Sweet And Salty Popcorn Snack Mix

Addictive and completely delicious, this sweet and salty popcorn snack mix is bold and just what you want for movie night. I think this is the best snack mix I have made to date.  I’m warning you, it’s impossible to stop eating.

The sweet and salty really comes through and the wasabi peas, which are normally too hot for me to eat, become these vehicles for delivering a sweet crunch in every bite.

This is your new game-night party mix, better than what you can buy in stores and keeps wonderfully for two weeks in an airtight container.

Make it today!

Sweet & Salty Popcorn Snack Mix

Cooking Spray
5 cups light buttered popcorn
5 cups assorted Japanese rice crackers (not fish flavor)
1-1/2 cups cocktail peanuts
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1-1/2 cups wasabi peas
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark or light corn syrup
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 225⁰ F.  Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.  Toss the popcorn, rice crackers, peanuts, seeds and peas in a large bowl.

Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook, stirring, until thick, about 1 more minute.  Remove from the heat.  Carefully stir in the vanilla and baking soda (the caramel will bubble).

Pour the hot caramel over the popcorn mixture and stir with a metal spoon. (Don’t worry if the caramel is too thick to coat the mix; it will melt in the oven.)  Spread on the prepared baking sheets; bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until evenly coated, 45 minutes.  Let cool completely.  Break into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Three Years Ago: Caesar Salad Club Sandwich

The post Sweet and Salty Popcorn Snack Mix appeared first on Noble Pig.

Savory Snack Mix Recipe

There is nothing better than starting off a party with a salty and crunchy snack mix, especially one with an Italian herb flavor. While I have enjoyed the regular Chex mix recipe for years, this party mix is a little more adult-like and perfect for cocktail hour or game day.

By making this savory snack yourself, you can choose what kinds of nuts you like as well as pretzels. The fresh herbs also flavor this nicely along with the Parmesan cheese.

Since this can be prepped ahead, you will have time to take care of other things for your gathering..

Related: Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix

Preheat oven to 250^o F. Mix cereal, pretzels and nuts for the party mix in a large bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add oil, vinegar, Worcestershire, Italian seasoning, pepper flakes, garlic salt, garlic powder and onion powder; stir to combine.

Off heat pour butter-spice mixture over party mix and keep tossing until it is fully coated.

Transfer party mix to a baking sheet. Bake mix 1-1-1/4 hours (I did mine for 1 hour only), stirring every 15 minutes.

Combine Parmesan, basil and rosemary in a bowl, sprinkle over party mix and toss together while mix is still warm. Cool mix on a baking sheet and store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Italian-Herb Party Mix

For the party mix-
2 cups each: Chex Corn, Chex Rice and Chex Wheat cereal squares
2 cups mini pretzels*
1 cup nuts**

For the Butter-Spice Mixture-
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon each: red pepper flakes, garlic salt, garlic powder and onion powder

For the Cheese-Herb Mixture-
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil***
1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Preheat oven to 250^o F. Mix cereal, pretzels and nuts for the party mix in a large bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add oil, vinegar, Worcestershire, Italian seasoning, pepper flakes, garlic salt, garlic powder and onion powder; stir to combine.

Off heat pour butter-spice mixture over party mix and keep tossing until it is fully coated.

Transfer party mix to a baking sheet. Bake mix 1-1-1/4 hours (I did mine for 1 hour only), stirring every 15 minutes.

Combine Parmesan, basil and rosemary in a bowl, sprinkle over party mix and toss together while mix is still warm. Cool mix on a baking sheet and store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

*For the pretzels you can use any shape, just make sure they are small.
**The recipe suggested using slivered almonds, I used cashews, but any nuts will do.
***I used freeze-dried basil (which is different than dried) which worked well.

The post Italian-Herb Party Mix appeared first on Noble Pig.