Crunchy Bariatric Party Mix

I was at a local WLS support group meeting recently (yes..  almost 7 years out and I still go the the monthly meetings - and LEARN something almost every time!) when one of the members asked "What do you do for CRUNCH?  I miss CRUNCH!"

My initial reaction was to recommend pork rinds, but she needed something more palatable.  So.....  I set my mind to wander (what a scary thought!)

A couple days later I was walking through my local grocery and doing my best to avoid eye contact with the items on the shelves in the snack aisle, when - for no apparent reason - a bag of that famous snack mix made from breakfast cereal fell off the shelf in front of me.  I took it as a sign.  OF COURSE I could make a bariatric version!  All of America already has the seasoning recipe - all I need is a replacement for 3 kinds of square cereal, pretzels and cheese crackers.  Hmmm...  Piece'o'cake!

Ingredients

For the Cheese Crackers

7 slices of Cheddar Cheese cut into 9 small squares each, baked

For the Party Mix

1 5 oz. bag of original flavor pork rinds broken into small pieces
1 cup pecans
½ cup roasted almonds

63 cheese crackers

6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1½ tablespoon seasoning salt
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

For the Cheese Crackers

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cover cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Cut each deli cheese slice in 9 small squares (making 63 crackers)

Bake for 7-9 minutes on top shelf until cheese squares are browned and crispy.
Allow to cool, then break them apart.  Failure to wait for browned and crispy gets you chewy "crackers"

For the Party Mix

Allow oven to cool down to 250 degrees.

Cover cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Combine pork rinds and nuts on parchment paper.

In a measuring cup add melted butter and spices.
Pour over the pork rinds and nut mixture.

Toss until coated.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. During the last 15 minutes, add the cheese crackers to the party mix.

Pour party mix onto paper towels on the counter to absorb excess grease.

Store in an airtight container.

Cook's Notes:

• You can use any nuts you want.  I added some cashews and pistachios,
• I learned a lesson though,  Use WHOLE nuts.  I tried slivered almonds and cashew pieces and a lot of them ended up in the loose rubble in the bottom of the bag.  TASTY though!!   
• A good quality cheddar, deli sliced, makes a great cracker.  I also used little piles of Parmesan and some provolone.  They all cook at different speeds so pay attention if you want an assortment.
• You can use BBQ or Spicy HOT pork rinds - adjust the salt
• Don't like Seasoned Salt?  Substitute Cajun spices - some powdered onion soup mix - or open an envelop of ranch dressing powder
• The recipe calls for 63 cheese crackers, why?  Because that is how many little squares you can fit on a standard half sheet pan. - but you can get by on 57 - because I KNOW you are going to eat 6 of them while it's baking!  
• If you JUST want the cheese crackers, I highly recommend them with a tiny sprinkling of cayenne and/or garlic before you bake them.

Add your suggestions and thoughts in the comments below

---dave---