Whether you’re planning a hike, picnic, or road trip – or simply always on-the-go – this Chili Maple Cheddar Cracker Snack Mix is just for you! Thanks Simple Mills for this Crunchy Munchie Snack!

Ingredients for the chili maple pecans:

• 1 Tablespoon butter or coconut oil
• 1 c. raw, unsalted pecan halves
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• ¾ teaspoon chili powder
• Pinch salt

Ingredients for the snack mix:

• 1 batch chili maple pecans
• 1 box Simple Mills Farmhouse Cheddar and/or Simple Mills Smoky BBQ Cheddar crackers
• ½ cup chopped jerky (beef, turkey, etc)
• 2/3 cup chopped dried unsweetened and unsulfured apples
• ¼ cup golden raisins
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds

Instructions:

1. Make the chili maple pecans: melt the butter or oil in a large heavy bottomed pan (such as cast iron) over medium high heat. Add the pecans and stir until they are coated with butter/oil. Then, add the maple syrup and stir for about 1 minute until the pecans are well-coated. Remove the pan from the heat, and sprinkle the pecans with chili powder and salt. Set aside to cool and harden.
2. Once the pecans have cooled completely, remove them from the pan (and break them up if some have stuck together).
3. Make the snack mix by gently tossing the pecans together with the crackers, jerky, apples, raisins and sunflower seeds until well combined.

Notes:

• Reduce chili powder to ½ teaspoon, if you prefer a more subtle chili flavor.
• Make this nut free by eliminating the pecans, or replacing them with pumpkin seeds.
• Make this vegetarian or vegan by using vegan jerky.
• If you don’t plan to eat this snack mix within 48 hours of making it, use raw or roasted pecans instead of the chili maple pecans.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours (with chili maple pecans) or 1 week (with raw or roasted pecans).