SAVE TIME WITH SWEET, SAVORY, SALTY SNACKS

(Family Features)

work, social commitments, kids’ activities and the daily grind can take over schedules and wreak havoc on your opportunities to sit at the table for meals. As your calendar seems to fill up with meetings, family occasions and more, you might just find yourself skipping breakfast or lunch and opting for filling snacks instead.

In fact, according to the International Food Information Council’s 2022 Food and Health Survey, 75% of Americans snack at least once per day. Whether it’s forgoing breakfast at home for a bite on the go or powering up with an afternoon morsel, one flavor favorite and nutritional powerhouse you can turn to is the pecan.

You can add some sweetness to your day with this Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate, a fruity, nutty, chocolatey twist on traditional trail mix that can be ready in less than half an hour. If a saltier treat is more your speed, consider this Salty Pecan Snack Mix for a graband-go breakfast as you head out the door or an easy way to keep hunger at bay in the afternoon.

Find more sweet and savory recipe inspiration at EatPecans.com.

Pecan Snack Mix With Cranberries And Chocolate

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes, plus 10 minutes cooling time

1 c. pecan halves

1 c. rice squares cereal (wheat or cinnamon)

1/2 c. pretzels

2 T. unsalted butter

1 T. brown sugar

1 1/2 T. pure maple syrup

1/2 t. kosher salt

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. dark chocolate chips

In large, microwave-safe bowl, add pecans, rice squares cereal and pretzels. In small, microwave-safe bowl, add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and nutmeg. Microwave butter mixture 1-2 minutes until melted then pour over dry mix. Toss well to combine.

Microwave snack mix in 45-second intervals, about four to five intervals total, until mix is fragrant, golden and toasty.

Cool mix completely then stir in cranberries and dark chocolate chips.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 15

2 c. rice squares cereal

1 c. rolled oats

1 c. unsweetened coconut

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. coconut oil

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. butter

2 c. chopped pecans

1 c. oyster crackers

Snack Mix

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In bowl, add rice squares cereal, oats and unsweetened coconut.

In small saucepan over medium heat, add honey, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt. Stir until mixture starts to boil then pour over snack mix and stir until well combined.

Transfer to baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.

In saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Stir until butter browns then add chopped pecans and oyster crackers. Turn heat to low and stir while pecans roast.

Remove snack mix from oven and add brown butter pecan and cracker mixture; stir to combine.

SWEET ’N’ SALTY POPCORN

For more kid-friendly recipes to get the whole family involved in the kitchen, visit Popcorn.org.