until smooth.
      • Set aside to let cool.

      For the Tailgate Mix:

      • Combine all your dry ingredients (pretzels, cereal, popcorn, pecans and cheerios) into a large roasting pan, except for the m & m's, those go in later once things cool. Stir them up. Set aside.
      • In a medium saucepan combine your butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then let it boil for about 3 to 5 minutes. It will become thicker.
      • Toss in the chocolate and whisk until it melts and mixture is smooth and slightly thick. Set aside for about 5 minutes to cool a bit.
      • Now whisk the mixture then pour over the dry ingredients you have in the roasting pan. Give it a really good stir so you coat everything evenly.
      • Line a large cookie sheet with parchment.
      • Transfer your mixture to the cookie sheet and pop in a preheated 200 degree oven for 30 minutes. Make sure you stir the mixture half way through the cooking process.
      • Remove from the oven and leave out to dry further and cool. About an hour should be good. And this is where you will learn how tough you are. It will be really hard not to just bury your head in the chocolate goodness you are smelling right now but resist people. Trust me.
      • Once the popcorn is cool, you want to make sure it's spread evenly on parchment on cookie sheet(s).
      • Now warm your caramel just a touch. You don't want it scorching hot but warm enough to drizzle, not hot enough to shrink the other ingredients. Drizzle over the mixture. You can let it dry then flip the mix over and drizzle again if you like.
      • Pop back in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.
      • Let cool on pans.
      • Add m & m's if desired. And let's be honest, who doesn't desire m & m's. Mix it all up.
      • Enjoy with a big old I hate football smile!

      Nutrition

      Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 579IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 4mg

      Thanks for visiting today!

      If you’re looking for more popcorn recipes sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more snack recipes as well.

      Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

      Toodles! xx

      « Apple Crisp Ice Cream
      Some "life stuff" and a pesky health update! »
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      This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Joan@Chocolate and More

        September 25, 2012 at 8:41 pm

        Kim, I'm with you on Football. It's ok to have it on the tv, just don't expect me to sit there and watch. I'll have a book in my hands if forced. However a football game just make a good excuse to have some food! I'm loving this mix and will have to whip it up soon. Tweeted it (cause I'm trying to learn twitter) hugs!

        Reply
      2. Debra

        September 25, 2012 at 8:43 pm

        I went to such a small high school. (How small was it?) It was so small we didn't have a football team. Therefore, I have never understood the rules. Not a big fan either. I am a huge fan of this snack, though!

        Reply
      3. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

        September 25, 2012 at 9:49 pm

        Absolutely loved reading about your football rants -- and thank god I am not the only one who refuse to understand the craziness of it all.

        Besides that, it definitely wont stop me from enjoying this delicious tailgate recipe!

        Glad you are back -- hope you are feeling well. xo

        Reply
      4. A Canadian Foodie

        September 26, 2012 at 10:34 am

        Kim
        This recipe is pure evil! The sauce alone could be eaten with a spoon, without any of the other goodies you add to it. Your family must get up in the morning and bow to you - if they do not, they should!
        🙂
        V

        Reply
      5. Megan @ Country Cleaver

        October 03, 2012 at 11:26 pm

        Back the truck up - I'm going to open wide and fit ALLLL of this in!!

        Reply
      6. Andrea (Quest for Delish)

        October 05, 2012 at 11:56 am

        This mix looks simply delish. I am dying to make it.

        Reply
      7. Debra

        October 10, 2012 at 10:18 am

        5 stars
        lol and drooling at the same time...

        Reply
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