Spicy Jalapeño Holiday Snack Mix (Printable Version)

Bold mix of jalapeño, crunchy nuts, and savory spices, perfect for festive gatherings and holiday snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 3 cups mini pretzels
02 - 2 cups crispy corn cereal squares
03 - 1 cup bite-sized cheese crackers
04 - 1 cup roasted peanuts
05 - 1 cup roasted cashews

→ Spice & Jalapeño Mixture

06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 fresh jalapeño, finely minced, seeds removed
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
15 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
16 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 250°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, blend pretzels, corn cereal squares, cheese crackers, roasted peanuts, and cashews until evenly distributed.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, melt unsalted butter. Stir in olive oil, minced jalapeño, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper if desired, kosher salt, and brown sugar. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until aromatic.
04 - Pour the warm spice blend over the base mix. Toss thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
05 - Spread mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
06 - Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to promote uniform toasting.
07 - Remove from oven and allow snack mix to cool completely before serving or transferring to an airtight container for storage.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Brings bold jalapeño flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy for most palates
  • Simple to make with common pantry snacks and a few fresh ingredients
  • Super customizable so you can swap nuts or add extra crunchtime favorites
  • Keeps well for days and travels perfectly for gifting in jars or bags
02 -
  • High in plant based protein and fiber from nuts and cereal
  • Freezes well can make ahead for party prep or gifting
  • Easily made vegan by swapping butter for plant based alternative
  • Roasting the jalapeño with spices has become my must do step because it deepens the flavor so much one holiday my cousin said it was the best snack mix they ever tried
03 -
  • Always use a sharp fresh jalapeño for vibrant heat and color
  • Taste the spice mixture before tossing to ensure the blend is just right for your crowd
  • Spreading in a single layer on the baking sheet is crucial for crunchiness
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