A little over a week ago, I mentioned that I'd be sharing a few healthy snack recipe ideas in honor of February being National Snacking month, as well as Almond Month and American Heart Month. Today I'm back with recipe number two, a sweet and spicy snack mix that is actually pretty darn good for you (you know, as long as you employ self control).
The sweetness in this snack mix comes solely from maple syrup. I combine it with toasted seeds and spices before allowing it to bubble on the heat for a very short time, just until it starts to turn thick, before drizzling it over roasted almonds and air-popped popcorn. The warming spices and a little pinch of cayenne and black pepper add just a hint of heat in the maple coating.
The result is a glorious snack that you'd probably never guess was actually healthy if you didn't already know. As a bonus, my kids loved it as much as I did!
Do you have a favorite way to snack on heart-healthy almonds? You can learn more about Almond Month, plus get more recipes and nutrition tips at www.almonds.com/celebratealmonds.
yield: approximately 9 cups, serving 4-6
Spiced Almond Popcorn Snack Mix
prep time: 10 MINScook time: 12 MINStotal time: 22 mins
Roasted almonds, popcorn, and mixed seeds tossed in sweet and spicy sticky maple syrup.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup whole natural almonds
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon golden flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- pinch of ground cayenne (optional)
- sea salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pop the popcorn in an air popper or in a pan on the stove. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl.
- Roast the almonds at 350° F for 10-12 minutes, stirring them around a couple of times midway through, until golden and fragrant. Remove from oven and immediately add to the bowl with the popcorn.
- Set a small saucepan over medium heat and add the coconut oil. When the oil has just gotten hot, add the seeds and cook for about 1 minute, until toasted, stirring often; you'll know it's time when the flax seeds start to pop. Add the maple syrup, spices, and a couple of big pinches of salt and pepper. Let it bubble up and cook for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it just starts to thicken.
- Immediately remove from heat and carefully pour over the almonds and popcorn in the bowl. Cover with a large lid or another bowl, hold them together, and shake vigorously to combine.
- Let cool slightly, so that you don't burn your fingers, and then snack away! Store any extra snack mix in zippered baggies once completely cool.
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