Spicy Snack Mix (Printable)
Crunchy blend of nuts and pretzels with bold, spicy seasoning for parties.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups mini pretzels
02 - 1 cup roasted peanuts
03 - 1 cup roasted cashews
04 - 2 cups rice cereal squares
05 - 1 cup corn cereal squares
06 - 1 cup cheese crackers
→ Spiced Glaze
07 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the mini pretzels, roasted peanuts, cashews, rice cereal squares, corn cereal squares, and cheese crackers.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
04 - Pour the spiced glaze over the dry ingredients. Toss gently to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
05 - Spread the coated mixture in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
06 - Bake for 45 minutes, stirring the mixture every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting.
07 - Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing in an airtight container.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It's made in one baking sheet with zero fussy steps, ready to go in under an hour.
- The spice builds warmth without overwhelming, so even people who claim they don't like heat end up asking for seconds.
- You can prep the dry mix hours ahead and just coat and bake when guests arrive.
02 -
- Don't skip those 15-minute stirs; the edges brown fast at 275°F, and stirring is what saves them from tasting bitter.
- The seasoning mixture needs to fully coat everything before baking, or you'll end up with bland pieces mixed in with well-seasoned ones.
03 -
- Stir every 15 minutes without fail; this is the difference between crispy and burnt seasoning.
- Cool the snack mix completely before storing, or steam will trap in the container and turn it soft.