Let’s be honest, the reason I made this recipe is because I had all of the ingredients (except the Rice Chex) in the pantry. So you might, too!

This sweet n’ spicy snack mix is a perf semi-healthy snack to munch on. And since it’s homemade, it could pass as a fancy nut mix to set out before a dinner party, but is also chill enough to eat with the bf while watching a hockey game.

I’m lovin’ the the flavorful crunch and  the fact that it’s a little healthier than store-bought chex mix.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 3 cups tiny unsalted pretzels
• 1 cup Rice Chex
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine pecans and cashews on a jelly-roll pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in baked nuts with the butter in a medium bowl. Add syrup, pretzels, and cereal and stir.

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, 1 teaspoon thyme, cinnamon, red pepper, and salt.

Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over nuts/pretzels. Toss gently to coat well.

Spread in a single layer on jelly-roll pan.

Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme. Cool completely before serving.

Thanks as always to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons for hosting What I ate Wednesday!