Work, social obligations, children’s activities, and daily stressors can take over your schedules and ruin your chances of sitting down at the table for meals. As your calendar seems filled with meetings, family events, and more, you may find yourself skipping breakfast or lunch and opting to fill up on snacks instead.
In fact, according to the International Food Information Council’s 2022 Food and Health Survey, 75% of Americans snack at least once a day, which means 2023 could become the year of the snack. Whether you’re ditching breakfast at home for an on-the-go snack or snacking on an afternoon bite, one favorite flavor and nutritional powerhouse you can turn to is pecans.
As pecans are used in a growing number of snack innovations, they are being hailed as the fastest-growing nut in new snack applications, according to Information Resources Inc. It’s the perfect snack to boost your routine with great taste, and it’s vegan. Based feeding and easy pairing profile.
For example, they’re ready to remix your snack mix mentality because they complement sweet, salty, spicy, and buttery combos. Ready in less than half an hour, you can add some sweetness to your workday with this Pecan Snack Mix with Cranberries and Chocolate for a fruity, nutty, and chocolatey take on a traditional trail mix.
If saltier desserts are more your speed, consider Salted Pecan Snack Mix for a quick breakfast on the way out the door or an easy way to stave off afternoon hunger. Because pecans have a variety of ingredients and flavors, they’re a perfect partner for this blend of rolled oats, coconut, honey, cinnamon, and more.
Pecan snack with cranberries and chocolate
Recipe provided by Jess Larson and the American Pecan Promotion Council
Cooking time: 5 minutes plus 10 minutes cooling time
1 cup square rice cereal (wheat or cinnamon)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the pecans, rice squares, grains, and pastries. In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and nutmeg. Microwave the butter mixture for 1-2 minutes until it melts, then pour it over the dry mixture. Toss well to combine.
Microwave snacks in 45-second intervals, about 4-5 intervals total, until mixture is fragrant, golden, and warm.
Cool the mixture completely then stir in the cranberries and dark chocolate chips.
Recipe provided by Mallory Oneke and the American Pecan Promotion Council
2 cups of square rice grains
1 cup unsweetened coconut
In a bowl, add the rice squares, cereal, oats and unsweetened coconut.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add honey, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt. Stir until it starts to boil then pour over the snack mixture and stir until well combined.
Transfer to a baking tray and bake for 8-10 minutes.
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. Stir until the butter is browned then add the chopped pecans and oyster crackers. Turn heat to low and stir while pecans are toasting.
Remove the snack mix from the oven and add the pecan, brown butter, and cookie mixture. Stir to combine.
Source: American Pecan Promotion Council
