Get ready to meet your new obsession. Maple Chipotle Snack Mix is the sweet, smoky, spicy, salty snack you’ve been waiting for, and it could not be easier to prepare!

I developed this recipe as an homage to the Maple Chipotle Roasted Nuts we sell at Hurley House. The nut mix is delicious, but I love adding pretzels for some snappy crunch. The addition of pretzels also increases the yield of this snack while keeping the cost low. Nuts are pricy, and because they are dense, they don’t stretch or take up much space in a bowl. Pretzels, however, are inexpensive and will yield a large volume of snack mix from a single batch.

You can make Maple Chipotle Snack Mix using any combination of nuts. I am suggesting pecans and walnuts, but you can truly do anything your heart wants. You can also play with the quantity and ratio of nuts to pretzels.

One important ingredient note…
Do not substitute regular chili powder for chipotle chili powder. They are not the same thing. Chipotle Chili Powder is made from smoked jalapeños and has a distinct flavor. It also is spicer than traditional chili powder.

One ingredient tip…
If you don’t keep orange juice in your fridge, 2 tablespoons is not enough to warrant buying a jug. However, I have found that Cutie oranges yield the perfect amount of fresh orange juice for this recipe. Simple slice it in half and squeeze it as you would a lemon or lime. I am more inclined to have a Cutie in my fridge than actual orange juice, and maybe you are too!

Maple Chipotle Snack Mix is delicious on its own, but makes for a powerhouse party food trio when served with Warm Baked Brie with Blackberry Compote and Prosciutto Wrapped Dates. It also makes for a fantastic homemade gift. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups mixed raw, unsalted nuts (I like pecans and walnuts, but you can use any nut you enjoy)
2 cups small pretzel twists
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar, lightly packed
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spread the nuts and pretzels on a clean, unlined sheet tray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, maple syrup, orange juice, and salt. Stir until smooth.
Pour the spice mixture over the nuts and pretzels. Toss to combine until everything is evenly coated. Spread into an even layer on the sheet tray.
Bake for 12 minutes, stirring once mid-way through cooking to make sure the sauce doesn't burn on the edges. You will know the mixture is done cooking when the sauce thickens a bit and sticks to the nuts and pretzels. Everything will be a nice toasty brown, but nothing should be burned. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
Remove the tray from the oven and immediately give it a stir. Continue stirring every few minutes as the mixture cools to keep it from sticking. Once it has cooled completely, store in an air-tight container. It will stay fresh for several weeks.

Maple Chipotle Snack Mix