Save to Pinterest A festive, crunchy snack mix featuring crispy air-fried bagel chips, pretzels, nuts, and holiday-inspired seasonings—perfect for parties or gifting.
I love making this mix during the holidays because it brings the whole family together with its irresistible crunch and festive flavors.
Ingredients
- Bagel Chips: 3 plain bagels, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- Mix-Ins: 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup roasted almonds, 1 cup roasted pecans, 1 cup cheddar cheese crackers, 1 cup holiday-colored chocolate candies (e.g., red and green M&Ms)
- Seasoning Butter: 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat), 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Bagel Chips:
- In a large bowl, toss bagel slices with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and kosher salt until evenly coated.
- Air Fry Bagel Chips:
- Arrange bagel slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 57 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp. Let cool completely.
- Combine Mix-Ins:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled bagel chips, pretzels, almonds, pecans, and cheddar crackers.
- Make Seasoning Butter:
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), and sea salt.
- Toss Mix:
- Drizzle seasoning butter over the snack mix. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Air Fry Mix:
- Return the mix (in batches) to the air fryer basket and air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 34 minutes, shaking once, until fragrant and lightly toasted.
- Cool and Add Candies:
- Let the mix cool completely. Once cool, stir in holiday chocolate candies.
- Store:
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Save to Pinterest This snack mix has quickly become a family favorite during the holidays creating fun snack moments together.
Notes
Swap in other nuts or omit for nut-free variation. Use gluten-free bagels and crackers for a gluten-free version. For extra holiday flair, add dried cranberries or yogurt-covered pretzels. Best served the day of preparation for maximum crunch.
Required Tools
Air fryer, large mixing bowl, small mixing bowl, knife and cutting board, spoon or spatula, airtight storage container.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (bagels, pretzels, crackers), milk (cheese crackers, chocolate candies), tree nuts (almonds, pecans), soy (Worcestershire sauce, some chocolates). May contain traces of peanuts and other allergens depending on brands used. Always check ingredient labels for specific allergens.
Save to Pinterest Enjoy this crunchy festive snack mix as a perfect holiday treat or gift idea.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I achieve crispy bagel chips in the air fryer?
Slice bagels thinly and toss with olive oil and seasonings before air frying at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, shaking halfway for even crisping.
- → Can I substitute nuts in this mix?
Yes, you can swap almonds and pecans with other nuts or omit them entirely for a nut-free version without losing crunch.
- → What adds the smoky flavor in this mix?
Smoked paprika in the seasoning butter provides a warm, smoky note that complements the savory blend.
- → How should I store the snack mix for freshness?
Store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain its crunch and flavor.
- → Are there gluten-free options for this mix?
Yes, using gluten-free bagels and crackers allows for a gluten-free variation while keeping the mix's texture.
- → What role do the chocolate candies play in this mix?
Holiday-colored chocolate candies add a sweet contrast and festive appearance, stirred in after cooling to prevent melting.