This Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix is an addictive and crunchy recipe, which is made with pure maple syrup and roasted peanuts. It’s the perfect party snack, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix Ingredients
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt
- 3 cups rice or corn cereal, such as Crispix or Chex
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups cheddar crackers or Goldfish, or a combination
- 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
- 1 cup pepitas
How To Make Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix
- Make the maple glaze: Preheat your oven to 275°F. In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, butter, vinegar, thyme, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, until the butter has melted and everything is combined. Remove from the heat.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the cereal, pretzels, cheddar crackers, peanuts, and pepitas.
- Coat the mix: Drizzle the warm maple mixture over the cereal mixture, stirring gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Bake until crisp: Spread the coated mixture in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 1 hour, stirring a few times, until the snack mix is crisp and golden. Let it cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent it from getting soggy? The key is to let the snack mix cool completely on the baking sheet after it comes out of the oven. As it cools, the maple glaze will harden and become wonderfully crisp.
- Can I use different cereals or nuts? Yes, this recipe is incredibly customizable. Feel free to swap in other nuts like almonds or pecans, or use different types of bite-sized crackers or cereals.
- How to control the spice level? The heat comes from the cayenne pepper. You can reduce the amount for a milder mix or increase it if you like things extra spicy.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. This is a perfect make-ahead party snack. Once cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
What To Serve With Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix
This snack mix is a perfect standalone treat for parties, game days, or movie nights. It pairs wonderfully with:
- Cold beer or a crisp cider
- A simple cheese and fruit platter
- Your favorite cocktails
How To Store Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix
- Room Temperature: Store the completely cooled snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crispy for up to one week.
Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 8g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This usually means it wasn’t baked long enough or didn’t cool completely. The low and slow baking time is essential for drying out the glaze and making it crisp. Don’t rush the cooling process!
Yes, easily. Simply use a gluten-free rice or corn cereal (like Chex), gluten-free pretzels, and gluten-free cheddar crackers.
Fresh rosemary would be a delicious substitute for thyme, adding a more piney, robust flavor to the mix.
Try More Recipes:
- I Tried Martha Stewart’s Sweet Potato Casserole — It Brought Up More Than I Expected
- I Tried Martha Stewart’s Key Lime Pie—It Was Too Sweet, and I Needed That
- Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Caramel Cereal Bars Recipe
Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix Recipe
Description
An irresistible, crunchy party mix with the perfect balance of spicy cayenne and sweet maple, tossed with cereal, pretzels, and nuts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F.
- In a saucepan, bring maple syrup, butter, vinegar, thyme, cayenne, and salt to a boil.
- In a large bowl, combine cereal, pretzels, crackers, peanuts, and pepitas.
- Pour the warm maple mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden.
- Let cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking apart and serving.
Notes
- Stirring the mix a few times during baking ensures it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn in spots.
- Letting the snack mix cool completely is a crucial step; this is when it gets its final crispy texture.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to whatever cereals, crackers, or nuts you have in your pantry.
- For a less spicy version, reduce the cayenne pepper to ¼ teaspoon.