Fall-inspired snacks are the reason for the season! I am always looking for innovative ways to use pumpkin once fall comes around. Trail mix is one of the my favorite healthy snack options because it can be thrown together with ease and offers ample nutrition and staying power. I love getting creative around the holidays utilizing different herbs, spices, and seasonal flavors. My Rosemary and Thyme Spiced Nuts were one of my most popular recipes last year (and one of my personal favorites, as well). This is a great fall snack to have on hand or in a bowl on your counter- beats candy corn this time of year!
Nutrition:
Cashews: Our hearts adore these pocket-sized, protein-packed confections of nature. Nuts are rich in mono- and poly- unsaturated fats which help lower our bad cholesterol, keep our arteries clean, and hearts healthy. Cashews are particularly rich in copper which helps keep our skin healthy and bones strong. Nutrient dense, low glycemic and incredibly satiating– I’d say it’s a perfect snack!
Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds have made a regular appearance on my Nutrition By Mia nutrient guides. They are a great source of manganese, phosphorous and magnesium. Manganese is required by the body in trace amounts but essential for a range of functions that include aiding collagen production and preserving the health of our bones.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Contrary to its name, pumpkin pie spice is not derived from pumpkin pie. It’s actually a mixture of spices including cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. Spices offer their own nutritional benefits from helping control to blood sugar (cinnamon) and providing gastrointestinal relief (ginger).
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix together your pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Add in your nuts and coat each nut with your pumpkin mixture.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, tossing in between at 10 minutes.