‘Tis the season for everything pumpkin spice; sometimes it seems like every fall-themed recipe includes a dash or four of the beloved and oh-so-trendy spiced blend. And while we love a good pumpkin-y snack, dessert, or dish, sometimes, we just want something with a sweet lil’ kick to munch on.
Whether you’re racking your brain trying to come up with a unique snack to bring to a fall get-together or you want to indulge in a sweet and spicy treat the whole family will love right at home, these three recipes will do the trick. Whipping up a sweet and spicy sriracha sauce for a snack or meal recipe is easier than you may think! And, you can use it in a variety of ways that will have you reaching for more.
1. Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Nuts
Nothing seems to accent a holiday party quite like bowls of mixed nuts cleverly placed around the room. Of course, they’re a fairly simple snack to offer guests, as, for the most part, it’s just dumping a can of pre-mixed nuts into a dish. But this quick and easy recipe kicks the party staple up a notch or two, and the combination of sweet, salty, and spicy turns this ordinary snack into a mouth-watering delight.
Ingredients:
- 3 c. assorted raw nuts
- 2 tbsp. Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
Directions:
First, preheat your oven to 350° F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to set aside while you prep your mixed nuts. Place your favorite selection of assorted raw nuts into a large bowl, then mix in the Sriracha sauce, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon and rosemary and toss until the combination is well combined.
Next, spread the mix in a single layer on your baking sheet, and bake for 12 minutes. To keep the mix from burning, you’ll want to stir halfway through. Once finished, remove from the oven and let sit so the nuts have some time to get nice and crispy. Serve, or store in an air-tight container.
2. Sweet Sriracha Cauliflower Bites
These bites are both healthy and comforting, and they’re an ideal appetizer for any fall occasion as they’re gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making them a great option for family members or guests with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients:
Cauliflower Bites
- 1 small head of cauliflower
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free breadcrumbs
Sweet Sriracha Sauce
- 1 tablespoon of Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
Directions:
First, preheat your oven to 450℉, grease a sheet pan, and set aside while you prep your cauliflower. In a large bowl, mix almond milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then add in cornstarch to prevent any lumps from forming. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs with salt and black pepper and set aside.
Then, remove the stems from your cauliflower, and chop the cauliflower into small, bite-sized pieces. Toss the pieces in the almond milk mixture until they’re completely covered.
Next, toss the wet cauliflower bites in the breadcrumbs mixture until the pieces are fully coated. Spread out onto the sheet pan, lightly spray the bites with a cooking spray (this helps with crisping!), and bake for 18-20 minutes. While your bites are baking, mix up the honey (or agave) and sriracha sauce. Serve the bites immediately for the best results!
3. Slow Cooker Cranberry & Sriracha Lil’ Smokies
If you have little ones in your home, they’ll love these sweet lil’ smokies! Scrumptious and easy to make, the ingredients for Cranberry & Sriracha Lil’ Smokies all go in the crockpot and come out tasting like a cozy, fall treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce (or more if you want a bigger kick!)
- 14 oz. Lil’ Smokies
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- pepper to taste
Directions:
First, you’ll need to combine tomato paste and vinegar in a bowl and put into your crockpot. Then, using the same bowl (fewer dishes to clean up!), whisk cranberry sauce and sriracha, and stir in salt and pepper to taste. Add all to the crockpot, and add your lil’ smokies. You’ll want to ensure the smokies are entirely covered with the sauce.
Then, simply turn your crockpot on high for two hours, ensure the lil’ smokies are warmed through completely, and serve!