The best pool party snack mix? Here it is!
I’m popping in quickly over this long holiday weekend to share one of my favorite — and embarrassingly easy — summer snack mixes.
For most of my life (until the last few years) we spent every June at the Jersey Shore. We’d be at the beach all day, sunburned and sandy, and then head to the condo pool for the early evening. By the time we reached the pool we were ravenous, and my uncle would gather up every snack he could find and dump it into one giant bowl.
No idea why it tasted so good, but it absolutely did.
It wasn’t fancy — just popcorn, pretzels, chips: salty, crunchy, and perfect after a hot day outdoors. The one rule: no chocolate. Nothing that will melt and make a mess in the heat.
We even keep a guilty-pleasure tub of a store-bought snack mix on hand for the pool, but this is what I actually love to throw together when I’ve got a handful of different snacks around.
This blend is the right balance of sweet, savory, crunchy — and just a touch spicy. It’s easy to make, travels well in a large bowl or bag, and disappears fast at any pool or beach day.
My favorite ingredient? Dried green beans. They’re salty, slightly sweet, and incredibly crunchy.
Typical components I use:
- Buttered or kettle popcorn — for big, airy crunch
- Pretzel sandwiches — cheese-filled or peanut butter-filled
- Cheese crackers like Cheez-Its
- Wasabi peas — for bite and heat (usually not overpowering)
- Honey roasted cashews — sweet, salty, and rich
- Dried green beans — unexpectedly addictive
Mix them together and you’ve got a snack that delivers a little bit of everything — salty, sweet, crunchy, and fun. Do yourself a favor and toss a bag together before your next pool day.
Happy 4th of July — and yes, bring snacks to the pool or beach.
Summer Pool Snack Mix
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review »
Ingredients
- 4 cups popcorn buttered or kettle, depending on your preference
- 1 1/2 cups pretzel sandwiches cheese or peanut butter filled
- 1 /2 cups cheese crackers
- 1 cup dried green beans
- 1 cup honey roasted cashews
- 1 cup wasabi peas
Instructions
-
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or a zip-top bag, toss to mix, and take it to the pool. That’s it — enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on Instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to the Facebook page.
Thanks so much — I appreciate you!
P.S. This combo is amazing with ice-cold beer.