Honey Nut Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix {paleo}

By Amanda Paa – Updated April 23, 2023

Honey Nut Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix {paleo}

Homemade party mix – the common thread of all summer picnics, holiday parties, and road trips. My mom’s rendition of this classic is one forever etched in my mind, and on my tastebuds. She didn’t hold the recipe hostage, giving it out to those who requested, but theirs never tasted quite the same. Maybe it was her roasting technique, the nuts perfectly crunchy and the cereal always golden brown. Or a heavy hand when it came to adding the salt and Worcestershire. Or the fact that she always used Chex & Crispix, never the store brand because “they just weren’t the same.” Smart woman.

And my favorite part? The high nut to cereal/pretzel/bagel chip ratio, specifically cashews. They brought natural sweetness to the savory party.

Sweet Potato Chip & Honey Nut Cluster Snack Mix

With a hankering for something similar, yet more whole foods & nutrient-dense based, I went to work developing my own, which came to be this Honey Nut Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix (that just so happens to be paleo too).

I envisioned something salty and a little bit sweet, with different textures, yet grain-free. Nut clusters reminiscent of chunky granola came to mind, and coconut oil sweet potato chips (so.so.good.) were a must.

Sweet Potato Chip & Honey Nut Cluster Snack Mix

After several iterations, I landed on this blissful combination. Getting the nut and seed clusters to clump together without being too sticky was the tough part, although I didn’t mind eating the “not good enough” batches. Give me a blend of flaked coconut, cashews, pepitas, and chia seeds anytime….

Roasted with coconut oil and a touch of honey, then tossed with dried berries and sweet potato chips, I have to say this healthy mix is hard to resist. We’re talking good fat and protein from the coconut, cashews, and seeds, plus the antioxidant powers of the fruit. And after learning that my body needs carbohydrates more than I thought, the sweet potato chips are irreplaceable.

Honey Nut Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix {paleo} via heartbeet kitchen blog

Many of you know that part of why I write this blog is to share the real stories behind real food. I found Jackson’s Honest Chips while going through my autoimmune issues, as it was one of the only minimally processed, packaged food i could find. Scott & Megan started the company as a result of trying to improve the quality of life for their son, who was born with a very tough, undiagnosed medical condition, through nutrition. They embraced a philosophy of eating simple; to eat nutrient dense foods as close to their original state (that is, unprocessed) as possible, fermented foods that are more easily bio-absorbed, and ‘good’ fats. On a whim they started making their own potato chips fried in coconut oil, as they were frustrated by all the others on the shelf cooked in highly processed vegetable oils. They couldn’t believe the difference in flavor – rich, deep, and aromatic. And with my first taste, I was in love too, another reason I am so excited to partner with them for the remainder of the year.

At every step of the production process they do what’s right for the consumer, farmers, environment, and their employees. Their products come from the field, the farmer, and the fryer…to you.

After the success of the potato chips, they began making sweet potato chips and recently launched organic tortilla chips, also fried in coconut oil. They’re all incredibly delicious, and if you haven’t tried them yet, I highly suggest getting your hands on some.

Sweet Potato Chip & Honey Nut Cluster Trail Mix {paleo}

I’m off to a Saint Paul Saints game on this glorious summer night, and I’d be lying if I said a bag of this mix wasn’t tucked into my purse. But whether you’re traveling, barbecuing or need an afternoon energy boost, enjoy this feel-good, taste-good mix.

Honey Nut Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix {paleo}

1 1/3 cups (190 grams) raw, unsalted cashews (make sure to use whole, high quality ones like these from Now Real Foods)
3/4 cup (90 grams) raw, unsalted pepita seeds
1 cup (40 grams) unsweetened coconut flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted, unrefined coconut oil
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons raw honey
1/2 cup dried mixed berries (I used blueberries & cherries)
3/4 bag Jackson’s Honest Sweet Potato Chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add cashews, pepita seeds and coconut flakes to a food processor. Pulse 8 times to slightly break up the pieces, then dump into a bowl. Add chia seeds, salt and cinnamon. In a separate bowl stir together coconut oil and honey, then add to nut/seed mixture. Stir to coat completely and empty onto a silpat lined baking sheet. (If you do not have one of these, rub a piece of parchment paper with coconut oil and line your baking sheet.)

Roast for 10 minutes, stir, then roast another 7-8 minutes, until coconut flakes and cashews are golden brown. Remove from oven and very lightly stir in berries. You want the mixture to be in one large heap so that as it cools, it sticks together.

Let cool completely, then lightly break up the nut mixture so you have clusters. Mix with the sweet potato chips and enjoy. Store in a glass jar or plastic ziploc bag, with all air pressed out, and keep in a cool spot. (If it gets too warm, the honey will start to become sticky.)

Coconutty Cashew Cluster & Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix {paleo}

Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

July 22, 2015

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24 comments

  1. kristie {birch and wild}

    I thought I had commented on this one, but I guess I didn’t. Anyways, this looks incredible, Amanda! I love the sweet potato chips mixed in. So brilliant!

  2. renee (will frolic for food)

    ooooooh man. this is so fabulous. i love this idea! this is basically all of my favorite crunchy sweet things all rolled into one perfect party mix.

  3. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet

    I can go through a whole bag of coconut chips in one day, I love them so much! This looks incredible Amanda! Pinning and making soon! :)

    • Amanda Paa

      coconut rocks my world too!

  4. todd wagner

    I’d go nuts for this stuff! Oops, wait that was way too cheesy…but seriously, I love how you took the time to get it just right before sharing. Although I’m with you, I’d gladly eat all the different trials :)

    • Amanda Paa

      Love the pun :) Thanks for stopping by Todd – I will definitely be packing it along the next time I make a trip out to CA to see all you awesome peeps!

  5. Alison @Food by Mars

    Who does not love a nice carry around snack? Who am I kidding, I’d eat this on the couch and not even make it into my purse. Looks so scrumptious, Amanda!!

  6. Rebecca | DisplacedHousewife

    This looks so yummy!! I am not a huge coconut oil fan…could I substitute with sunflower or canola? xx

    • Amanda Paa

      hello! yes, either would be great, especially since it’s roasted at low temperature. the sunflower oil would be really nice i think. xo

  7. Traci | Vanilla And Bean

    Ah, testing and retesting to get it just right. I appreciate that Amanda and no doubt, it is, just right. I’ve never seen anything like this before and am so excited to start poppin this snack in my mouth. It is completely mouthwatering and something that needs to be in my belly ASAP! Really appreciate Enjoy Life foods too. A high integrity company. Thank you for this, my dear! Gorgeous!!

  8. Danielle | The Creative Bite

    I love this unique twist on snack mix. The addition of sweet potato chips looks fantastic. I am definitely going to have to give this a try. Pinned!

    • Amanda Paa

      aw, thanks for sharing Danielle! hope you’re having a great summer.

  9. Kathryn

    I love the sound of this – the addition of sweet potato chips is so smart.

    • Amanda Paa

      sweet potatoes have to be one of the most versatile vegetables ever. love them so much!

  10. Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits

    You have a great combination of goodies in your trail mix, and I’m totally sold with the addition of sweet potato chips :) Pinned!

  11. Summer @ Sedentary Superwoman

    This looks awesome! I love Jackson’s Honest brand, and the combo of sweet potatoes, cashews, and berries sounds absolutely perfect.

  12. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker

    Hehe — I always eat ALL the cashews first and wish there were more :)

    Love the sound of those sweet potato chips and adding them to trail-mixes — I’ll have to look them up!

  13. Celeste

    The color and flavor combination looks out of this world, I’ve already pinned it!

    • Amanda Paa

      Yes, and I love all the different textures too! Thanks for stopping by and sharing Celeste.

  14. Heidi

    This sounds like the perfect snack. You’ve included all of my favorite treats. Pinned!

  15. aida mollenkamp

    Oh my, this sounds so good! I’m adding this to my must-make list for my next road trip!

  16. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

    What a fabulous snack mix! Anything with cashews and sweet potatoes ;) Perfect! I couldn’t keep my hands out of the jar!

  17. Abby @ The Frosted Vegan

    Oh goodness, this looks lovely Amanda! I always hate when snack mixes have some good and some meh pieces, but this looks all over perfect!

  18. Tessa | Salted Plains

    I love this! All my favorite things in one mix. I’m going to have to get my hands on those sweet potato chips too. Hope you had fun at the game! xo.