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Homemade Chex Mix

Homemade Chex Mix - Sweet Mama's Kitchen

Welcome, fellow snack enthusiasts! Today, I bring you a treasure: the recipe for homemade Chex mix, prepared using a slow cooker and oven method. Trust me, this isn’t your average mix. This version packs more flavor and crunch than most store-bought options. 
I’ve perfected this recipe after countless batches, and it’s now a staple for every gathering I attend. Having experienced the joy of making it, I can promise it will take your snacking game to the next level.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 14
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoned salt like Lawry’s
  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 2 cups whole grain oat cereal like Cheerios
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 8 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
  • 2 cups mini pretzel twists or sticks
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or chipotle powder
  • 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

Method
 

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
  1. Before you get started, gather all your ingredients and kitchen tools. You’ll need a large mixing bowl, a slow cooker, and a baking sheet. This makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
  1. In your large mixing bowl, toss together the cereals, peanuts, walnuts, and pretzels. You want a good mix of everything. The goal is to make sure each piece is well incorporated.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika. Whisk until it’s well combined. This will add flavor to every crunchy bite of your mix.
Step 4: Pour the Sauce Over the Mixture
  1. Drizzle the sauce over your cereal mix in the large bowl. This is where the magic begins! Use a spatula to gently fold the mixture, ensuring that every piece gets a coating of that buttery goodness.
Step 5: Slow Cook the Mixture
  1. Pour the mixture into your slow cooker. Set it on low for about 2–3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 6: Transfer to the Oven
  1. Once the slow cooker time is up, preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the Chex mix evenly onto a baking sheet. This step helps achieve that tasty crunch.
Step 7: Bake
  1. Bake the mix for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. This ensures an even brown color and crisp texture.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
  1. Remove the Chex mix from the oven and let it cool before serving. This helps to harden any soft pieces and enhance the crunch factor.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Variations: Don’t hesitate to try other nuts or cereals for different textures and flavors.
Adjusting Spice: If spice isn’t your thing, reduce or eliminate the cayenne pepper.
Mixing: Be gentle when mixing to prevent breaking the cereals or pretzels.
Double Batch: This recipe is easy to scale up for larger gatherings.