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Up Up Away Balloon Snacks

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

Create colorful balloon snacks by threading cherry tomatoes, grapes, cheddar, and mozzarella on pretzels. Secure them on mini crackers with hummus or cream cheese. Garnish with fresh herbs for freshness and serve immediately or chilled. These easy, no-cook snacks brighten any party or picnic, offering a fun way to enjoy fresh produce and cheese in playful, bite-sized portions.

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Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:39:00 GMT
Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks: Colorful cherry tomatoes and grapes burst from pretzel "baskets." Pin
Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks: Colorful cherry tomatoes and grapes burst from pretzel "baskets." | cinnamonnest.com

Whimsical, kid-friendly snacks inspired by colorful hot air balloons—perfect for parties, picnics, or fun playdates.

These fun snacks always bring smiles at our family gatherings and make eating fruits and cheese exciting for the kids.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Produce: 1 pint cherry tomatoes (assorted colors), 1 cup seedless grapes (red green or mixed), 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese, 1 cup mini mozzarella balls
  • Deli & Bakery: 8 pretzel sticks, 8 mini round crackers
  • Pantry & Miscellaneous: 2 tablespoons hummus or cream cheese (for glue), Fresh parsley or basil leaves (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1:
Wash and dry all produce.
Step 2:
Thread cherry tomatoes grapes cheddar cubes and mozzarella balls onto each pretzel stick alternating colors and shapes to mimic a vibrant hot air balloon.
Step 3:
Spread a small dollop of hummus or cream cheese onto each mini cracker.
Step 4:
Gently press the bottom of each pretzel stick (with toppings) into the center of a cracker securing it with the glue.
Step 5:
Arrange parsley or basil leaves around the base for a leafy effect if desired.
Step 6:
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
Vibrant Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks, featuring cheesy, fruity bites, look perfect for a playful snack. Pin
Vibrant Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks, featuring cheesy, fruity bites, look perfect for a playful snack. | cinnamonnest.com

Our kids love gathering around to build these snacks together creating fun memories each time.

Required Tools

Small knife, Toothpicks or skewers (optional for extra stability), Serving platter

Allergen Information

Contains dairy and wheat (cheese crackers), Contains gluten (pretzel sticks crackers), Check labels for potential nut traces in crackers and cheese if allergies are a concern.

Nutritional Information

Calories 95, Total Fat 4 g, Carbohydrates 11 g, Protein 4 g per snack

Assembled Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks showcase mini mozzarella and cheddar atop crackers, ready to eat! Pin
Assembled Up, Up, & Away Hot Air Balloon Snacks showcase mini mozzarella and cheddar atop crackers, ready to eat! | cinnamonnest.com

These bright and tasty snacks add joy to any occasion making snack time a highlight in the day.

Recipe FAQ

→ How do I assemble the balloon snacks?

Thread cherry tomatoes, grapes, cheddar cubes, and mozzarella balls onto pretzel sticks, then attach them to crackers using a small amount of hummus or cream cheese as glue.

→ Can I prepare these snacks ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the snacks and refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before serving to keep them fresh.

→ What substitutes can I use for cheese?

For a sweeter twist, replace cheese with marshmallows or use fruit-only combinations for a refreshing snack.

→ Are there options for adding extra crunch?

Yes, add mini cucumber slices or diced bell pepper squares to increase crunch and color variety.

→ What dips pair well with these snacks?

These balloon snacks go well with ranch or yogurt-based dips to complement the fresh ingredients.

Up Up Away Balloon Snacks

Vibrant balloon snacks with cherry tomatoes, grapes, cheese, and pretzels for fun gatherings.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Total duration
20 min

Category Seasonal Treats

Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 8 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Ingredients

Fresh Produce

01 1 pint assorted cherry tomatoes
02 1 cup seedless grapes
03 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
04 1 cup mini mozzarella balls

Deli & Bakery

01 8 pretzel sticks
02 8 mini round crackers

Pantry & Miscellaneous

01 2 tablespoons hummus or cream cheese
02 Fresh parsley or basil leaves (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare produce: Wash and thoroughly dry all cherry tomatoes and grapes.

Step 02

Assemble toppings: Thread cherry tomatoes, grapes, cheddar cubes, and mozzarella balls alternately onto each pretzel stick to create a colorful pattern.

Step 03

Prepare base crackers: Spread a small amount of hummus or cream cheese onto each mini round cracker.

Step 04

Combine components: Press the bottom end of each pretzel stick with toppings into the center of a cracker to secure them together.

Step 05

Garnish and serve: Optionally, arrange parsley or basil leaves around the base for visual appeal before serving immediately or refrigerating up to 2 hours.

Necessary tools

  • Small knife
  • Toothpicks or skewers (optional for stability)
  • Serving platter

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy and wheat from cheese and crackers.
  • Contains gluten from pretzel sticks and crackers.
  • Potential nut traces possible; check ingredient labels if concerned.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 95
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Carbs: 11 g
  • Protein: 4 g