Thursday, September 1, 2011

Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix


At least once a month, Adam and I pack up the car and head out to New Jersey to visit two of the cutest boys around. Oh, and my sister and brother-in-law.

I hate to admit it, but the two of us are major car trip munchers. We usually stop halfway between Pittsburgh and Philly to switch drivers and stretch our legs. Which usually involves wandering into the little service station stops and perusing the candy and chip aisles. (And a total side note: PA probably has the worst turnpike service stop food selections.) But these little food wanderings can end up being quite expensive if we're not careful.

Lately, I've been trying to come up with car-friendly snacks that we can bring with us to enjoy, rather than spending the $10 every time we stop. While the overall cost of this nut and seed mixture might go past $10, it makes a ton -- far more than we would ever eat in one go. Not to mention this might be slightly healthier than some fake-powdered-cheese chips or popcorn.

Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix


Adapted from: Cooking Light, August 2010

1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 egg white
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup unsalted cashews
1 cup unsalted pumpkinseed kernels

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together the first 6 ingredients (through chili powder).

In a large bowl, whisk the egg white until foamy. Stir in the almonds, cashews, and pumpkinseeds until all the nuts and seeds are lightly coated. Sprinkle with seasoning mixture, tossing well to coat. Divide the nut and seed mixture between the two prepared pans. Spread mixture out into even layer.

Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Turn oven off. Remove pan from oven, stir, then place back in the oven (still turned off) for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer pans to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.


Makes: 3 1/2 cups (serving size: 3 tablespoons)


I, of course, failed to pick up the unsalted versions of the cashews and pumpkin seeds. And then I failed to adjust the salt addition when making this. Oh.my.saltiness. Actually, it was mostly just the pumpkin seeds. The flavor of the seasoning is pretty good, and we both would have enjoyed this mix if it hadn't been for my slip on the salt. Whoopsies.


Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 27g
Amount per serving
Calories 137Calories from fat 91
% Daily Value
Total Fat 10.2g16%
Saturated Fat 0.9g5%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 80mg3%
Total Carbs 7.8g3%
Fiber 1.2g5%
Sugars 3.5g
Protein 4.9g
Vitamin A 0%Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 2%Iron 4%

16 comments:

  1. We are serious car trip snackers too, and I have found I am much better off if I prepare and bring my own. Love this one!

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  2. Love this!! Whenever I go on trips I ALWAYS bring my own snacks because I am a serious snacker during very long trips. I drive to KS to visit family every year that is always good for snacks. Gotta try this one next time!

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  3. This would be great for on the go snacks or just at home, thanks for the share it sounds delicious!

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  4. I really love this. I think I am going to make some to take for work. Do you think it would taste good with splenda?

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  5. Yum! I really like the idea of this and it looks like a perfect snack option. Can't wait to try it out.

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  6. @Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. Since it's not really a baked good that depends on sugar for structure and whatnot, I think splenda would work fine for these.

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  7. These look so good. Wish I had seen them earlier. We're going on a short road trip tomorrow. I can't snack much though. Ibs and snacking on the road do not get along. Lol! Mini-me would love these though. Going to bookmark them and make them another time.

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  8. I love any kind of snack mix with cashews - the spice mix in this sounds fantastic!

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  9. Oh, how spicy and wonderful! This would be great to have on hand for hostess gifts...if I didn't eat it all first :)

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  10. What a great snack mix! Hubby would love to snack on this for a road trip! We love road trips, and always need snacks for the drive!

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  11. Love the chipotle with the sweet! I definitely need to start making more snack mixes like this, just to have around. Great idea!

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  12. I agree 100% about the PA turnpike stations - they blow! We had some car munchies today and I got in trouble for telling Handsome we did not need an entire box of donuts for the last 20 minute stretch! This snack mix would have been perfect. :D

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  13. I'm the same way on trips, but with three kid those snack stops add up fast. And PA is the worst - and the stretch of road between Harrisburg and Philly used to give me nightmares driving back and forth to college!

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  14. I love spiced nuts and can't wait to try this mix. I can't even wait for a road trip! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

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  15. I'm a serious car trip snacker myself and while I mostly buy snacks in advance and maybe even manage to make sandwiches, there is probably always some money spending and weight gaining involved. ;(

    I have never prepared a snack mix but this really sounds good and never imagined there is egg white involved!

    Cheers,
    Tobias

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  16. Great recipe! I HAVE to have salt when I travel to keep my stomach feeling alright!

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