Description
This Halloween Trail Mix is a delightful and spooky snack that combines roasted pumpkin seeds, nuts, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, pretzels, and popcorn. Perfect for autumn gatherings or trick-or-treaters, it features warm pumpkin pie spices and optional Halloween-themed candies for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Seeds and Nuts
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds, hulled
- 1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds, shelled)
- 1 cup cashews, roasted and unsalted
- 1 cup almonds, slivered
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: Orange food coloring gel (for a vibrant orange hue)
Mix-Ins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup mini pretzels
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (air-popped)
- Optional: Candy corn, gummy worms, or other Halloween-themed candies for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for roasting the seeds and nuts evenly.
- Prepare Seeds: Spread the pumpkin seeds and pepitas in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Coat Seeds: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the seeds and toss them carefully to coat all pieces evenly.
- Season Seeds: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and optionally add orange food coloring gel onto the seeds and toss well to distribute flavor and color.
- Roast Seeds: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the seeds are golden brown and fragrant, stirring once if needed.
- Cool Seeds: Remove from the oven and let the seeds cool completely on a wire rack to preserve crunchiness.
- Prepare Almonds: While seeds roast, toss the slivered almonds with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a bowl.
- Roast Almonds: Spread the almond mixture on a separate baking sheet and roast in the oven alongside the seeds for the last 10 to 12 minutes until toasted.
- Cool Almonds: After roasting, allow the almonds to cool completely.
- Combine Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled roasted pumpkin seeds, pepitas, almonds, cashews, dried cranberries, dark and white chocolate chips, mini pretzels, and air-popped popcorn.
- Toss Mix: Gently toss all ingredients together to distribute flavors and textures evenly throughout the trail mix.
- Add Garnish: If desired, fold in Halloween-themed candies such as candy corn or gummy worms for a festive touch and toss gently once more.
- Store Properly: Transfer the trail mix to an airtight container and store at room temperature to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- The orange food coloring gel is optional and can be used to give the seeds a festive Halloween color.
- Roasting times may vary depending on oven; watch closely to prevent burning.
- For a gluten-free mix, ensure pretzels are gluten-free or omit them.
- Popcorn should be air-popped to keep the mix light and crispy.
- Add Halloween-themed candies just before serving to prevent them from melting or getting sticky.
