I am happy to share that this post is sponsored by Big G Cereals. All opinions about this whole grain honey and vanilla yogurt snack mix — created to boost energy with festive Nutcracker-inspired red cranberries, green pepitas or pistachios, and white vanilla yogurt pretzels — are my own.
This is the most wonderful snacking time of year. Small bowls of candy or snack mix appear on desks and tables, and grabbing a handful while you work, chat, or socialize has become part of the season. For our family, it’s also Nutcracker season. For the second year, our youngest is performing with Neglia Ballet Artists in The Nutcracker alongside the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Because this is a professional production, we spend a lot of time commuting to rehearsals and shows — often four to six days a week in the lead-up, which adds up to many hours in the car and long days at the studio and theater. With our dancer burning so many calories, we need snacks that actually refuel him, not empty calories. Enter Cranberry Pistachio Snack Mix.
Cranberry Pistachio Snack Mix is ideal for our schedule. It’s easy to make, portable, and built on whole grain Cheerios. When we bring mixes to the studio, we substitute Original Cheerios for Honey Nut Cheerios so the mix is nut-free — Neglia Ballet Artists maintains a nut-free environment for dancers with severe allergies. The base is tossed in a warm blend of honey and vanilla Greek yogurt, then mixed with either pistachios or pepitas depending on the audience, and baked briefly so the honey-yogurt coating crisps onto the cereal and seeds or nuts. Once cooled, dried cranberries and vanilla yogurt-covered pretzels are stirred in for color and crunch. We often use gluten-free yogurt pretzels when sharing with gluten-free friends; several Cheerios varieties are gluten-free (Original, Honey Nut, Frosted, Fruity, Chocolate, Apple Cinnamon, and Multi Grain), so adapting the recipe is straightforward.
This snack mix is woven into our Nutcracker routine for more than taste. While rehearsing in Buffalo, you can sometimes catch the scent of toasted oats on the breeze — Cheerios are produced in the city — and that aroma makes a toasted oat snack especially tempting. I’m happy to offer Cheerios-based snacks because they’re made with whole grain oats and free of artificial colors and flavors; Honey Nut Cheerios are sweetened with real honey. Because the studio requires nut-free treats, we can easily make a version everyone can eat by swapping Original Cheerios and pepitas for the honey variety and pistachios. Either way, the result is a honey-vanilla yogurt whole grain snack mix designed to boost energy and decked out with red cranberries, green pepitas or pistachios, and white yogurt-covered pretzels. I prefer offering honey-sweetened options to refined sugar snacks, and when made with pepitas this mix meets the studio’s strict guidelines. It’s a relief to be able to bring something that all of my child’s friends can enjoy, even those with food allergies. My son named the pistachio version the “Marie/Clara Nutcracker Snack Mix” and the pepita version the “Fritz Nutcracker Snack Mix” — a silly inside joke for fellow ballet commuters who understand the story — and I’m happy to share a bowl on rehearsals days.
Cook’s Notes
- For a nut-free version, use Original Cheerios and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) instead of Honey Nut Cheerios and pistachios.
- To share with gluten-free friends, substitute gluten-free yogurt-covered pretzels; they’re widely available at major retailers.
- Use a mild honey such as clover or orange blossom rather than a stronger-flavored honey like buckwheat.
- If the mix softens after a few days, remove the yogurt pretzels, spread the remaining mix on a sheet pan, and bake at 250°F for about 10 minutes or until crisp. Cool completely before returning the yogurt pretzels to the mix.
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Cranberry Pistachio Christmas Snack Mix
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- ¼ cup canola or sunflower oil
- ¾ cup mild honey
- ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 cups Honey Nut Cheerios or Original Cheerios for a nut free version
- 1 cup shelled pistachios or pepitas for a nut free version
- 2 cups vanilla yogurt covered pretzels
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 250°F. Lightly spray a half-sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray.
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In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oil, honey, vanilla Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Microwave about 45 seconds, then whisk until smooth and evenly colored. For the nutty version, place Honey Nut Cheerios in a large mixing bowl. For a nut-free version, add Original Cheerios and pepitas to a large bowl. Pour the warm mixture over the cereal and toss gently to coat. Spread in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan.
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Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the Cheerios are golden, dry to the touch, and crunchy. Remove from the oven and let cool five minutes, then transfer to a mixing bowl or container and gently stir in pistachios (if using), yogurt-covered pretzels, and dried cranberries. Cool completely before covering. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. Calculate exact nutrition using the ingredients you use and your preferred nutrition tool.
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