Sunflower Seed Party Mix
While Mulder would probably set out a bowl of unadorned sunflower seeds for a party, we wanted to dress them up a bit. This Sunflower Seed Party Mix is pretty much a basic Chex Mix featuring sweet and spicy sunflower seeds. These sunflower seed clusters make a great snack on their own, but throwing them into this party mix adds a nice spicy sweet crunch. For less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper used for this recipe (or add more to make it spicier).
Method
To make this sunflower seed party mix, you’ll first want to prepare the sunflower seed clusters. In a medium sized bowl, combine the sunflower seeds (shelled, roasted and salted), maple syrup and cayenne pepper to taste (we suggest about 1 tsp.). Toss until the sunflower seeds are well coated. Spread the sunflower seed mixture out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes and stir. Bake for an additional 3 – 5 minutes, checking often, until the maple syrup starts to look bubbly. Watch closely, and don’t bake for more than 10 minutes total, as the sunflower seeds can be quick to burn. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Lower oven temperature to 250°F.
Next, combine the Chex cereal, bagel chips (breaking into small pieces if necessary) and pretzels in a large bowl. Melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave and stir in the soy sauce, chives, garlic powder and onion powder. Pour onto the cereal mixture, and stir until well combined.
Spread the cereal mix on a baking sheet (you may need two), and bake at 250°F for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Transfer to a serving dish and stir in the sunflower seed clusters. Covered, this will keep for about one week.
Sunflower Seed Party Mix Recipe
Sunflower Seed Party Mix
Equipment
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 C roasted salted sunflower seeds
- ½ C maple syrup not imitation syrup
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 C Chex cereal any variety; we used corn and wheat Chex
- 1 C bagel chips
- 1 C pretzels
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss sunflower seeds in maple syrup and cayenne pepper until well coated. Spread the sunflower seed mixture out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes and stir. Bake for an additional 3 – 5 minutes, checking often, until the maple syrup starts to look bubbly. Watch closely, and don't bake for more than 10 minutes total, as the sunflower seeds can be quick to burn. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Lower oven temperature to 250° F. Combine Chex, bagel chips, and pretzels in a large bowl. Break the bagel chips and pretzels into smaller pieces, if necessary.
- Melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir in the soy sauce, dried chives, onion powder and garlic powder. Quickly pour the butter mixture over the chex mix, and toss to coat.
- Spread the cereal mix on a baking sheet (you may need two), and bake at 250°F for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Transfer to a bowl. Break the cooled sunflower seed clusters into bite sized pieces, and mix into the cereal mixture.
- Add salt to taste.
