Cherry Hot-Honey Pretzel Mix (Printable)

Tart cherries, crunchy nuts, spicy honey glaze, and pretzels combine for a flavorful, irresistible snack.

# Components:

→ Snack Mix Components

01 - 3 cups mini pretzel twists
02 - 1 cup roasted salted almonds
03 - 1 cup roasted salted cashews
04 - 1 cup corn or rice cereal squares
05 - 1 cup dried tart cherries

→ Hot Honey Glaze

06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
07 - 1/4 cup honey
08 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the mini pretzel twists, roasted salted almonds, roasted salted cashews, cereal squares, and dried tart cherries.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the honey, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, optional cayenne pepper, and kosher salt. Continue heating until the mixture is smooth and just begins to bubble, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Pour the prepared hot honey glaze over the combined snack mix ingredients. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
05 - Spread the coated mixture in a single, even layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through the baking time, until it achieves a golden hue and develops a fragrant aroma.
07 - Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the snack mix to cool completely on the sheet. The glaze will harden and crisp as it cools.
08 - Once fully cooled, gently break apart any large clusters. Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • Perfect balance of sweet spicy and salty
  • Makes your house smell amazing while baking
  • Great for gifting in decorative jars
02 -
  • Doubles or triples beautifully for larger gatherings
  • Can be made up to 5 days ahead for party prep
  • Makes an excellent homemade gift in decorative jars
  • Provides the perfect balance of protein carbs and healthy fats
  • Each handful delivers a different flavor experience
03 -
  • Always use parchment paper not foil for this recipe as the sticky glaze can be nearly impossible to remove from foil. If you find yourself without parchment a silicone baking mat works wonderfully as an alternative.
  • The investment in good quality dried cherries makes a noticeable difference in the final product look for plump varieties without added sugar.
  • When making the glaze avoid the temptation to increase heat to speed the process as this can lead to bitter burnt notes in the final product.

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