Crispy-baked garbanzo beans make a tasty addition to this unusual snack mix.

Chili Bean Snack Mix

2 (15-ounce each) cans Garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained (3 cups cooked)
Butter flavor cooking spray
4 cups toasted wheat, corn or rice squares cereal
2 cups pretzel goldfish or pretzel sticks
1 (8-ounce) package chopped mixed dried fruit (2 cups)
1 (6-ounce) package dried pineapple chunks (1 cup)
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon paprika

1. Dry Garbanzo beans well on paper toweling. Place beans in large skillet and spray generously with cooking spry. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer beans to jelly roll pan and bake at 350°F (175°C). until browned and beginning to crisp on the outside, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Transfer beans to large bowl; add cereal, pretzel sticks, dried fruit, pineapple chunks and pumpkin seeds. Combine Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic and onion powder and paprika; add to snack mixture and toss to coat well. Spray mixture generously with cooking spray and toss. Transfer mixture to roasting pan.
3. Back snack mix at 350°F (175°C). for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool; store in air tight container at room temperature.

Makes 16 servings.

Tip: Sweet Bean Snack Mix – Make snack mix as above, substituting 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon apple juice for the Worcestershire Sauce and 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg and 1 teaspoon ground allspice for the chili, garlic and onion powders and paprika.

Nutrient Information Per serving: Per serving:Calories 216; Fat 3g; % Calories from Fat 11; Carbohydrate 47g; Folate 66mcg; Sodium 351mg; Protein 6g; Dietary Fiber 8g; Cholesterol 0mg

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.