Description
Spicy cool ranch jerky trail mix delivers a wild flavor adventure through crunchy, savory landscapes. Bold textures and zesty seasonings combine for an epic snacking experience you’ll crave on any outdoor journey.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 cup beef jerky, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Crunchy Snacks:
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup corn chips (like Fritos)
- 1 cup roasted almonds or peanuts
- 1 cup cheese crackers (like Cheez-Its)
- 1 cup ranch-flavored corn nuts or seasoned tortilla strips
Seasoning and Binding:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil or melted butter (for tossing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C) for an optional toasted flavor profile.
- Gather a spacious mixing vessel and combine all dry components: jerky pieces, crispy pretzels, crunchy corn chips, assorted nuts, savory crackers, and hearty corn nuts.
- In a separate compact bowl, whisk ranch seasoning with olive oil or melted butter until thoroughly integrated.
- Cascade the seasoned liquid over the dry mixture, gently tossing with a spatula to ensure uniform coating.
- If pursuing a toasted variation, distribute the seasoned mixture across a large baking sheet in an even layer.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring midway to promote consistent heating.
- Remove from oven and allow the trail mix to cool completely at room temperature, which helps maintain its crisp texture.
- Transfer the cooled mixture into an airtight storage container to preserve freshness and crunchiness.
- Enjoy immediately or store for future snacking convenience.
Notes
- Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their natural flavors and crunchiness, creating a more robust taste profile.
- Replace corn chips with lower-sodium alternatives for a healthier version of the trail mix.
- Customize seasoning by adjusting ranch mix quantities or using homemade ranch powder to control salt and spice levels.
- Store mix in portioned zip-lock bags for convenient grab-and-go snacking during outdoor adventures or workday energy boosts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg