Grab This Packet Of Seasoning To Transform Store-Bought Snacks Into A Delicious Masterpiece

Many kitchens contain a well-stocked, if not cluttered, spice cabinet, making it easy to grab what you need when a recipe calls for spices. However, don't rule out using those jarred seasonings with store-bought snacks, too — taco seasoning is one such ideal candidate.

This savory spice blend is one of the kitchen's most versatile, useful in everything from elevating your grilled burgers to giving chicken tenders a delicious twist. Bringing together flavors like earthy ground cumin, sweet paprika, onion and chili powders, oregano, salt, and more, it's a testament to the idea that a good spice blend is greater than the sum of its parts. All the more reason to throw it on your favorite snack. Think the crunchy classics: Chex Mix, fresh or bagged popcorn, pretzels, a nut mix, or good ol' chips.

To make sure the seasoning sticks, you'll want to apply some heat and fat, not just sprinkle on the spices. Fold a packet into some tasty melted butter or coconut oil, then mix it into your snack of choice. Bake at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally, until you have a delectably browned and seasoned snack mix.

Seasonings are made for modifications. So if a simple dusting of taco seasoning isn't what you're craving, it's easy to fine-tune the flavors to your liking. An easy starting point is a sweet element — honey, agave syrup, or even maple syrup all pair fabulously with taco seasoning. Simply mix the sugary ingredient into the fat to lend the spiced mix an added dimension.

Alternatively, customize the flavors by mixing up the spice blend yourself. Taco seasoning can contain a variety of ingredients in numerous styles, so brighten up your snack seasoning with grated lime zest, or turn up the heat with cayenne or ground árbol chilies. Consider even amplifying the warmth with cinnamon or allspice — ingredients that'll pair terrifically with sweet flavors.

Alongside such reworked blends, keep expanding your store-bought snack repertoire. Throw in a bag of dry-roasted edamame beans, some Fritos, or plantain chips, or buy some chicharrones (fried pork rinds). Mix and match nibbles to your liking, dust with taco seasoning, then enjoy a new world of snackable possibilities.