Spicy Crunch Mix Food

SPICY CEREAL MIX

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Combine the rice cereal squares, cornflakes, pita chips and pepitas in a bowl. Toss with the spice mixture and spread on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 40 minutes.

SPICY SNACK MIX

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Place butter in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Microwave on high, checking at 15-second intervals, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, chile-garlic sauce, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and onion powder until well mixed.
• Combine rice, corn, and wheat cereals in a large bowl. Transfer 2 to 3 cups cereal mixture to a separate bowl and pour about 1 ounce of butter mixture over top; mix with your hands until completely coated. Transfer cereal to a metal baking sheet, spreading into an even layer. Continue coating small amounts of cereal mixture with butter mixture and layering evenly on the baking sheet, using another sheet if needed; if too much is on the sheet, it doesn't get crispy.
• Coat pretzels with the remaining butter mixture and add to the baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Stir cereal mixture and redistribute in an even layer. Return to the oven and continue to cook, stirring and redistributing every 15 minutes, until crispy and golden, another 30 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle sugar lightly over cereal mixture during the last 15 minutes; do not add it too early or it will burn.

SPICY CRUNCH MIX

Steps:

• Cut shallots crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a deep 12-inch heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and fry shallots, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer shallots with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Pour off all but about 1 1/2 tablespoons oil from skillet and stir in cayenne and cumin. Cook spices over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Remove skillet from heat and cool seasoned oil to room temperature.
• Add shallots, peas, soybeans, and salt and pepper to taste to seasoned oil, tossing to combine. Mix may be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

SPICY PARTY MIX

Steps:

• Arrange racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat to 250 degrees. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Combine cereal, nuts, pretzels and add-ins in a very large bowl. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave in 20-second increments, about 1 minute. (You can also do this in a small saucepan over low heat on the stovetop.) Add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
• Add half of the melted butter mixture to the cereal mixture. Gently and thoroughly fold to combine. Add the rest of the melted butter mixture and stir until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Divide the mixture evenly across the prepared pans. Bake, stirring and switching racks every 15 minutes, until crisp and slightly darkened in color, about 1 hour. Cool completely on the pans on wire racks before serving (if you can wait that long). Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

SWEET & SPICY POPCORN CRUNCH OR BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250°F Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside.
• Pop popcorn according to package directions, get rid of unpopped kernels; set aside.
• Make caramel: Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high, and cook, without stirring, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, swirling pot occasionally.
• Remove mixture from heat and quickly stir in salt, vanilla, cinnamon & cayenne with a heatproof spatula or spoon. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture and stir to incorporate. Divide popcorn mixture evenly between baking sheets. Transfer to oven and bake, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Let cool on sheet pans before breaking apart into clusters. Store popcorn in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• *Note: If you opt for the 'pepitas' the pumpkin seeds instead of nuts (use one or the other not both) ~ you will need to toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until browned and popping, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Do this in batches, if needed.) Then, add to the popcorn.
• *If making popcorn balls, use following directions: When the popcorn is cool enough to handle, coat your hands with some butter and shape into 4-inch balls. Wrap in waxed paper and tie with a string, if desired. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to a week.