Rich or Poor Southern American Style Theatre Mix
Whether you are watching a classic film or hosting a movie night at home, this savory, subtly spicy snack mix hits all the right notes. The "Rich or Poor" namesake comes from its versatility: keep it simple and affordable with just popcorn and pretzels, or make it "rich" by tossing in a handful of Southern pecans. I prefer it with the nuts.
Little bit Spicy and coconut oil added instead of butter to make it vegan.
Ingredients
Popcorn: 8 cups, freshly popped
Pretzels: 3 cups (mini twists or sticks)
Pecans: 1 cup, halved (Optional, for the "Rich" version)
Coconut Oil: ⅓ cup, melted
Worcestershire Sauce: 3 tablespoons
Garlic Powder: 2 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper: ½ teaspoon (adjust based on your preferred heat level)
Instructions
* Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F.
* Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the melted coconut oil, Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until the mixture is well combined.
* Roast the Pecans (For the "Rich" Version): If using pecans, divide the prepared dressing in half. Toss the pecans in one half of the dressing until thoroughly coated. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast until fragrant and toasted. Remove them from the oven and set aside. (Note: If making the "Poor" version, simply skip this step and reserve all of the dressing for the popcorn and pretzels).
* Coat the Dry Mix: In an extra-large mixing bowl, gently toss together the popped popcorn and pretzels. Drizzle the remaining dressing (or the entire batch, if skipping the pecans) evenly over the top. Gently toss with a large spatula or your hands until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly and evenly coated.
* Bake the Mix: Spread the popcorn and pretzel mix in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
* Combine, Cool, and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Toss the set-aside roasted pecans back into the hot mix. Allow the entire mixture to cool completely at room temperature so it can become beautifully crunchy. Serve in large bowls or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
