Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Introduction

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix is a delightful snack that balances crunchy, savory, and sweet flavors in every bite. Perfect for parties or a midday treat, this easy-to-make mix combines cereals, pretzels, and a buttery brown sugar glaze for irresistible flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 cups rice chex cereal
• 3 cups wheat chex cereal
• 3 cups cheddar cheez its
• 2 cups pretzels (mini pretzels recommended)
• 1 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 stick salted butter (8 tbsp)
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Flakey sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice chex, wheat chex, cheddar cheez its, pretzels, and roasted peanuts. Mix gently to blend.
3. Step 3: Place a small saucepan over low heat and add the butter and brown sugar. Let the butter melt completely and stir the sugar into the butter until dissolved.
4. Step 4: Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce and increase heat to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer lightly for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat afterward.
5. Step 5: While the glaze is hot, pour it over the dry ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
6. Step 6: Spread the coated mixture evenly onto the two prepared baking sheets.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle flakey sea salt over the top and bake for 40 minutes at 250°F, tossing once halfway through baking to ensure even crispness.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture for a spicy kick.
• Swap out peanuts for almonds or cashews for a different nutty flavor.
• Use gluten-free cereals and pretzels if you need a gluten-free version.
• Make smaller batches by halving the ingredients, ideal for quick snacks without leftovers.

Storage

Store the cooled Chex Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps the snack crunchy and fresh. If it softens, reheat in the oven at 250°F for 5-10 minutes to restore crispiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter but consider adding a little extra salt to the mixture or adjusting the amount of flakey sea salt sprinkled on top to maintain the sweet and salty balance.

What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce?

If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or tamari can work as alternatives, though they will add a slightly different flavor profile. Use the same amount as called for in the recipe.

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 107 reviews

This Sweet and Salty Chex Mix is a perfect blend of crunchy cereals, pretzels, peanuts, and a buttery, brown sugar glaze with a hint of Worcestershire sauce. Baked low and slow, it’s an ideal snack for parties, game days, or anytime you crave a delicious mix of sweet and savory flavors.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 12 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups rice chex cereal
• 3 cups wheat chex cereal
• 3 cups cheddar cheez its
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 cup roasted peanuts

Wet Ingredients

• 1 stick salted butter (8 tbsp)
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Finishing

• Flakey sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice chex cereal, wheat chex cereal, cheddar cheez its, mini pretzels, and roasted peanuts. Stir gently to mix evenly.
3. Prepare Butter Mixture: Place a small saucepan on the stove over low heat, then add the stick of salted butter and brown sugar. Allow the butter to melt completely, then stir the sugar into the melted butter until combined.
4. Add Worcestershire Sauce and Simmer: Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce and increase the heat to medium-low. Let the mixture lightly simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat.
5. Coat Dry Ingredients: While the butter mixture is still hot, pour it over the dry mix in the large bowl and toss thoroughly to coat all the pieces evenly.
6. Spread and Season: Divide the mixture between the two prepared baking sheets, spreading it evenly into a single layer. Sprinkle flakey sea salt over the top to enhance the flavor.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. Toss the mix once halfway through baking to ensure even cooking and coating.
8. Cool and Store: Remove the Chex mix from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheets. Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Use flakey sea salt for a more pronounced salty crunch.
• Mix thoroughly when coating with the butter mixture to ensure even flavor distribution.
• Keep an eye during simmering to avoid burning the butter and sugar.
• This mix can be stored at room temperature but is best enjoyed within 5 days.
• Feel free to swap peanuts for other nuts like almonds or cashews if preferred.

Keywords: Chex mix, sweet and salty snack, party snack, baked snack mix, Cheez It recipe, crunchy snack mix