Mark and I hosted Christmas dinner for our families this year and one of my goals for the day was to have food that was fun and different – without having to spend all day in the kitchen. Our menu included many things that could be made ahead or prepped ahead.

We had these out as munchies before the big meal. I loved the spiciness of these – they give you a nice kick at the end of each bite. I used holiday-shaped pretzels to make them a little more festive.

Spicy Pretzels
(adapted from The Rookie Chef)

1 bags of pretzels (roughly 15 oz.)
5 oz. of butter flavor popcorn oil
1 packet of dry ranch dressing
1/2 t. black pepper
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1/2 t. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 200F degrees.

Put pretzels in a large roasting pan.

Mix all dry ingredients into oil, stir well.

Pour that buttery oil mixture over the pretzels and turn to coat. Once all of the pretzels look like they’ve been coated, pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, take them out, stir again, put back in the oven. Keep repeating until there is no oil mixture at the bottom of your roasting pan.

Cool and transfer to an air-tight container until ready to serve.