Taco Pick-Up-Sticks Snack Mix

French fried onions, potato sticks, and peanuts ... oh my! Bake them up with delicious homemade taco seasoning and you have Taco Pick-Up-Sticks Snack Mix, an addictive and tasty taco snacking treat.

You know those French fried onions that come in a little can? Well, they're not just for green bean casserole! Nope. They're also one of the star ingredients in this tasty little taco-spiced snack mix. And, man, is this stuff addictive.

I have to admit that I am a Chex Mix addict. I've loved the stuff since wayyyyyyyyyyy before you could buy it pre-made in the grocery stores. Remember those days of making your own at home?? I still whip up my own batch every now and then, since I love the taste even more than I love the store-bought kind.

And now I have a new snack mix to add to my make-at-home list.

This super easy and tasty Taco Pick-Up-Sticks Snack Mix, made with the addictive combination of ...

... these two goodies.

Yes, French Fried Onions, it's time to kick green bean casserole to the curb and dive in to a big ol' batch of taco snack mix! {I think you'll be happier here.}

Now, let's talk taco.

While working on this recipe, I tried it with the originally-suggested packaged taco seasoning and with my own homemade taco seasoning.

The hubby and I liked the homemade seasoning version sooooooooooo much better! It was no contest, really.

And a homemade seasoning mix is so easy to whip up, with spices you most likely already have on hand. I love that the homemade stuff has less salt, too. Bonus all around!

Now, wouldn't this snack mix be just perfect with a beer?? Well, here you go!

Hmmmmmmm ... Was Beer Popcorn not the kind of beer you were thinking?

While certainly not the liquid kind, Beer Popcorn from my friends at Tastebuds and Taco Pick-Up-Sticks Snack Mix would still be a fabulous snack pairing!

Taco Pick-Up-Sticks Snack Mix

Source: Adapted from Pass the Plate, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients

2 (5 oz.) cans potato sticks
1 (6 oz.) can French fried onions
1 c. dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 tsp. onion powder*
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions

In a large bowl, combine potato sticks, onion rings, and peanuts. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Pour butter mixture over potato sticks mixture and toss to coat.
Spread mixture evenly on two ungreased jelly roll pans. Bake at 250 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool.
Store in an airtight container.

* If you don't have onion powder on hand, you can use dried minced onion place 2 teaspoons minced onion in a plastic baggie and crush fine with a meat mallet.

Enjoy!

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