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Crunchy Cheese and Pretzel Snack Mix

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A quick and easy homemade snack mix combining crunchy pretzels with sharp cheddar cheese powder and a subtle smoky seasoning, perfect for lunchboxes or anytime snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups (about 150 g) mini pretzels or pretzel sticks
  • 1/3 cup (40 g) sharp cheddar cheese powder
  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: 1 cup roasted nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans) or cereal pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan until warm and fully liquid, about 30 seconds in the microwave.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cheddar cheese powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and salt.
  4. Add the mini pretzels to the seasoning mixture.
  5. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the pretzels and toss gently with a spatula to coat thoroughly.
  6. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the butter-coated pretzels and toss carefully to ensure even coating.
  7. Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes at 250°F (120°C), stirring once halfway through to prevent sticking.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet to crisp up.
  10. Once cooled, break apart any clumps and store in an airtight container or portion into lunchbox bags.

Notes

Use low-sodium pretzels or reduce added salt to lower sodium content. Toss gently to avoid breaking pretzels. Stir halfway through baking to ensure even crisping. Store in airtight container to maintain crunch. For dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use vegan cheese powder. Gluten-free pretzels or chickpea puffs can be used for gluten-free adaptation.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheese snack mix, pretzel snack, crunchy snack, lunchbox treat, easy snack recipe, cheddar cheese powder, homemade snack mix

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/crunchy-cheese-and-pretzel-snack-mix-easy-homemade-lunchbox-treats/