Try These Salty-Sweet Mixes For The Perfect Snack
Gone are the days that a dusty trail mix was your best option when it came to a salty-sweet snack. (And let’s be honest, did anyone ever really enjoy that combo of stale M&Ms and tiny raisins anyway?) When it comes to mixing sweet elements with something more savory, there is no reason that you have to stick to basic building blocks like plain peanuts or banana chips. Seek out more unusual types of dried fruit, or raid your local grocery store for snacks from another country.
We enlisted the help of cookbook author Ali Rosen to create unique, three-ingredient snack mixes that require no recipe and pack a ton of flavor—great for everything from going on a hike and needing to stash something quick in your bag, to helping you stay fueled when you totally forget breakfast. And let these be your launching pad: don’t have lemon zest? Try orange! Not a fan of cashews? Substitute walnuts instead. Read on for six snack recipes that are the perfect mix of salty and sweet. And if you’re a planner, all of these can be made in bulk and then stored in airtight containers for one month for when the craving hits.
For Kids
“This is the perfect mix to give kids their own salty and sweet combination but with only no-sugar added, healthy ingredients,” Rosen says. “Raisins are a mainstay for children, but pistachios and coconut flakes make it feel like a special treat.” Simply mix equal parts of all three.
For Breakfast Skippers
“My mom is always eating just almonds for breakfast but we can do better than that! The sweetness of dried cranberries along with the zing of lemon zest makes this three-ingredient mix feel more like a meal instead of a snack,” says Rosen.
For Travelers
“When you're on the move, you need something that feels exciting, but still homey,” Rosen says. “You can even make dried apple slices in the microwave on a piece of parchment paper if you want!” Pair them with pecans and chocolate-covered pretzels for the ultimate on-the-go trio.
Tip: Thinly slice one apple (use a mandoline if you have one), and microwave for three minutes, flipping the apples once halfway through the cooking time. Let cool for about 10 minutes, and then store in an airtight container for up to a week.
For Low-Carb Or Low-Sugar Dieters
“I love the concentrated flavor of dried blueberries because they give a sweetness without added sugar,” Rosen says. “And combined with the seaweed chips and cashews, you get a filling snack full of umami.”
For Nut-Free Snackers
“If you can't have nuts, you can still get tons of texture from pretzels and pepitas (which look like nuts but are actually seeds!). The tart goji berries balance the flavor,” says Rosen.
For Vegans
“What makes salty and sweet even better? Spicy!” Rosen says. Wasabi peas and popcorn, mixed with maple “is one of those snacks you can just keep eating and eating. The crumbled maple candy gives the most natural sweetness without the stickiness of regular syrup.”
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