Salty and Savory: Alternative Treat Ideas for the Holiday Season

Every year you bring something to the office as a “Happy Holidays” to your boss and co-workers. Maybe you’ve been asked to provide dessert for your church’s Christmas party again, and you’re tired of bringing the same fudge and cookies. No matter the occasion, it might be time to change things up. But where do you start to find the salty and savory treat that’s best? Here are a few ideas.

Salty and Savory: Alternative Treat Ideas for the Holiday Season

Nuts, Nuts, Nuts
Nuts are always a good choice when it comes to any kind of snack, especially during the holidays. Nuts also give you a lot of preparation options. You can put them in a bread or a cookie, roast them with salt or honey, or even mix them with fruits.

Pistachios, for example, go wonderfully with the winter classic of cranberries, and you can make shortbread, cookies, and more featuring both. You might also go spicy with the chili lime flavored pistachios from Valley pistachio country store and mix it with your own red chili flake mix of pretzels, cheese crackers and chips. Pecans are lovely roasted with honey and a touch of salt. All of these give you the perfect blend of salty and savory.

Pretzel Sticks & Dip
A classic treat is pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate, and while that’s always a yummy option, there are plenty of other dips to give the salt of the pretzel a nice touch of savor. Honey mustard, for example, or a thick cheese fondue might go nicely.

If you’re preparing treats for an event instead of passing them out, you also have the option of providing hot dip for people to use themselves. Offer a variety of dips to let people mix and match, load on a lot or a little, and prepare their pretzels exactly the way they like them.

Creative Cookies
Sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies will undoubtedly be a hit, but if you’re looking for something different this year, you don’t need to look too far. Banana sunflower cookies feature the sweetness of bananas and the saltiness of sunflower seeds. Nut clusters are always a festive option, along with anything with gingerbread, pumpkin, or cinnamon.

Countless recipes for holiday cookies exist out there, with options for allergies or intolerances, as well as healthier combinations and vegan options.

Whoever the recipients of your holiday treats may be, from church groups to just Santa, there’s no need to keep pulling out the same snacks every year. So go ahead; try them all. And lick the spoon-we won’t tell.