Give Canned Beans A Delicious, Crunchy Upgrade With A Sprinkle Of This Seasoning

Some of us may not want to eat between meals, but when places like Trader Joe's offer snacks for less than five bucks, it can be tricky not to be nibbling at all hours of the day. However, as so often happens — in our kitchens at least — a humble can of beans can come to our rumbling tums' rescue, especially when they're mixed with a generous sprinkling of Cajun seasoning. Plenty of pantry staples will elevate your baked beans, but we're firmly in snacking territory for this clever hack.

Simply crack open whatever beans you have in the cupboard, rinse and dry them really well, and scatter them on a sheet pan before spraying a little oil on. Dust your shiny legumes with Cajun seasoning and any other herb or spice that takes your fancy (for us it's always gotta be garlic powder). Then, pop them in a hot oven for around 40 minutes.

As the beans cook, they will take in all that bright, savory seasoning, while the oil turns them moreishly crispy. When they're done, you do have to exercise all your patience while waiting for them to cool, but the rewards are worth it. Every crunchy, savory bite delivers a zing of bold flavor that's so good, you could well eat the entire can before you realize.

We're still not sure if Cajun seasoning really is in Raising Cane's sauce, but we're big fans of this flavorful blend. So-called authentic Cajun seasoning contains black, white, and cayenne peppers, along with salt, onion and garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and plain or sometimes smoked paprika. Of course, there's nothing to stop home cooks tweaking that stellar line-up. Those who love heat often add chile or red pepper flakes, and if you want to dial back your salt intake, simply leave it out.

No matter how you make your Cajun seasoning, it's important to strike a good balance between all those ingredients. When you've got a Cajun mix that works for your tastebuds, pop it in a jar and sprinkle it over everything you like, including meat, fish, veggies — and canned beans! Keep your homemade Cajun seasoning in a cool, dry place, and it will keep for up to 12 months.

While that flavorful Cajun seasoning is a key ingredient in this crunchy, veggie-friendly snack, you don't have to worry about sourcing a specific variety of beans. Any canned variety will work, from shiny, red kidney beans to creamy, nutty cannellini. We recommend giving it a whirl with lupini beans, which outstrip eggs in the protein stakes, though that's not the only health benefit to chowing down on a handful or two. White beans are a great way to boost your fiber intake, with a 130-gram serving of cannellini providing a shade under 9 grams (per the USDA), as well as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.