Creative Football Party Food: Trail Mix Popcorn Balls! #goodcookcom

Last Updated on December 18, 2020 by Diane Hoffmaster

This football party food post was inspired by a product I received for review at no charge. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Fall is finally here and with it comes things like pretty colored leaves, sweaters, and of course, football!  My husband is an avid fan of college football so I see a lot more of the sport than I probably would care for!  If you have a football fan in your house, chances are there have been times you have company over just to watch an important game.  Of course, whenever I have company I feel the need to feed them!  If you are looking for creative football food you can make these Trail Mix Popcorn Balls.    These popcorn balls are a slightly healthier snack food than your traditional chips and fried appetizers.  They are loaded with healthy ingredients and a fun addition to your football party food menu.  The football shaped popcorn baller from Good Cook allows you to mold your popcorn BALL into a popcorn FOOTBALL to get your guests into the spirit of the game.

You can get creative with the types of ingredients you add into your trail mix popcorn ball.  Just like a regular batch of trail mix, the recipe is flexible.  I chose raisins, cashews, chocolate chips and pretzels because that is what I happened to have in the pantry.  You can just as easily use coconut, dried pineapple and macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian themed popcorn ball. The addition of the peanut butter and agave nectar holds things together and gives it a wonderful flavor.  If you have never made popcorn balls before you will need a few supplies.  You can find everything you need at Good Cook including candy thermometers, bowls, silicone spatulas, non stick pans, and many more items.  Make sure you prepare everything ahead of time to avoid running around last minute and trying to find your candy thermometer and parchment paper!

Football Party Food Idea

Trail Mix Popcorn Balls

Yield: 9 to 12

Trail Mix Popcorn Balls!

Print

This trail mix popcorn ball is shaped into a football so it works great if you are looking for creative football party ideas this fall!

Prep Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 12 cups popped popcorn
• 1 1/2 cups chopped cashews
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 3 cups pretzels, crushed into medium sized pieces
• 1 /2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter
• non stick spray

Instructions

2. In a large bowl, combine the popcorn, pretzels, raisins, and chocolate chips
3. In a small sauce pan over medium heat combine the peanut butter and agave nectar. Heat until boiling, stirring constantly. After the mixture comes to a boil, continue to stir 15 seconds longer. Remove from heat.
4. Immediately pour the peanut butter mixture over the popcorn and toss to coat. Make sure it is well mixed. Set aside.
5. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and butter. Bring to a boil while stirring. Heat mixture without stirring until it reaches 270 degrees on a candy thermometer.
6. Remove from heat and drizzle the mixture over the popcorn, stirring continuously to coat. Let cool only enough to handle.
7. Working quickly, press the mixture into a popcorn mold, or use your hands. In order to prevent sticking, spray mold and/or hands with non stick spray. You will need to press the mixture together firmly to get it to stay together.
8. Let cool on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

 

 So you have any creative football food that you like to serve at parties?

Get 25% off on goodcook.com when you buy the Good Cook Popcorn Ballers. Use CODE: POPCORN

If you are looking for more creative popcorn fun, check this out:

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 Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.