My “Famous” Chex Mix: THE Perfect Snack!

Crunchy, salty, spicy, and a little sweet; who wouldn’t want more out of a snack? My Chex Mix recipe is a very popular and sought after “gift” around the Holidays. And, seriously, I’m not tooting own horn here; folks repeatedly comment on how much they Love it, how addictive it is, and some have even offered to pay me to provide it year round.

This is a recipe that evolved 12 – 13 years ago from my dear and departed friend’s original family recipe. She always called her mix “Nibble Bait.” A funny sounding name to me, but a truly accurate one: it Baits you to keep eating! Diana often made hers around the Holidays, a tradition I’ve also adopted. In December I, literally, make Gallons upon GALLONS of My Chex Mix; for family, for gifts, for my hubby’s client-gift-bags, and for our own personal consumption. It’s a happy day in our house when a fresh batch is pulled out of the oven. This year I had enough ingredients left-over from my ‘Holiday Hoard’ that I decided to make it for the Super Bowl… because it is…simply: THE BEST Football-Watching-Food Ever!

Where my recipe differs from those you can find is in the oils, spices and NO added Salt. Initially, I began to experiment replacing the melted butter with different oils; finding Olive Oil to work the best – specifically Extra Light Olive Oil. Through further tests and trials over the years: I’ve added a bit of Toasted Sesame Oil to the mix, Bagel Chips, broken Pretzel Sticks, Chipotle Powder, Extra-Hot Chili powder- a mainstay in Indian food, Honey Nut Chex, and Honey Roasted Peanuts. And, as I do not like store bought mixed-nut varieties, I use the kind of nuts that I enjoy- which means ~ heavy on whole cashews! I stay away from adding Worcestershire Sauce or extra salt, as I find that the nuts, chips, and pretzels provide enough salt to the mix.  I also choose to slow cook the mix in a low oven to bring out the flavors and fully roast the nuts.

Recipe:

Preheat Oven to 275 Degrees

½ Bag or 6 Cups Each of the following: Rice Chex, Corn Chex, & Honey Nut Chex*
3 Cups of Wheat Chex * Generic cereals work Wonderfully!
1 ½ Cups Pretzel Sticks broken into pieces
1 Cup Plain Bagel Chips broken into pieces
1 Cup Almonds
1 Cup Whole Cashews
1 ½ Cup Honey Roasted Peanuts ( or your favorite kind )

½ Cup Olive Oil ( Extra Light is better if you can find i t)
1 Tbs. Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
2 tsp. Granulated Garlic
1 ½ tsp. Chipotle Tabasco Sauce
1 tsp. Chipotle Powder
½ tsp. of Extra Hot Indian Chili Powder

Place cereal, nuts, bagel chips, and pretzels in a large aluminum catering pan, approximately 12″ x 20″ ( I get mine at a our big wholesale store…they are large and can be reused.) Combine your oils and your spices: whisk together thoroughly and drizzle half over dry ingredients. Using your hands, gently fold and mix together to incorporate the oil into the cereal/nut mix. Whisk again and drizzle the remaining oil/spice mixture: continue to mix by hand. When your dry ingredients are coated with the oil/ mixture: wash your hands ( they’ll be messy! ) and place pan into the oven.

Bake for 50 – 60 minutes, pulling out pan and gently stirring every 15 minutes. Watch for browning: reduce heat or stir more often if top browns too quickly.

Remove pan from oven, stir, and set out to air dry; about an hour or two. Place in air tight containers or plastic zip bags.This recipe yields about 6 Quarts or 24 cups and can be stored in air-tight containers in cool storage for up to 4 – 5 weeks.

~This is a recipe you can make your “own,” as I have. Add more spice: Ancho Chili Powder, Franks Hot Sauce or make it less sweet by replacing anything “honey roasted” or “honey nut” with plain versions. and you can EASILY make this Gluten FREE**. So, make it , experiment with it, and Enjoy!!

** For A Gluten Free Version: replace pretzel sticks with Gluten Free pretzels. Replace the Bagel Chips with Nut Thins or Rice Crackers. Forgo the Wheat Chex and replace with Rice or Corn Chex. Easy and Gluten Free!

***When I make My Chex Mix: I double this recipe. I mix all in a designated plastic “Bus Bin” that I also buy at my local big wholesale store. These plastic bins are fantastic for mixing large quantities of misc. and are great for transporting multiple food items to a friends house or potluck.

Double Batch mixed in a Designated plastic Buser-Bin