What is March Madness without all the snacks?! This March Madness Snack Mix is filled with all the salty snack favorites that everyone will love while you watch all the basketball your heart can handle!

And we missed March Madness last year because of Covid, so we are due for some major celebrations and parties!

Honestly, there is nothing greater than a salty crunchy snack?  Sit a big bowl of anything in front of me that is crunchy and salty and cheesy and OMG. See ya later self-control! It was nice knowing ya!

A bowl of March Madness snack mix. It contains popcorn, peanuts, cheese balls, pretzels, chex and sesame sticks.

And a big ol’ bowl of snacks is 100% required for watching any sports but especially the month-long endeavor of March Madness!

We have just the combo that will have everyone’s hands and tummies occupied while watching the games. What more could you want – popcorn, pretzels, corn Chex, cheesy things. SIGN ME UP!

What Ingredients You Need to Make March Madness Snack Mix

Head to the snack aisle of your grocery store for most of these tasty ingredients:

  • Popcorn 
  • Corn Chex
  • Sesame Sticks
  • Cheese Filled Pretzels
  • Butter
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Garlic Powder
  • Mustard Powder
  • Sugar
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Cheese Balls
  • Salted Peanuts

Jump down to the recipe card at the end of the post to see all the exact measurements.

Containers of ingredients for a savory snack mix. There is popcorn, cheese balls, pretzels, sesame sticks, peanuts and spices.

How to Make March Madness Snack Mix in Minutes

  • Preheat the oven to 325 and line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
  • Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and add cereal, sesame sticks, and pretzel sandwiches, toss well.
  • Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl, whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Pour over the snack mix and toss to coat.

A bowl of popcorn other ingredients for 5 minute savory snack mix. Melted butter and spices are being poured over the popcorn.

  • Spread the snacks onto the foil-lined pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove to cool.

A baking sheet filled with popcorn, chex, pretzels, and sesame sticks.

  • Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the cheese puff balls and nuts, stirring to combine.
  • Dig in and enjoy!

How to Store March Madness Snack Mix

This snack mix recipe can be stored for 4-6 weeks if it is kept in an airtight container.  The pretzels and cheese balls will get stale first, so we recommend keeping them separate and adding them right before serving.

Making March Madness Snack Mix Ahead of Time

It only takes a few minutes to throw this together, but this snack mix can be made ahead of time.  If it is stored in an airtight container, it can be made up to a week ahead of time. Again the pretzels and cheese balls can get a little tricky, so leave those out until right before serving.

A close up of March madness snack mix. There are cheese balls, pretzels, sesame sticks, chex and popcorn mixed together in butter and spices.

Is Popcorn a Good Source of Fiber?

Popcorn is a whole grain, and high in fiber.

Where Can I Find Cheese Filled Pretzels?

I’ve had the best luck finding these cheese-filled pretzels at Walmart. Look on the snack row of your grocery store. They sort of look like basketballs even! Love!

How Long Will Popcorn Stay Fresh?

Popcorn can be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid, at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.

Three bowls of March madness snack mix. It contains popcorn, peanuts, chex, pretzels and sesame sticks.

Is Corn Chex Gluten-Free?

Yes, Corn Chex are gluten-free. You can also substitute Crispix for the Corn Chex, but Crispix is not gluten free. It contains barley malt which is not gluten free.

Can You Substitute Regular Paprika For Smoked Paprika?

Yes, you can, but regular paprika doesn’t have a strong smoky flavor like smoked paprika.

A wooden spoon dipping a big scoop of March madness snack mix. There is popcorn, cheese balls, chex and pretzels in the mix.

Can Margarine Be Substituted For Butter?

Margarine can generally be used in place of butter unless the distinct flavor of butter is key to the recipe. Margarine works fine in this recipe if you’re ok with that buttery taste not being there.

Other Possible Add In or Substitutes

One of my favorite things about a snack mix is that they it is so versatile to make it exactly how your family or guests want it. Here are some possible ideas:

  • Cashews
  • Shelled Pistachios
  • Bugles
  • Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
  • Goldfish Crackers
  • Mini Ritz Crackers
  • Almonds (this Smokehouse flavor would be delish!)
  • Pik-Niks (or Potato Stix)

A bowl of March madness snack mix. It has popcorn, cheese balls, pretzels, peanuts, and sesame sticks.

I enjoy sports, but sitting to watch hours and hours of sports is not really my thing…unless…there is good food! And this March Madness snack mix is good food! Get your bracket ready and may the best team win!

A bowl of savory March madness snack mix. It has popcorn, peanuts, chex, pretzels, and sesame sticks. There are other bowls of mix in the background.

More Snack Mix Recipes You Will Love!

March Madness Snack Mix

3.50 from 4 votes
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Description

In just 15 minutes make a march madness snack mix full of savory snacks!

Ingredients 

  • 1 Bag Popcorn, popped
  • 2 Cups Corn Chex, or Crispix
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sesame Sticks
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheese Filled Pretzels
  • 1/2 Cup Butter
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 4 Cups Cheese Balls
  • 1 Cup Salted Peanuts

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
  • Place the popcorn in a large bowl and add cereal, sesame sticks, and pretzel sandwiches, toss well.
  • Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl, whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, seasonings and a pinch of salt. Pour over the snack mix and toss to coat.
  • Spread the snacks onto the foil lined pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove to cool.
  • Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the cheese puff balls and nuts, stirring to combine.

Notes

This snack can be stored for 4-6 weeks in a container with a tight fitting lid.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 446kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 18gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 6gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 471IUCalcium: 202mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100+ Crazy Delicious Easy Snack Recipes
Cuisine: American

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A bowl of March Madness snack mix. It contains popcorn, peanuts, cheese balls, pretzels, chex and sesame sticks.

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