The holidays truly never end. And if it’s not a holiday, it’s a football game, a birthday, or a work party. It’s smart to know how to throw together easy recipes for last minute parties that you can customize for any situation. Snack mixes are the best for those last minute parties. You can customize snack mix by adding different colored candies for themes. I love that you can use a “base” mix recipe and change it up to get a couple flavors out of one recipe. Today I made a buttery ranch flavor and a cinnamon honey mix using the same base recipe.
These mixes are perfect for the Super Bowl party, for your office, or Valentines day!
Honey Cinnamon Mix Ingredients:
2 Cups Mixed Nuts
2 Cups Pretzels
2 Cups Chex Cereal
2 Cups Wheat Chex Cereal
2 Cups Dried Cranberries
1 1/2 Cup Pepitas
4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil, Melted
2 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Cup Honey
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Cup Chopped Dark Chocolate
*You can also add M&M’s, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, marshmallows or popcorn.
Buttery Ranch Snack Mix Ingredients:
2 Cups Mixed Nuts
2 Cups Pretzels
2 Cups Chex Cereal
2 Cups Wheat Chex Cereal
1 1/2 Cup Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, Melted
1 Packet Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix
1/2 Cup Italian Breadcrumbs
*You can also add Doritos, popcorn, or cheese crackers.
Add mixed nuts to the mixing bowl. It’s so much cheaper to buy a party mix instead the nuts separately.
I used the gluten free pretzels because I prefer them over regular pretzels. I find them crunchier and less dry! I’m always searching for the water bottles when I eat regular pretzels. If you do not use the wheat Chex, it’ll make the honey cinnamon recipe gluten free.
Add cereal to the bowl! If you want to make the honey cinnamon extra cinnamon-y, use Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal!
I made the honey cinnamon snack mix first!
Add dried cranberries to the mixing bowl.
Add pepitas.
Melt coconut oil.
Mix honey into the melted coconut oil.
Mix in cinnamon in as well.
Poor the honey coconut oil mixture over the snack mix and combine well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread the mix onto a baking sheet.
Drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle the sea salt over the mix.
Bake for 18-22 minutes.
Spread mix onto parchment paper and allow it to cool for about an hour.
Chop up dark chocolate pieces.
Mix the dark chocolate into the cooled snack mix. Do not do this when the mix is warm otherwise the chocolate will melt.
This would make a perfect movie theater snack.
I packed the sweet mix into some mason jars for the counter.
Seasoning the ranch flavored ones!
Pour melted butter over the pepitas, pretzels, Chex, and mixed nuts.
Add ranch packet, bread crumbs and mix.
Spread the mix out onto a baking sheet.
Bake 18-22 minutes.
Pour the mix over a sheet of parchment paper and allow it to cool.
This is a perfect snack food and super inexpensive!
What is your favorite “BASE” recipe?
Try my Sweet Potato “base” recipe! (Salt N Vinegar & Honey Cinnamon)
Kristin C says
These sound really good! Like, now I’m really hungry 😉
PS- I had no idea pumpkin seeds had another name!
Taralynn McNitt says
Just a spanish name for them!:)
Andrea @ Chasing Strength says
Yum, I think I may have to make some of the cinnamon honey mix. Having a little handful would be a great way to combat a sweets craving!
Taralynn McNitt says
Definitely! Especially with the dark chocolate pieces 🙂
Whitney says
You mention adding salt to your honey cinnamon batch but it’s not in the ingredient list. Then there is salt listed in the ranch batch ingredients but you don’t mention adding it at any point in the method…
Would be handy if you could do like your previous posts and put the ingredients & method without the pictures, so much scrolling! :p
Taralynn McNitt says
Just added some recipes cards at the end to make it easier 😉
Dorka says
Oh my, these look super delicious! I usually just mix nuts and dried fruits, but the additional pretzels and cereal is such a good idea to spice it up a little bit! I’ll definitely make a batch, thanks for the recipe Taralynn 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
You’re welcome:)
Courtney says
All I could think about when you were talking about pretzels was the ultimate classic line ” These pretzels are making me thirsty!”
Taralynn McNitt says
Hahahahha I never even though of that! Love Seinfeld!
shanna says
putting this on the list of superbowl ideas!
Taralynn McNitt says
Perfect for Super Bowl!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life says
These look so so amazing! My boyfriend’s mom makes the best homemade chex mix but, unfortunately, she lives in New York and we’re in Florida so we don’t get it very often. This reminds me of hers (but it might be even better!). Can’t wait to try the Honey Cinnamon mix! 😀
Taralynn McNitt says
The best thing about Chex is it sends well in the mail…just let your boyfriend’s mom know that 😉 hahaha It’ll be a hint to her that you want some!
I hope you enjoy the chex!!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life says
#genius
Brooklyn says
Yum these look so good! I’ll have to make some soon
http://Www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
I hope you enjoy! xo
Laura says
I’ve never actually made trail mix, not sure why! Great looking recipe though.
What have you gone back to study, and how is it going? Would love to hear more about your programme!
Taralynn McNitt says
I don’t make it often enough. It’s so easy! Classes started back up two days ago and I do them all from home until the fall!
Neelam says
I always have nuts or trail mix with me, so great to munch on in a pinch and these recipes look amazing. I can’t wait to try them this weekend! Thanks for sharing.
xx
Neelam
http://patternsandprosecco.com/
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Neelam! Trail mix is a great snack to keep with you!
Hope you enjoy! xo
Taralynn
Haley says
Both of these snack mixes sound delicious, although I tend to crave sweet foods more so I would probably reach for the cinnamon honey first! I love having a quick snack like this in my office for when I get munchy between meals!
Taralynn McNitt says
I like the sweet ones as well 🙂 The ranch one is good over salads for lunch
Lisa says
These look great for road trips.
Taralynn McNitt says
They most certainly are!
Jaime says
I made the buttery ranch mix over the weekend while snowed in. I left out the pumpkin seeds and added cheerios, Cheez its and a light white cheddar popcorn. It was ADDICTING and I’m planning on using what’s left in salads for lunch this week 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Taralynn McNitt says
Yummy! I love the addition of the white cheddar popcorn! yum 🙂
Linda says
Made this for the superbowl and it was a hit!
Taralynn McNitt says
Awesome! 🙂
Anonymous says
perfect party snack