Mozzarella Stick Popcorn Snack Mix Food

SWEET AND SALTY POPCORN SNACK MIX

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour popped popcorn out onto foil lined baking sheet. Pick out any kernels. Add Crispix and pretzels and spread out evenly with popcorn.
• Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and then allow to boil for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and use a spoon to drizzle the mixture over the popcorn mixture in an even stream. Toss the popcorn mixture lightly to distribute and then spread it back out in an even layer.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Use a spatula to stir the mixture and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and stir once more. Spread the mixture back out in an even layer and allow to cool for 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Break apart and allow to cool completely. Add peanut M&M's and toss to combine.
• Store in an airtight container or zippered plastic storage bags.

SWEET-AND-SALTY PARTY MIX

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Lightly grease two rimmed baking sheets with vegetable oil. In a small saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons vegetable oil with the butter, corn syrup, sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the snack mix, except the hemp seeds. Pour the syrup over the mix and toss with a wooden spoon to evenly coat all the pieces.
• Divide the mix across the two prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle the hemp seeds evenly over the mixture on both baking sheets.
• Bake until the mix is dry, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, tossing well every 15 minutes. The mixture will be dry but still sticky, and will set as it cools.
• Let the mix cool completely before breaking it into pieces to serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

FRIED MOZZARELLA STICKS WITH CREAMY MARINARA

Steps:

• Pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven or pot to come about 1 1/2 inches up the sides and fit the pot with a deep-fry thermometer. Bring the oil to 375 degrees F over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, mix the marinara, creme fraiche and red pepper flakes in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute until warm. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
• Place a wire rack inside of a baking sheet. Set up a standard breading station with 3 wide, deep plates (or pie plates). Place the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in one plate. Mix the panko, plain breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper into the second plate. Whisk the eggs into the third plate.
• Take each mozzarella stick through the breading procedure: first in the flour, then the egg and then the panko mixture, then repeat in the egg and panko mixture again for a double breading. Transfer to the wire rack.
• Working in batches, carefully drop 4 to 5 sticks into the oil and fry without touching until they are a deep golden brown and you can see some cheese starting to melt, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve immediately with the sauce on the side.

POPCORN SNACK MIX

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine popcorn, peanuts, pretzels and crackers. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over popcorn mixture; toss to coat. Place in two ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pans., Bake, uncovered, at 250° for 1 hour; stir every 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

MAPLE BACON SNACK MIX

Steps:

• Line 2 sheet pans with waxed paper, then set aside.
• Add the popcorn, bacon, pretzels and nuts to a large bowl. Mix and set aside.
• Add the sugar, butter, maple syrup, corn syrup and salt to a large, heavy-bottomed pot fitted with a candy thermometer and place over a medium-low heat. When the butter has melted, stir together, then turn up the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candy thermometer reads "hard-crack stage" (300 degrees F), 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the maple extract. Carefully pour over the snack mix and toss using two wooden spoons. Transfer to the prepared sheet pans and spread out to allow it to cool, about 10 minutes. Break into clusters and transfer to a large serving bowl.

MOZZARELLA STICK POPCORN SNACK MIX

Steps:

• Whisk together breadcrumbs, parsley and salt in a small bowl.
• Pour mixture into a shaker bottle if desired.
• Put plain or buttered popcorn into a bowl and spray lightly with oil.
• Shake on seasoning liberally and shake or stir the popcorn to distribute, then top off with a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.

SAVORY POPCORN MIX

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°. Mix popcorn, pretzels and crackers in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Mix remaining ingredients; drizzle over popcorn mixture. Toss until evenly coated.
• Bake uncovered about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until toasted. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

POPCORN SNACK MIX (NO NUTS)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and serve.