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Spiced Snack Mix
Crispy, buttery, and completely customizable, this homemade snack mix turns random pantry staples into an irresistible treat. It's the smartest way to use up those last handfuls of pretzels, cereal, and nuts hiding in your cupboards. A quick toss in melted butter and savory seasonings brings everything together before a trip to the oven or air fryer. Keep a big batch on the counter for afternoon grazing or pack it up for your next road trip.
Equipment
- Oven
- Air Fryer
- Saucepan
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 cups (240 to 300g) crunchy mix-ins (see Super-Easy Flavor Combinations)
- ¾ cup (90g) raw nuts such as walnuts, pecans, cashews, and peanuts
- ¼ cup (½ stick/56g) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- 1If using an oven, preheat it to 275°F. If using an air fryer, lightly coat the basket with cooking spray.
- 2Combine the crunchy mix-ins and raw nuts in a large bowl.
- 3Melt the unsalted butter in a small pot over medium heat. Stir in the soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce and your chosen seasoning blend. If your seasoning contains sugar, keep stirring until it dissolves completely. Otherwise, just remove the pot from the heat.
- 4Pour the warm butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated, scraping the bottom of the bowl so the butter doesn't pool.
- 5For the oven method: Spread the coated mixture in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes, until the pieces appear dry and slightly darkened.
- 6For the air fryer method: Place the mixture into the prepared basket and cook at 250°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes until the mix is dry and toasted.
- 7Transfer the hot mix to a large baking sheet or wide bowl. Let it cool completely so it crisps up properly before eating.
Notes
- Storage: Keep the finished snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Mix-ins: Great crunchy base options include cereal squares, pretzel sticks, toasted oats, bagel chips, corn nuts, cheesy crackers, or plantain chips.
- Sweet variation: If you prefer a sweet mix, try using oatmeal squares cereal or mini vanilla wafers with a cinnamon-sugar butter coating.