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Sweet and salty snack mix in a bowl with pretzels, chocolate, and nuts

Sweet and Salty Snack Mix: 7 Delicious Combinations You’ll Love

This homemade sweet and salty snack mix combines the perfect balance of crunchy, savory, and sweet elements, making it the ideal snack for parties, movie nights, or afternoon cravings. The mix offers an irresistible flavor combination thanks to the careful selection of ingredients and the science behind sweet and salty pairings. It’s customizable, easy to prepare, and a fresh alternative to store-bought mixes.

 

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 10-12 servings (depending on portion size) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Core Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Bagged Snacks (e.g., Bugles, Popchips)
  • 2 cups Cheesy Snacks (e.g., Cheez-Its, Goldfish)
  • 2 cups Cereal (e.g., Chex, Cheerios)
  • 2 cups Pretzels (e.g., mini twists, sticks)
  • 1 cup Salted Nuts (e.g., peanuts, cashews)
  • 1 cup Chocolate Pieces (e.g., M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces)

Optional Add-ins:

  • Cereal Options: Rice, Corn, or Wheat Chex
  • Nut Variations: Honey-roasted peanuts, almonds, or mixed nuts
  • Cracker Additions: Bagel chips or rye chips
  • Sweet Options: Chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, candied nuts, mini marshmallows

Additional Ingredients:

  • Unsalted Butter (for the coating)
  • Seasoning Blend (customizable based on your preferences)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (121°C) to ensure slow, even cooking.
  2. Prepare Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (bagged snacks, cheesy snacks, cereal, pretzels, nuts, and chocolate).
  3. Melt the Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, mix in your seasoning blend.
  4. Coat the Mix:
    • Pour half of the butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well to coat.
    • Add the remaining butter mixture and continue mixing until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Spread on Baking Sheets: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and evenly spread the snack mix.
  6. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  7. Check for Doneness: The snack mix is done when it looks dry (not greasy), the cereal pieces are golden-brown, and everything feels crispy to the touch.
  8. Cool Completely: Allow the mix to cool completely on the baking sheets. This helps prevent soggy spots and ensures a crunchy texture.
  9. Store and Serve: Once cooled, transfer the snack mix to airtight containers to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Flavor Layering: Salt enhances sweetness and blocks bitterness, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
  • Coating Technique: Gradual application of the butter mixture ensures even coating and prevents clumping.
  • Storage: For best freshness, store in airtight containers. Glass containers keep it fresh for 4-6 weeks, while plastic containers are ideal for 1-2 weeks. If freezing, store in freezer-friendly bags for up to 4-6 months.
  • Author: Eva Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes (for measuring and mixing ingredients)
  • Cook Time: 1 hour (baking with stirring every 15 minutes)
  • Category: Snack, Party Treat
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://www.savorydelightrecipes.com/how-to-make-sweet-and-salty-snack-mix/