Description
This Sweet and Spicy Chex Mix is a delightful snack blend combining crunchy cereals, pretzels, nuts, and bagel chips, all coated in a flavorful sweet and spicy sauce. Perfectly baked to achieve a crispy texture, this mix offers a balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes, making it an ideal treat for parties, gatherings, or everyday snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Snack Mix
- 9 cups Chex cereal (combination of rice, corn, and wheat Chex)
- 1 cup mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup mini pretzel rods
- 1 cup mini bread sticks
- 2 cups nuts (combination of almonds, whole cashews, and pistachios)
- 1 cup bagel chips (Rye or plain)
Sweet & Spicy Sauce For Seasoning
- ¾ cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare it for baking the snack mix evenly and slowly, ensuring a crispy texture without burning.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the rice, corn, and wheat Chex cereals along with mini pretzel twists, mini pretzel rods, mini bread sticks, bagel chips, and the mixed nuts. Stir gently to combine all dry ingredients thoroughly.
- Prepare the Sweet and Spicy Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter completely. To the melted butter, add Worcestershire sauce, honey, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Coat the Snack Mix: Pour the sweet and spicy seasoning sauce evenly over the dry snack mix. Use a spatula to toss and mix all ingredients thoroughly so each piece is coated with the sauce.
- Spread on Baking Tray: Transfer the coated snack mix onto a large baking tray. Spread it out in one even layer to ensure consistent baking and crispiness.
- Bake the Mixture: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir or shake the mixture occasionally during baking to ensure even crisping and avoid burning.
- Cool the Snack Mix: Once baked to a golden crispy finish, remove the tray from the oven and allow the mix to cool completely on the tray. Cooling helps the snack mix to further crisp up and sets the flavors.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the Sweet and Spicy Chex Mix immediately as a tasty snack, or store it in an airtight container. It keeps fresh for up to 3 weeks, perfect for ongoing snacking.
Notes
- The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; check for even color and crispiness every 20–30 minutes during baking.
- Feel free to customize the nut and chip mix based on your preference or dietary needs.
- For a less spicy version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and chili powder.
- Ensure the snack mix is completely cooled before storing to prevent sogginess.
- This mix is great for parties, gift baskets, or as a homemade popcorn alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
